\Whblprof\BedforchS2700 00 Nashua
Circulation Study\reports\Final RaportFinal
Report doce
@ Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
6
Hollis Street/Spring Street traffic signal. Also, patrons of the Post Office would no
longer be able to queue along one of the travel lanes when the parking lot gets
congested (as they do today) as the northbound traffic would be limited to one lane.
Nevertheless, if the City is committed to begin to convert some of its one-way streets
to two-way, Spring Street may be a good location to start.
Court Street and Park Street
Converting Court Street and Park Street to two-way operation would improve
mobility in the area and also enhance land development opportunities. Converting
Court Street to two-way operation would at a minimum involve modest
modifications, to the Court Street/Temple Street intersection such as removing the
raised channelized island on Temple Street. However, a better option would be to
initiate discussions with the owner of the 30 Temple Street property regarding the
potential redevelopment opportunities for the adjacent parcels, which perhaps could
include the reconfiguration of the intersection in such a way as to connect Spring
Street directly into the intersection. Also, given the offset configuration of the Main
Street /Park Street / Waiter Street intersection, it may be best to maintain the one-way
westbound restriction for the short (approximately 100’) western most section of Park
Street. Connection to Pearson Street would be maintained through the existing
parking lot. Prior to the City advancing the conversion to two-way flow along Court
Street and Park Street it would be advantageous to work with the owner of the 30
Temple Street property to consider whether a reconfiguration of the Court
Street/Temple Street intersection could be coordinated with any development
proposal.
Share the Road Philosophy
Providing additional designated bicycle lanes within the existing cross-section of the
Downtown streets would be difficult without sacrificing on-street parking. Although
there is strong advocacy for improved bicycle connectivity, there does not appear to
be strong support for providing designated bicycle
lanes along Downtown streets — particularly if doing
so would impact on-street parking. Nevertheless,
there are actions that the City can take to encourage
bicycle use and enhance the experience of bicyclists.
The City should continue to advance off-road
opportunities for connectivity such as the Nashua
Heritage Rail Trail and the Nashua Riverwalk. Bike
racks could be installed throughout the Downtown.
The City recently purchased bike racks as part of the
sidewalk reconstruction project and is currently working to identify locations where
the racks will be placed.
The City could also install more “Share the Roadway” signs, which serve to remind
motorists of the multi-model character of the Downtown. Moreover, in addition to
these specific actions, the City should, within the core of the Downtown, establish a
“Share the Road” philosophy. The concept of share the road stems from the idea that
all roadways within the core area of the Downtown should have a look and feel of an
area where motorists will expect to see and will be welcoming to pedestrians and
bicyclists. This is best accomplished by minimizing the pavement width of travel
lanes while maximizing the width of sidewalks and providing numerous areas
where people are encouraged to gather.
Executive Summary
