By Kevin Aldridge
Enquirer staff writer

City Council's Neighborhoods Committee is meeting today to discuss proposals for easing traffic flow on Vine Street. (Steven M. Herppich photo)

VINE STREET STUDY

A study of Vine Street looked at data from three time periods: 1) before the 1975 conversion from two-way to one-way 2) after the one-way and before the 1999 conversion back to two-way 3) after 1999. The study showed the following: Traffic volumes: All three north-south streets (Vine, Race and Walnut) when analyzed as a "system" decreased in traffic volumes by 28 percent after the conversion to two-way in 1999. Traffic accidents: The total number of reported accidents on Vine Street was higher when the street was two-way as opposed to one-way. (212 before 1975, 102 between 1975-1999, 164 after 1999) Travel time: Northbound Vine Street has more than doubled in average travel time from 2 minutes to more than 4 minutes. The average speed has decreased from 18.1 miles per hour to 12.1 mph.

City Council's Neighborhoods Committee will discuss at a special meeting today possible ways to turn traffic snarls on Vine Street - one of Cincinnati's central arteries - into a friendlier flow.

One proposal is the removal of "bump outs." Bump outs are extensions of the sidewalk at intersections that reduce traffic speeds and the distance required for pedestrians to cross the street.

The city installed the bump outs when Vine Street was converted from a one-way street into a two-way street in 1999. The bump outs were a concession requested by residents who were concerned for pedestrian safety.

A recent study conducted by the city's traffic and engineering department, however, concluded that the bump outs are contributing to traffic congestion and some accidents on Vine Street.

The department has recommended removing them as part of a Vine Street rehabilitation project that has been under way since July.

There is no consensus from the Over-the-Rhine community about whether the bump outs should remain.

"I would love for them to remove the bump outs," said Sharon Suder, owner of Suder's Art Store on Vine Street. "They are one of the biggest causes of traffic tie-ups that we have.

"I know they (residents) think there is a safety issue with them, but I really don't see it," she said. "The problem in this neighborhood is pedestrians don't use the crosswalks anyway."

Suder, whose family has owned the art store on Vine Street since the 1920s, said the bump outs make it impossible for vehicles to pull off to the side of the street when turning left or right. She said most vehicles wind up stopping in the middle of the street while they wait for pedestrian traffic to clear.

Joe Tucker, owner of Tucker's Restaurant on Vine Street, said bump outs are an important safety measure, but they also rob merchants of precious parking spaces.

The city's study of Vine Street found that Metro buses could not get in and out of bus stops efficiently because of the bump outs. Metro also had to lengthen its bus schedule times because of the increased traffic congestion, according to the study.

"A lot of accidents have been occurring because people are trying to get around these buses sitting in the middle of the road," said Councilwoman Laketa Cole, who chairs the Neighborhoods Committee.

The cost of removing the bump outs is estimated at about $75,000. Council would need to make a decision about the removal by Sept. 13. After that date, the street rehabilitation project would be too far along for the city to remove them.

Cole said it is unlikely that the city would take up whether to return Vine Street to one-way status at this time.

Tom Besanceney, president of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce, said he wants to meet with residents to discuss what is best for everyone.

"Priority No. 1 has to be safety of pedestrians and drivers through that area," Besanceney said.

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com