We spotted a tweet today that made us remember the road diet that the Borough of Conshohocken has studied in recent years, but hasn’t moved forward with. The idea would be to slow down traffic along Fayette Street by reducing the number of lanes (one lane in each direction with a turning lane). While the entire length of Fayette Street was studied, the focus of a road diet would likely be between 3rd and 12th avenues according to discussions at public meetings.

The tweet we mentioned was from Jonathan Berk, who describes himself as a “placemaker and New Urbanist” on his businesses’ website. His tweet compared Lancast Boulevard in Lancaster, CA from when it was a five-lane road to a tree-lined, two-lane street. The road diet was implemented in 2010/2011.

Berk went on to say that after 2011, more than 50 businesses opened along the street generating $273 million in new economic activity. The resulting lower traffic speeds reduced traffic-related injuries.

While Fayette Street in Conshohocken and Lancaster Boulevard aren’t completely apples to apples (Fayette is four lanes, while Lancaster was originally five), what they did with Lancaster Boulevard is much more attractive than simply reducing lanes and creating a turning lane.

Let us know what you think in the comments.

Photos: City of Lancaster