New York Avenue Corridor Strategy Adopted Report New York Avenue Corridor Strategy Adopted Report | Page 22

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
EXISTING STREETS EXISTING BICYCLE / PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
Streets have traditionally been designed with the
mobility of vehicles as the primary focus. How-
ever, the successful redevelopment of corridors
must address all functions of the street, includ-
ing social and economic activity, and a variety of
transportation mode choices necessary to satisfy
the needs of the surrounding community. Within
the Study Area, New York Avenue is classified
as a minor arterial (see Figure 2.5). It currently
operates as a three-lane undivided roadway be-
tween E. Abram Street and E. Park Row Drive
and transitions to a four-lane undivided roadway
south to E. Arkansas Lane. In this area, New
York Avenue carries between 13,000 and 16,000
vehicles per day. Traffic congestion is not a
significant issue in this area, given the nearby
alternate north-south routes and the sufficient
capacity on New York Avenue. Based on trav-
el demand projections completed for the 2011
Thoroughfare Development Plan Update, no ca-
pacity improvements will be needed along New
York Avenue in the near future as growth within
the City continues. This provides flexibility to fo-
cus on improving other design characteristics of
the corridor to complement the surrounding built
environment and benefit all roadway users. The thoroughfares within the Study Area have a
predominantly auto-centric design, with little at-
tention given to pedestrians and bicycles. There
are existing sidewalks along a large portion of
New York Avenue, but in many parts there is no
buffer from the vehicle travelway, and the width
is limited by utility poles or adjacent fence lines
(see Figure 2.6). Sidewalks are missing on the
southern segment of the New York Avenue/Park
Row Drive intersection which is an important link
from the intersection crosswalks. There is also
a lack of shading and pedestrian-scale lighting
in most areas. Some of the adjacent residential
streets have seen recent improvements to side-
walks and curb ramps. However, the sidewalk
conditions vary along New York Avenue and
many pedestrian facilities at intersections do not
conform to Americans with Disabilities Act de-
sign guidelines.
Currently, there are no on-street bicycle facilities
within the Study Area, but the City’s planned bi-
cycle network includes routes that will connect
to many of the neighborhoods and schools with-
in the Study Area. Areas east and west of New
York Avenue will be connected with bike routes
One of the largest constraints in the improve-
ment of any existing roadway is the available
right-of-way. North of E. Park Row Drive, New
York Avenue has approximately 60’-62’ of right-
of-way with a wider streetside zone adjacent
to the three lanes of travel. However, south of
E. Park Row Drive, the right-of-way narrows to
approximately 50’ with very narrow streetside
width. In these conditions, it is important to pri-
oritize desired design elements and emphasize
those that will meet the vision of the corridor.
New York Avenue Existing Street and
Sidewalk Conditions
ARLINGTON, TEXAS
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