DATE: September 25, 2018
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Paul Holzen, Director of Engineering/City Engineer
Jonathan Marston, Assistant Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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Discussion of an Access Management Plan as the Preferred Design Concept for the Columbia Ave Widening & Improvements Project. (Continued from 10/09/18 WS)
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Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning an access management plan for the Columbia Avenue widening and improvements projects.
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 access options to businesses along Columbia Ave.
Financial Impact
No Financial Impact. The project is supported through federal and state funding.
Recommendation
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Staff recommends approval with Concept B as the preferred access management plan for the Columbia Avenue Widening & Improvements Project.