FINAL DESIGN PRESENTATION HEARING Thursday April 23, 2015 with Peabody City Council Peabody, Massachusetts 6:00 PM PEABODY SQUARE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT 239 LITTLETON ROAD, SUITE 3, WESTFORD, MA 01886 TEL (978) 923-0400 FAX (978) 399-0033
Meeting Purpose Present brief history Identify existing issues and concerns Present proposed design Discuss plan going forward
Goals Maintain or Improve operational efficiency and safety of intersection Enhance and beautify the Square Improve public access to monument Improve pedestrian access through intersection Create pedestrian friendly usable space Extend Main Street improvements into Square
History Originally a part of Project 1 Developed two Square configuration alternatives Presented alternatives to key City Agencies (Veterans, Fire, Police, Mayor, DPS, CDP) Conventional 4-legged alternative was preferred by all Reviewed existing conditions operations Developed ideas for landscape treatments Presented Concept Plans to public and City Council in 2012 Received generally positive feedback
History Project 1 was put on hold by the City in 2012 Community Development and Planning applied for MassWorks Grant in 2013 CDP received $1.5 million grant in 2014 to implement Square improvements Design is being finalized Constitution Park improvements removed Walnut Street intersection improvements added Wallis Street improvements added as bid alternate Presented design to PDAT on April 8, 2015
Existing Configuration Slip ramps safety concerns Multiple conflict points Lane configuration Multiple pedestrian crossings required Fragmented public space Minimal pedestrian space at base of monument Mix of new and outdated traffic signal equipment Signals don t all communicate with each other
Proposed Improvements Provide a conventional 4 legged intersection Create larger public areas Improve pedestrian accessibility/safety Improve vehicular safety and traffic operations Provide new signal equipment Coordinate signals between Main Street through to Walnut Street Provide ADA compliant sidewalks and plaza space Improved landscaping Minor drainage improvements Extend Main Street improvements into Square
Traffic Operations Existing Conditions Long cycle lengths Limited signal coordination Inefficient configuration Outdated equipment @ Walnut Proposed Improvements New Equipment Optimized timing and phasing Coordinated signals Enhanced pedestrian accommodations (ADA) Design for 2032 projected traffic volumes
Traffic Simulation Models Existing Conditions PM peak hour is highest volume 2012 traffic volumes PM peak hour Proposed Conditions 2032 traffic volumes
Pedestrian and Traffic Management The Square improvements will be completed in four major stages. No detours are proposed Pedestrian traffic will be maintained at all times aside from minor disruptions to place new sidewalks Night work required for some activities.
Summary Supported by Veterans, Police, Fire, CDP, DPS and other City Departments Improved pedestrian safety and access Improved vehicular safety Feedback has been positive Improved traffic operation Enhanced lighting Improved monument access Larger and improved public space Final Design to be completed in late April 2015 Project advertisement scheduled for May 2015 Construction scheduled to be complete June 2016 Anticipated construction cost is approximately $3.5 million
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