AGENDA DATE: 1/6/2016
TITLE:
Title
Study for Pedestrian Crossing(s) on Route 29 North and Route 250 East
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorize Study for Pedestrian Crossings on Route 29 North and Route 250 East
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Davis, Cilimberg, Benish, Gatobu
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: The County has seen increasing residential and commercial development along the Route 29 north corridor (in the Development Area), and the Route 250 east corridor in Pantops, which has increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic in those areas. Residents and businesses along both corridors have requested pedestrian crossings that would provide a more pedestrian friendly environment for residents and tourists to access destination locations. The Places29 Master Plan shows proposed pedestrian crossings at various locations along the Route 29 north corridor, and the Pantops Master Plan calls for pedestrian crossings along the Route 250 east corridor. The County has a term contract with Kimley-Horn for consultant services under which Kimley-Horn could be used to conduct a pedestrian crossing feasibility study for potential pedestrian crossings on Route 29 North between Hydraulic Road and Rio Road and in the vicinity of Timberwood Boulevard, and on Route 250 east in the Pantops area between the Rivanna River and I-64. The consultant would perform specific tasks and provide deliverables at the end of the contract period that would include: a feasibility study of potential at-grade and above grade pedestrian crossing locations, projected future pedestrian volumes that would potentially be using the proposed crossings, rough estimated costs for each scenario, and sketches of crossings.
Staff first discussed this proposal with the Board of Supervisors at its September 2, 2015 meeting. At that time, the Board directed staff to add Timberwood Boulevard (in the Hollymead Area of Route 29) to the study. Since that time, Planning and Facilities Development staff have been working with the consultant to include this additional area and to finalize the scope of the study.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Critical Infrastructure: Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs
DISCUSSION: The purpose of this initiative is to:
1. Determine where pedestrian crossing(s) along the Route 29 North and 250 East corridors are needed; and
2. Determine the type of pedestrian improvements needed to facilitate pedestrian crossings at the identified locations and planning level cost estimates.
The scope of work for the feasibility studies to be conducted for potential pedestrian crossing along both corridors (Attachments A and B) outlines and summarizes the anticipated locations to be studied and the tasks required to achieve the above purposes, and have been revised based on Board input. The Timberwood Boulevard location has been added as a study location along the Route 29 Corridor in the Hollymead area. The study would conclude with a technical report that would include: a summary of the data collected, existing conditions and recommendations, projected pedestrian volumes, at-grade alternatives, above grade alternatives, recommended types of pedestrian movements, sketches of crossings, and planning level cost estimates.
The study would help determine the need for pedestrian crossings along the Route 29 and Route 250 corridors, and would help evaluate and prioritize the projects for local funding, as well as for inclusion in the Six Year Improvement Program if the County pursues funding for the projects through the Commonwealth Transportation Board. In addition, the study’s inclusion of the initial location study and planning phase of the projects, which furthers the projects’ status toward being “shovel ready”, could improve the projects’ potential to receive grant awards.
Kimley-Horn can provide the services described in Attachments A and B for $107,856.62. Key factors influencing the cost include Project Management, formulation of recommendations, the number of study intersections, the number of peak periods for which data will be collected, and developing planning level cost estimates for proposed recommendations.
BUDGET IMPACT: It is proposed that this study be funded from the Pantops Master Plan Implementation fund (4-9010-81110-481020-950560-1240), which has a current available balance of $108,731.45. Please note that the Places 29 Master Plan Implementation fund is currently obligated in full to support the Rt. 29/Rio Small Area Plan and not available for other purposes at this time.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board direct staff to proceed with the pedestrian crossing studies detailed in Attachments A and B using funds available in the Pantops Master Plan Implementation fund (4-9010-81110-481020-950560-1240) to pay the consultant.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Seminole Trail (Route 29) Pedestrian Crossing Feasibility Study Scope of Engineering Services
B. Richmond Road (Route 250) Pedestrian Crossing Feasibility Study Scope of Engineering Services