12 - TWO-WAY TRAFFIC ON 3RD S.W. STREET

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Item No. 12 memorandum TO: Mayor & City Council FROM: John Godwin, City Manager SUBJECT: TWO -WAY TRAFFIC ON 3R' STREET SW DATE: May 22, 2017 BACKGROUND: For several months in 2015 we considered and evaluated the advantages of eliminating some or all of the one -way streets in downtown Paris. We quickly eliminated the possibility of converting Lamar, Clarksville, Grand, or I" SW (all of those streets are TXDOT highways in any case). The city controlled six one -way streets in downtown, however, all of which we examined, and each of which was addressed by the Traffic Commission. The commission recommended changing Houston, Price, and 2nd Street SW & NW, and 3`d Street SW, from one -way to two -way traffic. STATUS OF ISSUE: At that time we recommended changing Houston and Price immediately, not changing 2nd at all, and delaying 3`d to a later date. Houston and Price were converted with minimal issues, and have worked well since. At this point, we would like to again consider moving forward with 3`d SW. One issue that came up in 2015 was the width of 3`d Street; it seemed narrower than the others. However, it does have the width required for safe two -way traffic, and is at least as wide as Houston and Price. If approved, prior to the conversion, we would re- notify property affected owners. BUDGET: Approximately $2,200 for changes to signs and road markings. RECOMMENDATION: Approve ordinance converting 3`d Street to two -way traffic, after a delayed effective date.