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PLAN ELEMENTS <br />Transportation <br />Summary <br />People travel to and from downtown by many different modes — as drivers of cars <br />or trucks, by transit buses, in carpools, by bicycle, or as pedestrians. In 2005 <br />most employees drove by themselves to jobs in downtown. The long-term goal <br />is to significantly reduce the number of people who drive by themselves, <br />particularly in the peak hours. If this goal can be achieved, then we will not need <br />to widen as many roads and we can enjoy far less air and noise pollution. <br />Many significant street improvements have been made in the downtown area in <br />recent years to move heavy traffic volumes and trucks more efficiently, including <br />the Pacific Avenue and California (Everett Avenue) overpasses of the Burlington <br />Northern Santa Fe railway tracks. Improved traffic signal timing on the Major <br />Arterials has increased traffic flow efficiency. <br />The heavy traffic volumes and trucks must be maintained on the peripheral <br />arterials of Broadway, Everett, West Marine, and Pacific Avenues. A better <br />connection from Rucker Avenue south of Pacific to West Marine View Drive <br />should be studied to accommodate truck movements. <br />The long-range goal is to increase the proportion of commuter trips made by <br />transit in downtown by more than 50 percent. Bus routes and frequencies to and <br />through the downtown core will therefore need to be increased as redevelopment <br />occurs. High-capacity transit services also need to be planned and designed <br />through the downtown core. <br />Recent improvements on Hewitt and Colby Avenues and retiming traffic signals <br />to serve pedestrian crossings better have significantly improved pedestrian <br />accessibility in downtown. Similar improvements on residential streets and retail <br />streets will enhance the pedestrian ambience and safety. Wider sidewalks can <br />be achieved by using curb bulb -outs at intersections and appropriate placement <br />of street furniture and pedestrian amenities, as well as design standards for <br />building frontages. Improving pedestrian connections west of Rucker Avenue will <br />EVERETT DOWNTOWN PLAN - DRAFT 6/29/2006 71 <br />