FINAL DESIGN DETAIL: Plain Street

The construction of safe and comfortable infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists along Plain Street would significantly improve people’s ability to travel without a car in the Plains and to destinations outside of the Plains. A safe route along Plain Street is essential to the overall success of the Shared-Use Nature Path by ensuring that residents of the Plains are able to reach the trailhead at the Giustina Conservation Area.

The city-owned right-of-way is 50 feet wide along the length of Plain Street. The existing roadway at Plain Street is 25 feet wide. The right-of-way extends 5 feet beyond the existing roadway along the north side of Plain Street, and 20 feet along the south side. In this design, a proposed 10-foot-wide shared-use path along the south side of Plain Street would allow people to walk or ride comfortably, separated from traffic by a 5-foot-wide tree-lined buffer. The side path could be constructed entirely within the city-owned right-of-way, though it would cross numerous private driveways along the south side of Plain Street. Some private homeowners may be resistant to the construction of a new side path in front of their houses, but survey responses from residents of the Plains, including many who live on Plain Street, indicate strong support for creating a safe pedestrian and bicycle route along Plain Street.

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Left: Measurements of the right-of-way for Plain Street would allow construction of a 10-ft side path with a 5-ft buffer on the south side of the street.

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Cross-section showing location of path, buffer, and access road. PLAIN STREET

Right: Raised crosswalks could traverse both Apple Tree Lane and Plain Street to allow safe access to the trailhead. A 5 foot treelined buffer would separate the path from the solar field access road. A sign directs drivers and path users to the parking lot and information area ahead.

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Giustina Conservation Area

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