HomeMy WebLinkAbout122-07 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO. 122-07
A RESOLUTION TO REAFFIRM THE ADOPTED POLICY
OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE THAT HIGHWAY 265
NORTH OF MISSION BOULEVARD BE WIDENED AS A
PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL AS DEPICTED ON THE CITY
MASTER STREET PLAN AND AS SHOWN AS
ALTERNATE H-1 BY THE ARKANSAS HIGHWAY &
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Fayetteville City Council Street Committee recommended that
Highway 265 be constructed by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as a
boulevard with bike lanes and a planted median as labeled Alternate H- 1; and
WHEREAS, the Fayetteville City Council has adopted the Master Street Plan as
amended in 1996 that depicts Highway 265 as a Principal Arterial Street that includes a
boulevard with a planted median; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies overwhelmingly indicate that a roadway with a divided
median is safer than a five lane road with a continuous tum lane; and
WHEREAS, tum lanes at street intersections or to serve high traffic facilities such as the
Elks Club and the Nelson -Berra Funeral Home are compatible with the design and functioning
of the proposed boulevard; and
WHEREAS, a five lane road (with a continuous left tum lane) is neither as functional
nor appropriate for the largely residential nature of Highway 265 as the proposed boulevard
divided by a planted median and flanked by bike lanes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby reaffirms
its adopted policies that Highway 265 should be widened to a four lane boulevard divided by a
planted median with appropriate turn lanes where needed and including designated bike lanes.
Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby th negs'�
Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department for its cooperation and vit% Jtit1217Y.�F'�'�
improvement work within Fayetteville.
FAYETTEVILLE;
PASSED and APPROVED this 3`d day of July, 2007.
'Wee,
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ATTEST:
By. 9ctp r
SO DRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer
City of Fayetteville
Staff Review Form
City Council Agenda Items
or
Contracts
3 -Jul -07
City Council Meeting Date
M
g1J1 /
Ron Petrie Engineering Operations
Submitted By Division Department
Action Required:
Resolution to reaffirm the adopted policy of the City of Fayetteville that Highway 265 north of Mission Boulevard be
widened as a principal arterial street as depicted on the City Master Street Plan and as shown as Alternate H-1 by
the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department
N/A
Cost of this request
N/A
N/A
Project Number
Budgeted Item
N/A
Category/Project Budget
N/A
Funds Used to Date
N/A
Remaining Balance
Budget Adjustment Attached
Pro ram Category / Project Name
Program / Project CategoryName
Fund Name
Previous Ordinance or Resolution #
20• n`1
Date Original Contract Date:
�d Q� Original Contract Number:
to R i ity Clerk's Office
Finance and Internal Service Director Date
Received in Mayor's Office
Ma r Date
City Council Meeting of July 3, 2007
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO
To: Mayor and City Council
Thru: Gary Dumas, Director of Operations
From: Ron Petrie, City Engineer 009
Date: June 20, 2007
Subject: A resolution to reaffirm the adopted policy of the City of Fayetteville that
Highway 265 north of Mission Boulevard be widened as a principal arterial
street as depicted on the City Master Street Plan and as shown as Alternate H-1
by the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of this resolution to accept the Arkansas Highway &
Transportation Department's Alternate H-1 as the preferred option for the widening of
Highway 265 north of Mission Boulevard.
In 2004, the City Council approved a resolution agreeing to a 50% cost share with the
Arkansas Highway & Transportation Department (AHTD) for the widening of Highway
265 up to a maximum of $7.7 million.
The Transportation Bond Issue that was approved by a vote of the citizens on September
12, 2006 included $7.7 million for this project. The documentation that was provided to
the Street Committee and City Council described this widening as a 4/5 lane principal
arterial. There was not a conceptual drawing included in the packet just an aerial of the
project route. The City Master Street Plan that was adopted by the City Council in 1996
designated Crossover Road as a Principal Arterial Street. This street section is described
as having a 20' median with 28' wide 2 -lane street sections on both sides of the median.
CURRENTSTATUS
The AHTD has brought forth two typical street cross sections that they have labeled
Alternates H-1 & H-2 for public comment (see attachment). In general, Alternate H -I
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION TO REAFFIRM THE ADOPTED POLICY OF THE CITY
OF FAYETTEVILLE THAT HIGHWAY 265 NORTH OF MISSION
BOULEVARD BE WIDENED AS A PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL AS
DEPICTED ON THE CITY MASTER STREET PLAN AND AS SHOWN AS
ALTERNATE H-1 BY THE ARKANSAS HIGHWAY & TRANSPORTATION
DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Fayetteville City Council Street Committee recommended that
Highway 265 be constructed by the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as a
boulevard with bike lanes and a planted median as labeled Alternate H-1; and
WHEREAS, the Fayetteville City Council has adopted the Master Street Plan as
amended in 1996 that depicts Highway 265 as a Principal Arterial Street that includes a
boulevard with a planted median; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies overwhelmingly indicate that a roadway with a divided
median is safer than a five lane road with a continuous tum lane; and
WHEREAS, tum lanes at street intersections or to serve high traffic facilities such as the
Elks Club and the Nelson -Berra Funeral Home are compatible with the design and functioning
of the proposed boulevard; and
WHEREAS, a five lane road (with a continuous left tum lane) is neither as functional
nor appropriate for the largely residential nature of Highway 265 as the proposed boulevard
divided by a planted median and flanked by bike lanes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby reaffirms
its adopted policies that Highway 265 should be widened to a four lane boulevard divided by a
planted median with appropriate turn lanes where needed and including designated bike lanes.
Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby thanks the
Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department for its cooperation and vital road
improvement work within Fayetteville.
By:
PASSED and APPROVED this 3 a day of July, 2007.
APPROVED:
DAN COODY, Mayor
By:
ATTEST:
SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer
City Council Meeting of July 3, 2007
includes a raised median with 28' wide 2 lane street sections. As a part of the 28' wide
street width, a 4' wide marked bicycle lane is proposed. Alternate H-2 is a five lane
street with a continuous two-way left tum lane and 4' bicycle lanes on each side of the
street.
On June 18, 2007 the City Council's Street Committee was presented with both options
for consideration. After receiving public comment, the Street Committee voted 3-1 to
forward this to the full City Council with a recommendation to support the AHTD
Alternate H- 1.
The approved resolution will be forwarded to the AHTD for inclusion in the public
comments that are currently being received by the State. This does not guarantee that the
AHTD will select the preferred option of the City Council.
BUDGETIMPACT
The City currently has agreed to spend up to 57.7 million for this project. The selection
of either option will not change this previous commitment. At this time, the attached
resolution will not encumber any funds.
ALTERNATM H-1
PROPOSOROADWAY
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11' LANE
RAISED!WDIAN 11'
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5'
10.5 S/W
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USUAL
USUAL
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ALTERNATIVE H-2
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LEGEND
Highway 265 Improvements
Design Speed 45 mph (72 km/h)
Figure 2-5
1 Foot =.3048 Meter
Build Typical Sections -Alternatives H-1 and H-2
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4Ec J E S
�-V two Dear General McDaniel,
In September of 2006 Fayetteville voters were asked to
consider 4 questions regarding the sale of bonds for City
improvements. Questions three and four dealt with street
improvements and trail improvements, respectively. These
ballot questions are copied below with my emphasis added:
Ouestion three There is submitted to the qualified electors of the City of
Fayetteville, Arkansas, the question of the issuance of capital improvement bonds in
principal amount not to exceed $ 65, 900, 000 (the" Street Improvement Bonds" )
pursuant to the Local Government Bond Act for the purpose of financing all or a
portion of the costs of acquisition, construction and equipping of certain
street improvements. If the issuance of the Street Improvement Bonds is
approved, the Street Improvement Bonds shall be secured by a pledge of and lien
upon (i ) all of the receipts of the 0. 25 % Sales and Use Tax and (ii ) all of the
receipts of the 0. 75 % Sales and Use Tax, each levied pursuant to the Local
Government Bond Act.
FOR the issuance of Street Improvement Bonds in principal amount not to exceed $
65, 900, 000 for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the costs of acquisition,
construction, reconstruction, repair, straightening and widening of certain City
streets, which may include related sidewalk, traffic signal and control,
curbing, guttering and drainage improvements and right-of-way acquisition.
AGAINST the issuance of Street Improvement Bonds in principal amount not to
exceed $ 65, 900, 000 for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the costs of
acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair, straightening and widening of
certain City streets, which may include related sidewalk, traffic signal and control,
curbing, guttering and drainage improvements and right-of-way acquisition.
Ouestion four There is submitted to the qualified electors of the City of Fayetteville,
Arkansas, the question of the issuance of capital improvement bonds in principal
amount not to exceed $ 2, 100, 000 (the " Trail Improvement Bonds" ) pursuant to
the Local Government Bond Act for the purpose of financing all or a portion of
the costs of acquisition, construction and equipping of certain City trail
system improvements. If the issuance of the Trail Improvement Bonds is
approved, the Trail Improvement Bonds shall be secured by a pledge of and lien
upon (i ) all of the receipts of the 0. 25 % Sales and Use Tax and (ii ) all of the
receipts of the 0. 75 % Sales and Use Tax, each levied pursuant to the Local
Government Bond Act.
FOR the issuance of Trail Improvement Bonds in principal amount not to exceed $ 2,
100, 000 for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the costs of
acquisition and construction of certain City trail system improvements,
which may include related pedestrian signal and drainage improvements
and right-of-way acquisition.
AGAINST the issuance of Trail Improvement Bonds in principal amount not to exceed
$ 2, 100, 000 for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the costs of acquisition
and construction of certain City trail system improvements, which may include
related pedestrian signal and drainage improvements and right-of-way acquisition.
Many of our citizens in voting for Question three may have
assumed the proceeds would pay only for streets and
sidewalks and associated curbs, signs or signals.
Similarly those voting for Question four may have assumed
the proceeds of its passage would pay for alternative
transportation modes such as pedestrian pathways or bicycle
lanes since that was a separate ballot question.
I hereby request your opinion on the following:
May Fayetteville may use proceeds from the passage of
Question three to pay for Bicycle Lanes (which sometimes
are referred to as "Bicycle Trails" or "Bicycle Paths")?
If your answer is "yes", must those Bicycle Lanes be part
of the paved roadway or may they be separated from the
roadway?
Sincerely,
(���eq, U , .{,Q�c/ ('' �Qt�efle�;!(e,S C�do
ND I i (',v]. 41'11QJacLo� SOS ( c_� ,� � � (' 1
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HIGHWAY 265 EXPANSION PROJECT
NOTES FOR CITY COUNCIL
COREY OSBORNE
2740 NORTH CANDLEWOOD DRIVE
I. INTRODUCTION
II. CLARIFY PROJECT'S MISSION
Is the purpose of this project to more effectively move vehicle traffic? Is the
purpose of this project to implement alternative transportation routes? The
expansion project's mission must be one or the other. It cannot be both as these
two goals are diametrically in opposition.
III. BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN USEABILITY AND SAFETY
I am a personal proponent of alternative transportation options such as bicycle
routes; however, unless these projects are implemented within the right context
they simply become green space unnecessarily sacrificed for additional asphalt.
believe that the key is to implement only those projects that promote and ensure
ridership and use by all levels of the community.
A. BCI (BICYCLE COMPATIBILITY INDEX) METHODOLOGY
(SOURCE: httn:`www.bicvclineinfo.ore rdoperatiom.cfm)
1. "Determining how existing traffic operations and geometric conditions
impact a bicyclist's decision to use or not use a specific roadway is the first step
in determining the bicycle compatibility of the roadway'.
2. "...assess the "bicycle friendliness" of a roadway (such as curb lane width,
traffic volume, and vehicle speeds)".
a. Curb Lane Width
-wide curb lane widths may somewhat assist in rider comfort
levels
b. Traffic Volume
-265 is heavily traveled, and the highway's expansion will
promote even higher traffic counts
- Around 44,000 people die in car crashes in the U.S. each year. About
in 54 is a bicyclist. (SOURCE: htto•//bicvclesafe.com/).
-By introducing a bike lane within the context of a heavily traveled
divided highway with multiple cross -traffic ingress and egress
points, safety is significantly compromised.
c. Vehicle Speeds
- The current posted speed limit throughout the 265
residential corridor is 45. However, if the existing large
trees and additional median green spaces that border the
road and instinctively restrict the motorists' speed of travel
are destroyed, vehicle speeds will increase.
-For evidence of this phenomenon please refer to 265 south
of the Mission and Crossover intersection.
-Refer to the "Road Diet" theory for optimal bicycle/vehicle
design standards from the U.S. DOT.
(SOURCE: htty://w"".tfhre.2oN /safety /hsis/ou bs/04082/index.ht m).
3. Based upon the three primary components that ultimately determine
levels of ridership and safety; Lane Width, Traffic Volume, and Vehicle
Speeds, the proposed 265 expansion overwhelming fails to pass the BCI
Methodology. Thus, it is a safe, clear, and historically proven assumption
to conclude that very few bicyclists will ultimately, repeatedly utilize bike
lanes as proposed on the 265 expansion.
C. VISIBILITY ISSUES
-If paved areas are maximized to the point in which the road's edge is
pushed within close proximity to residential neighborhood entrances,
motorists' field of vision will be significantly reduced- thereby increasing
the danger to bicyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, motorists traveling
on 265 and exiting into a neighborhood will have less reaction time in
which to slow, stop or evade bicyclists, pedestrians, and/or children at
play.
D. LITMUS TEST PROPOSAL FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANS. ROUTES
-Determine some minimum threshold for likely ridership that justifies the
expense and displacement of existing, mature landscapes. For example:
is the proposed bicycle route for experienced riders/adults only, families,
kids, etc.? If the project is designed to be totally inclusive than we must
ask ourselves if the common Fayetteville citizen would allow their
families, children, etc. to utilize the bike path.
IV. GRASSY MEDIANS
A. LANDSCAPE USEFULNESS AND VIABILITY
-Sacrificing existing, viable, and vibrant mature trees, green areas, and
beautification projects in exchange for "landlocked" grassy medians is
counterintuitive.
19303 F41 hh I OICI:1►
-Currently, for the most part Fayetteville citizens beautify and maintain
the "green" medians throughout the 265 residential corridor. If the
"green" borders are destroyed in favor of "green" medians, the burden and
expense of landscaping and maintenance will fall entirely to the City or
the State. As evidenced by any divided highway, the State is quite simply
not in the business of maintaining residential quality green spaces. If the
City maintains the medians, the expense to taxpayers and the danger to
city workers increase exponentially.
V. SOLUTIONS
A. UTILIZATION OF EXISTING AREAS FOR BIKEIPEDESTRIAN
ROUTES
1. Tulsa Example
2. Safety and Advantages
-"One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they start biking is to take
the exact same routes they used when they were driving. It's usually better to take
the streets with fewer and slower cars. Sure, cyclists have a right to the road, but
that's a small consolation when you're dead. Consider how far you can take this
strategy: If you learn your routes well, you'll find that in many cities you can travel
through neighborhoods to get to most places, only crossing the busiest streets
rather than traveling on them" (SOURCE: htto://bicyclesafe.com/).
-We could protect riders and pedestrians, revitalize mature
neighborhoods, and protect existing green spaces (by utilizing existing
asphalt areas) by introducing a creative bike route plan that followed the
direction of bicylcesafe.com.
3. Speed Restrictions and Traffic Calming Strategies
-Signage and road identifiers could be used to clearly identify bike routes.
-In similar fashion to "Work Areas," more punitive fines could be
established for speeding (etc.) along bike routes
B. FLEXABLE MEDIAN WIDTHS BASED UPON ENVIRONMENTAL
CONTEXT
."Green" medians may serve a valuable aesthetic purpose in those portions of 265
that fall within the commercial context in which "green" borders are absent.
VI. CONCLUSION
Fayetteville is a vibrant, eco -progressive community. I hope that the 265
expansion will ultimately mirror these characteristics and that we will utilize a
design that delicately deals with the existing environment rather than brutishly
obliterating the residential corridor with a wide swath of pavement.
014Xl�
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RESOLUTION
A resolution to support the Hl Design for the widening of Highway 265
including bike lanes.
WHEREAS, a goal of the City of Fayetteville's 2025 Plan (which was created with
public input) was to create efficiency and connectivity through road improvements and to
development a trail system; this plan designates Highway 265 as a major north/south
artery.
WHEREAS, a goal of the City of Fayetteville's FATT Plan (which was created with
public input) is to create a sustainable alternative transportation system through the
development of a trail system which would connect residential, commercial and
recreational areas of the city. This plan designates Highway 265 as a major north/south
artery for bike lanes.
WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville has already pledged $7.7 million to the
improvements to Highway 265 which includes bike lanes, and the City of Fayetteville
would not realize any savings if the bike lanes were omitted.
WHEREAS, the ideal time to build the bike lanes would be during the construction
phase and not after the improvements have been completed.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE
SIDEWALK AND TRAILS
TASK
FORCE OF THE CITY
OF FAYETTEVILLE,
ARKANSAS:
We do unanimously support the H1 Alternative for the widening of Highway 265
including bike lanes.
PASSED and APPROVED this 27 h day of June, 2007.
at?. �Lz a2b 7
Chairman, Sidewalks and Trails Task Force