Traffic Study
Dear Sterling Business,
For years many have questioned the need for one-way streets in Sterling. Originally implemented on September 30th, 1953, Third and Fourth Streets were converted to “one-ways” in order to better handle heavy traffic flow through town before the existence of I-76. Once the Interstate Highway was completed, the traffic load through town diminished, yet one-way streets remain in place essentially outliving their original purpose.
During this same time period downtown merchants have experienced a dramatic decline as business has migrated toward West Main. While this trend is not unique to Sterling our Downtown is significantly disadvantaged because of the inaccessibility created by one-way streets that, in effect, redirect traffic all other directions and generally make getting Downtown an unnecessarily confusing and exasperating experience.
The Logan County Economic Development Corporation in conjunction with the Sterling Urban Renewal Authority is investigating what would be required to convert third and fourth streets back to two-way streets. We think the resulting improvements to downtown access would be an economic benefit to businesses that rely not only on local trade but would have an increased opportunity to lure out of town customers from the Interstate.
The intersection alterations required for the one-way conversions may be an opportunity to make another long needed efficiency improvement by connecting the Highway 6 overpass to Highway 14 via the abandoned railroad right-of-way. The scope of this second project, while more ambitious, would greatly benefit both local and commercial through-traffic by eliminating the sharp turns required at the 4th and Main or 5th and Main intersections. This would also help keep heavy truck traffic off side streets minimizing the conflict between semi-trucks and residential neighborhoods.
So what will it take to do this? For starters, any street or intersection alterations will require approval from the Colorado Department of Transportation as these streets are all state highways. Secondly, it will require funding. CDOT’s budget has been severely affected by the economic downturn and new projects seem to be looked upon with a certain degree of contempt. Nevertheless, we believe if economic benefit and traffic flow efficiency can be demonstrated, CDOT will agree that the return on investment will be realized by both Sterling retail as well as State commerce.
What has been done so far? At the request of CDOT we have commissioned a series of professional traffic studies to 1) determine the effect on traffic flow if 3rd and 4th were two-way streets, 2) determine what changes would be required for the effected intersections and 3) explore traffic routing options if Highway 6 and Highway 14 were connected via the abandoned railroad right-of-way.
What is next? We need your help! While we believe the impact to Sterling would be positive we also realize not everyone may benefit or the overall benefit may not adequately justify the project’s cost. We are asking for your input to help estimate the potential economic impact to Downtown Sterling by filling out our questionnaire. Please circle the answer that best matches your opinion.
Click here for a Intersection Alternatives summary from the Traffic Study.
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