Road diets are being used here - and to the credit of the planners, even they usually meet some pretty vocal resistance, they are still happening. The results so far have been, as far as I know pretty positive. It sound somewhat counterintuitive that reducing a street from 4 lanes to 3 can make it handle more traffic, but the center turn lane usually promotes better flow than happens when people are weaving to avoid left turners. MLK Boulevard got a road diet and it's much better than it used to be. 23rd Ave is getting a facelift soon as well.