CEDAR FALLS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UNIVERSITY AVENUE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT


The University Avenue commercial corridor arose as a top concern through public outreach efforts conducted in conjunction with the comprehensive plan. Land use planners analyzed potential improvements to a key section of University Avenue in the vicinity of the College Square mall. The study area is bordered roughly by Water- loo Road and McClain Drive in the east and Tuscon Drive in the west (Figure 11.2).


The development concept detailed below uses transportation and development techniques to make this commercial corridor more regionally competitive. The proposed ideas reinforce University Avenue’s role as an auto-oriented retail center functioning within an urban framework.


BACKGROUND


University Avenue has been an area of significant discussion in Cedar Falls, in part because of a previous study by AECOM that recommended the corridor be reduced from 6 lanes to 4 lanes. This development concept supports that recommendation, for the following reasons:


1. University Avenue is oversized for the existing level of traffic.


Average daily traffic counts for the study area of University Avenue range from 9,600 to 14,900 (2009). The capacity for a 6-lane road of this nature is approximately 35,400, more than double the existing traffic load. Trends indicate that traffic levels in this area have been dropping. From 2001 to 2009, the highest volume count in the study area dropped from 20,000 to 14,900.


2. Oversized roads are more dangerous for motorists and pedestrians.


Oversized roads of this size encourage dangerous behaviors such as speeding and passing on the right. 6-lane roads are more confusing to navigate for many drivers and may enhance the likelihood of driver error. If a 6-lane road is not warranted by traffic volumes, it should be avoided.


3. A reduction to 4-lanes would maintain more than adequate capacity.


The proposed reduction to 4-lanes would reduce capacity to 23,600, which would still allow free-flowing traffic at the existing speed limit and traffic volume.


Figure 11.3 shows the concept for the University Avenue study area. The proposed modifications are explained below, including changes to the main travel lanes, frontage roads, and pedestrian and bicycle accommodation.


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