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Union Square Utility and Streetscape Improvements Study and Design January 8, 2015
Union Square Utility andStreetscape Improvements Study and Design
January 8, 2015
Agenda
6:30-6:35 . . . . . . . IntroductionHayes Morrison, Director of Transportation and Infrastructure, City ofSomerville
6:35-6:45 . . . . . . . Overview and Project UpdateRachel Burckardt, PE, Parsons Brinckerhoff
6:45-7:05 . . . . . . . Early Action Plan: Interim ImprovementsUtilities - Rachel Burckardt, PE, Parsons BrinckerhoffTraffic - Kristen Torrance Clarke, PE, PTOE, Parsons BrinckerhoffQ&A/Discussion
7:05-8:00 . . . . . . . Small Group DiscussionQ&A/Discussion
City of Somerville Team
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone
Ward 2 Alderman Maryann M. Heuston
Ward 3 Alderman Robert McWattersDepartment of Public Works City EngineeringOffice of Strategic Planning & DevelopmentMichael Glavin, Executive DirectorHayes Morrison, Transportation and Infrastructure
Citizens Advisory Committee
Wig Zamore, ChairmanJoe BeckmannSusan CallahanRobyn ChampionMike DaceyErik FellingerMimi GraneyGregory JenkinsAngelina Jockovich
Ken KellyShaina Korman-HoustonKaren ManciniPat McCormickErik NeuPhilip ParsonsMolly RubensteinKat RutkinRebecca SchrummGordon Wong
The PB TeamParsons Brinckerhoff Project Management
Civil, Structural & Traffic EngineeringPublic Outreach
Team Better Block
Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge, Inc.
Toole Design Group, Inc.
Bryant Associates, Inc.
PEER Consultants, Inc.
Experiential Community Engagement
Streetscape & Urban Design
Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities
Surveying
LSP Services
Project Overview and Update
Study Area
Project Objectives
Recognize the unique history of Union Square
Build on foundation of previous work
Coordinate with ongoing and future projects
Develop utility and transportation solutions
Integrate all modes of transportation(pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, vehicles)
Design for improvements that can be built
ScopeUtilities
Transportation
Public Space
Development Impacts
Public Outreach
Public OutreachPreliminary Streetscape Design
Nov 2013 Spring 2015
Meeting #1: Nov 18, 2013
Meeting #2- Jan 29, 2014
Meeting #3- March 25, 2014
Ongoing Advisory Committee Meetings/Coordination
Team Better Block Demonstration-May 30, 2014
Meeting #4-Oct 20, 2014
Meeting #5- Winter 2015
Meeting #6- Spring 2015
Team Better BlockPlaza Redesign
Team Better Block Build Day – May 31, 2014
Team Better BlockPedestrian, Bike and TransitImprovements
Team Better Block Build Day– May 31, 2014
Team Better Block- PedestrianRecommendations
Somerville by Design Survey
72% of Respondents Stated that Being Ableto Safely Bicycle Through the Square was“very important”81% of Respondents Stated that Being Ableto Safely Walk Through the Square was “veryimportant”These sentiments are reflected in the ideaspresented in this presentation
Project UpdateSurvey – CompleteSoils Investigation – Fieldwork done; draft reportpreparedTraffic counts and data – CompleteWater System Improvements – Concept completeSewer/Storm Drain Improvements – Conceptdeveloped; modeling underwayCoordination with US2 – OngoingInterim Improvements: 25% Plans Winter 2015
Water System Improvements
Yellow = NewWater MainsGreen =Clean & Line(by others)
Sanitary/Storm System Improvements
SewerseparationAdded capacity& off-linestorage:Union Sq. toCMI viaSomerville Ave.
Somerville Ave. StormDrain (completed)
Early Action Plan: InterimImprovements
Early Action - Interim Improvements
Goal: Identify short-term roadwayimprovements that could be accommodatedwithin the existing curb lines
Design Completion: Winter 2015Estimated Construction Period: July 2015-November 2015Include utility work in Prospect Street
Prospect Street: Sewer & WaterNew sewer and water mainto serve MBTA station andD2 developmentNew fire hydrants
Improve Traffic Flow & Safety at SignalizedIntersections
Reduce Overall Intersection DelayReduce Circuitous Traffic Movements
• One-Way vs. Two-Way Webster + Prospect
Evaluate Turn Lanes at Intersections
Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements
ExistingConditions
LOS
AM PEAK(PM Peak)
Safety Analysis
All crashes from2009-2011 inStudy AreaCrash Rate PerMillion EnteringVehicles
District Average-• .77 Signalized• .58 Unsignalized
Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements
Improve Pedestrian ConnectivitySignal Timing/Phasing
• Exclusive vs. Concurrent Phasing• Leading Pedestrian Interval
Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements
Improve Pedestrian ConnectivityCrosswalk Locations
• Shorten CrosswalkLocations where Possible
– Modify Alignment– Adding Bump-out
• Add any MissingPedestrian Links
Improve BicycleConnectivity
Painted Bicycle Lanes
Bike Boxes• Increase Visibility of Cyclist• Reduces Signal Delay• Facilities Left Turn Position• Helps Prevent Left Hook
Conflicts
Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements
Improve Bicycle ConnectivityTwo Stage Turn Queue Box
• Left Turn Safety• Formal Queue Space• Reduces Turning conflicts• Separates Turning &
Thru Bicyclists
Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements
BicycleAlternatives
Two-Way BikeLanes onProspect,Sharrows onWebster
WidthConstraints atProspect +SomervilleIntersection
BicycleAlternatives
NB Bike Lane onProspect, SB BikeLane on Webster
Width Constraintsat Webster +SomervilleNotAccommodatingHeaviest AM BikeMovement
BicycleAlternatives
SB Bike Lane onProspect, NB BikeLane on Webster
Width Constraintsat Webster +SomervilleCapacity forProspect Bike Box
Prospect/Somerville/WashingtonConcept
Prospect/Somerville/WashingtonSignal Operations
Webster/Somerville/WashingtonConcept
Webster/Somerville/WashingtonSignal Operations
Webster/ProspectConcept
Webster/Prospect Signal Operations
InterimConditions
LOS
AM PEAK(PM PEAK)
DiscussionUtilitiesProspect St. & Webster Ave.Bicycle accommodationsPedestrian crossingsConnection with Green Line StationBus stop relocations
Next StepsUtility improvements:
Advance concept plans & modeling for sewer separationEarly Action – Interim Improvements:
Finish designAdvertise for bids
Street improvements– Refine concept plansBicycle accommodationsImproved pedestrian crossingsConnection with Green Line stationBus stop relocations
Streetscape Design:Plaza alternativesStreetscape concepts
Contact UsHayes MorrisonCity of SomervilleDirector of Transportation [email protected] x2522
