Lord Overpass Multi-Modal Boulevard Nicolas Bosonetto, P.E.
City of Lowell Fourth Largest City in Commonwealth Population of 109,945 Gateway City Diverse 20% Southeast Asian 17% Hispanic 25% Foreign Born 44% Speak language other than English Urban National Park College Town UMass Lowell - 17,500 Students Middlesex Community College 13,000 Students 2
Commuter Flows 3
4
Corridor Flyover 5
Lord Overpass 6
Changing Course How to implement institutional change I. Develop a Vision II. Educate and Garner Support a. Educate stakeholders and policy makers b. Gather broad support (not just advocates) III. Enact Policy a. Enact Complete Streets Policy b. Complete Street Grant c. Build on smaller successful projects IV.Engineer new Concepts a. Road Safety Audit (RSA) b. Redesigned Concepts c. Public Participation 7
I. Develop a Vision 8
I. Develop a Vision Complete Streets is Transportation Equity Core downtown area contains economic opportunities, educational institutions, and public services Surrounding neighborhoods have concentrated low income, minority, low English proficiency, and immigrant Equal Access to jobs, services, cultural and education resources regardless of income, ability, age, or nationality 9
I. Develop a Vision Complete Streets is Economic Development Modes - Limited parking supply is main barrier to economic development Context People react positively to neighborhood business district improvements Image - Provide modern gateway into city to change perceptions 10
I. Develop a Vision 11
II. Educate Stakeholders and Policy Makers Smart Growth America Workshops Invite: Planning Board Members Neighborhood Association leaders Elected Officials Police & Fire Departments Planning, Engineering, DPW departments Disability Commission Advocates School Departments, University, Community College 12
III. Enact Policy Accentuate Funding Opportunities Not less than 33 % of the grants awarded shall be issued to low income communities $50 Million Bond Bill $12.5 Million FY16-FY17 Get Popular Support During Public Vote Bike/Ped Activists Boy Scouts Residents Health Groups Emphasize Transportation Equity 13
III. Enact Policy Prioritization Plan http://lowell.maps.arcgis.com/apps/maptour/index.html?appid=e3d81165a148430aa24b19b457f8ed84 http://lowell.maps.arcgis.com/apps/viewer/index.html?appid=1da2fcea8a5f4ec7bd8e51ed44f1aea2 14
III. Enact Policy Implementation 3R Projects 15
III. Enact Policy Implementation 3R Projects 16
Lord Overpass Project III. Enact Policy $400K Grant 15 Lateral Buffer + Landscape Screening + 2 Vertical Offset = Reduction in Exposure to Pollution & Vehicles 17
III. Enact Policy $400K Grant 18
III. Enact Policy $400K Grant 19
IV. Engineer new Concepts Road Safety Audits (RSA) Conducted prior to any roadway improvement Necessary where there are high-crash clusters (ped/bike included) Takes into account all road users Makes recommendations for safety improvements Crosswalks Lighting Bump outs Etc 20
IV. Engineer new Concepts Road Safety Audits (RSA) What We Saw Missing Sidewalks No crossing facilities for desired walking routes from Fletcher St to HCD Unlawful/Dangerous Crossings 21
IV. Engineer new Concepts Road Safety Audits (RSA) 235 Crashes in 3 years Cost = $5.6 Million 57 6 9 36 6 9 51 17 28 16 59 Injury @ $58,754/injury = $3,466,486 176 PDO @ $6,076/vehicle = $2,138,752 22
235 Crashes in 3 years Pictures from Lowell Sun 23
IV. Engineer new Concepts Public Participation Lord Overpass Project Survey Concerns and Wishes 24
IV. Engineer new Concepts Transit 25
IV. Engineer new Concepts Design Elements Basic design controls serve as the foundation for establishing the physical form, safety, and functionality of the transportation facility. - MassDOT Design Guide (3.1) 3.1 Purpose Create Access Point to Hamilton Canal District (HCD) Accommodate additional Traffic generated by HCD Complement the HCD s modern, mixed-use, urban design 3.2 Community Context Connectivity Neighborhoods Downtown Gallagher Station Gateway to City - Aesthetics & Lighting Arterial through Dense Urban Development 26
IV. Engineer new Concepts Design Elements 3.3 Roadway Users Must provide pedestrian, bike, and transit accommodations Complete Street Policy 3.4 Transportation Needs Multi-modal access to Gallagher Intermodal Terminal Two way traffic on Middlesex and Appleton/Chelmsford Streets Full intersection at Jackson Street extension Connections to river and canal trail systems Vehicular operations 27
IV. Engineer new Concepts Design Elements 3.5 Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) 1. Safety 2. Economic Development 3. Capacity 4. Connectivity/Accessibility 5. Mode Choice 6. Community Aesthetics 7. Transportation Equity 28
IV. Engineer new Concepts Design Elements Measure of Effectiveness #3 & #4 Connectivity, Access, and Capacity (Getting to where you want to go) Capacity the maximum hourly rate at which persons or vehicles reasonably can be expected to traverse a point (HCM 2000) Level of Service (LOS) is a quality measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream, generally in terms of such service measures as speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, and comfort and convenience. (HCM 2000) 29
IV. Engineer new Concepts 30
Public Participation 31
7. Complete Streets Version 32
Summary I. Develop a Complete Street Vision a. Transportation Equity b. Economic Development II. Educate and Gain Support a. Educate stakeholders and policy makers b. Gather broad support (not just advocates) III. Enact Policy a. Enact Complete Streets Policy b. Complete Street Grant c. Build on smaller successful 3R projects (Ch 90 & Capital) IV.Engineer new Concepts a. Road Safety Audit b. Public Participation c. Redesigned Concepts 33
Thank You Nicolas Bosonetto, PE nbosonetto@vhb.com 34