In Brief: City Moves Forward With Plans to Overhaul East Maple Road

Birmingham is taking the next step to overhaul East Maple Road, with city commissioners tentatively moving forward on a plan to reduce the stretch of Maple Road from Eton to Woodward from four to three lanes, while installing bike lanes in both directions.

While not officially giving the green light to the plan as prepared by engineering firm Parsons Brinkerhoff/LSL Planning, commissioners authorized city engineer Paul O'Meara to begin designing a 41-foot roadway during their Monday night meeting. Meanwhile, a public hearing has been set for Feb. 13 to gain residents' feedback.

The plans were submitted as part of an attempt to reinvent Maple Road using the principles of , by making the road work better for cars and safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Parsons Brinkerhoff presented seven alternatives to the City Commission at its Monday night meeting, with Alternative Five — the plan picked by commissioners — being the most practical, best for pedestrians and cyclists and the most cost effective. The plan is made up of:

• Three total lanes, with one lane in each direction and a center left-turn lane. There will also be a right-turn lane at Adams Road.
• A five-foot sidewalk on either side of Maple Road
• Enhanced transit and pedestrian amentities such as landing pads and/or benches
• A five-foot bike lane between Woodward Avenue and Eton

The second alternative suggested by the engineering firm includes four lanes, two going in either direction. There would be no bicycle lanes though the sidewalks would be 5 feet wide on both sides of the street.

In a separate but related item, commissioners took no action on a resolution to install a right-turn lane on East Maple at Woodward Avenue. Commissioners were concerned about the dangers posed to pedestrians crossing at Woodward should a dedicated right-turn lane be installed.

Stay tuned to Patch for more on the city's plan to update East Maple Road.