New sharrows and green paint popped up along this entire length of the streetcar tracks last last week.
The new markings arrived as the construction is winding down. In fact, the emails alerting the public and media to streetcar construction alerts will no longer be sent out.
Here’s what the streetcar team said in the last update:
As construction activities for the Sun Link streetcar are nearly complete, this will be the last weekly traffic alert issued. During the streetcar testing phase, alerts will be sent as needed if impacts to the traveling public are expected. The Sun Link Streetcar Team thanks each of you for your patience, consideration and cooperation during the construction phase of this project.
As for the sharrows, they appeared on Park Avenue, University Boulevard, Congress Street and Broadway Boulevard. As of this weekend, the sharrows on Fourth Avenue that were removed because they were too close to the curb, have not been replaced.
In addition to sharrows, new green paint has been placed along the streetcar route. Broadway Boulevard and Fifth street received several new treatments.
It’s pretty evident by the way people interact with the green markings like the bike box on University Boulevard that most people still don’t know what they mean.
Lots of drivers also haven’t a clue about sharrows, either. Why won’t the city install “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs?
I have ridden my bike down 4th & 6th Ave. I don’t like either so I will stick with 7 & 9th Ave. Much less traffic & fuss. If I want to go thru the underpass coming from north Tucson, I take Highland to 9th Street. I am not a fan of sharrows.
arsolot It must be that the sign would be too much of a shock to motorists’ psyche. Better, in traffic engineers’ minds, to use a nebulous symbol to make it appear the situation has been addressed. True cyclists would always prefer the sign.
A guy standing between two ovals. What does that have to do with bicycles? Is this supposed to be code?
THIS LOOKS VERY UNSAFE. Are we trying to get rid of cyclist? Not even a lane line. How about the 3-foot clearance many cyclist want, even some want more clearances.