INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

Transcription

1 MCHENRY COUNTY DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION SEPTEMBER 2012 RIVER ROAD AT DOWELL ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS INSIDE: Public Meeting #1 Summary 1 Public Meeting #2 Summary 1 Key Issues Raised at Public Meetings 2 Preferred Alternative 6 Schedule 7 PUBLIC MEETING #1 SUMMARY On November, 14, 2011, the first public meeting was held at the Island Lake Village Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to solicit input from the attendees. A presentation was given to explain the purpose and need of the improvement and the safety concerns. Aerial maps and a project brochure were provided to generate suggestions, ideas and comments. This meeting was purposely held before the design of any alternatives to allow the stakeholders to provide input before any conclusions or decisions were made by the McHenry County Division of Transportation (McDOT). In addition to the project team, members of the public attended along with elected officials; numerous comments were received. PUBLIC MEETING #2 SUMMARY Want more information? THEN click on Improvement Projects Have questions or comments? Contact: McHenry County DOT Walter Dittrich, PE Design Manager wrdittrich@co.mchenry.il.us The McDOT hosted a second public meeting on June 11, 2012 at the Island Lake Village Hall. A presentation was given to the public and McDOT explained the purpose and need, the incorporation of comments from the first public meeting, the alternatives explored (traffic signals versus roundabout at the intersection), the pros and cons of each alternative and the reasoning behind the preferred roundabout configuration. A video prepared by the USDOT Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was shown describing how a roundabout intersection works versus a traditional traffic signal and highlighted the positive reception of roundabouts from both local communities and national agencies. Each attendee received a project details brochure and a How to Navigate Roundabouts brochure. Exhibits of the alternatives were on display as well as a historical plats board and a roundabout display. The County encouraged questions and comments regarding the proposed improvements. In addition to the project team, elected officials and the general public attended and provided input. Additional information on the River Road at Dowell Road intersection improvement project can be found at the County s website: THEN click on Improvement Projects

2 PAGE 2 KEY ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC MEETINGS McDOT s outreach included two public information meeting presentations with question and answer sessions. During these sessions, many of the public s concerns and questions about the improvements were addressed. The topics were summarized into four categories. ROUNDABOUT OPERABILITY LAND ACQUISITION DRAINAGE & WATER QUALITY MAINTENANCE MODERN ROUNDABOUT OVERVIEW

3 PAGE 3 ROUNDABOUT OPERABILITY How is this different than the Wolf Road and Golf Road intersection in Des Plaines and roundabouts in England? The Wolf Road and Golf Road intersection in Des Plaines is a traffic circle, not a roundabout. While both share a circle in the center, a roundabout and traffic circle are different types of intersections. The Wolf Road and Golf Road traffic circle requires drivers to STOP before entering the circle. A modern roundabout only requires drivers to YIELD, therefore, traffic is continually moving. The traffic circles in England have a smaller footprint, thus limiting turn maneuverability. Modern roundabouts are designed to incorporate vehicles turning movements by simulating vehicle movements driving mph through the roundabout. Unlike a modern roundabout, the Wolf Road and Golf Road traffic circle does not have uniform entrances and exits, thus limiting traffic flow. Modern roundabouts are designed to have a maximum of four legs to an intersection. Traffic circles can have more. If I have to go around the circle to make a left, will I be crossing lanes? No. The driver will be guided into the appropriate lane by signage and striping before reaching the intersection. Once in the appropriate lane, they will be guided thru without ever crossing lanes within the roundabout. How much experience do the engineers have in roundabout design? As part of the consultant selection process, the McDOT evaluated consulting firms experience in roundabout design. The design engineering team has designed over 300 roundabouts around the country and are one of only six consultants prequalified to design high-capacity roundabouts. Which road is the priority road? Unlike a traffic signal, where the more heavily-used road receives more green time, a roundabout is yield-controlled. Vehicles wishing to enter the roundabout simply need to look to the left and if no vehicles are present within the roundabout the driver can proceed. Regardless of which route has more traffic, the yield control allows continuously flowing vehicular movement. LAND ACQUISITION Is right-of-way required? Yes. Due to the need for additional thru lanes, land acquisition will be required. All estimates for land acquisition are approximate and not defined yet. As the design progresses, property owners will be notified. The McDOT follows the Federal Uniform Act for local land acquisition. What is happening with existing Dowell Road once the intersection is relocated to the east? The option for existing Dowell Road is conceptual and will be further refined. It is known that due to fill in the floodplain as a result of the proposed improvements, this area will be required for grading and drainage and will remain part of the McDOT right-of-way.

4 PAGE 4 KEY ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC MEETINGS (CONTD.) DRAINAGE & WATER QUALITY When the Fox River backs up, Griswold Lake backs up and River Road floods. Will increasing the intersection footprint make flooding worse? The County must obtain permits from a number of environmental permitting agencies before construction can commence. A few of these agencies, the IDNR, McHenry County Planning & Development and the US Army Corps of Engineers, have stringent requirements which must be met prior to obtaining a permit. It is the responsibility of McDOT and their consultants to review the existing and proposed drainage patterns and either maintain or improve upon the existing drainage pattern without adversely impacting surrounding properties. Has the County given consideration to making the center median a sunken intersection for additional water infiltration? The center island will be landscaped to allow water to infiltrate into the ground. The landscaping will be raised, as it is in all modern roundabouts, to reinforce the drivers attention to vehicles already within the roundabout. There are multiple culverts underneath both River Road and Dowell Road. Are those going to be maintained? What about water which drains to the wetland just east of Lily Lake Road? Yes. All existing drainage patterns will be improved or maintained. Any culvert affected as a result of the improvement will be reconstructed in an improved condition. All ditches which flow to the wetland area east of Lily Lake Road will be reconstructed to ensure the natural habitat does not dry up as wetlands are often a source for groundwater infiltration and high-quality plants.

5 PAGE 5 HUNT CLUB & WADSWORTH CURRENT ROUNDABOUTS RIVER ROAD AT DOWELL ROAD PLANNED ROUNDABOUTS/ UNDER CONSIDERATION MAINTENANCE Who is going to maintain these islands? Discussions with the local municipality will occur regarding the planting of the central island. The County s standard is to plant and maintain any landscaping within their right-of-way. Should any other agency request additional plantings beyond what the County will provide, the agency will have the option of landscaping these medians with vegetation of their own choosing and assume any maintenance. Will snow plow drivers be able to plow the roundabout? Yes. Modern roundabouts have been shown in other Counties, such as Lake County, that they can be successfully plowed without difficulty once plowing patterns are established. It was also noted that if a signal was selected as the preferred alternative, plowing five full lanes of traffic would require additional passes from the plow truck; both options will require some advance planning for the plow drivers.

6 PAGE 6 NO ACCESS RESTRICTION FEWER BACKUPS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE The traffic signal option and the roundabout option were reviewed by the County for access and backups. Backups, or queuing, during the red light phase of a traffic signal may extend along River Road and promote cut-thru traffic on Breezy Lane and Thomas Court. The close proximity of Thomas Court to the traffic signal was determined to be unsafe and would not be able to be maintained in its current configuration. The preferred alternative of the roundabout was favored not only for its ability to reduce queuing, but also for its added safety benefits and allowing for full access for Thomas Court at Dowell Road backups 2040 backups ACCESS RESTRICTION TRAFFIC BACKUPS PAST BREEZY LANE TRAFFIC SIGNAL ALTERNATIVE CUT-THRU TRAFFIC

7 PAGE 7 PROJECT SCHEDULE FIRST PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING NOVEMBER 14, 2011 THE PROJECT WILL HAVE THREE PHASES ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION, ENGINEERING AND DESIGN PERMITTING AND CONSTRUCTION. PHASE I ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION SECOND PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING JUNE 11, 2012 PHASE II ENGINEERING & DESIGN PERMITTING WE ARE HERE LAND ACQUISITION PROCESS BEGINS WINTER 2012/2013 PLANS LET FOR BIDDING THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY TRANSITIONING INTO THE SECOND PHASE, CONCLUDING IN THE ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION START* 2013/2014 CONSTRUCTION PHASE IS ANTICIPATED IN PHASE III CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE 2013/2014 * PENDING PROJECT READINESS

8 MCHENRY COUNTY DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION NELSON ROAD WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS RIVER ROAD AT DOWELL ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NEWSLETTER LOOK INSIDE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ON: PUBLIC MEETING #1 SUMMARY PUBLIC MEETING #2 STUDY AREA SUMMARY KEY ISSUES RAISED AT PUBLIC MEETINGS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULE