Rochester, N.Y. – Dewey Avenue has joined the growing list of Rochester streets subjected to “traffic calming.”
The stretch between Driving Park and Eastman Ave. used to be four lanes. It is now two lanes. There is a turning lane and bike lane, as well as curb parking.
“I’m hoping it’s going to slow people down, make it a little easier to pull out of side streets,” said Debbie DeFrancesco, owner of Creative Hands.
“It was awkward at first because I didn’t know if I could drive where the bike sign was, but it’s fine,” said Gale Jones-Lane.
The city wanted to make the road more appealing to bicyclists and pedestrians.
“Dewey Avenue has always been and continues to be a commercial strip, so it provides opportunities for parking. It provides opportunities for people on bicycles. But it also slows down the traffic,” said Mayor Tom Richards. “We don’t want that to be a major thoroughfare. We don’t want expressway going through there.”
“Slow down traffic, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” said Sam Cooper. “Everybody wants to go where they need to go.”
The project cost nearly $2 million, much of it paid for with federal funds.
East Ave., St. Paul St. and the northern portion of Mt. Hope Ave. also got the same treatment.
