Half Closures

Typical Design:

• Usually 16 to 23 feet in length and extend the width of one lane of traffic.
• Can incorporate landscaping, drainage modifications, and curbing.
• The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has design recommendations.(3)

Placement Issues:

• Best if used on residential streets at intersections with larger collector streets. This allows the larger street to accommodate the diverted traffic and helps to cut down on the number of individuals that might illegally circumnavigate the measure.
• Half closures are usually expected to reduce traffic volumes by at least 40 percent.
• Emergency vehicle service is not greatly affected by half closures since the emergency vehicle can circumnavigate the measure.

Approximate Cost:

• Installation costs ofstreet closures can be below $1,000 for ones created with a guardrail and/or sand-filled drums.
• A permanent and integrated installation can vary in cost between $3,000 and $20,000. Integrating street closures with the streetscape includes adding landscaping, sidewalks, poured-in-place curbs, and other features.(3)

Comments:

• Should be installed only with strong community support since they restrict access for neighborhood residents.
• Half closures in one neighborhood can cause unwanted cut through traffic to move to other neighborhoods.
• Half closures can be installed temporarily with low cost to test the effectiveness, the trial period should last 6-12 months.
• When designing half closures, proper signage is necessary and considerable attention should be given to aesthetics.