A city of Madison committee is supporting an up to three-year extension of the State Street Pedestrian Mall Experiment after its success last year, according to The Capital Times. A report from city planners reviewing the experiment detailed outcomes last year and made recommendations for future consideration.
In general, the report found that people enjoyed visiting the historic boulevard in favorable weather conditions, but businesses and others provided mixed feedback, including concerns over pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
City planners’ recommendations include the addition of a fire hydrant, lighting upgrades, and raised pedestrian crossings on State Street, as well as adopting one-way traffic, automatic retractable bollards, and bike lanes.
They say additional funding, infrastructure, and staff would be necessary to maintain State Street if the City Council greenlights the experiment’s continuation, and that an extension would improve upon last year’s successes.
Last year’s experiment began in May and officially ended in late October. It prohibited personal, commercial, and delivery vehicles from accessing the 400-600 blocks of State Street after 3 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends. Compliance was not enforced by city officials, however, and vehicles reportedly did not always obey the signage.
Paratransit services from Metro Transit and licensed taxis were permitted on State Street during closed hours; planners said the experiment did not impede paratransit access.
