Main Avenue project frustrates some drivers

The city's Main Avenue road diet project in downtown Sioux Falls has successfully slowed vehicle traffic. While that's good for pedestrians and retail businesses eager to boost foot traffic, the changes have frustrated some car commuters.

Michelle Gehrman parks in the Block 11 parking garage at Main and 10th Street every day she works at CCC Information Services. Leaving at 5 p.m. has become a long and sometimes risky proposition, she said.

Vehicles waiting to leave the garage sometimes back up to the garage's second level. Drivers say pulling into a lane of traffic is more difficult now that there are only two lanes instead of three.

"It's horrible," Gehrman said.

She said it's difficult to see around vehicles that are parked at an angle.

The city added more buffer space to the north of the garage, removing parking spaces to give drivers a better view of oncoming traffic.

Gehrman said she's almost been hit by cars backing out of the angled spaces along the east side of Main Avenue.

She doesn't see many benefits to the road diet, aside from Parker's Bistro adding more patio seating.

"I would love to see it go buh-bye," she said.

The pilot project started in mid-July and will last through October at least.

One traffic lane was converted into angled parking spaces, with bump outs at intersections, bicycle parking and seating areas added.

One goal is to make Main Avenue more pedestrian-friendly in a way that encourages retail growth similar to what's happened on Phillips Avenue.

Duplicating Phillips Avenue's success has its challenges. The northern blocks of Main are dominated by banks and parking garages.

"It's never going to be Phillips Avenue, but if we can incorporate some of these aesthetics that draw people to walk on Phillips, (it could) fill areas that are vacant," said Dustin Powers, an economic development coordinator with the city's community development department.

The more foot traffic, the better for businesses, he said.

One prime location on the corner of Main and 11th Street has been empty for a year, since Young and Richards Flowers moved to Phillips Avenue.

Numerous restaurant groups have looked at the space, both out of town groups and local owners, according to Scott Blount, broker with Lloyd Cos.

He said he wasn't sure what to expect from the road diet project.

"I love the increased parking, but it also makes it a little nicer for pedestrians," he said.

Road diet features create a buffer between walkers and cars and encourage drivers to slow down. City traffic studies show drivers are keeping speeds at the 20 mph limit since the change.

Before, they were taking that stretch at 30 mph and using it as a way to avoid Minnesota Avenue as they traveled to the McKennan Park area, traffic engineer Heath Hoftizer said.

Main Avenue traffic can still be heavy at 5 p.m.

"When 15,000 people work downtown, you're going to have that," Powers said.

City crews have adjusted the timing of traffic lights to help prevent backups.

City staff will evaluate traffic impacts and consider survey responses from the public before deciding whether to make the changes permanent. The City Council would be asked to weigh in as well.

Powers said it would be possible to extend the pilot project through the winter or into a second summer season.

Some construction work would be involved if it becomes a permanent change for Main Avenue. Painted bumpout areas would be built out with curbs and concrete. City officials would also have to decide whether to continue free parking for the angled spots, add meters or install pay stations.

Main Avenue Traffic Counts

City taffic counts show fewer cars are using Main Avenue since implementing the road diet pilot project, and fewer drivers are speeding. Counts were taken over a six-day period on Main Avenue between 10th and 11th streets in late June and again in mid-August.

Before Road Diet: 3,560 vehicles, 702 traveling over 30 mph

During Road Diet: 3,211 vehicles, 574 traveling over 30 mph

Source: City of Sioux Falls

Give your opinion

About 280 have responded to the online survey on the Main Avenue road diet. Find the survey at www.siouxfalls.org/mainavesurvey.