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8th and 9th Street Improvement Project

Press Release - December 2023

There are big changes coming this winter to downtown Arcata streets. 8^th and 9^th Streets will be converted to one-way travel between I and K Streets as part of the 8^th and 9^th Street Improvement Project. Construction is currently underway and expected to be completed soon. As a result, the City of Arcata is providing a reminder and some details of how the transition from two-way to one-way travel will occur.

The City is first providing public notification to increase awareness of the impending change. Changeable Message Boards will be placed throughout the project area to provide additional notification for those who travel through or frequent that route.

Next, more specific notification will begin when the official one-way conversion takes place. For this project, the conversion will happen when the new pavement markings and striping are being installed. The actual date has yet to be determined because the final work is weather dependent; however, it is expected to be in late December or early January. At that time, 8^th or 9^th Street (only one street at a time) will be closed to through traffic between I St to K St for a few hours. Residents and traffic going to and from businesses will have access during the closure; however, it may be limited at times. Once the new pavement markings and striping have been installed and the new signage is uncovered, the street will be re-opened with the new configuration for one-way travel. From there, the contractor will move over to the remaining street and repeat the process. Below is an image showing the project area and new traffic patterns.

Project Summary

Arcata has commenced a formal planning effort, building upon the momentum of the Plaza Improvement Task Force’s 2020 recommendation to enhance access for all users along 8^th and 9^th Streets, between K and I Streets. The 8th and 9th Street Improvement Project general goals include:

Facilitate public involvement in the planning process
Improve access to the Plaza and connectivity to Cal Poly Humboldt, Creamery District and Northtown
Increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety
Minimize expense to the City's General Fund
Beautify the corridor

Consistent with the Task Force recommendations, the project proposes to convert 8^th and 9^th Streets into one-way operation similar to the adjacent street operations near the Plaza. The proposed project will result in one-way travel on 9^th Street, in the westbound direction, from F to K Street and 8^th Street will run in the eastbound direction from K to F Street. By removing one travel lane, on 8^th and 9^th Streets, between K and I Streets, a width of about 12 feet is freed for other uses in the public right-of-way.

Project Activities

On May 17^th, 2022, City of Arcata Engineering Department staff, in collaboration with CSW/ST2 Engineering consultants, introduced the project to the Arcata Transportation Safety Committee.

In late June, staff and our Block Ambassadors, a stakeholder group of community members, completed a field walk along the corridor to better understand conditions and discuss opportunities. The walk included community representatives from the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association, Arcata Main Street, the Co-op, Cal Poly Humboldt Sustainability Department, a historic homeowner residing in the project area, and the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities. During the walk, it became clear to the group that reinforcing the connection between the Plaza and the Creamery District is critical to connect the community and support economic vitality. By providing better walking and biking options in the area, the group felt that this could also help reduce vehicle congestion, increase safety, and ease parking challenges.

Staff and the Block Ambassadors meet again mid-September to review and discussed proposed one-way streetscape design studies. The studies were developed based on the Block Ambassador's comments and the general project goals outlined by the 2020 Plaza Improvement Task Force Report.

Arcata Engineering Department staff with CSW/ST2 Engineering Consultants, presented a project update with preliminary design studies, to the Arcata Transportation Safety Committee, at the September 20^th, 2022 meeting.

One-Way Travel Streetscape Design Studies

We are currently working on design options of how best to redistribute the available public property within the street to support motor vehicles, parking, delivery, pedestrians, and bicyclists using the corridor. The City currently has about $850,000 in funding to develop the project. Below we are presenting four preliminary design studies for both 8th Street and 9th Street, each with a different focus. Please take our survey and to give feedback on the streetscape studies.

Study 4A. 8th Street

4A. This study is a streetscape mainly focused on complete streets enhancements, providing a balance of facilities for all modes of transportation; vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian.

Recommended - Study 5A. 8th Street

9th Street Design Studies

The following studies represent design alternatives for one-way travel on 9th Street between K and I Streets.

Study 1B. 9th Street

1B. This study is a streetscape mainly focused on enhancing bicycle and some pedestrian facilities.

Recommended - Study 4B. 9th Street

4B. This study is a streetscape mainly focused on complete streets enhancements, providing a balance of facilities for all modes of transportation; vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian.