Roundabout decisions for Old Redwood Hwy

On October 20, the Town Council will consider adopting a plan to
turn a section of Old Redwood Highway into a “complete street”—a
road that is designed to place bicyclists and pedestrians on par
with cars.
“This will convert a rural highway into an urban corridor,” said
Peter Chamberlin, Planning Director for the Town of Windsor.
The plan focuses on a half-mile segment of Old Redwood Highway
beginning at the intersection with Windsor River Road and heading
north. The current preferred proposal includes three roundabouts
with landscaped islands, northbound and southbound bike lanes, and
sidewalks on both sides of the highway. The sidewalk meanders along
the highway, and includes elevated sections to preserve the root
systems of heritage oak trees.
Roadside parking spots are proposed to be “reverse angle,”
meaning the driver has to pull past the parking spot and then back
up in order to park.
“The safety of bicyclists really dictated that we move towards
reverse angle parking,” said Senior Planner Rick Jones. When
drivers are ready to leave the space they pull forward rather than
reversing, eliminating a common cause of bicycle-auto
collisions.
Three roundabouts are proposed. The southernmost, a two-lane
roundabout at the intersection of Windsor River Road and Old Red,
is tentative: planners have also included an alternate, signalized
design.
“The roundabouts, for me, are fulfilling two functions. On Old
Redwood Highway, they’re defining a zone. You know as a driver that
you’re going to be entering a different zone and slowing down. It’s
going to feel like the driver’s not the only one out there,” Jones
said. “It’s also an aesthetic and gateway area to the town as a
whole.”
“The roundabout is something new for Windsor residents, but we
feel the benefits outweigh the standard traffic light,” Chamberlin
said.
Still, he noted that not everyone was a roundabout fan. “Yes,
there are detractors, yes there are people who say they won’t
accept them,” he said.
If the council moves forward with the preferred design, they
could potentially bring the roundabout total in Windsor from zero
to four, since a roundabout in front of the train station is under
consideration as part of the Station Area Plan.
According to planners, the Old Redwood Highway improvement
timeline hinges on that of Bell Village. If approved, preparatory
work may begin in Spring of 2012.
“The opportunity is here because Bell Village is going to have
to build a street,” Chamberlin said. The project would represent a
partnership between Bell Village, Windsor Gateway, and the town,
with funding coming from all three entities. The town would utilize
redevelopment funds for their share.
Chamberlin noted that the proposed 25 acre, 400 unit Bell
Village project also fits in with the broader plan for the
region.
“It’s also part of the Station Area Plan, in that it has the
density. It’s within walking distance, easily, of the railroad
that’s anticipated to be here in 2014,” Chamberlin said. “This is a
smart growth project, a much more intensive use than the mobile
home park.”
Mass transit access is included in the plan, with two new bus
shelters proposed. But the biggest change for residents and
commuters will be the anticipated speed of Old Redwood Highway and
Windsor River Road.
“The design intent here is to get to 25 m.p.h. The intent is to
turn it into a destination, rather than a pass through,” said
planner Jones.
“You get into what’s known as traffic calming. Can you go
faster? Yes, but it’s difficult,” Chamberlin said. “This will tell
people, you’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Residents will be able to share their opinions on the proposal
during the public comment period at the October 20 Town Council
meeting.