Smiley to move South Water Street bike lanes to restore room for cars. What to know

Mayor Brett Smiley revealed Wednesday that he plans to relocate bike lanes from South Water Street onto an adjacent sidewalk in what he has described as an effort to ease traffic tie-ups stemming from the Washington Bridge closure.

The mayor also criticized the bike lanes as "ill conceived from the get-go" and indicated that scrapping them would cost thousands of dollars.

Smiley's news came as part of a detailed news release on numerous measures to mitigate traffic in the city.

"As part of these mitigation efforts, the administration plans to remove the two-way protected bike path along [South Water Street] and relocate the infrastructure to the raised sidewalk immediately adjacent to the existing bike path to restore the lanes of [automotive] travel to two lanes, maintain a parking lane with adequate space and preserve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure along [South] Water Street," Smiley's office said.

When will the changes go into effect?

But it won't happen immediately. First, the lanes will be removed, but new lanes haven't yet been planned. The administration said it will hold community meetings throughout the summer and "then present the final plan for removal and plans for design to the Green and Complete Streets Advisory council for their informational review." The advisory council advocates for shared streets and more transportation options. But any plan would not need its approval to move forward.

The announcement comes after repeated hints from Smiley that he might temporarily remove bike lanes in the city to make way for more cars. The state is expecting a demolition and rebuild of the Washington Bridge to take two years, meaning headaches for commuters are likely to last a long time.

City Councilman John Goncalves said he hadn't seen data to support taking away the lanes.

"Last night, I had a discussion with Mayor Smiley regarding today’s forthcoming announcement to mitigate the traffic issues caused by the closure of the Washington Bridge," Goncalves said early Wednesday. "There remain unanswered questions concerning the significant expenses involved, the financing sources, the detailed plan of action, and the absence of data to justify the removal of the bike lanes on South Water Street."

In response to calls for data, Smiley said I-195 Redevelopment District Commission data "indicates and highlights significant concerns about the bike lanes" and there is "plenty of data, eyewitness accounts, our own photos to show the backups that occur."

More: City Council members want to save Providence's South Water Street bike lanes. What to know.

What else is the city doing about heavy traffic?

The administration said it already worked with the state to change traffic light timing at numerous streets to "expedite the flow of traffic and increase pedestrian cross time." The city and state also plan to work on fresh pavement markings and more signs to help prevent gridlock.

To better protect pedestrians, which the city said have been jeopardized by heavy traffic, the city is planning on installing more signage to draw attention to pedestrians, a raised crosswalk at James Street and South Water Street and flashing lights at Angell Street and Elmgrove Avenue.

The city presented a $750,000 cost estimate for both removal of the bike lanes and the raised crosswalk. The Providence Journal is seeking to find out the cost solely related to the bike lanes.

Regardless, it will cost more than former Mayor Jorge Elorza's removal of the Eaton Street bike lane, which cost $64,000 to eliminate.

Smiley said the removal of the South Water Street lanes would be more costly because of "permanent infrastructure changes" such as bus islands and removal of curbs, whereas the Eaton Street bike lane was constructed with plastic dividers.

The Providence Streets Coalition, a group advocating for non-car transit, remains firmly against removing the bike lanes.

"While we believe Mayor Smiley’s plan remains misguided, we are excited that the proposal will finally get the public vetting it deserves, in the light of day, following the legally required avenues of presentation, review, public engagement, and recommendation by the Green and Complete Streets Advisory Council," said coalition organizer Dylan Giles.

Here's how to have your voice heard

On Thursday night, the council is to consider a resolution opposing the removal of bike lanes and any use of city funds to do so. Just before its meeting, it plans to hear a half-hour of public testimony on the removals. Testimony will begin at 5:15 p.m., and speakers are limited to one minute each, meaning the hearing could be capped at 30 people.

In addition, on Monday, April 8 at 5:30 p.m., the city will hold a public meeting at Nathan Bishop Middle School where residents can talk about the issues they have faced because of the Washington Bridge closure.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: South Water Street bike lanes will move, and other Providence traffic changes