Reverse lane reactions: If you think the problem is increased congestion or people who can't read signs, you are missing the point.
The Urban Phoenix Project reached out to a number of community members along 7th Ave and 7th Street in central Phoenix, to get their reaction on the City Council’s recent decision to request a new study of the reverse lanes, rather than listen to their constituents calling for the lanes’ removal. Read more about the decision here.
This is the first post in a series of opinion pieces from residents and business owners affected by the reverse lanes.
Mark Howard is the co-owner of The Royale and Royale Kitchen + Cocktails in the Melrose District of Phoenix (Credit: The Royale)
To the City of Phoenix Mayor & City Council...
As an Arizona native, longtime central Phoenix resident, and owner of multiple businesses, many along or near 7th Avenue and 7th Street, I’ve seen firsthand how the suicide lanes have negatively impacted our residential and business communities for decades.
The Council's limited view on this critical issue is disturbing and short-sighted. To continue to respond to the call to eliminate these lanes with the items below is simply irresponsible and based on outdated information. The Council states...
Eliminating these lanes would "increase congestion on nearby streets by 40%" (a statistic still unable to be substantiated)
Most accidents on these streets are "merely minor side swipes"
"I use these streets every day with no issue whatsoever”
"The majority of constituents in my district WANT these suicide lanes"
"The ASU study was not an official study and therefore can not be used as a resource to decide on this issue.”
The decision to further STUDY this issue for another two years is a waste of taxpayer money, as many traffic engineers, architectural and urban planning & development experts, various research studies, and more, have spent much time and effort on this issue. After 50 years of having these lanes, THINGS CHANGE. But one thing never changes on this issue - the Council's decision to KEEP these lanes in support of a few constituents who may use these lanes over the many who don't, and yet are majorly and negatively impacted by their existence.
1) The talk is always about increased congestion on other streets if these lanes are eliminated. They state it will cause a hardship on those neighborhoods, yet disregard the hardship on the neighborhoods off the 7s. But no one speaks to the INCREDIBLE congestion these lanes cause each and every day (all day, not just during reverse hours) by:
traffic using the lanes inappropriately, causing accidents and stoppages
stopping in lanes that we typically don't stop in to make their left-hand turns, causing backups
traffic carelessly darting across 4 lanes down residential side streets
traffic using these lanes at excessive speeds up to 100 mph, resulting in accidents and more
backups that occur purely from using the lanes and turning at points where they are legally allowed to turn
the confusion and congestion that results OUTSIDE of reverse hours because people can't use them correctly, don't remember when to use them, signage that's confusing, etc.
the confusion and inconsistencies about where you can and cannot turn left - at all major intersections EXCEPT if you're a bus, if you're at Camelback, etc.
the distracted driving caused by drivers trying to read signs, stop unexpectedly, slowing down to dart across traffic, etc.
Three lanes traveling south and two lanes traveling north on both of these streets is far more than most major thoroughfares and would likely NOT reduce traffic on those streets or push traffic to nearby streets
2) The talk is always about how many people use these lanes from the northern part of the City yet:
only 4-8% of those who CAN use these lanes during reverse hours use them (according to the ASU study)
the use of these lanes only gets a typical traveler to their destination a few minutes faster
3) The talk NEVER includes what the negative ECONOMIC impact is on residents and businesses along these thoroughfares. Yet,
home values do not increase along these streets like they do in other areas of town
businesses struggle to stay in business and create vital products and services to those who live and travel to these areas
many people AVOID these streets at all times of the day and even throughout the weekend due to the fear of using these streets
residents in the adjacent neighborhoods don't cross the streets to access the services on the opposite side (even with hawk lights) due to the dangerous speeds vehicles travel on these roads
vehicles tend to travel fast THROUGH these neighborhoods, NOT stopping or using the businesses along these routes
much effort is placed into other areas of town to create economic and social hubs (roosevelt row, grand avenue, mcdowell, biltmore, arcadia, etc.) - yet no action is given to create these neighborhood hubs along the sevens - just calling it the Melrose Mile doesn't make it a successful destination for businesses
the inclusion of these suicide lanes literally creates VOIDS and DIVISIONS just like all high speed freeways creating fragmented communities who do not want to visit the area or utliize the services
4) The talk NEVER includes the actual changes that have taken place over the past 50 years in these neighborhoods and in general that speak to eliminating these lanes including:
the increased use of work from home
the addition of the 51 and an expanded 51
the expansion of 1-17 and 1-10
the increase in urban density along these throughfares (causing a need for services to support such density)
the addition of light rail services
the addition of bike lanes
the improvements and expansions made to adjacent arterials
5) The talk NEVER includes creating more of these reverse lanes through neighborhoods up north, through midtown Phoenix, or down south. If this suicide lane is such a superb solution, then why not create more of them?
What's not working:
more signage, electronic signage - these have and will continue to do nothing to reduce the confusion, and inconsistent parameters on how to use these lanes
hawk lights - while helpful on normal streets, on these streets people fear using them due to the high vehicle speed
creating economic hubs that are walkable, safe, and create community and connection - people fear walking these sidewalks along these streets, they fear crossing the streets, they stay away from these areas
the lack of medians with trees results in heat islands and "blacktop neighborhoods" that are unwelcoming
the Council's decision to continue to kick the can down the road resulting in the number of vital businesses that have come and gone and will continue to come and go at a greater pace than anywhere else in this City - the City wants these businesses to support the needs of these neighborhoods but has done virtually nothing to support their existence - rather ignoring the negative economic impact they have on the success of the buisnesses
more "careful consideration" to study the impact of these lanes (by which time the study is completed, let alone acted on, will contain outdated information) while hundreds more businesses go out of business, and many more accidents and deaths occur utilizing funds that could actually go towards improving these streets and neighborhoods
What would work and be a better use of the millions of dollars in taxpayer monies:
eliminating the reverse lanes and creating medians with trees and landscaping, plus turn lanes at various arterials
planting trees along the sidewalks along these streets to create more shade and increased walkability
providing sidewalk barriers/bollards to help create safer sidewalks along these high-traffic and busy streets, especially those areas with a higher density of businesses and
increased hawk lights and crosswalk visibility enhancements like beacons and stopping lines
I hope that the City sees the light or that the residents of Phoenix initiate and pass a ballot initiative to remove these deadly and outdated solutions for moving traffic. The safety of our residents and patrons depends upon it. The success of our businesses and neighborhoods depends upon it.
Join the Movement
Momentum is building. More than 5,000 residents—from lifelong neighborhood advocates to new transplants who want better connectivity and safer street design—have signed the petition to end the reverse lanes. That’s 5,000 people standing up for safer streets, stronger small businesses, and a smarter vision for Phoenix. Every signature sends a clear message: this is not a fringe issue—it's a citywide priority.
Add your voice and join the growing coalition calling for change at EndReverseLanes.com.
Take Action:
Email your council member: Find your Phoenix council district and contact info here
Attend any upcoming meetings (sign up for UPP’s newsletter to stay up to date on public meetings regarding the reverse lanes)