The city recently improved the sidewalk infrastructure during redevelopment of the Fall Creek neighborhood for Phase IV of the project. Amazingly, the project also increased the turning radii on most of the side streets, which serves to increase the speed of vehicles. (Note, the new street edge is shown in red). This snapshot shows just two of the affected intersections, but there are many more. It’s yet another mixed signal that we are sending, along with West 16th street and the insanely huge Washington Street interchange: we can give you sidewalks, as long as we continue to give more space to the vehicle.
The only time I can see something like this being designed in, would be in the case of a bus route. Some of those tight corners make it difficult for them to get around. I realize that the buses don't get off on these side streets you speak of though. Interesting observation.
What streets are we looking at here?
Fine question. It's 24th Street at Park and Broadway. I'm kicking myself for not including that in the original post.
Curt makes a good point that larger radii on busier streets carry busses and trucks might be appropriate. However, at 24th and Broadway a neighborhood street level design standard with smaller radii should be enacted. Though there are many problems with the Wash St. intersection, it is a major route for large vehicles entering downtown and the Eastside and should be able to handle them with ease. Improve pedestrian access on the north of Washington and all of Market.