Carson City announces initial plans for William Street
City engineer Randall Rice discusses possible changes for the intersection of Saliman Road and William Street at a community meeting Tuesday.
Faith Evans/Nevada Appeal
Slower travel speeds, more landscaping, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements –Carson City is entering the design stages of the East William Complete Streets Project, and city staff are asking for community input. Tuesday, city engineer Randall Rice had a big question for residents and businesses. “Where are the pain points when you drive through this corridor?” he asked during a public forum. Attendees agreed that safety and congestion are issues on William Street. Some shared anecdotes of competing with oncoming cars for the center turn lane, or getting stuck in long lines, especially near Carson High School at student pickup and drop-off time. A recently completed traffic study of William Street suggests that the area could benefit from lane narrowing, medians, and more crosswalks, according to engineer Angie Hueftle, principal at NCE, an engineering firm that partnered with the city on the traffic study. The goal, Hueftle said, is “traffic calming.” Narrower lanes and more crosswalks will help slow traffic, keeping cars and pedestrians safer. The reduced lane space will allow for more bicycle and multiuse paths along William Street. In a counterintuitive way, traffic calming can help with congestion, Rice said. “Once we implement these changes, people’s decision making will change,” he said. “It’s trying to change habits. Get people to select a different route.” After all, the project’s goal and slogan is to “transform (William Street) from a high-speed vehicle thoroughfare to a destination roadway.” Other results from the traffic survey suggest that northbound traffic on Stewart Street needs a dedicated right-hand turn lane to William Street. On the flip side, the city may eliminate the right-hand turn lane eastbound from William Street to Saliman Road. Rice and city staff also agreed the corridor will need more crosswalks, complete sidewalks, and parking spaces for Mills Park. Budget permitting, the north parking for Mills Park lot may get electric vehicle charging stations. Rice emphasized that aesthetics matter in the design process, too. “It helps the environment flourish. It helps with treatment – we don’t have to spend that money on water treatment,” he said, referring to landscape plants that not only look good, but can filter runoff water for the city. The project is estimated to cost $21.3 million, funded partially though city money and a $9.3 million RAISE grant. Rice reassured audience members that the city will invest the money in a way that supports the needs of William Street. The city plans to have its final design complete by summer 2023 and start construction by the end of 2023. Keep up with the project and future meetings at www.carsonproud.com. To provide feedback on William Street, stretching from Carson Street to Interstate 580, email danderson@carson.org or mail a letter to Carson City Public Works, 3505 Butti Way, Carson City, NV, 89701.
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