Route 1 Corridor Study

Transcription

1 Route 1 Corridor Study Westbrook, Connecticut A Vision for the Connecticut Shoreline Public Informational Meeting July 28, 2015 Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. Hartford, CT

2 Tonight s Meeting 1. Introduction and meeting purpose Noel Bishop 2. Regional planning and project background - RiverCOG 3. Route 1 Corridor Study Presentation Existing conditions Recommended solutions 4. Discussion

3 What is RiverCOG? One of the State s 9 Regions 17 Municipalities COG Board Comprised of First-Selectmen Non-Partisan Cooperative, Collaborative, and Consensus Oriented Responsible for Regional, Transportation, Emergency, Environmental, Agricultural and Economic Development Planning Regional Services Hazardous Waste, Elections Monitoring

4 What is RiverCOG? Federally Designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Responsible for Transportation Planning Program Federal and State Funds RiverCOG Planning Work is Advisory and Cooperative RiverCOG does not own roads RiverCOG does not tax or bond Transportation projects require the cooperation and approval of towns and/or state to move forward

5 Project Background: Why a Study of the Route 1 Corridor? When? Concept was developed over 10 years ago Why? Community Engagement Safety (Pedestrian, Bicycle, Transit, Automobile) Congestion and Air Quality Growth Management How STP- Urban Funds

6 Project Overview Led by: Lower Connecticut Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) in partnership with Clinton, Westbrook, & Old Saybrook Sponsored by: CT Department of Transportation Consultant: FHI

7 What is a Corridor Study? A long-term holistic vision for the roadway and its surrounding environment A guidance document used to inform future decisions: Plan of conservation and development Regional long-range transportation plan Local development proposals Local or State infrastructure or maintenance projects A proactive guide developed locally to guide State actions on a state facility A reference document to initiate grant applications and future infrastructure projects

8 Website Small Working Group Advisory Committee Local technical meetings Mobile visioning workshops On-line survey/contest 2-day planning workshop and open house summer 2014 Public meeting March 2015 Public comment period Stakeholder and Community Outreach

9 Two-day Planning Workshop and Open House

10 Public Meeting March 18, 2015 Westbrook Town Hall Draft recommendations presented Interactive stations followed presentation

11 Following March Public Meeting Final draft materials provided to RiverCOG for public comment Significant public comment highlighting concerns about lack of beach associations participation to date Westbrook Council of Beaches meeting on July 6 attended by Town and RiverCOG Continued communications with Council of Beaches leaders and other business owners to hear input RiverCOG and Town met with Council of Beaches on July 24 th Modification to recommendations to remove boardwalk concept Tonight's public information meeting hosted by Town to present project background and recommendations Public comment period extended to August 21 st. All comments will be documented. Additional modifications are possible based on input received

12 The Route 1 Corridor

13 Route 1: A Few Facts 12 miles through 3 towns (2 Town Centers) 12,000 to 17,000 ADT midday Saturday peak ADT increases about 20% on summer weekends Coastal summer tourist destination Retail corridor with adjacent neighborhoods Mix of national and independent retailers

14 Regional Transportation Context and Development Patterns Clinton 145 Westbrook 153 Old Saybrook 81 Main Street Old Saybrook Clinton Town Center 1 Westbrook Town Green Marina District and Beach Communities Water s Edge Resort Old Saybrook Route 1 Business District 154 Beach Communities Clinton Harbor Beach Communities

15 Route 1: Many Unique Issues Transportation Local vs. regional role of Route 1 Incidents on I-95 affect Route 1 Seasonal traffic variation Access (numerous driveways) Speed and safety Insufficient bike and pedestrian accommodation Bus transit system at capacity Unique vehicle mix Land Use Random sprawl patterns Development pressure/tod potential Town Center cohesiveness and character Economic development sustainability Historic preservation Fragile environmental resources Climate adaptation

16 Route 1 Corridor Study Balancing Priorities in Corridor Planning Staff Development Economic growth Job opportunities Housing choices Business sustainability Climate adaptation Traffic flow Multimodal options Safety Emergency response Recreation Public spaces Coastal character History Environmental resources

17 EXISTING CONDITIONS: Road geometry, traffic, and safety

18 Functional Classification v

19 Typical Sections

20 Driveway Density

21 Peak Hour Volumes 20% more volume on Saturdays during Summer

22 Crash History along Route 1 Westbrook Clinton Old Saybrook

23 Incidents on I-95 8 interchanges within 12 miles About 3-4 incidents per week Diversions to Route 1 are routine Biggest issue on summer weekends Non-recurrent congestion is becoming a normal event

24 Incidents on I-95 8 interchanges within 12 miles About 4-5 incidents per week Diversions to Route 1 are routine Biggest issue on summer weekends Non-recurrent congestion is becoming a normal event

25 RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS: Design for desired function Balance needs of all users Safety and placemaking Manage the edges Ensure sustainable development

26 01 DESIGN FOR DESIRED FUNCTION Incident Management & Living With It It s a policy decision! Staff Development What s the purpose of each facility? Regional incident management can: Manage routes Minimize diversions Better define role of local authorities For Route 1: safety, placemaking, and livability are highest priorities

27 01 DESIGN FOR DESIRED FUNCTION Speed dictates design Research confirms that lower speeds are safer and lowering speed limits can decrease both crash frequency and severity. However, speeds cannot be reduced simply by changing the posted speed limit. Geometric and cross-sectional elements, in combination with the context, establish a driving environment where drivers choose speeds that feel reasonable and comfortable. - FHWA Conventional Highway Design: Operating Speed = Design Speed = Posted Speed Proactive Urban Street Design: Target Speed = Design Speed = Posted Speed

28 01 DESIGN FOR DESIRED FUNCTION MPH MPH

29 02 BALANCE NEEDS OF ALL USERS

30 02 BALANCE NEEDS OF ALL USERS Pedestrian Improvements Connect gaps in sidewalks Upgrade amenities Install countdown signals Paint & maintain crosswalks

31 02 BALANCE NEEDS OF ALL USERS Bicycle Improvements Extend Shoreline Greenway Trail Bike Signage Program Bike Rack Installation

32 02 BALANCE NEEDS OF ALL USERS Transit Improvements 9 Town Transit Shoreline Shuttle Route Fixed route service: Shoreline Shuttle Supplemental paratransit for Shoreline route OS Hub and Pulse point Construct bus shelters at key locations TOD Opportunities Old Saybrook: Access, parking, development Westbrook: Pedestrian access to Town Green Clinton: Station upgrades, access, and adjacent redevelopment site

33 03 SAFETY AND PLACEMAKING Westbrook 1. Town Green Enhancements 2. Marina District Enhancements 3. Grove Beach/Route 1 Intersection Enhancements

34 03 TOWN GREEN ENHANCEMENTS 1. Shared space for public events 1

35 03 TOWN GREEN ENHANCEMENTS 1. Shared space for public events 2. Preservation of critical parking for businesses 2 2 2

36 03 TOWN GREEN ENHANCEMENTS 3 1. Shared space for public events 2. Preservation of critical parking for businesses 3. Slower, safe vehicle flow through active town center

37 03 TOWN GREEN ENHANCEMENTS 4 1. Shared space for public events 2. Preservation of critical parking for businesses 3. Slower, safe vehicle flow through active town center 4. Continued mobility for vehicles (& boat trailers) 4 4 4

38 03 TOWN GREEN ENHANCEMENTS Shared space for public events 2. Preservation of critical parking for businesses 3. Slower, safe vehicle flow through active town center 4. Continued mobility for vehicles (& boat trailers) 5. Enhanced mobility and access for pedestrians & bicyclists

39 03 TOWN GREEN ENHANCEMENTS Shared space for public events 2. Preservation of critical parking for businesses 3. Slower, safe vehicle flow through active town center 4. Continued mobility for vehicles (& boat trailers) 5. Enhanced mobility and access for pedestrians & bicyclists 6. Opportunities for additional bus stops

40 03 MARINA DISTRICT ENHANCEMENTS Goal: Prioritize safety and develop a strong multimodal environment for walkers and bicyclists. Create a more cohesive, economically sustainable, aesthetically pleasing sense of place that highlights and brands the marinerelated neighborhood. Preserve and enhance the environmental resources along the shoreline.

41 03 MARINA DISTRICT ENHANCEMENTS Construct Multimodal Cross Section including bike lanes and sidewalks where possible Implement access management best practices over time to improve safety and minimize conflicts Enhance Singing Bridge as focal point with Marina District branding Upgrade access to and facilitate use of Town Dock

42 03 MARINA DISTRICT ENHANCEMENTS Traffic Flow, Safety, & Multi-modal Needs Existing Section: Westbrook

43 03 MARINA DISTRICT ENHANCEMENTS Recommended Westbrook Marina District Section

44 03 GROVE BEACH INTERSECTION ENHANCEMENTS

45 04 MANAGE THE EDGES Staff Development Design the road s edge to be safe for bicyclists and pedestrians while accommodating large vehicles and boat trailers

46 04 MANAGE THE EDGES Develop Curb Cut and Landscape Plan focused on: Minimizing driveway width and frequency Screening and beautification Adopt Access Management standards Use innovative techniques to meet unique needs of larger vehicles Staff Development

47 05 ENSURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Stable Development in a Dynamic Environment Storm Impacts Staff Development Seasonality

48 05 ENSURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Resiliency enhancements and climate adaptation strategies Economic sustainability strategies Enhance Town Centers and discourage sprawl Encourage transit-friendly development

49 05 ENSURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Seasonal Pop-Up Retail & Restaurants Demand responsive businesses Storm friendly development Low-risk, low-cost investment that helps support smaller entrepreneurs Economic benefits: more options for the consumer attracts more customers (agglomeration) Increase sales during peak season to help sustain businesses year round Lease fees for property owners and local permit fees Liv s Oyster Bar Saybrook Point Simon s Marketplace Deep River Landing

50 05 ENSURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Existing Rendering Conditions looking west Westbrook toward Singing Marina District Bridge

51 The Recommendations. Provide significant multimodal improvements Increase safety Maintains vehicular flow and accommodates 20 years of growth Provide a framework to promote desired development Provide a framework to communicate vision and priorities to CTDOT Support economic and environmental sustainability Works towards overall community vision locally and regionally

52 What s Next? Public comment period extended to August 21 st Study recommendations modified and finalized Study Complete Local discussions to identify Town priorities Towns work closely with Region and State to proactively advance identified priority projects in Route 1 ROW Local regulatory initiatives can be brought to Planning and Zoning and local authorities for consideration Projects can be initiated

53 FOR MORE INFORMATION Check out the Route 1 Corridor Study Website For more information, please visit: Or contact: RiverCOG L. Jean Davies, Deputy Directory (860) jdavies@rivercog.org Enhancing future mobility while preserving community

54 Route 1 Corridor Study Westbrook, Connecticut A Vision for the Connecticut Shoreline Special Public Informational Meeting July 28, 2015 Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments Fitzgerald & Halliday, Inc. Hartford, CT

55 Infrastructure Investment in Westbrook and Funding Element Estimated Cost Funding Source Potential for Local Grant Multimodal Cross Section $3,100,000 Federal/State N/A Post Office Intersection Safety Mods $ 50,000 Federal/State N/A Old Clinton Road Intersection Safety Mods $ 100,000 Federal/State N/A Special Pedestrian Countdowns and Crosswalks $ 7,000 Federal/State N/A Placemaking in Marina District $ 260,000 Local Yes - DECD Town Green Enhancements $ 252,000 Local Yes - STEAP Total Infrastructure Investment in Westbrook $3,869,000