Book Description

"The City of Hutchinson, Kansas is developing their first Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan -- a guiding document that provides direction on bicycle and pedestrian investments on the arterial and collector roadway network within the city limits. In 1999 the City developed the Linear Parks Master Plan which was similar in nature, but primarily focused on the off-street network/system of improvements. This study integrates the relevant elements of that Master Plan with an on-street network assessment....The City of Hutchinson is also undertaking efforts that many urbanized areas across the United States are doing -- reclaiming Main Street to make it fit contextually in the community. When Main Street served as K-61, the primary function was to move vehicles and commerce in and through town. When the K-61 bypass was constructed, and Main Street was turned back to the City, the City gained the ability to reclaim the downtown and make Main Street function for the City, and not to accommodate regional traffic flows. The City is taking the opportunity to understand what options are available for Main Street to Transform Hutchinson from a generally auto-oriented City to a multimodal friendly City. This Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, coupled with the Main Street Concept Design between 7th Avenue and 30th Avenue, will provide a wonderful opportunity to engage the citizens of Hutchinson and provide a direction forward on these two very important efforts. The Main Street Project is discussed in more detail in the Main Street Concept Plan report. This report provides documentation of the existing conditions, and identified opportunities and constraints of the existing transportation system to integrate and accommodate bicycles and pedestrians safely within the public right-of-way. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is laid out in a manner that takes the reader through the process of understanding how the ultimate bicycle and pedestrian master plan network was built through a thorough analysis process."--Introduction page 1.