Stripe, Walk, Bike Ayd Mill Project

Objective:
To share Ayd Mill Corridor as a regular public street by the citizens 
of St Paul and gain 20+ acres of greenspace with MINIMAL COST.
We have altered the plan to reflect concerns of safety and
landscaping brought up in discussions with many District Councils.

Method:
> Share the street by striping east two lanes of Ayd Mill Road  
  for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Safety of people is
  enhanced because the east lanes are physically separate from
  the car traffic in the west lanes, which have the access ramps.

> Set the maximum speed limit of the west side two car lanes 
  of Ayd Mill Road to 35 miles per hour.

> Remove the signs at the entrances to Ayd Mill Road that read:
    Pedestrians
    Bicycles
    Motorized Bicycles
    Non-motorized vehicles
    PROHIBITED

> To keep COSTS to a MINIMUM we specifically do not want any landscaping,
  additional parking or other development at this time.  We will
  raise money or get funds for plantings in the next phase.

Rationale:

At the St Paul City Council sponsored Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming
Summit on May 16-19 the city brought in expert David Engwicht whose advice
was that the perceived use of public space shaped the neighborhood
and environment.  

St Paul prohibits the public from using Ayd Mill Corridor for 
pedestrian and bicycle use and the perception of the Ayd Mill Corridor
is a "Stunted Freeway".  Applying Mr. Engwicht's advice we will change 
this perception to "public street and bikeway" similar to 
River Road, Fairview Avenue, Montreal Avenue and Summit Avenue by 
allowing many other uses of the Ayd Mill Corridor and making it
a part of the neighborhoods.

-St Paul City Council has approved a 35 MPH two lane configuration
for Ayd Mill Road.

-Traffic count on Ayd Mill Road is lower than other striped streets. 

-Ayd Mill Corridor is already an approved St Paul bicycle route (not built.)

-The Metro Council has now downgraded Ayd Mill Road from a "freeway"
type road to a "secondary collector" (regular street) in its 
transportation plan.

-Our estimate of the cost of striping is $1-$2/foot for 8,000 feet 
for each lane of Ayd Mill or $16,000-$32,000.

-The gain of 20 acres of public land in neighborhoods lacking
any significant greenspace is a very real benefit not seen in most
striping projects. Equivalent greenspace could cost millions.