City readies for South Shore Drive reconstruction

One-way traffic considered from 4th Avenue S. to12th Avenue S.
The one way concept which will be considered by the City Council for South Shore Drive extends from 12th Avenue South to 4th Avenue South, with designated bike lanes and parking the entire length, except no on-street parking between 4th Avenue South and  5th Avenue South.  Parking will remain from 4th Avenue South to Main Avenue with  two-way traffic and a “share the road” concept for bikes.

The Clear Lake City Council will consider a reconstruction plan for South Shore Drive which would change the street’s traffic flow to one-way travel from 4th Avenue South to 12th Avenue South.
A steering committee which has studied the $1.85 million project area since September is expected to recommend the one-way concept to the Council at its regular meeting Monday, Jan. 7. WHKS, the engineering firm designing the project, will also present a more typical street reconstruction plan for review.
City Administrator Scott Flory said that although the one-way concept represents a significant change, the idea has several merits which the committee likes. Most notably, the plan would provide the needed space to bike lanes on both sides of the road, while still making it possible to have on-street parking. The plan also preserves the most mature trees and aesthetics along the well-traveled route.
The concept which maintains two-way travel on the stretch provides for bike lanes, but on-street parking would be lost.
By including bike lanes along the road, the city was able to secure $520,000 in federal funds for the project.
City leaders join those from the county and beyond in supporting the goal of creating designated bike lanes around the lake. A Dunbar and Jones recreational plan created for the county designated bike travel around the lake as a marquee project, helping the community to secure federal funds.
Flory said the city was motivated to schedule the project by the federal dollars, as well as obsolete underground infrastructure in the area.
“The water lines are some of the oldest in the city-- circa 1910,” said Flory. The four-inch line will be replaced by an eight-inch line, increased to 10-inches from 1st Avenue South to 4th Avenue South.
“The effective capacity of that old four-inch line is probably only an inch at this point,” said Flory. “Water pressure and fire fighting capacities will be greatly improved.”
The South Shore Drive reconstruction project from Main Avenue (City Park south side) to 12th Avenue South is the second phase of South Shore Drive reconstruction. Phase I extended from 12th Avenue South to 27th Avenue South and included a bike lane.
If the one-way concept is chosen, Phase 2 would keep two-way travel from Main to 4th Avenue South, where a stop sign is located. From 4th Avenue South to 12th Avenue South would be one-way travel (south). Officials note side streets extending west to 3rd Street and 8th Street are located nearly every block along South Shore Drive, making it easy for vehicles to turn around, or return north toward the business district.
The City Council is expected to consider the concepts presented by WHKS and approve a concept statement. Assessment schedules would be mailed to 135 affected property owners in late February or early March, followed by a public hearing. Affected property owners also received a letter informing them of the 6:30 p.m., Jan. 7 meeting to discuss concepts for the project.
A tentative schedule would have bids let for the project in July-August 2008, and underground work beginning by September 2008. The goal would be to complete underground work and place rock over the top y year-end. Complete pavement removal and paving would take place in late spring 2009, with completion prior to the July 4 holiday activities in Clear Lake.
The city anticipates spending about $600,000 for its share of the project; $520,000 will come from federal funds; the remaining funds, about $750,000 will come from assessments.