Councilman Tom Simplot's
North Central News Column
The Future of Reversible Lanes
A development project along Seventh Avenue near Glenrosa Avenue has generated much discussion and concern for residents of central Phoenix neighborhoods. Although there were differing opinions between neighbors about the height and density of the project, the primary concern for everyone was traffic. And a key concern was the reversible lane on Seventh Avenue and whether it should be eliminated.
Our central city residents are all too familiar with cut-through traffic, and I would venture to say that almost all of us are guilty of this action, at one time or another. With light rail construction and utility upgrades tearing apart our streets, some neighborhoods, including mine, fall victim to folks cutting through as a way of simply getting to their destinations.
With the introduction of development projects which will bring new residents and life-blood to our small businesses, it is essential that we take a good look at the reversible lanes along Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street. The reversible lanes, originally introduced in the late 1970s, operate during peak traffic hours and allow an additional lane for motorists to travel south toward downtown in the morning and north in the afternoon.
On the surface, it seems like a good way to move traffic. But with a closer look, you’ll find confused drivers and frustrated motorists who sit behind them at intersections where left turns aren’t allowed. This has lead to dangerous situations, so much so that residents have nicknamed these lanes “suicide lanes.”
Additionally, prohibiting motorists from turning left at major intersections during peak traffic hours forces them to cut through neighborhoods to get where they are going.
Other cities that have utilized reversible lanes, such as Tucson, have opted to eliminate them. I feel that a review of Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street should occur, so I have asked our city’s Street Transportation Department for a comprehensive analysis of the pros and cons of these reversible lanes.
The businesses of the Seventh Avenue Merchants Association have come a long way. What we need to do now is to stop treating Seventh Avenue like a parkway and allow customers the chance to visit them.
Councilman Tom Simplot represents District 4, which includes parts of north central Phoenix. If you have questions, comments or suggestions on this or any other issue, contact his office at council.district.4@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-7447.
