A Stormwater Compromise to Nowhere

Aaron Fisher | September 25, 2024

I went to visit my grandmother at her new apartment and drove past an atrocity of a stormwater/transportation compromise. It was so bad, I had to stop and take a picture. In short, they constructed a roadway median that was itself a series of micro bioretentions. All I could do was shake my head, at this monstrosity of a transportation-stormwater compromise that accomplished none of its goals.

On the transportation side it seems normal, until you realize they put curb cuts to allow water to flow into the median. The curb exists to keep cars in the roadway and out of the median; and is particularly helpful on a curve. Putting a curb cut allows for water to flow, but the absence of curb means vehicles aren’t kept where they are supposed to be. Furthermore, because it’s a sunken structure with a sharp two-foot drop any car that finds the curb cut goes right past the usual problem of a scuffed wheel or busted tire and now needs a tow truck.

From the stormwater side this site shows a couple of real airheaded decisions. The curb cuts are lined with asphalt, instead of concrete. Asphalt made from refinery bottoms, isn’t great for water quality. Some of the curb cuts don’t make sense with the grade of the road, meaning a lot of water will just flow past. And finally, from a maintenance perspective this is something that must be purposefully maintained in the right-of-way. However, looking at something that opened maybe 4 months ago shows that it’s already being ignored.

So really this compromise is a big waste of money on both accounts.

Compromises are a Part of Life

We have transportation rules and guidelines to make our roads safer. We have stormwater rules to ensure that when we develop land we contain our problems.

When you try to compromise and get both, but don’t think holistically you get neither. Design that defeats its own purpose, isn’t worth doing. We need flexibility and the ability to adapt rules to the site. However, we need to simplify and manage to the outcome: functional roads that manage stormwater.

…speaking of which, I have some ideas.