ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and the Public Works Director with the Request to Approve Staff Recommendation of Roadway Configuration Alternative #1 for UNIVERSITY STREET, from Nebraska Avenue to Forrest Hill Avenue. [District 2]
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BACKGROUND: In 2011, the Public Works Engineering Division began analyzing the arterial roadway network for road conditions throughout the City. Pavement conditions were analyzed and roads needing an overlay or reconstruction were placed into the Community Investment Plan requests. University Street was the first roadway scheduled for an overlay. The City of Peoria ADA Transition Plan and the ADA guidelines required that new curb, gutter and sidewalk be installed on University Street in conjunction with the overlay project. The first section of the University project was from Marlene to War Memorial, and was completed in 2013. The next project identified was University from Nebraska to Forrest Hill.
Staff held three public information meetings to present the potential changes to the general public and adjacent property owners. Two meetings were held at Quest Charter School in February 2013 where Staff presented a 4-lane option: one on the 20th and another on the 25th. The existing right-of-way along University Street from Nebraska to Forrest Hill is 63 feet. University Street is classified as a Principal Arterial according to the current Street Plan and Thoroughfare Map of the City (See Attached). The 4-lane roadway was the original selection to help minimize right-of-way impacts while providing accommodations for ADA compliance. There were 8 citizens in attendance at the meetings in February, 2013.
Council directed Staff to re-advertise and hold another public meeting with an increased outreach effort. That public meeting was held on July 10, 2013 at University United Methodist Church with approximately 90 citizens and business owners attending. The three alternatives presented to the citizens and business owners attending the meeting are as follows:
Right of Way Needed Approximate Total Cost* ROW Purchase
ALTERNATIVE #1 - (Figure 2)
Proposed 5-Lane Section, 67 feet $4,475,000 Yes. Four (4) feet along
10' Lane widths; 6' sidewalks; the entire west side of the new curb & gutter; bi-directional project.
middle turn lane.
ALTERNATIVE #2
Proposed 4-Lane Section, 63 feet $3,980,500 Yes. Four (4) feet for 10
10' Lane widths; 6' parcels near McClure &
sidewalks; new curb & University.
gutter.
ALTERNATIVE #3 - (Figure 3)
Proposed 3-Lane Section, 63 feet $3,510,500 No.
11' Lane widths; 4' on-road
bike lanes; 3' grass parkway
@ curb; 5' sidewalks, New curb &
gutter; bi-directional middle
Turn lane.
* - Previous Design Engineering, Proposed Design Engineering, Construction Engineering, necessary Right-of-Way Engineering, ROW Purchase, and Construction included within this estimate.
Citizens and business owners along the corridor gave Staff feedback on their preferred alternatives at the July 10th meeting. Staff gathered the following from the majority attending:
· The center bi-directional turn lane was necessary to maintain due to the number of driveways, turning movements, and its necessity as a pedestrian refuge for people crossing University.
· The volume of traffic on University Street should not decrease to maintain current business usage along the corridor.
· A more pedestrian friendly corridor was desired.
Staff recommends Alternative #1 to accommodate the existing traffic volumes, provide ADA compliant sidewalks, utilize 10 foot wide travel lanes to keep the speeds low, and pursue the right-of-way acquisition needed to accommodate this alternative. Staff feels this best accommodates the majority of the direction that was received at the public meeting.
Also, as part of the Community Investment Plan, Sheridan Road from McClure to Richmond will be reconstructed. The reconstruction of Sheridan Road which is not classified as a major arterial allows for the items that are missing on University to be incorporated; for example, bike lanes, green space between the curb and sidewalk for planting trees, and wider sidewalk.
Depending on Council direction, Staff will bring back a contract amendment and MFT Resolution to compete the final design. The cost for additional services is included in the table above, showing the total cost for the entire project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The funds for the overall Project will come from the Arterial Street Overlay project from the Community Investment Plan.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Three public meetings have been held.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Staff will move forward with design engineering and ROW Surveys, Negotiation and Appraisals in order to have this constructed on a timely basis in 2015. ROW Services take an average of 1 year from start to finish.
IMPACT IF DENIED: Staff will not be able to issue work orders and the implementation of the second phase of the Arterial Overlay Program will be delayed.
ALTERNATIVES: Provide further direction to staff.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly, Inc. has current EEO #01746-140630.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Support sustainability.
3. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works