Public Backs Petition to Halt Reverse Lanes on 7th Street and 7th Avenue; Phoenix Council Calls for In-Depth Study

The Phoenix City Council has unanimously approved a motion for a comprehensive traffic study, with results expected by December 2026. The decision follows extensive public comments during a council meeting on May 21, where community members voiced concerns over the existing reverse lanes in the city.

Despite the strong support for a petition to eliminate these lanes—gathering over 4,000 signatures—the council voted to proceed with a study rather than immediately remove the signage, which some residents refer to as “suicide lanes.” Councilwoman Laura Pastor spearheaded the motion, emphasizing that the research will assess traffic impacts along critical streets from 19th Avenue to 16th Street and McDowell Road to Dunlap Avenue.

The study will also involve input from petitioners within the next 30 days. Findings will be shared with a city council subcommittee, aiming to guide further recommendations regarding the traffic system.

Critics of the reverse lanes argue that they contribute to unsafe driving behavior, urging for their removal due to ongoing urban development. Stacey Champion, a local road safety advocate, highlighted the dangerous implications of the current traffic patterns, which compel drivers to navigate neighborhoods in search of alternatives.

Previous studies have indicated that eliminating the reverse lanes could lead to operational challenges on nearby roads, potentially causing increased travel times and congestion on major north-south streets. The city charter allows residents to submit petitions to the council, obligating them to respond within 15 days.