A Solution for 24th Street?

Some  EXIT 6  supporters are suggesting alterations to 24th Street to ensure that cars exiting the shopping center at 24th Street can easily turn onto Howard Street, and that the residential part of Remington south of 24th Street is not burdened by shopping center traffic.

Here are the suggested alterations:

• Widen 24th Street west of Howard Street to match its width east of Howard Street, and add an outbound right-turn-only lane.

There is certainly merit in this suggestion, as the 24th Street roadbed, which is now very narrow west of Howard Street, is planned as the main entrance to cars and trucks for the Lowe's, and to the lower level of the parking garage.

These pictures illustrate the current difference in width between the east and west sections of 24th Street:

                                                                                                                          

Widening the roadbed to match its width east of Howard Street would greatly improve the intersection.

It would allow for eastbound 24th Street to have a right-turn-only lane to get cars onto southbound Howard Street and back to  EXIT 6 .  The other eastbound lane would be for cars continuing east or turning left onto northbound Howard Street.

Widening the roadbed would also allow for a wider inbound lane, to more easily accommodate trucks and vehicles headed toward the Lowe's and the parking garage.

• Block off 24th Street at Hampden Avenue.

This suggestion is consistent with the  EXIT 6  campaign to direct shopping center traffic away from homes.  Traffic approaching the shopping center via southbound Sisson Street would need to turn left at 26th Street (to be converted to two ways) and proceed to the upper-level entrance, instead of proceeding to 24th Street.  Traffic leaving the shopping center via 24th Street would need to use Howard Street.

24th Street west of Howard Street would effectively become the driveway for the shopping center and the new Extra Space Storage building.  24th Street would no longer provide access from Howard Street to the residential neighborhood.  While this would limit access, residents might find the benefits outweigh the disadvantage.

What Do You Think?

Comments on these suggested alterations are encouraged.