Phoenix's long-standing issue with its reverse lanes has now become a pressing concern among residents and business owners. The lanes in question, located on 7th Avenue and 7th Street, have been the subject of heated debate, with community members rallying for their removal due to safety fears. A Change.org petition, advocating for the end of these lanes, has gathered over 4,000 signatures and was presented to Phoenix City Council, as reported by ABC15.
Implemented in 1979 and 1982, these lanes were designed to alleviate traffic congestion during rush hours by switching directionality—one way in the morning, the opposite in the evening. Despite their initial purpose and a city study in 2021 asserting that removing these lanes could increase travel times by up to 40% during peak hours, residents are not convinced about their effectiveness anymore. Bill Sandweg, the owner of Copper Star Coffee, located off 7th Avenue, is an example of a local business owner affected by the reverse lanes. Sandweg stated to ABC15 that "one of my customers is involved in an accident every six months," emphasizing the danger these lanes pose to patrons.
Furthermore, Stacey Champion, a vocal community advocate who spearheaded the petition, has strongly disputed the benefits of these lanes, emphasizing in a statement obtained by ABC15, "They're too dangerous to keep." Observing the traffic patterns herself, she believes that the study's findings do not reflect the daily reality of confusion and noncompliance, as drivers often misuse the lanes, leading to near misses and collisions.
The dynamic of the streets during these rush hour shifts is a troublesome one for many, including Champion, who, according to a FOX 10 Phoenix interview, expressed her frustration by saying, "I personally can’t count the number of head-on crashes that I’ve seen. I cannot count the number of near misses I’ve seen." The community's discontent has grown so strong that it can no longer be disregarded, prompting the City Council to discuss the issue further in the their meeting on May 21.
