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Exit Print Page and Return to Partial Street Closure

Partial Street Closure:
 
Adapted from <i>Making Streets That Work</i>, Seattle, 1996
 

A partial street closure uses a semi-diverter to physically close or block one direction of motor vehicle travel into or out of an intersection; it could also involve blocking one direction of a two-way street. Partial street closures at the entrance to a neighborhood or area should consider the traffic flow pattern of the surrounding streets as well. The design of this measure should allow for easy access by bicyclists and all pedestrians.

A partial closure provides better emergency access than a full closure. Since this design also allows motorists to easily violate the prohibitions, police enforcement may be required. If the partial closure only eliminates an entrance to a street, a turnaround is not needed; closing an exit will generally require a turnaround.





Photo by Mike Cynecki
This partial street closure is found in Phoenix, AZ.


  Purpose
• Prevent turns from an arterial street onto a residential street.
• Reduce cut-through traffic.
• Restrict access to a street without creating one-way streets.
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  Considerations
• Do not adversely affect access by service vehicles.
• Analyze whether less restrictive measures would work.
• Analyze whether other local streets will be adversely affected and/or access into or out of the neighborhood would not be adequate.
• Will create out-of-the-way travel for residents and put additional traffic on other streets.
• Consider impact on school bus routes, emergency access, and trash pickup.
• Will not solve speeding issues; speeds may increase on the new one-way street.
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  Estimated Cost
A well-designed, landscaped partial street closure at an intersection typically costs approximately $10,000 to $25,000. They can be installed for less if there are no major drainage issues and landscaping is minimal.
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