The purpose of this project is to improve safety on Duke Street between North Ripley Street and North Jordan Street by installing vehicle turn calming treatments at key intersections.

This project supports the City’s adopted Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and severe crashes by 2028. More information on the City’s safety efforts is available on the Vision Zero webpage. 

Overall Project Status: In Design

Crash History and Risk

As part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Vision Zero Work Plan, the City plans to implement turn calming measures on Duke Street between North Ripley Street and North Jordan Street. Duke Street was identified as a high-crash corridor in the latest citywide crash analysis and has had a relatively high frequency of pedestrian crashes, many of which involve drivers making turns.  

Vehicles turning left account for 41% of all pedestrian crashes in the City and make up 21% of all fatal or severe pedestrian crashes. Several pedestrian crashes have occurred at multiple intersections along the Duke Street corridor. 

Left turns can be particularly dangerous for people walking for a few reasons: 

• In most cases, left turning radii are wide, which can lead to higher vehicle speeds and greater pedestrian exposure when crossing the street
• A driver’s visibility is also limited when turning left; it can be obscured by the A pillar in the car and other obstructions 
• Left turns are more complex for drivers as they search for gaps in oncoming traffic and are not always looking for people crossing the street 

What is Turn Calming?

Turn calming measures use physical and visual cues to slow traffic and minimize the number and severity of crashes, increasing safety and comfort for all, especially people walking and bicycling.

Treatments may include:

• “Hardened” double-yellow centerlines
• Quick-build curb bulb-outs
• No Turn on Red regulations
• Signal timing changes to give people walking a head start into an intersection

These treatments are proven to reduce turning speeds and reduce conflicts with pedestrians and have been effective in places like Washington, D.C., Portland, and New York. 

Design

Status: In Progress

30% Design Plans

Construction

Status: Not Started

Construction is planned to take place in Summer 2024.