Fight for a people-first 200 South before Nov. 30

Salt Lake City is teed up to transform 200 South Downtown, including adding the city’s first transit-only lane while improving safety for other vulnerable road users.

The Transportation Division this month released three designs that show what could be coming to 200 South if supporters can show they back the change.

Read on to learn more about why we support the bus-only lanes and other street designs proposed in Concept 3, or follow this link to fill out the survey before Nov. 30.

Our top pick for 200 South — Concept 3

Of the three designs, Concept 3 is the change we’re pushing for. It would provide a clear and direct route for UTA’s Route 2 from 600 West to University Street.

The concept would also add a protected bicycle lane located adjacent to the curb, with protection at intersections and enhanced mid-block crossings.

This change won’t be easy. While Salt Lake City has shown that adding protected bike infrastructure actually increased sales for adjacent businesses on 300 South. Ridership also rapidly increased with the safe space provided to ride in.

There are also typically knee-jerk assumptions that trimming space for cars equates to congestion on the redesigned street and adjacent streets. Research shows that streets can stand to reallocate space from cars to other uses without changes in congestion.

The traffic counts for most of this stretch of 200 South justify taking from the five vehicle lanes that exist today without worry about backups.

Rather than permanently existing around a fear of rush hour traffic, our city should be focused on the other 95% of the day when residents and visitors aren’t commuting in a car.

Concept 3 also provides maximum flexibility in the use of curb space. It allows sidewalk bulb-outs for patios for restaurant and retail, as well as freight zones and parking for cars and trucks.

Second pick for 200 South redesign — Concept 2

Of the three designs, Option 2 is runner up. It’s a huge improvement over the existing design and would still create a lane that’s dedicated to Route 2 on the Frequent Transit Network.

This type of proposal is once-in-a-generation. Inaction will preserve the status quo of a road that’s hostile to most users. Before Nov. 30, make sure you support Concept 3 or 2, and share the survey with friends and neighbors.