Letter: Kasold changes

To the editor:

I live a block from Kasold between 13th and 14th streets and use it extensively to enter and exit the neighborhood.  The proposed changes to this main artery have omitted the impact on those who live nearby in favor of a nebulous vision of masses of new bikers. While putting in bike lanes is always helpful, removing traffic lanes to do so is not. I find that entering and exiting a four-lane Kasold is generally easy during times of little congestion but difficult during the morning and evening rush hours. I cannot imagine how difficult it will be to get across a two-lane Kasold during heavy traffic times. In addition, the proposed roundabout at Harvard is likely to create a steady unbroken stream of traffic during rush hours with no breaks. 

It is controversial whether wider bike lanes will stimulate the surrounding residents to take up biking, but if the city wants to take this challenge seriously then they need to add bike lanes by increasing the width of our main traffic routes. Alternatively, the addition of sidewalks to both sides of the street will do wonders to increase pedestrian use. 

There is also no provision for handling increased traffic demands from city growth. We are anticipating an increase in traffic flow once Bob Billings Parkway is connection to the South Lawrence Trafficway. 

Please think this through carefully and consider what the consequences will be to surrounding neighborhoods if you eliminate an existing lane of traffic.