PHOENIX – Downtown Phoenix is growing rapidly as more people are moving to the developing center of the city.

Concerns have been raised regarding walkable sidewalks, accessible bike lanes and connectivity that contribute to safety. The Phoenix Street Transportation Department is exploring modifications for Fillmore Street downtown for those riding bicycles or other active modes of transportation.

The department conducted an online survey, which closed on March 3, as part of a feasibility study and pre-design phase. The Fillmore Street project could add bike lanes or a two-way protected bikeway on Fillmore from Seventh to Central avenues.

The options include bike lanes with some on-street parking, protected bike lanes, a two-way protected bike lane or no changes.

If implemented, the bike lanes would connect to others that were added in 2022 on Fillmore Street east of Central Avenue to Seventh Street. That spring, parking and two traffic lanes were removed, and buffered and protected bike lanes were added on both sides of the street.

“When we think about bike infrastructure, we really think about who will be interested in using the infrastructure and who will feel most comfortable,” Phoenix Street Transportation project manager Marielle Brown said.

Depending on recommendations from the community, on-street parking may be removed from one or both sides of Fillmore Street on the stretch between Central and Seventh Avenue. Signal times may be impacted, and turn lanes at signals may be removed.

On Feb. 8, the city held a virtual public meeting to present the possible solutions to improve Fillmore Street.

A survey was conducted during the meeting to determine what options community members believed would be most beneficial. At the meeting, most chose the two-way protected bike lane on the south side of the street.

For many bicyclists in downtown Phoenix, separate bike lanes with a buffer would put them at ease while cycling. Brown said the extra separation from cars would also “enhance the walking experience.”

Brown discussed the community’s priorities based on the in-meeting survey. The highest-ranked priority was giving everyone a comfortable option for using streets (whether they’re driving, walking, biking or taking public transportation). The second priority was preventing traffic crashes that could cause serious injuries and fatalities. Reducing rush-hour congestion and providing convenient parking were ranked less important.

Richard Hauck, who bikes regularly from 19th Avenue to Seventh Avenue on Polk Street, expressed safety concerns regarding his daily commute.

“I have been threatened by drivers, I have been almost hit by drivers on that stretch. We desperately need a bike lane,” Hauck said at the meeting. “Having a double lane on the south side of the street would allow more access for parking and vehicle traffic on the northern part and also provide more safety for bikers on the south lane.”

The timeline for the project includes a completed report by summer, securing funding and entering the design phase by fall.

Other improvements in the downtown region that would complement the Fillmore Street project include:

• Third and Fifth avenues improvement project (completed in 2021): The completed project aimed to improve corridor circulation and livability along Third and Fifth avenues.
• Garfield-Edison Park proposed bike improvements (future project): The goal of the project is to create a low-stress bike route from Seventh Street to 24th Street.