The City Council voted unanimously
Monday to remove the reversible rush-hour lane on Grant
Road between Swan Road and Stone Avenue by the end of
June.
The council passed the motion offered by Councilwoman
Kathleen Dunbar, R-Ward 3, with no discussion and to the
cheers of about 20 neighborhood activists in the
audience.
Transportation Director Jim Glock said removing the
reversible lane will cost the city $35,000 for sign
removal, lane marker painting and other expenses.
The Department of Transportation initially told the
council that traffic accidents on Broadway had increased
after the city removed the reversible lane there in
2001.
A more comprehensive review presented to council
members last week showed accidents on Broadway had
declined 20 percent in the three years since the lane
was removed.
Several neighborhood associations along Grant Road
recently passed resolutions opposing the so-called
"suicide" lane.
"I think given the opportunity to do the right thing,
the council did the right thing," said Brad Holland,
president of the Midtown Neighborhood Association.
For a smoother transition, Glock said, the lane will
be removed after school lets out for the summer and
traffic loads decline.
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