Montrose Could Have a 'Road Diet'

You’ve heard of food diets, but have you ever heard of a road diet?

For four months, starting in February 2012, residents could have a road diet case test on La Crescenta Avenue, between Verdugo Road and Montrose Avenue, which would cost Glendale about $29,000.

A road diet narrows or eliminates travel lanes to make way for bicyclists or pedestrians, according to the proposal. City council could approve this case study today at the Glendale City Council meeting at 6 p.m. at 613 E. Broadway, Glendale.

The proposed 1.6 mile road diet will restrip La Crescenta Avenue to eliminate two of the four existing car lanes. This will leave one car travel lane for both directions.

Street parallel parking will still remain under the proposal, which also adds a bike lane in each travel direction along the 40 mph road. 

The Public Works Department would like to resurface the road diet location near June 2012, following the case test where traffic conditions be monitored, evaluated before and during the road diet test. Locals’ input will also be included in the evaluation, including business owners’ reactions.

“Road diets have been shown to offer benefits to both drivers (including bicyclists) and pedestrians,” according to the proposal. “Vehicle speeds and vehicle interactions may be reduced, which can potentially reduce the severity and number of vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.”

This proposal is included in Glendale’s Bicycle Master Plan, which will be considered by city council in January 2012. Glendale’s first ‘Bikeway Master Plan’ was in 1972 included in the city’s general plan. The last and only update was in 1996.

At this road diet location – a mostly residential area in nature, with some commercial and retail space - officials estimate 13,000 vehicles pass through each day. The study would focus on design-related issues, possible traffic jams and how it impacts bicyclists.

Glendale’s proposed bike lanes for the Bicycle Master Plan were inspired by community members' ideas, city officials and planners who measured the suggested areas. Advocates and city officials even rode bikes to try the spots out, check for safety.

“Staff believes a road diet test case in Glendale would be very beneficial,” according to the proposal. “Monitoring traffic conditions both before and during the road diet test case, including obtaining citizen reactions and input, would be extremely helpful considering future (and more permanent) road diets in Glendale.”