DATE: August 28, 2018
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Paul Holzen, City Engineer/Director of Engineering
Jonathan Marston, Assistant Director of Engineering
William Banks, Staff Engineer
SUBJECT:
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Consideration of Resolution No. 2018-73, “A Resolution to select the Pedestrian Design Concept for the Columbia Avenue Widening & Improvements Project”.
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Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning various design elements for the Columbia Avenue Widening and Improvements Project.
Background
In 2006, the City of Franklin began the process of completing a Transportation Planning Report (TPR) for Columbia Avenue (SR-6/US-31), between Mack Hatcher Parkway (SR-397) and Downs Boulevard. The purpose of this TPR was to demonstrate the need for improvements to this section of Columbia Avenue. In 2008, as a part of the development of the TPR, a public meeting was held to discuss potential improvements to Columbia Avenue. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) approved the final TPR in November 2010.
In December 2013, the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) formally adopted the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for fiscal years (FY) 2014-2017, which programmed a total of $21,000,000 toward the Columbia Avenue (SR-6/US-31) South Widening project. The initial breakdown of fund participation by agency was 80% (e.g. $16.8M) in federal funds and 20% (e.g. $4.2M) in local funds. Because Columbia Avenue is both a federal and state route, the City of Franklin requested that TDOT participate in the project by funding the 20% local match with state funds. In June 2014, TDOT agreed to provide the 20% matching funds.
Since early 2016, the City of Franklin has been working with Barge Design Solutions, Inc. (formerly known as Barge Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc.) to complete the Preliminary Engineering - National Environmental Policy Act (PE-NEPA) phase of the Columbia Avenue Widening and Improvements Project. The PE-NEPA phase was the first major step in the development of this transportation project. The final PE-NEPA document was approved by TDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2018. This document included technical studies (i.e. archeology, natural resources, noise, air quality, etc.) and functional-level roadway plans (e.g. conceptual.)
Prior to NEPA approval, in September of 2017, the BOMA approved Resolution 2017-43, A Resolution to Select the Corridor Design Concept for the Columbia Avenue Widening and Improvements Project (TDOT PIN 121454.00.) At that time, a selection of a preferred design concept, by the BOMA, was needed in order to finalize the PE-NEPA phase. The two (2) options presented by Resolution 2017-43 were the Five-Lane Concept with Access Control and the Roundabout Corridor Concept. The BOMA selected the Five-Lane Concept with Access Control.
Staff now has TDOT approval to move into the formal design phase for the project. In order to give our design team proper direction to move forward with the Five-Lane Concept with Access Control, staff seeks BOMA input on the appropriate pedestrian elements to be incorporated into the design.
Financial Impact
No major financial impact associated with this decision.
Recommendation
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Based on feedback from the Board, staff recommends proceeding with Option C with sidewalks on both sides of Columbia. Sidewalks on both sides will provide equal pedestrian access to properties in the project area.