Complete Streets Pop-Up Project, which builds temporary additions to streets that make paths for cyclists and pedestrians, will begin construction this month both on- and off-campus.
On the sections between 5th Street and Grove Loop of University Avenue, the temporary transformation of the street will include infrastructure for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians and will demonstrate what the road will look and feel like without a permanent change to design. Residents and tourists alike will get a taste of how the flow of traffic will go with two bicycle lanes, a pedestrian island, crosswalks in some places, and the addition of shared lane arrows. When it comes to transportation, travelers have a want and need for safety, which was one of the main goals for this project.
“Cyclists and pedestrians will now have designated facilities for them to travel on or cross the road safely,” said Sara Douglass of the University of Mississippi Center for Sustainability. “We want cyclists and pedestrians to feel safe and encouraged to ride and walk.”
Safety relies not only on the design of roads, but also on travelers, Douglass said. Motorists must be aware of the significance of driving at or under the speed limit, especially in areas where cyclists and pedestrians are present. Douglass said she believes by reducing the number and width of travel lanes, the traffic speeds will consequently reduce.
Will Schenck, a member of the UM Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory, said transportation has shown that transitioning from a four-lane to three-lane road reduces motorist speeds and the risk of collisions by 19-47 percent.
“A temporary project like the one we’re proposing will allow Oxford Pathways Commission and BPAC to evaluate the impact of the changes by gathering data about speed and usage and taking feedback from users,” Schenck said. “Since this route serves as a bridge (literally and figuratively) between the Square and the University, making it usable by motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians alike will serve as an important symbol and concrete sign of the progress the city and university are making towards developing safe travel options for all of their citizens and constituents.”
The construction of the project began on the evening of June 30. Donations are being accepted for supplies and materials, which include, but are not limited to, marking tape and installation equipment. Donations can be made to the Sustainable Ole Miss Fund; the Oxford Cycling Club and the UM Office of Sustainability will each offer a 100 percent match for up to $2,000. Volunteers can also sign up to lend a hand by visiting http://green.olemiss.edu/popup/. Requiring funds, time devotion, and hard work, the pop-up project will be “absolutely worth it”, according to Douglass.
Kate Kellum, member of both BPAC and Oxford Pathways Commission, said, on a scale of 1-10, the effectiveness of this project is a 10.
“This data will help us know if the modifications make the street more welcoming for all users and are worthy of additional investment,” Kellum said.
Considering that students are mostly cyclists or pedestrians and motorists are prevalent in Oxford, both the university and the community will experience change due to Complete Streets pop-up.
“Our community is changing and our infrastructure is changing with it,” Kellum said. “I think pop-ups are a great way to experiment with changes at relatively low cost to find infrastructure solutions that work for all of us. This pop-up project is a great way for us to show that we care about how our growing community grows.”
