DESIGN PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 PULASKI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 6:00 PM FOR THE PROPOSED

Transcription

1 DESIGN PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 AT PULASKI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 6:00 PM FOR THE PROPOSED KING S HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT Project No Roadway/Bridge Project Management IN THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HIGHWAY DIVISION JONATHAN L. GULLIVER ACTING HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR PATRICIA A. LEAVENWORTH, P.E. CHIEF ENGINEER

2 THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HIGHWAY DIVISION NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING Project File No A Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed King s Highway Improvements project in New Bedford, MA. WHERE: WHEN: Pulaski Elementary School 1097 Braley Road New Bedford, MA Tuesday, September 26, 6:00 PM PURPOSE: The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the proposed King s Highway Improvements project. All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible. PROPOSAL: The proposed project consists of providing exclusive left-turn lanes at identified intersections as well as updated lane designations, improved phasing and signal timings, bicycle accommodation, ADA/AAB compliant sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. The asphalt pavement will be rehabilitated with a mix of widening, full depth reconstruction, and pavement milling and overlay. A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required. The City of New Bedford and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands. MassDOT s policy concerning land acquisitions will be discussed at this hearing. Written views received by MassDOT subsequent to the date of this notice and up to five (5) days prior to the date of the hearing shall be displayed for public inspection and copying at the time and date listed above. Plans will be on display one-half hour before the hearing begins, with an engineer in attendance to answer questions regarding this project. A project handout will be made available on the MassDOT website listed below. Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the Public Hearing regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Roadway Project Management, Project File No Such submissions will also be accepted at the hearing. Mailed statements and exhibits intended for inclusion in the public hearing transcript must be postmarked within ten (10) business days of this Public Hearing. Project inquiries may be ed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available. For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone ( ), fax ( ), TTD/TTY ( ) or by (MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us). Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting. In case of inclement weather, hearing cancellation announcements will be posted on the internet at JONATHAN L. GULLIVER ACTING HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR PATRICIA A. LEAVENWORTH, P.E. CHIEF ENGINEER

3 MassDOT Public Hearing Handout Introductory Letter Dear Concerned Citizen: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is committed to building and maintaining a transportation infrastructure that is both safe and efficient for all who use our roadways, bridges, bicycle facilities and pedestrian paths, while maintaining the integrity of the environment. As part of the design process for this project, we are conducting this public hearing to explain the proposed improvements, listen to your comments and answer any questions you may have. At the conclusion of the hearing, MassDOT will review all of your comments and, where feasible, incorporate them into the design of the project. We recognize that road and bridge construction can create inconveniences for the public. MassDOT places a great deal of emphasis on minimizing the temporary disruptive effects of construction. MassDOT encourages input from local communities and values your opinions. Please be assured that we will undertake no project without addressing the concerns of the community. Sincerely, Patricia A Leavenworth, P. E. Chief Engineer

4 WHAT IS A PUBLIC HEARING? WHY A PUBLIC HEARING? To provide an assured method whereby the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can furnish to the public information concerning the State s highway construction proposals, and to afford every interested resident of the area an opportunity to be heard on any proposed project. At the same time, the hearings afford the Commonwealth an additional opportunity to receive information from local sources which would be of value to the State in making its final decisions to what design should be advanced for development. WHY NOT A VOTE ON HIGHWAY PLANS? The hearings are not intended to be a popular referendum for the purpose of determining the nature of a proposed improvement by a majority of those present. They do not relieve the duly constituted officials of a State highway department of the necessity for making decisions in State highway matters for which they are charged with full responsibility. WHAT DOES A PUBLIC HEARING ACCOMPLISH? It is designed to ensure the opportunity for, or the availability of, a forum to provide factual information which is pertinent to the determination of the final alternative considered by the state to best serve the public interest, and on which improvement projects are proposed to be undertaken. It is important that the people of the area express their views in regard to the proposal being presented, so that views can be properly recorded in the minutes of the meeting. These minutes will be carefully studied and taken into consideration in the determination of the final design.

5 RIGHT OF WAY ISSUES A secure right of way is necessary for this project. Temporary construction easements may be required. Your municipality is responsible for acquiring all necessary rights in private or public lands. If your property is affected, your rights are fully protected under law. 1. REASON FOR PROJECT The completion of this project will serve local needs. The proposed enhancement will also be in the interest of others in the greater community, and provide for the public good. 2. WHO CONTACTS ME? Representatives of the municipality have already contacted or will contact you. They will explain the procedures used in acquiring any necessary rights in land. 3. WHAT ABOUT DONATIONS? WHAT IS A RIGHT OF ENTRY? Town officials will often seek donations, of parcels, where permanent rights are required. This procedure will minimize the acquisition cost for your community. A Right of Entry is a document that is signed by the owner. It allows the Contractor to perform certain types of work on the owner s land. The work is usually minor in nature and frequently consists of loaming/seeding behind sidewalks, new driveway apron work, grading/sloping, and wetland protection, etc. The rights granted are temporary in nature. 4. WHAT IS A FAIR PRICE FOR THE ACQUIRED PARCELS? In the event that donations are not considered, or completed, every effort will be made to ensure that an equitable value is awarded. Municipal and/or outside appraisers will complete an appraisal. Consideration is given to the type of rights needed, whether in fee, permanent or temporary easements. The appraisal will be the basis for arriving at a fair price (for damages that result). 5. MUST I ACCEPT THE MUNICIPALITY OFFER? No, if the owner feels that the offer is not fair the owner may petition the courts. This action does not stop or delay the acquisition. The action must occur within 3 years. The owner(s) may be paid pro tanto (for the time being). The pro tanto payment will not prejudice the court s final decision.

6 TO SAFEGUARD THE PROPERTY OWNER If your property, or a portion of it, must be acquired by the State for highway purposes in the interest of all people of the Commonwealth, your rights are fully protected under the law. Briefly, here are some of the answers to questions you might ask. 1. WHO CONTACTS ME? Representatives of the Right of Way Bureau of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation s Highway Division. They will explain the impacts and your rights as protected under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter WHAT IS A FAIR PRICE FOR MY PROPERTY? Every offer is made to ensure that an equitable value is awarded to you for the property, or to appraise the damage to the property as a result of the acquisition. MassDOT appraisers, independent appraisers, MassDOT Review Appraisers and a Real Estate Appraisal Review Board may all contribute in arriving at an award of damages. The State also pays a proportionate part of the real estate tax for the current year for fee takings, and interest from the date the property is acquired to the payment date, on all impacts. 3. MUST I ACCEPT THE DEPARTMENT S OFFER? No. If, after the figure established as market value has been offered to the owner, the owner feels he or she is not being offered a fair price, he or she has the right, within three years, to appeal to the courts. Pending a court decision, he or she can be paid on a protanto basis (or for the time being ) that in no way prejudices the court appeal. 4. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY HOUSE? The owner will have the opportunity to buy back his or her house, provided he or she has a location to which it can be moved, and the proper permits for its removal. If the owner does not wish to repurchase, the house will be advertised for bids. The highest bidder, who must also have a location and permits for removal, will be awarded the house. Otherwise, the structure will be slated for demolition. 5. WHAT HAPPENS IF I MUST RELOCATE? In addition to the market value of the property, the Department pays certain relocation benefits for both owners and tenants of acquired residences and businesses who meet eligibility requirements. Assistance in relocation is also provided. Department brochures are available for details on these benefits.

7 King s Highway Improvements 0309_ N End Project Start Project Signalized Intersection Un-Signalized Intersection Project Location Map City of New Bedford, Massachusetts King s Highway Improvements Project

8 Project Location and Limits Although the entire project comprises of phasing and timing adjustments including those at the intersection of Kings Highway and Mount Pleasant Street; the roadway improvements begin at the joint of the Kings Highway bridge over Route 140 (Bridge #N W3-DOT-NBI) and extends northerly to the intersection at Church Street, a distance of approximately 2,700 feet (0.55 miles). The project limits are illustrated in Figure 2.1 Study Area Locus map. Project Purpose The primary goals of this project are to improve capacity and safety along Kings Highway from the intersections of Church Street/Park Avenue and Tarkiln Hill Road/Church Street to Route 140 Bridge over Kings Highway (Bridge #N W3-DOT-NBI). The project goals will be achieved by design tasks such as; providing exclusive left-turn lanes at identified intersections as well as updated lane designations, improved phasing and signal timings, bicycle accommodation, Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Access Board (ADA/AAB) compliant sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks. The asphalt pavement will be rehabilitated with a mix of widening, full depth reconstruction, and pavement milling and overlay. Existing Conditions According to the Office of Transportation Planning, Kings Highway is classified as an urban minor arterial that serves as a major east-west link providing direct connection to Route 140. For the purposes of this project, Kings Highway is referred to as a north-south roadway. The existing typical section of Kings Highway for the length of this project consists of two 11-foot lanes in each direction with curbing on both sides. There is no shoulder on either side of Kings Highway within the project limits. The east side of Kings Highway has concrete and bituminous sidewalk that varies in width and at some locations is separated from the travel way by a grass buffer. Guardrail exists on both sides of roadway on the approaches to the bridge above Route 140, and also on the east side of the roadway adjacent to shopping plaza parking lot. The existing sidewalks are in fair to poor condition. Ramps at the intersections and driveways are either missing, or do not meet ADA/AAB requirements. Sidewalks only exist on the east side of Kings Highway with the exception of sidewalk on the west side on the bridge over Route 140. Existing shoulders are insufficient to provide bicyclist accommodation. Kings Highway is intersected by six streets within the project limits which include; Fieldstone Marketplace, Route 140 North Ramps, Kings Plaza Shopping Center, Tarkiln Hill Road, Worcester Street/Park Avenue, and Church Street. Mount Pleasant Street/Jones Street and Kings Highway The limits of the current project area end at the Route 140 Bridge over Kings Highway (Bridge #N W3-DOT-NBI) which is located just north of the Kings Highway/Mount Pleasant Street intersection. However, the traffic signals along Kings Highway at the intersections of Fieldstone Marketplace, Route 140 Ramps and Kings Plaza Shopping Center currently operate in coordination with the signal at the Kings Highway/Mount Pleasant Street intersection.

9 The Mount Pleasant Street westbound approach consists of a shared left-turn/through lane and a channelized right turn lane operating under yield control. The Mount Pleasant Street eastbound approach consists of an exclusive left-turn lane and a through/right-turn lane. The Jones Street northbound approach serves a residential area and consist of one shared left/through/right-turn lane. The Kings Highway southbound approach include a shared left-turn/through lane and an exclusive right turn lane. Crosswalks are provided across the southbound and westbound approaches to the intersection. East of the intersection, sidewalks are provided on both sides of Mount Pleasant Street, while west of the intersection, sidewalks are present on just the north side of Mount Pleasant Street. Sidewalks are present on both sides of the Kings Highway approach to the intersection. Fieldstone Marketplace and Kings Highway The Fieldstone Marketplace and Kings Highway intersection is a three-way signalized intersection. The westbound approach provides access to Fieldstone Marketplace, and consists of an exclusive left turn lane and an exclusive right-turn lane. The northbound Kings Highway approach consists of a through lane, and an exclusive right-turn lane. The southbound approach has an exclusive left-turn lane, and a through lane. Sidewalks exist on the eastern section of the intersection with wheelchair ramps. There are no striped crosswalks or detectable warning strips on the ramps. The signals are mounted on mast arms, and no pedestrian signals are present. Route 140 North Access Ramps and Kings Highway This is a three-way intersection operating under signalized control. The western segment of the intersection consists of an entrance ramp and an exit ramp to/from Route 140 North. The eastbound approach consists of an exclusive left-turn lane, and a channelized right-turn lane under yield control. The northbound approach has two lanes, a shared left-turn/through lane, and a through lane. The southbound approach has two through lanes, and a channelized right-turn lane under yield control. The existing traffic signal heads are mounted on mast arms. There are no pedestrian accommodations at this intersection. The stop bars for each approach are faded while the rest of the striping is in fair condition. Kings Plaza Shopping Center and Kings Highway This four-way intersection currently operates under signalized control. While the westbound approach provides access to Kings Plaza Shopping Center, the eastbound approach provides access to Stop & Shop and Citizens Bank. The westbound approach has two lanes which include an exclusive left-turn lane, and a shared through/right-turn lane. The eastbound approach has a shared left turn/through lane and an exclusive right-turn lane. Both the northbound and southbound approaches on Kings Highway have a shared left-turn/through lane, and a shared through/right-turn lane. Pavement markings on Kings Highway at this location are in poor condition including a completely faded crosswalk across the southbound approach. Wheelchair ramps exist on both sides of this crosswalk with pedestrian push buttons.

10 Tarkiln Hill Road and Kings Highway Tarkiln Hill Road and Kings Highway is a three-way unsignalized intersection. The eastbound Tarkiln Hill Road approach operates under stop control, while Kings Highway operates freely. The eastbound approach has a shared left/through/right-turn lane. The northbound approach of Kings Highway has a shared left-turn/through lane, and a through lane, while the southbound approach has a through lane, and a shared through/right-turn lane. Lane designations at this intersection are difficult to interpret due to the poor condition of pavement markings in this area. Bituminous sidewalk exists on the south side of Tarkiln Hill Road, and on both sides of Kings Highway to the south of the intersection. Sidewalks are present only on the east side of Kings Highway north of the intersection. The sidewalk on Kings Highway is in poor condition, and the intersection does not include any crosswalks and wheelchair ramps. Worcester Street/Park Avenue and Tarkiln Hill Road This intersection is a four-way unsignalized intersection with Tarkiln Hill Road on the northsouth approaches, Worcester Street on the western approach, and Park Avenue on the eastern approach. Worcester Street is presumably under stop control although a stop sign is not posted on the approach. Park Avenue is a one-way street that carries traffic away from the intersection. Both approaches for Tarkiln Hill Road consist of a shared left-turn/through lane and a through/right-turn lane, and the Worcester Street eastbound approach has a shared leftturn/through/right-turn lane. Pavement markings are in poor condition at this intersection. Bituminous sidewalk exists on the west side of Tarkiln Hill Road and the south side of Worcester Street. There are no wheelchair ramps at this intersection. Church Street and Tarkiln Hill Road The four-way intersection of Church Street and Tarkiln Hill Road operates under signal control. The westbound approach of Church Street consists of an exclusive left-turn lane, and a shared through/right-turn lane. The eastbound approach of Church Street consists of a shared left turn/through lane, and an exclusive right-turn lane. The northbound and southbound approaches on Tarkiln Hill Road have an exclusive left-turn lane, and a shared through/right-turn lane. The existing traffic signals are pedestal mounted, on each corner of the intersection. Bituminous sidewalk exists on both sides of the eastbound section of Church Street and on the west side of Tarkiln Hill Road south of the intersection. Concrete sidewalk exists on both sides of Tarkiln Hill Road north of the intersection. Pavement markings are in fair condition. Each corner has a pedestrian signal head and push button however, there are no crosswalk markings or wheelchair ramps. Church Street and Park Avenue This is a four-way unsignalized intersection where Church Street movements operate freely and Park Avenue movements are under STOP control. South of the intersection, Park Avenue is a one-way northbound street and converts to a two-way street north of the intersection. All approaches to the intersection presumably consist of one shared lane, as clear lane configuration markings are not provided. The northbound Park Avenue approach and the Church Street approaches are 20 feet or greater in width. Sidewalks, crosswalks and wheelchair ramps are not provided at this intersection.

11 Longitudinal pavement markings exist throughout the length of the project. Pavement markings are in fair to poor condition. There are faded crosswalks at the intersection of Tarkiln Hill Rd at Worcester Street/Park Avenue, as well as a completely faded crosswalk at the intersection of Kings Plaza at Kings Highway. From the intersection of Kings Plaza Shopping Center to Church Street, pavement markings along Kings Highway/Tarkiln Hill Road in general are exceptionally faded, making it difficult to interpret the existing lane configurations. Proposed Improvements Several improvements are being proposed in the area along the corridor and at each of the study intersections. Bicycle lanes are being proposed on both sides of Kings Highway from Fieldstone Marketplace to Church Street in conformance with Engineering Directive E ADA compliant pedestrian accommodation with exclusive pedestrian phases will be provided at all study area intersections including those at Fieldstone Marketplace, Route 140 North Ramps, Kings Plaza, and Church Street. New pavement markings and signing will be included in the project. Mount Pleasant Street at Kings Highway The limits of work for this project end just north of the intersection of Mount Pleasant Street and King s Highway. However, it is the intent of this project to improve operations at this intersection as well. Updated pavement markings are being proposed along southbound Kings Highway approach to this intersection. Kings Highway at Fieldstone Marketplace Improvements at the intersection of Fieldstone Marketplace and Kings Highway include new pavement markings, new sidewalks and corner ramps, upgraded traffic signals and timings. The upgraded traffic signal will have mast arm mounted signal heads, and operate on a closed loop coordinated system. The existing exclusive right turn lane on the northbound Kings Highway approach will be converted to a shared through/right-turn lane. Route 140 North Ramps at Kings Highway This intersection has multiple improvements proposed to enhance safety and capacity. A new driveway to the shopping plaza is proposed at this intersection. The driveway will form the westbound approach to the intersection. Widening is proposed at this location to provide an exclusive left-turn lane on the northbound and southbound approaches of Kings Highway with shoulders on both sides. The eastbound Route 140 ramp approach will be widened to provide two exclusive left turn lanes, a through lane and a shared through/right-turn lane. The traffic signal equipment will be upgraded with new signal heads and mast arm poles. New pavement markings are proposed as well as an improved pavement surface. The traffic signal phasing/timings will be updated and coordinated in a closed loop system.

12 Kings Plaza Shopping Center at Kings Highway Widening is proposed at this intersection to incorporate exclusive left-turn lanes on both approaches of Kings Highway. The new cross section on both approaches of Kings Highway will include a 5-foot shoulder, a shared through/right-turn lane, a through lane, and an exclusive left-turn lane. Both the eastbound and westbound driveway will consist of a shared leftturn/through lane and a shared through/right-turn lane. The sidewalk is proposed to be widened from 5.5 to 7.5 on the east side of Kings Highway south of the intersection. Church Street at Tarkiln Hill Road Widening is proposed at this intersection to incorporate exclusive left-turn lane, a through lane and a shared through/right-turn lane on the northbound Tarkiln Hill Road approach. The eastbound Church Street approach will be widened to include an exclusive left-turn lane and a shared through/right-turn lane. On the south-east corner of the intersection, width along Park Avenue will be narrowed down to one lane. Please note that per directive from MassDOT, the crosswalk across Tarkiln Hill Road that is located at about 200 feet south of Church Street intersection is being removed. Traffic signal phasing for the left turn movements at this location will be revised to include protected and protected/permissive phases. Traffic Management Traffic will be maintained along all streets throughout construction. Right of Way The existing layout along Kings Highway varies throughout the project limits. The typical width along Kings Highway north of Route 140 intersection based on the existing City Layout is about 66 feet. Based on the state highway layout line, the State owns the parcel of land located on the west side of Kings Highway, south of Route 140 intersection. However north of the Route 140 intersection, the right of way belongs to the City of New Bedford.

13 THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HIGHWAY DIVISION FEDERAL AID PROJECT New Bedford, MA King s Highway Improvements Project Project File No This sheet is provided for your comments. Your input is solicited and appreciated. Please return your sheet, with comments, to a staff member at the meeting, or mail to: Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E., Chief Engineer MassDOT Highway Division 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA Attn: Roadway Project Management The final date for receipt of written statements and exhibits for inclusion into the official hearing transcript will be ten (10) days after the Public Hearing. PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY. Name: Title: Organization: Address:

14 Please Fold and Tape Please Place Appropriate Postage Here Patricia A. Leavenworth, P.E. Chief Engineer MassDOT Highway Division 10 Park Plaza Boston, MA RE: Public Hearing King s Highway Improvements Project NEW BEDFORD Project File No Roadway Project Management