SUNDERLAND SAFE ROADS SCOPING STUDY SUNDERLAND STP BP14(21) TOWN OF SUNDERLAND, VT January 29, 2016

Transcription

1 SUNDERLAND SAFE ROADS SCOPING STUDY SUNDERLAND STP BP14(1) TOWN OF SUNDERLAND, VT January 9, 016 Submitte to: Town of Sunerlan 104 Mountain View Roa Sunerlan, VT 0550 An James Sullivan, Director Bennington County Regional Commission 111 South Street, Suite 03 Bennington, VT 0501 Winsor, VT Barre, VT St. Johnsbury, VT Manchester Center, VT

2 Table of Contents Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Table of Contents Section Description Page 1 SUMMARY Summary... 1 EXISTING CONDITIONS Project Stuy Area... 3 Lan Uses... 3 Existing Transportation Facilities... 3 Natural an Cultural Resources... 7 Right-of-Way... 1 Utilities PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Local Concerns Meeting Purpose an Nee Statement Alternatives Presentation Public Informational Meeting Relationship to Local an Regional Plans EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES Alternative 1: No Buil Alternative : Bicycle Lanes Alternative 3: Wie Shoulers an Spot Improvements... 0 Permitting Requirements... Evaluation Matrix... 3 Alternatives Presentation... 4 Preferre Alternative... 4 Design Consierations for the Preferre Alternative... 7 Utility Pole Relocations... 7 Culvert an Drainage Swale Moifications... 8 Lege Rock Removal... 8 Total Project Cost Estimate FISCAL IMPLEMENTATION Funing Alternatives Phasing Plan Project Scheule DUFRESNE GROUP i

3 Table of Contents Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Appenices A. Archeological Resource & Historic Preservation Assessment; Sunerlan Bicycle-Peestrian Scoping Stuy; Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc.; July 015 B. Local Concerns Meeting Minutes, May 15, 015 C. Alternatives Presentation Meeting Minutes, September 30, 015 D. Public Informational Meeting Minutes, January 1, 016 DUFRESNE GROUP ii

4 Table of Contents Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont List of Figures Figure Description Page -1 Project Stuy Area 4 - Sunerlan Zoning Map 5-3 Natural Resources an Environmental Features 8-4A Right-of-Way an Parcel Mapping 9-4B Right-of-Way an Parcel Mapping 10-4C Right-of-Way an Parcel Mapping 11-5 Culvert Locations 13-6 Utility Pole Locations Typical Roa an Bicycle Lane Cross Section Typical Roa an Wie Shouler Cross Section Typical Roa an Single Pave Shouler Cross Section 4-4 Preferre Alternative Components Photo Simulation Gravel Shoulers on Sunerlan Hill Roa Photo Simulation Gravel Shoulers on Sunerlan Hill Roa Photo Simulation Gravel Shoulers on Sunerlan Hill Roa Photo Simulation Pave Shouler on Sunerlan Hill Roa 7 List of Photos Figure Description Page -1 Sunerlan Hill Roa near Maggie s Run 3 - Sunerlan Hill Roa south of Dunham Roa 6-3 Brige over Battenkill River on Hill Farm Roa 6 List of Tables Table Description Page 4-1 Permitting Requirements 3 4- Evaluation Matrix Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate Preliminary Total Project Cost Phasing Plan 3 5- Total Project Cost by Phase Project Scheule 33 DUFRESNE GROUP iii

5 Section 1 Summary Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Section 1: Summary The objective of this project is to create a safe an accessible route for peestrians an cyclists to travel along Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa to key points of interest incluing the Sunerlan Elementary School, the Sunerlan Town Office, the commercial istrict on Route 7A, an resiential evelopments. The stuy area extens from the Chiselville Brige, north along Sunerlan Hill Roa to the intersection of Hill Farm Roa, then continues west along Hill Farm Roa to Route 7A. Characteristics of the project area were reviewe incluing right-of-way with, roaway features, traffic ata, historic/archeological features, natural resources an other environmental parameters. There were no environmental impacts ientifie for any of the alternative routes in the stuy area. An Archeological Resource an Historic Preservation Assessment was complete, which inicate that the project area has a moerate potential for intact precontact an historic archeological eposits to be present within the project area. The Archeological Resource an Historic Preservation Assessment recommene that the project be esigne to keep groun isturbance close to the existing roasie to limit isturbance to previously unisturbe areas of archeological potential. When the propose improvements are further efine uring final esign, the potential for archaeological impacts shoul be reviewe again. This review may inclue a Phase 1B archeological investigation. The project was iscusse at a Local Concerns meeting. As a result of this meeting, the following Purpose an Nee Statement was evelope: Purpose: To increase safety for school chilren, peestrians an cyclists who utilize Sunerlan Hill Roa for commuting an recreation. Nee: The lack of safe peestrian an bicycle facilities in this area iscourages peestrian an bicycle activity. In orer to encourage activity, improvements to increase safety are a necessity. After the Local Concerns meeting, alternatives were evelope base on esign criteria an local input. The alternatives focuse on aing a roa shouler to provie space for peestrians an cyclists, as well as signage an pavement markings to increase river awareness. The alternatives were compare on the basis of cost, impacts to historic an archeological features, permitting requirements an locally ientifie critical elements. The alternatives were iscusse at an Alternatives Presentation. The iscussions focuse on the specifics of each alternative, incluing space consierations, phasing, an cost. The participants showe support for incremental improvements to wien the roa shouler. Upon completion of the presentation, the preferre alternative was ientifie as incremental improvements to a a -foot wie pave shouler on both sies of Sunerlan Hill Roa from the Town Office to the Chiselville Brige, a a 4- DUFRESNE GROUP Page 1 of 33

6 Section 1 Summary Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont foot wie pave shouler on the southboun lane of Sunerlan Hill Roa from Dunham Roa to the Town Office, an a ege line striping, sharrows, peestrian warning signage an Share the Roa signage throughout the stuy area. The iscussions focuse on these improvements being constructe over several years to minimize the financial impact to the Town, with gravel shoulers being installe first an pavement installation being coorinate with future roa resurfacing projects. In a follow-up committee meeting, there were suggestions that the Town Highway Department coul construct the gravel shoulers to further reuce the cost of the project. The estimate total project cost for these improvements is $985,000 base on a 016 construction cost estimate of $695,000. This cost estimate oes not inclue any iscounts for local construction. The phasing plan an funing alternatives were presente at a Public Informational Meeting. The concept of locally constructing the improvements over several years was iscusse with comments noting that the Town Highway Department was alreay busy an this concept woul ultimately cost the Town more money than a grant woul. There were comments that it may be beneficial to install the ege lines on the roa in the near future, since a grant fune project woul take several years to esign. Following the public meeting, the recommene phasing plan was revise for two phases. The propose phasing scheule is provie in Section 5 an summarize as follows: Phase 1: Install pavement markings on Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa. Phase : Install pave shoulers on both sies of Sunerlan Hill Roa from the Town Office to the Chiselville Brige. Install a pave shouler on the southboun sie of Sunerlan Hill Roa from Dunham Roa to the Town Office. Install signage. As the project will be phase, the construction an total project cost estimates were provie by phase. The costs by phase can be foun in Section 5 of this report. Upon local enorsement of this stuy an public consensus at a Town Meeting, it is recommene that the Town locally buget to install the pavement markings as Phase 1 an apply to the VTrans Bicycle an Peestrian Program for esign an construction funs to implement Phase of the project. DUFRESNE GROUP Page of 33

7 Section Existing Conitions Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Section : Existing Conitions Project Stuy Area The stuy area for the project was efine by the Sunerlan Safe Roas Committee, which inclues four resients from the Town of Sunerlan, an the Bennington County Regional Commission. As shown in Figure -1, the stuy area extens along Sunerlan Hill Roa from the Chiselville Brige to Hill Farm Roa an along Hill Farm Roa from Sunerlan Hill Roa to Route 7A. The stuy area is approximately 3. miles in length. Lan Uses The stuy area is rural an there is no efine village center or hamlet. As shown in Figure -, the stuy area is mostly classifie as Rural Resiential (RR). The RR istrict is a low ensity istrict characterize by larger lot sizes ( acres minimum). The intent of this istrict is to maintain an enhance scenic an environmental qualities, encourage the preservation of open space an provie for resiential evelopment for the anticipate future population. A small portion of the stuy area is classifie as Rural Commercial (RC). The RC istrict is locate along Route 7A an is intene to provie appropriate locations for limite types of business primarily serving the motoring public. Existing Transportation Facilities The stuy area is centere on Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa. These two roas serve as an important transportation corrior through the Town of Sunerlan, with several key estinations. These local roas are often use by people traveling between Manchester an Arlington. Due to the rural nature of these roas, traffic tens to travel at a relatively high rate of spee. Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa are local roas with a spee limit of 35 mph. There are several aitional local roas that intersect the stuy area. Sunerlan Hill Roa is approximately feet wie for the entire length of the project area an has a painte centerline from 1474 Sunerlan Hill Roa to Hill Farm Roa. The portion of Sunerlan Hill Roa south of 1474 was recently repave an currently has no pavement markings, although the Town oes plan to Photo -1: Sunerlan Hill repaint the center line. Hill Farm Roa is Roa near Maggie s Run approximately feet wie with a painte centerline along the entire length of the roa. Neither roa has painte ege lines. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 3 of 33

8 _ ^ UT E7 A Key Destination Point Stuy Area Legen RO _ ^ SUNDERLAND TOWN OFFICE DU AM D RD EE R NH MC K BACON HO LLOW RD SUNDERLAND HILL RD DUNLAP FARM RD HILL FARM RD STONY RD FIGURE -1 PROJECT STUDY AREA SUNDERLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL _ ^ RD LAV ER 0 D XR HILL LN RO UT E ,000 _ ^ HAYDEN RD,000 Feet CHISELVILLE BRIDGE WI LC O D Ü ON R WA DA MAGGIES RUN

9 UT E7 A VR - Village Resiential RR - Rural Resiential RC - Roasie Commercial F - Forest Stuy Area CI - Commercial-Inustrial Legen RO DU AM D RD EE R NH MC K BACON HO LLOW RD SUNDERLAND HILL RD DUNLAP FARM RD HILL FARM RD STONY RD FIGURE - SUNDERLAND ZONING MAP RD LAV ER 0 D XR HILL LN 500 1,000 WI LC O D RO UT,000 Feet E7 HAYDEN RD Ü ON R WA DA MAGGIES RUN

10 Section Existing Conitions Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Accoring to Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) ata, the 011 Annual Average Daily Traffic was 1,100 for Sunerlan Hill Roa between the Chiselville Brige an Hill Farm Roa. Data was obtaine from VTrans for high crash locations compile for the perio. There are no high crash locations within the project area. Sunerlan Hill Roa appears to have ample available space along most of the roaway for peestrian an bicycle improvements. The builings, utility poles, lanscaping an trees are set back from the ege of the roa in most areas. There is a steep hill from Dunham Roa to the Town Office. There are guarrails locate on both sies of the roa along portions of the hill; however, the guarrails are locate approximately 6 feet from the ege of the existing pavement, as shown in Photo -: Sunerlan Hill Roa south of Dunham Roa Photo -. There are two locations south of the Sunerlan Elementary School where lege or bouler outcrops may conflict with potential improvements. The challenges to roa wiening on Hill Farm Roa inclue the brige over the Battenkill River an an overpass above the railroa tracks. These two structures limit the with available for peestrian an bicycle improvements. The brige over the Battenkill River, at approximately 3 feet wie, is only slightly wier than the roa. The overpass at the railroa tracks is slightly wier than the brige; however, there is not enough clear area for a siewalk or Photo -3: Brige over Battenkill bike lanes. As such, the aition of River on Hill Farm Roa peestrian an bicycle facilities woul require significant moification or replacement of these structures. The BCRC Transportation Plan ientifie the Hill Farm Roa an Route 7A intersection as a angerous intersection ue to line of sight limitations. However, the stuy area oes not exten onto Route 7A an therefore this stuy will not aress this intersection. There are no existing peestrian or bicycle facilities in the project area. However, Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa are both ientifie as popular cycling ries on the Vermont State Bike Map. Sunerlan Hill Roa is ientifie in the Bennington County Regional Commission s Regional Plan as an example of a preferential roa for DUFRESNE GROUP Page 6 of 33

11 Section Existing Conitions Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont cycling. There are also many programs an events that utilize Sunerlan Hill Roa for bicycle or peestrian activity, incluing Tour of the Dragon an the Northshire Marathon. Members of the Sunerlan Safe Roas Committee note that there are several people who utilize Sunerlan Hill Roa regularly for walking, running an cycling. Natural an Cultural Resources The following Geographical Information System (GIS) ata was compile from the Agency of Natural Resources an the Vermont Center for Geographic Information an is presente in Figure -3: Wetlans Flora/Fauna Surface Water Forest Lan Flooplains Agricultural Lan Enangere Species Public Lan There are a few resources near the project area, incluing two areas of Class wetlans, which are locate approximately 5 feet from the roa. The only mappe resource within the stuy area is Prime an Statewie agricultural soil. As bicycle an peestrian improvements woul be locate within close proximity to the ege of the roa an within the Town right-of-way, the soils impacte woul likely be previously isturbe soils. Base on previous iscussions with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, there is typically no impact to the agricultural soils as long as the project is locate irectly ajacent to an existing roa. An Archeological Resource an Historic Preservation Assessment was complete in July 015 by Hartgen Archeological Associates, Inc. The report inicates the project area has moerate potential for precontact an historic archeological eposits. The report recommens that groun isturbance be kept close to the existing roasie to limit isturbances to previously unisturbe areas of archeological potential. These previously unisturbe areas of archeological potential are ientifie on Figures -4A, - 4B an -4C in the report. The areas are mostly locate along Hill Farm Roa an on the northern en of Sunerlan Hill Roa. There are also a few areas locate near the Chiselville Brige. These areas all appear to be set back from the roa. The potential archeological impacts are iscusse further in Section 4. The complete report is inclue as Appenix A. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 7 of 33

12 UT E7 A Statewie Ag Soil Prime Ag Soil Floo Plain Wetlan Waterboy RTE Species Stream Significant Natural Community Stuy Area Legen RO DU AM D RD EE R NH MC K BACON HO LLOW RD SUNDERLAND HILL RD DUNLAP FARM RD HILL FARM RD STONY RD FIGURE -3 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES RD LAV ER 0 D XR HILL LN 500 1,000 WI LC O D RO UT,000 Feet E7 HAYDEN RD Ü ON R WA DA MAGGIES RUN

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16 Section Existing Conitions Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Right-of-Way The public roa right-of-way (ROW) was etermine by a license lan surveyor reviewing this project to be 49.5 feet, or 3 ros. The property bounaries for the parcels ajacent to the stuy area were shown previously in Figures -4A, -4B an -4C. Utilities There are multiple utilities within the stuy area incluing the following: Municipal culverts along the project area as shown in Figure -5. Utility poles with electric, telephone an cable wires throughout the project area as shown in Figure -6. The utility poles within the stuy area are owne an maintaine by Green Mountain Power. The utility poles are typically set back from the roa several feet; however, there may be impacts to utility poles locate closer to the roa. The municipal culverts may be impacte epening on the chosen alternative. The level of impact for each alternative is iscusse in Section 4 of this report. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 1 of 33

17 RO UT E7 Stuy Area Culvert Legen HILL FARM RD A STONY RD HILL LN D ON R WA DA DU AM D RD EE R NH MC K MAGGIES RUN SUNDERLAND HILL RD DUNLAP FARM RD BACON HO LLOW RD FIGURE -5 CULVERT LOCATIONS LAV ER RD ,000 WI LC O XR D RO UT,000 Feet E7 Ü HAYDEN RD

18 UT E7 A HILL FARM RD Stuy Area Utility Pole Legen HILL LN D RO STONY RD MAG GIES RUN NL AP FA RM RD DU BA CO N HO LL OW RD L A V ER R D W ILC O X R D ON R WA DA DU AM D RD EE R NH MC K SUNDERLAND HILL RD FIGURE -6 UTILITY POLE LOCATIONS ,000 RO UT,000 Feet E7 Ü RD HAYDEN

19 Section 3 Public Involvement Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Section 3: Public Involvement Developing a Purpose an Nee Statement requires obtaining input from multiple sources, reviewing the existing characteristics of the area an reviewing local an regional plans to ientify the relationship of the planne improvements to these plans. A Project Kick-off Meeting was hel with the Sunerlan Safe Roas Committee an the Sunerlan Roa Foreman to iscuss the project, ientify goals an brainstorm possible alternatives. The information obtaine at this meeting was use to prepare for the public meetings. One concept alternative iscusse at this meeting inclue incremental improvements along the project area. Local Concerns Meeting A Local Concerns Meeting was conucte on April, 015 to iscuss the project an obtain input from the public regaring the purpose an nee for the project. A copy of the meeting minutes is inclue as Appenix B. The meeting was attene by approximately 15 to 0 local resients. The participants an committee iscusse the following major topics: Safety concerns, incluing high vehicular spees an lack of peestrian facilities; Current an future volume of peestrian an bicycle traffic; Future probability of chilren walking or biking to school; Pavement quality an seiment in the roa, which potentially impacts cyclists safety; Physical constraints such as utility poles, builings an riveways; an Cost concerns. There was goo support for peestrian an bicycle improvements, with a few people expressing concern about the etails an cost of the improvements. Overall, there was general agreement that there is a lack of peestrian an bicycle safety in the project area. In aition, current conitions o not allow for chilren to safely utilize the roas for traveling to an from school. There was full agreement from all participants that cost is a critical factor as the Town cannot affor a high cost project. It is important to note that there was a iscussion regaring a survey that was complete by the Sunerlan Safe Roas Committee prior to the start of this stuy. The survey was istribute at the school an sent home with the stuents. The survey inclue questions to parents as to whether their chilren currently walk/bike to school an if they woul allow their chilren to walk/bike to school if improvements were mae to increase safety. There were approximately 8-10 responses to the survey. There are very few chilren that currently walk or bike to school. However, the responses overwhelmingly inicate that parents woul let their chilren walk or bike to school if the conitions were safer. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 15 of 33

20 Section 3 Public Involvement Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Purpose an Nee Statement After the Local Concerns Meeting, the following Purpose an Nee Statement was evelope base on input from the Sunerlan Safe Roas Committee an the public: Purpose: To increase safety for school chilren, peestrians an cyclists who utilize Sunerlan Hill Roa for commuting an recreation. Nee: The lack of safe peestrian an bicycle facilities in this area iscourages peestrian an bicycle activity. In orer to encourage activity, improvements to increase safety are a necessity. Alternatives Presentation An Alternatives Presentation was conucte on September 9, 015 to present the alternatives, obtain input from the public regaring the propose alternatives, an select an alternative. A copy of the meeting minutes is inclue as Appenix C. A summary of the comments receive at the Alternatives Presentation is inclue in Section 4. Public Informational Meeting A Public Informational Meeting was hel on January 19, 016 to present the raft report an solicit input from the public. A copy of the meeting minutes is inclue as Appenix D. Relationship to Local an Regional Plans The Sunerlan Town Plan an the Bennington County Regional Commission Plan both contain goals, policies an recommenations in support of the propose improvements. The Sunerlan Town Plan contains language in the sections title Economic Development an Transportation, as follows: Promoting walking paths, siewalks where appropriate, an biking trails woul bring visitors an provie for healthy recreational opportunities for resients. Aitions an improvements to the transportation system shall be esigne to minimize impacts on resiential areas an avoi the loss of natural resources, unique sites an willife habitat. The Bennington County Regional Plan contains the following policies an actions in Section 10.6: It is important to provie an maintain the facilities neee to support safe an convenient walking an bicycling aroun our communities an throughout the region. People living in homes scattere throughout the region s outlying rural areas also can enjoy the benefits of walking. In many cases, the low-traffic an low-spee local roas in these areas serve as acceptable an safe routes for walking. When important peestrian routes lie along more heavily travele local roas, aitional facilities, such as a wiene shouler or a separate pathway may be more appropriate. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 16 of 33

21 Section 3 Public Involvement Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Most bicyclists will preferentially rie on pave seconary roas with light an/or low spee vehicular traffic. Examples of this type of roa in our region inclue West Roa in Dorset an River Roa/Sunerlan Hill Roa in Manchester an Sunerlan. Such roas are natural bikeways an require little improvement. Aitionally, Section 10.6 of the Bennington County Regional Plan lists priority peestrian an bicycle improvements in the region. Item 1 on this list is Sunerlan Hill Roa escribe as elineation of a safe walking an bicycling lane between Hill Farm Roa an the elementary school. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 17 of 33

22 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Section 4: Evaluation of Alternatives There are several factors that influence the evelopment of alternatives, incluing public input, current an future uses, an existing conitions. The critical esign elements efine by the review of existing conitions, uses an local input are as follows: 1. Minimize isturbance an scope of construction.. Provie alternatives that can be constructe in phases. 3. Ientify cost effective solutions. 4. Maintain the rural character of the area. The evelopment of alternatives was also guie by regulatory stanars incluing the following: Vermont Peestrian an Bicycle Facility Planning an Design Manual Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Stanars for Accessible Design The typical solution to a lack of peestrian facilities is a siewalk. However, in this case ue to the rural character of the stuy area, a siewalk may not be appropriate on Sunerlan Hill Roa. The istance between key estination points makes it ifficult to propose a siewalk for even a short istance on Sunerlan Hill Roa. Therefore, the peestrian improvement concepts will consier alternatives to a new siewalk ue to the characteristics an critical esign elements of this particular project. In contrast, the bicycle improvements are much simpler, as Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa are alreay popular cycling routes. The concepts for bicycle improvements will focus on improving safety in key areas an proviing a higher egree of security for beginner cyclists an chilren. Alternative 1: No Buil The no buil alternative must be consiere for all projects fune by the Feeral Highway Aministrative Act to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The no buil alternative woul consist of oing nothing. There woul be no construction, no signage installe an no pavement markings installe. The no buil alternative woul not increase safety for peestrians an cyclists as there woul be no improvement to the existing conition. As the no buil alternative oes not satisfy the Purpose an Nee Statement, this alternative is not recommene. Alternative : Bicycle Lanes This alternative inclues bicycle lanes along the full length of the stuy area with the following features: A 3 feet of pavement with on each sie to create a 4-foot wie bicycle lane on both sies of Sunerlan Hill Roa from Hill Farm Roa to the Chiselville Brige; DUFRESNE GROUP Page 18 of 33

23 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont A 3 feet of pavement with on each sie to create a 4-foot wie bicycle lane on both sies of Hill Farm Roa from Route 7A to Sunerlan Hill Roa, with the exception of the brige an overpass; A pavement markings incluing ege lines an bicycle lane symbols on Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa. The propose cross section of the roa an bicycle lane is shown in Figure 4-1. Vermont State Design Stanars allow for 10-1 foot travel lanes on minor arterial roas an the Vermont Peestrian an Bicycle Facility Planning an Design Manual inicates a bicycle lane shall be a minimum of 4 feet wie. The current travel lane with is 11 feet in each irection, for a total pavement with of feet. The propose cross section for Alternative woul reuce the travel lane with to 10 feet in each irection an a a 4 foot wie bike lane on both sies of the roa. This woul increase the total pavement with by 6 feet to 8 feet. Figure 4-1: Typical Roa an Bicycle Lane Cross Section The pavement eges shoul be borere by gravel shoulers (minimum 1 foot wie) to ensure that there is no rop-off from the ege of the pavement. This provies more security for cyclists when they nee to rie closer to the ege of the roa, for example when there is ebris in the bicycle lane or a larger vehicle passing. In aition, the gravel shouler provies a urable an safe surface for peestrians outsie of the travelle way an bicycle lane, as bicycle lanes shoul be exclusively for cyclists. Due to the limite available space at the brige an the overpass on Hill Farm Roa, the bike lanes woul terminate on either sie of the structures an share-lane markings, or sharrows, woul be painte on the roa to inicate a share roa space. This alternative woul significantly increase the with of the roa. The aitional 8 feet minimum neee for the bike lanes an gravel shoulers woul require relocating rainage swales, riveway culverts, mailboxes an signs, as well as extening culverts crossing the roa. Some of the utility poles will also require relocation, which woul nee to be coorinate with Green Mountain Power an FairPoint. In some areas permanent easements may be require. In August 014, VTrans publishe a report title Report on Share-Use Path an Siewalk Unit Costs. This report inclue typical 014 construction costs for bicycle lanes, which range from $5,360 to $536,680 per mile, with an average bi price of DUFRESNE GROUP Page 19 of 33

24 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont $300,000 per mile. The huge variation in costs for bicycle lane construction on alreay existing roaways is mostly ue to whether or not roa wiening is necessary as the conitions encountere, such as lege, relocation of rainage swales, an easements, will be ifferent in every situation. The most cost effective way to a a bicycle lane to an existing roa is to inclue it as an element of a roa resurfacing or roa reconstruction project. Since the southern half of Sunerlan Hill Roa was resurface in 015, it will likely be years before the roa is resurface again. If there are plans to resurface Hill Farm Roa or northern portion of Sunerlan Hill Roa in the next few years, this woul provie an opportunity to a bicycle lanes on those portions of roa. Ajusting the 014 average bi price of $300,000 per mile for inflation, the 016 construction cost woul be $315,000 per mile. Therefore, the 016 construction cost for Alternative woul be approximately $1,010,000. If the project is not constructe in 016, the construction cost will nee to be reajuste for inflation. A etaile cost estimate is not provie for this alternative as it was not chosen as the preferre alternative. Alternative 3: Wie Shoulers This alternative inclues wie shoulers along the Sunerlan Hill Roa with the following features: A feet of pavement on both sies of Sunerlan Hill Roa from the Town Office to the Chiselville Brige to create 3-foot wie pave shoulers; A a 4-foot wie pave shouler on the southboun sie of Sunerlan Hill Roa from Dunham Roa to the Town Office; A ege lines along the entire length of Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa; an A Share the Roa signage on Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa. This alternative was presente as an incremental improvement concept. The work coul be phase over several years to reuce the financial impact to the Town. The key estination points on Sunerlan Hill Roa are the Town Office, the Sunerlan Elementary School, the Chiselville Brige an resiential evelopments locate on McKee Roa, Maggie s Run, Dunlap Farm Roa, an Bacon Hollow Roa. All of these points are locate between the Town Office an the Chiselville Brige. As such, the wie shoulers on both sies of the roa are propose to begin at the Town Office an exten south to the brige. The propose cross section of the roa an wie shouler is shown in Figure 4-. As previously note, the Vermont State Design Stanars allow for 10-1 foot travel lanes on minor arterial roas. The Vermont Peestrian an Bicycle Facility Planning an Design Manual inicates that pave shoulers shoul be at least 3 feet wie to DUFRESNE GROUP Page 0 of 33

25 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont accommoate bicycles an peestrians. The propose cross section for Alternative 3 on Sunerlan Hill Roa from the Town Office to the Chiselville Brige woul reuce the travel lane with to 10 feet in each irection an a feet of with to create a 3- foot wie shouler on both sies of the roa. Figure 4-: Typical Roa an Wie Shouler Cross Section The aitional with woul be create by aing 15-inches of gravel or reclaime asphalt pavement (RAP) over a geotextile fabric for roabe separation. The aitional feet on each sie woul then be pave. The paving coul be complete immeiately following the installation of the gravel or it coul be complete several years later, possibly as part of a future roa resurfacing project. The ege line woul be painte 1 foot from the ege of the pavement to create the 10 foot wie travel lanes on both Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa. The ege line placement provies 3 feet of space for peestrians an cyclists along Sunerlan Hill Roa. There is a steep hill with curves locate on Sunerlan Hill Roa between Dunham Roa an the Town Office. The propose pave shouler woul be locate on the southboun (uphill) sie of the roa as shown in Figure 4-3. When riing uphill, cyclists ten to travel slowly an weave, which can be angerous when cyclists are sharing the travel lane with vehicles. The pave shouler woul provie space for cyclists an peestrians to travel slowly up the hill, while staying out of the travel lane. The pave shouler woul not be marke as a bicycle lane so that peestrians coul also utilize the space. The pave shouler shoul be matche on the outsie ege with a narrow gravel shouler to prevent a rop-off along the ege of the pavement. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 1 of 33

26 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Figure 4-3: Typical Roa an Single Pave Shouler Cross Section Share the Roa signage (W11-15) is propose at each en of the stuy area on Sunerlan Hill Roa an Hill Farm Roa. The goal of this signage is to make rivers aware that this area is utilize by peestrians an cyclists. Sunerlan Hill Roa alreay has peestrian warning signs place in both irections approaching the Sunerlan Elementary School. This alternative woul increase the with of the roa by 4 feet in the areas note above. The aitional with neee for the wie shoulers may require relocating or moifying riveway culverts an relocating mailboxes an signs. It may also be necessary to exten culverts crossing the roa to accommoate the aitional with. It is anticipate that most of the existing rainage swales will not be significantly impacte. Some of the utility poles may require relocation, which woul nee to be coorinate with Green Mountain Power. Permanent easements are not anticipate. Base on the etaile cost estimate presente later in this section, the estimate 016 construction cost for Alternative 3 is $695,000. If the project is not constructe in 016, the construction cost an total project cost will nee to be reajuste for inflation. A etaile cost estimate is provie later in this section. Permitting Requirements These types of projects o not typically require significant permitting. The permitting requirements for Alternatives an 3 are shown in Table 4-1. Both projects woul require two permits from the Stormwater Program as follows: Construction General Permit require for any project that isturbs more than 1 acre of lan, which woul occur in both projects. Stormwater Discharge Permit require for any project that as a minimum of 1 acre of impervious area. Alternative woul increase the impervious area by approximately.3 acres an the full buil-out of Alternative 3 woul increase the impervious area by approximately 1.3 acres. Alternative woul also likely require a Stream Alteration Permit an Wetlan Permit for the extension of a culvert across Sunerlan Hill Roa, just north of Dunlap Farm Roa. DUFRESNE GROUP Page of 33

27 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont TABLE 4-1 PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS SUNDERLAND SAFE ROADS SCOPING STUDY SUNDERLAND, VERMONT JANUARY 9, 016 Permit or Approval Alternative Alternative 3 Bike Lanes Wie Shoulers Act 50 No No Construction General Permit Yes Yes Fish an Willife Division No No Stream Alteration Yes No Stormwater Discharge Permit Yes Yes 19 VSA 1111 Access Permit No No Wetlan Permit Yes No If Feeral funing is utilize, an environmental analysis will be require in accorance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It is likely that the project woul qualify for a Categorical Exclusion as it is not anticipate to have a significant effect upon natural an cultural resources, nor a significant environmental impact. Evaluation Matrix An evaluation matrix was prepare to compare the three alternatives an is presente in Table 4-. The evaluation matrix inclues factors such as critical esign elements, purpose an nee, cost, permitting, utility impacts an right-of-way impacts. TABLE 4- EVALUATION MATRIX SUNDERLAND SAFE ROADS SCOPING STUDY SUNDERLAND, VERMONT JANUARY 9, 016 Characteristic Alternative 1 No Buil Alternative Bike Lanes Alternative 3 Wie Shoulers Meet Purpose an Nee No Yes Yes Amount of Disturbance None Significant Moerate Phase Construction N/A Yes Yes Maintain Rural Character Yes Somewhat Yes Construction Cost $0 $1,010,000 $695,000 Utility Relocation or Moification None Significant Moerate Permanent Easements 1 None Likely No Permitting None 4 permits permits Notes: 1. Right-of-way eterminations assume that the right-of-way is centere on the roa. In all cases, the bicycle an peestrian facilities woul be locate within the right-of-way. Any impacts note in the table woul be for inciental construction such as rainage swale/culvert relocations an utility pole relocations. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 3 of 33

28 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Alternatives Presentation The alternatives escribe in this section were iscusse at the Alternatives Presentation Meeting. The local concerns from the previous meeting were reviewe an each alternative was briefly escribe. The participants quickly eliminate Alternative ue to the larger scope of the project an significantly higher cost. The participants iscusse statistics relate to safety, volume of peestrians an bicycles, accient history, an future number of chilren walking or biking to school. Alternative 3 was further iscusse in regar to paving scheule, require epth of gravel subbase an phasing. The epth of the gravel was ientifie as an important component of the alternative. A follow-up meeting was hel with the Town s Highway Foreman, Marc Johnston, to iscuss gravel shouler cross section etails. It was ecie that the gravel epth woul match the Town s roa stanar requirement of 15 inches; however, roa stabilization fabric woul also be installe uner the gravel. The fabric was requeste by the Town base on the possible lack of roa subbase along the eges of the existing roa. After the aitional iscussion on Alternative 3, there was general support for the alternative as a metho to improve peestrian an bicycle safety. There was some concern from participants on how the project woul procee an if a Town Meeting vote woul be require. Selectboar member, Mark Hye, assure the participants that there woul be a Town Meeting vote if the project proceee. Preferre Alternative Base on input from the Alternatives Presentation, Alternative 3 Wie Shoulers was clearly the alternative preferre by all participants at the meeting. Selectboar member Mark Hye was present at the Alternatives Presentation an inicate that the Selectboar ha been upate on the project an will enorse the alternative chosen by the committee. The Sunerlan Safe Roas Committee enorse Alternative 3. The components inclue in Alternative 3 are shown in Figure 4-4. Photographic simulations of the wie shoulers are shown in Figures 4-5 through 4-8. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 4 of 33

29 RO UT E7 A 4 3 DU AM D RD EE R NH MC K 5 MAGGIES RUN 5. INSTALL 4" WHITE EDGE LINES ALONG ENTIRE STUDY AREA. 4. INSTALL "SHARROWS". 3. INSTALL "SHARE THE ROAD" SIGNAGE.. INSTALL 3' WIDE SHOULDER ALONG 1,0 LF OF SUNDERLAND HILL ROAD (SOUTHBOUND SIDE), FROM DUNHAM ROAD TO TOWN OFFICE. 1. INSTALL ' WIDE SHOULDERS ALONG 1,770 LF OF SUNDERLAND HILL ROAD (BOTH SIDES), FROM TOWN OFFICE TO CHISELVILLE BRIDGE. PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE COMPONENTS: 3 HILL FARM RD 5 3 BACON HO LLOW RD 1 SUNDERLAND HILL RD DUNLAP FARM RD 4 STONY RD FIGURE 4-4 PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE COMPONENTS RD LAV ER 0 D XR HILL LN ,000 WI LC O D RO UT,000 Feet E7 HAYDEN RD Ü ON R WA DA

30 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Existing Figure 4-5: Photo Simulation - Pave Shoulers on Sunerlan Hill Roa (looking south from Bear Rige Roa) Propose 4 Existing Propose Figure 4-6: Photo Simulation - Pave Shoulers on Sunerlan Hill Roa (looking north from Maggies Run) Existing Figure 4-7: Photo Simulation - Pave Shoulers on Sunerlan Hill Roa (looking south from Mountain View) Propose DUFRESNE GROUP Page 6 of 33

31 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Existing Propose Alternative 3 was chosen as the preferre alternative for multiple reasons, which are summarize as follows: 1. The wie shoulers minimize isturbance an meet the esire for a smaller scope project.. The wie shoulers improve safety by increasing space for peestrians an bicycles. 3. The public input stresse that the project must be conscientious of cost. In aition, the wier shoulers will improve safety for chilren walking or biking to school; however, there woul still be a lack of a physical separation between vehicle an peestrian/bicycle traffic. If the number of chilren walking or biking to school increases after the wie shoulers are installe, it may be beneficial to consier aitional safety measures in specific areas, such as a reuce spee limit uring specifie hours or a crossing guar. Design Consierations for the Preferre Alternative The preferre alternative is summarize above; however, there are some aitional esign consierations that will nee to be evaluate uring final esign. These esign consierations inclue utility pole relocations, culvert moifications, rainage swale moifications, an lege rock removal. Utility Pole Relocations: Figure 4-8: Photo Simulation - Pave Shouler on Sunerlan Hill Roa (looking north towars Dunham Roa) In most areas, the utility poles are locate several feet off the roa an will not require relocation to construct the wie shoulers. However, there are approximately 10 poles that are closer to the existing ege of pavement that will require further evaluation uring the esign phase. The locations that require further evaluation are as follows: DUFRESNE GROUP Page 7 of 33

32 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Intersection of Hayen Roa two poles Between Wilcox Roa an Laver Roa 5 poles 1315 Sunerlan Hill Roa one pole Intersection of Dunlap Farm Roa two poles Culvert an Drainage Swale Moifications: There are two rainage swales at the southern en of the project on the west sie of Sunerlan Hill Roa that will likely nee to be moifie or relocate to accommoate the wie shouler. The first swale is locate between house 797 an Laver Roa. The secon swale is locate between houses 887 an 969. These swales both convey water own the hill in a southerly irection. The swales are locate close to the roa an woul nee to be reshape or move further from the roa to accommoate the new shouler. There are five riveway culverts associate with these swales that woul likely require moification or relocation. In some cases, it may be possible to exten the culverts with bens an short lengths of pipe. In other cases, it may be necessary to remove an reset the culvert further away from the roa. The riveway culverts shoul be reviewe uring the esign phase to etermine how each one shoul be moifie or relocate. The remainer of the area to receive a new shouler appears to have sufficient space to accommoate the new shouler. As the riveway culverts are typically in alignment with the rainage swales, the culverts shoul be outsie of the area impacte by the new shoulers. The culverts crossing Sunerlan Hill Roa all appear to aylight outsie of the area impacte by the new shoulers an therefore shoul not require any moification. Lege Rock Removal: There are two areas of lege or boulers along the wooe area north of Laver Roa. These lege outcrops or boulers woul nee to be remove further into the tree line in orer to accommoate the new shouler. This was iscusse with the Sunerlan Roa Foreman, Marc Johnston, who inicate that the Highway Department was alreay planning to remove these two areas of lege/boulers. Total Project Cost Estimate The preliminary cost estimate presente in Table 4-3 has been prepare for the preferre alternative as escribe previously in this section. As shown, the preliminary construction cost estimate for Alternative 3 is $695,000 in 016 ollars, which inclues a 5% contingency. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 8 of 33

33 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont TABLE 4-3: PRELIMINARY CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATE SUNDERLAND SAFE ROADS SCOPING STUDY SUNDERLAND, VERMONT JANUARY 9, 016 Item Description Quantity Unit Unit Price Total Price Clearing an Grubbing 1 LS $ 15, $ 15, Common Excavation,580 CY $ 0.00 $ 51, Channel Excavation 0 CY $ 0.00 $ 4, Gravel Subbase 170 CY $ $ 5, Gravel Shouler,40 CY $ $ 157, Bituminous Concrete Pavement 1,365 TON $ $ 136, Culvert Moifications 5 EA $ 1, $ 5, Geotextile for Roabe Separator 6,300 SY $.00 $ 1, Durable 4-inch White Line 33,500 LF $.00 $ 67, Durable Symbols 4 EA $ $ Signs 4 EA $ $ Sign Post (1 ft high) 4 EA $ $ Remove an Reset Sign 40 EA $ $ 5, Relocate Mailbox (single support) 45 EA $ $ 7,00.00 Flaggers 00 MHRS $ $ 6, Traffic Control 1 LS $ 10, $ 10, Mob/Demob 1 LS $ 7, $ 7, SubTotal Construction Cost $ 556, Contingencies (5%) $ 139, Total Construction Cost $ 695, Notes: 1. Construction costs are preliminary an are not base on etaile plans an specifications. Actual cost may vary substantially from these estimates. Contingencies are base on approximately 5% of the construction cost at the preliminary planning stage.. The Engineering News Recor Construction Cost Inex was 10,133 when the cost estimate was complete in January Restoration of growth an erosion prevention/seiment control are inclue in the Mobilization/Demobilization item. 4. The require lege rock removal is not inclue in this cost estimate as the Town is alreay planning to remove the lege. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 9 of 33

34 Section 4 Evaluation of Alternatives Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Table 4-4 presents the total project costs for the preferre alternative. The total project cost for Alternative 3 is estimate at $985,000 base on a construction cost of $695,000 in 016. TABLE 4-4: PRELIMINARY TOTAL PROJECT COST SUNDERLAND SAFE ROADS SCOPING STUDY SUNDERLAND, VERMONT JANUARY 9, 016 DESCRIPTION TOTAL COST Construction Cost (016) with 5% Contingency $695,000 Engineering: Design Phase Engineering $100,000 Construction Phase Engineering $100,000 Local Project Management $70,000 Legal, Aministrative an Fiscal $0,000 Total Project Cost $985,000 Notes: 1. Construction costs are shown in Table 4-3. The construction cost inclues 5% contingency.. Engineering costs are estimate at 15% of the construction cost for both the esign an construction phases. 3. Local Project Management costs are estimate at 10% of the construction cost. 4. Legal, aministrative an fiscal costs are estimate at 3% of the construction cost. DUFRESNE GROUP Page 30 of 33

35 Section 5 Fiscal Implementation Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Section 5: Fiscal Implementation As presente in Section 4, the propose project consists of incremental an spot improvements incluing a wie pave shouler along both sies of Sunerlan Hill Roa from the Town Office to the Chiselville Brige, a wie pave shouler along the southboun sie of Sunerlan Hill Roa from Dunham Roa to the Town Office, an signage an pavement markings throughout the stuy area. The estimate total project cost for these improvements is $985,000 base on a 016 construction cost estimate of $695,000. The construction costs shoul be inflate by 3-4% per year to estimate construction costs in the future, with non-construction costs increase accoringly. Funing Alternatives The Town of Sunerlan oes not have the funs to finance the entire improvement project locally as a single project. The options for funing inclue grants, long-term ebt or phasing. The VTrans Bicycle an Peestrian Program, aministere by the VTrans Local Projects section provie funing for this report an is the most likely funing source for esign an construction if the Town chooses to pursue grant funing. The propose project is an eligible project uner the Bicycle an Peestrian Program. The funing shares are 90% Feeral/State an 10% local. However, if a project fune uner this program oes not procee to construction, any funs provie for the preliminary an esign phases are subject to being pai back by the municipality. Grant applications are accepte annually an are generally ue by the last week of July. The Transportation Alternatives Program, also aministere by the Local Projects section, is an option for funing esign. As the maximum Feeral awar uner the Transportation Alternatives Program is limite to $300,000, this is not an option for funing the construction phase for the entire route. The Transportation Alternatives Program has an awar range of $0,000 to $300,000 an the local match is 0%. A minimum of 50% of the local match must be a cash expeniture, with the remainer of the local match as in-kin services; however, an in-kin match is not require an the entire local match may be a cash expeniture. Phasing Plan Throughout the project, the committee place an emphasis on incremental improvements an the esire to phase the improvements over several years. Aitionally, there was iscussion on locally constructing the improvements. However, uring the final public meeting, there were the following concerns regaring locally constructe incremental improvements: Availability of the Town s Highway Department to construct the improvements; The cost of local construction versus the cost of a local match; an Inconsistent wie shoulers uring phase construction (where one phase ene an the next has not yet begun). DUFRESNE GROUP Page 31 of 33

36 Section 5 Fiscal Implementation Sunerlan Safe Roas Scoping Stuy Town of Sunerlan, Vermont Base on the iscussion uring an after the final public meeting, the implementation plan has shifte from locally constructe incremental improvements over several years to a full scope grant fune project. Since a grant fune project will nee to go through the VTrans Local Projects evelopment process, it will be several years before construction commences. Due to the long project evelopment scheule, there was some iscussion on installing pavement markings in the near future. A propose phasing plan is presente in Table 5-1. TABLE 5-1: PHASING PLAN SUNDERLAND SAFE ROADS SCOPING STUDY SUNDERLAND, VERMONT JANUARY 9, 016 Phase Description Date Phase 1 Pavement markings throughout the stuy area 016 Phase A Design of improvements Phase B Construction of improvements 00 The construction cost estimates an total project costs are presente for each phase of the project in Table 5-. Phase 1 woul not require any engineering, local project management or legal, aministrative an fiscal costs. TABLE 5-: TOTAL PROJECT COST BY PHASE SUNDERLAND SAFE ROADS SCOPING STUDY SUNDERLAND, VERMONT JANUARY 9, 016 PHASE 1 COST PHASE COST ESTIMATE DESCRIPTION ESTIMATE Construction Cost (016) with 5% Contingency $85,000 $610,000 Engineering: Design Phase Engineering $0 $100,000 Construction Phase Engineering $0 $100,000 Local Project Management $0 $70,000 Legal, Aministrative an Fiscal $0 $0,000 Total Project Cost $85,000 $900,000 Notes: 1. Construction costs are shown in Table 4-3. The construction cost inclues 5% contingency.. Construction costs for Phase 1 inclue the pavement markings throughout the entire stuy area (ege lines an sharrows). 3. Construction costs for Phase inclue the wie shoulers. 4. The legal, aministrative an fiscal costs shoul be confirme by the Town prior to bugeting for this work. The construction cost estimate for Phase 1 inclues approximately $85,000 for pavement markings (with a 5% contingency). It is likely that the Town will receive a much lower price for pavement markings when combine with the annual line striping DUFRESNE GROUP Page 3 of 33