Minnesota Complete Streets Update

Since my first post on the subject, a number of developments have occurred in Minnesota's "Complete Streets" scene.

Most notably, the City Council of North St. Paul voted (4-1) to kill the controversial 15th Avenue complete streets project.  Coverage from the St. Paul Pioneer Press before and after the vote.  Look for another project to take its place as, "City officials have said they still believe in the Living Streets plan and will consider using it for future street projects."

Today's Minneapolis Star Tribune carries a commentary on another complete streets project:  the Bryant Avenue bike boulevard ("Finding room for bike-car coexistence").  It describes a novel complete street project with the bike lane running down the center of the road.  Of course, that will slow down cars trying to use the same lane, but no matter, as "people who want to move fast should be over on Lyndale Avenue, according to defenders of the new lanes."

That's the real problem, isn't it?  The cars aren't going away, they are finding a different route.  So what may be good for Bryant Ave. will be bad for Lyndale Ave., as traffic, like water, finds its own level.  Supporters who want a quiet, bike-friendly street are just inflicting more traffic on the next road over.

Not new, but here (from Minnesota Public Radio) is a photo of my least favorite complete streets application:

It is First Avenue in Minneapolis, near the Target Center/Target Field sports stadia complex.  What was curb side, metered parking is now a dedicated bike lane.  Parking has now moved to what was a driving lane, so we have parked cars in the middle of the street.  How does this promote safety?