As promised, today I am featuring the first of a number of Scajaquada intersections that we will see impacted in the future. Many of these intersections are, at this point, high speed on and off ramps. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is looking hard at removing or reworking some of these ramps in order to clean up the access points that will lead to and from a downgraded Scajaquada Expressway (to a boulevard). The schematic that we see below shows us what it might one day look like at the north end of the s-curves where on and off ramps are now located. The idea is to transform the ramps into something that looks more like manageable intersections regulated by stop lights. This would be part of a traffic calming measure that we would see throughout all of the DOT plans.
The proposed changes (featured on this map) would allow pedestrians to easily cross from one side of Delaware Park to the other. The stop light located at the Scajaquada Boulevard would allow cars to effortlessly enter into traffic lanes – currently these are very dangerous merging point for drivers trying to get onto the expressway. The plan allows for additional Olmsted park land to be freed up with the removal of the western off and on ramps in lieu of a consolidated turning lane (at the signal). That same signal will help to slow traffic on the boulevard where the DOT is opting for a slower 40mph speed limit.
There is also a proposed new water feature that would capture storm water runoff and act as a bioswale or rain garden. That water collection area would also mimic the original configuration of Olmsted’s Gala Waters. The connectivity of walking and bike trails would be substantial.
See the rest of this series: