BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I am always baffled when HOV lanes are opened to single occupancy vehicles for the purpose of alleviating congestion. The whole point of HOV lanes is encourage people to carpool and reduce congestion by lowering the number of cars on the road. This change just seems totally backwards to me.

But it might mean that more than 500 cars per day actually use the tunnel.

Swalfoort wrote:“all commuters”

Hm-m, are bicycles allowed?

Umm, I am waiting to hear from one of you on that.... The news report says "all commuters" Port Authority has been resistent to use of tunnel by cyclists. But, they would have to specifically restrict cyclists, I think. Signs go up tomorrow, but tunnel open to "all" today. Anyone planning to ride it PRESUMABLY LEGALLY today?

One thing about that tunnel that always bothered me... Why do they have two lanes for traffic (one for each direction), but only ever have it open for one direction of travel.

The 21'6" roadway is supposed to be too narrow for two lanes of cars. It was built for trains. On street view I didn't spot any signs prohibiting cyclists, like some of the other tunnels have.

Too narrow for two lanes sounds spot on perfect for 1 lane of traffic in prevailing motorist commuter flow + two-way cycletrack.

@byogman, exactly! ++ Emailing Natalia Rudiak -- represents folks out there and has some interest in bicycle infrastructure.

There is a permanent sign on the city end prohibiting bicycles. There is a double-yellow stripe down the center of the tunnel. On a typical day, ten minutes at a time not a single vehicle of any sort uses the tunnel. I've biked through the tunnel a half dozen times and have maybe twice seen another car, which had no trouble at all getting past me. I liken riding in the tunnel to riding up Fourth Avenue, only it's wider and doesn't have a door zone.

jonawebb wrote:@byogman, exactly! ++ Emailing Natalia Rudiak — represents folks out there and has some interest in bicycle infrastructure.

The tunnel is actually in District 2, Theresa Kail-Smith's area. The dividing line between 2 and 4 (Rudiak) there is roughly Saw Mill Run; the dividing line between 2 and 3 (Kraus) in that area is roughly between the Smithfield/Transit tunnel and the Liberty Tubes. Kail-Smith also voted against bike-share because of the lack of bike infrastructure in her district, so this would be a good way for her to get some...