Update: Trolley Tracks found during East Boulevard Pedscape Construction
The construction phase for the East Blvd Pedscape is well underway, and it is hard to miss. But what you may have missed is that the construction uncovered a bit of Dilworth history, the original trolley tracks that ran on East. Edward Latta originally designed East Blvd to be the centerpiece of his neighborhood and ran the trolley line down it. Wouldn’t it be great if it still did?
Pedscape construction is expected to be completed by August, 2010. The construction is designed to minimize disruption to the neighborhood and be completed well in time for the Greek Festival in September, 2010.
The Cleveland Road to Dilworth Road West. section of East Boulevard is the grand residential avenue of Dilworth that Edward Latta envisioned as the centerpiece of his neighborhood. It is a broad tree lined avenue that was built to impress as well as accommodate a streetcar line. However, due to its width and lack of crosswalks in the present era of the speeding car, this stretch of East Blvd can be a bit risky when crossing by foot or bike from one side to the other.
In 2008 CDOT project team created two concepts for East Blvd that were developed from input gathered at the August meeting. and then brought to the community in a November meeting. A number of children came carrying signs stating how often they crossed East Blvd or their dislike of busy roads.The East Blvd Pedscape is being designed to improve pedestrian safety and comfort levels along the corridor. A final plan was taken from comments gathered in November, and presented in a third meeting in the first quarter of 2009. The final design will also improve East Blvd for all users: bicycles, motorists, transit users, as well as pedestrians.
The stated objectives of the Pedscape Plan are to:
- Convert East Boulevard from 4 lanes to 3 lanes with a center turn lane, bike lanes and parking.
- Install bulb-outs at intersections to reduce pedestrian crossing distance.
- Maintain two-way access to all driveways.
- Install pedestrian refuge medians with landscaping in some locations.
These design can be viewed online at http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/City Engineering/See Our Projects/Transportation/Roads/East Blvd Pedscape.htm
If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact the City project team: Sharon Buchanan, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 704-336-2044Tom Sorrentino, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 704-336-3934 orWes Kenney, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 704-759-7303