DATE: December 2, 2014
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
David Parker, City Engineer
Paul Holzen, Engineering Director
Jonathan Marston, Engineer III
SUBJECT:
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Consideration of Resolution 2014-94 - A Resolution to Fund the Final Design of McEwen Drive Phase IV Improvements (Cool Springs Blvd to Wilson Pike) (01/13/15 WS)
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Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to recommend approval of Resolution 2014-94 - A Resolution to Fund the Final Design of McEwen Drive Phase IV Improvements (Cool Springs Blvd to Wilson Pike).
Background
The original limits of the McEwen Drive Phase 4 project were Cool Springs Boulevard/Oxford Glen Drive to Wilson Pike (SR-252). On November 9, 2004, the BOMA approved a professional services agreement with Sullivan Engineering, Inc. (SEI) for preliminary design and right-of-way plans production for this project. During the past decade, McEwen Drive traffic has more than quadrupled, from 1,471 vehicles per day (VPD) in 2004 to 6,506 VPD in 2013. Since 2007, the City of Franklin has made a significant investment along the McEwen Drive corridor. These projects and their completion dates are listed below:
2007 McEwen Drive, completed as a 4-lane median divided roadway, from Mallory Lane to Carothers Parkway, including a single-point urban interchange (SPUI) at I-65
2012 McEwen Drive, completed as a 4-lane median roadway, from Carothers Parkway to roundabout at Cool Springs Boulevard/Oxford Glen Drive
2013 McEwen Drive Temporary Connector, completed as fourth and final leg to existing roundabout and includes approximately 1,000 feet of 4-lane median divided roadway, which is necessary in the future expansion of McEwen Drive
2014 McEwen Drive & Wilson Pike (SR-252) intersection improvements completed, including widening of bridge over CSX rail lines from 26 feet to 84 feet.
On March 13, 2014, the BOMA approved Resolution 2014-13, which provided $340,000 in funding for a portion of the final design for McEwen Drive Phase 4 in FY 2015. An additional $340,000 in funding for FY 2016 is shown in the latest FY 2014-2018 Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for the completion of final design documents.
In November 2014, SEI provided City staff with a detailed scope of services for the preparation of final design plans for McEwen Drive Phase 4 Project. Due to increased traffic, staff recommends proceeding with the ultimate design as a 4-lane median divided roadway. A rendering of the 2-lane and 4-lane typical sections are shown on the attached Exhibit A. The final design will include the following elements: 4-12 foot travel lanes separated by a 20 foot grass median, curb & gutter, storm drainage, street lights, ITS conduit, approximately 5,700 linear feet of retaining walls, a 12 foot multiuse path along the south side of McEwen Drive and no sidewalk on the north side. A significant portion of the new roadway will be slightly north of existing McEwen Drive allowing us to utilize a portion of the old roadway alignment as the multiuse path. Because we will be utilizing this existing alignment, there may be instances when the multiuse path is several feet lower than the level of the new roadway. It is also important to note that the proposed 12 foot wide multiuse path will be the only pedestrian/bike facilities along this section of McEwen Drive. The elimination of a separate sidewalks and bike lanes allows for a more narrow typical section, which reduces the amount of earthwork required along this difficult topography.
No funding has been programmed or budgeted for right-of-way acquisition or construction of this project. Preliminary right-of-way acquisition and construction estimates from mid-2012, including construction engineering & inspection services and utility relocations, are $21,950,000 for a 2-lane facility and $26,071,000 for a 4-lane facility. As final design nears completion, these estimates will be refined.
Financial Impact
The total estimated cost for the final design of the McEwen Drive Phase 4 project is $713,000. Staff recommends proceeding with the final design as a 4 lane arterial roadway. It should be noted that additional design funding will be required if only 2 of the 4 lanes are funded for construction. The final design for McEwen Phase 4 was included in the Board's approved funding plan. The design funding included in the Board's funding plan was $340,000 in Fiscal Year 2015.
Recommendation
Due to the fact that it will be several years before this project is construction ready, staff recommends approval of Resolution 2014-94 - A Resolution to Fund the Final Design of McEwen Drive Phase IV Improvements (Cool Springs Blvd to Wilson Pike). Staff anticipates bringing forward a professional services agreement for final design following approval of this resolution.