Background
As a continuation of the Central Connection collaborative effort, the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) and Chautauqua Health Network have tasked GObike with undertaking a closer look at pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure and connectivity along Central Avenue. Over the next several months, GObike will work with the community to identify additional design interventions along Central Ave between the Village of Fredonia and the City of Dunkirk to improve safety and accessibility along the corridor. This process will involve community outreach to identify priority locations, gather feedback on potential designs, pre- and post-implementation data collection (qualitative and quantitative), and implementation of priority design interventions.
To guide this process, GObike has also gathered a group of community stakeholders that will convene at key points between now and Summer 2024. Stakeholders include representatives from the Village of Fredonia, City of Dunkirk, Chautauqua County, SUNY Fredonia, school districts, police and fire, community organizations, and the Chamber of Commerce. This group will periodically meet throughout the process to vet and inform proposed engagement processes and designs.
Potential Outcomes
Based on community input and review guidance from municipal partners, GObike will implement changes to the roadway to make the experience of using Central Avenue safer and more accessible for pedestrians, bicyclists, micro-mobility users, and drivers. Potential tools that GObike will consider using include temporary infrastructure, such as painted bumpouts, crosswalks, bollards, rubber curbs, signage, bike lane improvements, and more. All changes will be designed by our Complete Streets Engineer, Jim Jones, who is a licensed engineer with over 30 years of experience in municipal roadway design. Designs will also be reviewed by the municipality that has jurisdiction over the project location, and implementation will be permitted prior to the start of work.
