Pennsy Greenway Trail

Transcription

1 Town of Schererville Pennsy Greenway Trail DES. #s: , & Construction of Pennsy Greenway Trail beginning at Wilhelm Street and continuing northwest along the former Penn Central railroad corridor to Main Street for an approximate length of 3.42 miles in the Town of Schererville, Lake County, Indiana. PUBLIC HEARING ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING ENGINEERS ARCHITECTS SCIENTISTS PLANNERS SURVEYORS PLANNING SURVEYING CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Date: Monday April 14, 2014 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Schererville Community Center 500 Joliet Street Schererville, IN ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING PLANNING SURVEYING CONSTRUCTION SERVICES 7011 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD. HAMMOND, IN PHONE: (219) FAX: (219) With Offices Throughout the Midwest

2 PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA Hearing will be held on April 14, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in the Schererville Community Center, 500 Joliet Street, Schererville, Indiana Project maps, displays, informational handouts, and project officials will be available to address specific comments, questions, and concerns. 1. Description of Project Location and Project Description Existing Conditions Need for Improvements Proposed Improvements Maintenance of Traffic Prior Studies and Considerations Design Data Right of Way Summary Right of Way Acquisition Process Estimated Project Cost Anticipated Schedule 2. Public Comment Session 3. Closing Remarks/Adjournment

3 Location and Project Description: The project is the construction of the Pennsy Greenway Trail, beginning at Wilhelm Street and continuing northwest along the former Penn Central railroad corridor to Main Street, for an approximate length of 3.42 miles. Existing Conditions: The corridor contains existing rail berm, railroad ties, ballast, tracks, public park, and public sidewalks. Only minimal lengths of the existing rail have been removed along the rail alignment, but it is likely that Norfolk Southern will remove the existing track and rails prior to selling the right of way. The area required for the crossing of Canadian National Railroad contains existing service drives and undeveloped land. There is an existing crossing agreement in place for the proposed trail crossing of the Canadian National Railroad. Current land uses adjacent to the corridor are primarily public park, residential subdivisions, commercial businesses, or government facilities. Need for Improvements: There is currently a lack of safe off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the project area. In addition, there is a missing link in the overall Pennsy Greenway Trail project which consists of 11.6 miles of existing and proposed trail. This trail will begin at the Illinois/Indiana state line in Munster and continue southeast to Crown Point. This alignment, which utilizes the abandoned Penn Central Railroad Corridor, is needed to provide trail access to several communities, such as Burnham and Lansing in Illinois and Munster, Dyer, Schererville, and Crown Point in Indiana. The trail is a key piece of the American Discovery Trail Network. The purpose of this project is to address the above identified needs. Proposed Improvements: The trail alignment is intended to begin at Wilhelm Street (the northern limits of Phase I, a previously constructed segment under Des. No ), follow the existing sidewalk alignment along the south side of Wilhelm Street, cross Wilhelm Street heading north and follow the existing sidewalk alignment along the east side of the Town of Schererville Police Department parking lot, cross Joliet Street heading north and follow the western side of Junction Avenue to north of Schererville Town Hall then continue north along the Norfolk Southern railroad right-of-way to just south of the abandoned 213 th Street alignment, continue west to Eagle Ridge Drive then cross the existing Canadian National

4 Railroad to the north, continue east and again following the Norfolk Southern railroad right-of-way north to Main Street. The trail will be a 10-foot wide asphalt pavement trail with 2-foot wide compacted aggregate shoulders. In areas where reduced trail width may be required, a trail width of 8-foot will be used (subject to meeting applicable State and Federal guidelines). Boardwalks are also being considered to minimize impacts to potential wetland areas and adjacent existing developed areas. Surface parking lots, consisting of bituminous pavement, will be located adjacent to the proposed trail just north of Town Hall and at Plum Creek Park. These lots will provide spaces for at least 5 vehicles at each location and will include trail connections to the Pennsy Greenway Trail. If warranted, actuated pedestrian signals are to be provided at the trail s crossing of Main Street where it connects to the Town of Munster s already constructed trail segment. The trail will also include pavement markings and signage. Maintenance of Traffic: In general, it is anticipated the majority of the construction activities will be off roadways. Provisions will be made for access by local traffic and so posted, as necessary. Additional provisions will be made for through-traffic dependent businesses located within the construction limits of the project area. Prior Studies and Considerations: Phase I of Pennsy Greenway Trail: Construction Completed Fall 2011 Categorical Exclusion: In Progress Design Public Hearing: April 14, 6:00 p.m. Hearing Certification: Required Woody Re-vegetation: Not Required Rule 5 Permit: To be applied for INDOT Right of Entry Permit: To be applied for

5 Design Data: Geometric Design Criteria Functional Classification Terrain Design Speed Posted Speed Access Control Width Shoulders Clear Zone Side Slopes Multi-Use Path AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities Trail Level 20 mph N/A None 10-ft 2-ft compacted aggregate 3-ft Max 3:1 Foreslopes / Backslopes Project Design Criteria: o A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, AASHTO o Roadside Design Guide, AASHTO o MUTCD for Streets and Highways, FHWA o Road and Bridge Memoranda, INDOT o Design Manuals Part I, II, V, and VII to IX, INDOT o Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA o Standard Specifications, INDOT o AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, AASHTO 1999 o Guidelines and Standards for the Technical Development of Transportation Enhancement Projects, INDOT o Standards and Specification, Town of Schererville Right-of-Way (R/W) Summary: There are acres of proposed permanent right-of-way and zero (0) acres of temporary right-of-way for this project. Right-of-way acquisition acreage may change depending on property research findings and/or final alignment of trail. Relocations of businesses or residents will not be required.

6 Designation Numbers , & Phases II and III Permanent Right-of -Way Area Temporary Right-of -Way Area Land Use Impacts (Acres) (Acres) Residential Commercial Agricultural Forest Wetlands Other: Railroad Property Total (Acres) *Right-of-way amount may change depending on final alignment of trail. Estimated Project Cost: Construction Year: 2015/2016 Preliminary Engineering ( , ): $ 285, Right-of-Way ( ): $ 3,698,000.00** Construction ( ): $ 867, Construction Inspection ( ): $ 118, Utility Costs ( ): $ 3, Construction ( ): $ 1,038, Construction Inspection ( ): $ 155, Total Cost: $ 6,167, **Right-of-Way Costs may change depending of final Right-of-Way. Anticipated Schedule: Public Hearing April 14, 6:00 p.m. Right of Way Appraising Anticipated to Late Summer 2014 Right of Way Buying Anticipated to Begin Late Fall 2014 Anticipated Construction Begin ( ) Late Spring 2016 Anticipated Construction End ( ) Fall 2016 Anticipated Construction Begin ( ) Late Summer 2016 Anticipated Construction End ( ) Spring 2017