union square utility and streetscape improvements study ... · mayor joseph a. curtatone ward 2...

Union Square Utility andStreetscape Improvements Study and Design

January 8, 2015

Agenda

6:30-6:35 . . . . . . . IntroductionHayes Morrison, Director of Transportation and Infrastructure, City ofSomerville

6:35-6:45 . . . . . . . Overview and Project UpdateRachel Burckardt, PE, Parsons Brinckerhoff

6:45-7:05 . . . . . . . Early Action Plan: Interim ImprovementsUtilities - Rachel Burckardt, PE, Parsons BrinckerhoffTraffic - Kristen Torrance Clarke, PE, PTOE, Parsons BrinckerhoffQ&A/Discussion

7:05-8:00 . . . . . . . Small Group DiscussionQ&A/Discussion

City of Somerville Team

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

Ward 2 Alderman Maryann M. Heuston

Ward 3 Alderman Robert McWattersDepartment of Public Works City EngineeringOffice of Strategic Planning & DevelopmentMichael Glavin, Executive DirectorHayes Morrison, Transportation and Infrastructure

Citizens Advisory Committee

Wig Zamore, ChairmanJoe BeckmannSusan CallahanRobyn ChampionMike DaceyErik FellingerMimi GraneyGregory JenkinsAngelina Jockovich

Ken KellyShaina Korman-HoustonKaren ManciniPat McCormickErik NeuPhilip ParsonsMolly RubensteinKat RutkinRebecca SchrummGordon Wong

The PB TeamParsons Brinckerhoff Project Management

Civil, Structural & Traffic EngineeringPublic Outreach

Team Better Block

Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge, Inc.

Toole Design Group, Inc.

Bryant Associates, Inc.

PEER Consultants, Inc.

Experiential Community Engagement

Streetscape & Urban Design

Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities

Surveying

LSP Services

Project Overview and Update

Study Area

Project Objectives

Recognize the unique history of Union Square

Build on foundation of previous work

Coordinate with ongoing and future projects

Develop utility and transportation solutions

Integrate all modes of transportation(pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, vehicles)

Design for improvements that can be built

ScopeUtilities

Transportation

Public Space

Development Impacts

Public Outreach

Public OutreachPreliminary Streetscape Design

Nov 2013 Spring 2015

Meeting #1: Nov 18, 2013

Meeting #2- Jan 29, 2014

Meeting #3- March 25, 2014

Ongoing Advisory Committee Meetings/Coordination

Team Better Block Demonstration-May 30, 2014

Meeting #4-Oct 20, 2014

Meeting #5- Winter 2015

Meeting #6- Spring 2015

Team Better BlockPlaza Redesign

Team Better Block Build Day – May 31, 2014

Team Better BlockPedestrian, Bike and TransitImprovements

Team Better Block Build Day– May 31, 2014

Team Better Block- PedestrianRecommendations

Somerville by Design Survey

72% of Respondents Stated that Being Ableto Safely Bicycle Through the Square was“very important”81% of Respondents Stated that Being Ableto Safely Walk Through the Square was “veryimportant”These sentiments are reflected in the ideaspresented in this presentation

Project UpdateSurvey – CompleteSoils Investigation – Fieldwork done; draft reportpreparedTraffic counts and data – CompleteWater System Improvements – Concept completeSewer/Storm Drain Improvements – Conceptdeveloped; modeling underwayCoordination with US2 – OngoingInterim Improvements: 25% Plans Winter 2015

Water System Improvements

Yellow = NewWater MainsGreen =Clean & Line(by others)

Sanitary/Storm System Improvements

SewerseparationAdded capacity& off-linestorage:Union Sq. toCMI viaSomerville Ave.

Somerville Ave. StormDrain (completed)

Early Action Plan: InterimImprovements

Early Action - Interim Improvements

Goal: Identify short-term roadwayimprovements that could be accommodatedwithin the existing curb lines

Design Completion: Winter 2015Estimated Construction Period: July 2015-November 2015Include utility work in Prospect Street

Prospect Street: Sewer & WaterNew sewer and water mainto serve MBTA station andD2 developmentNew fire hydrants

Improve Traffic Flow & Safety at SignalizedIntersections

Reduce Overall Intersection DelayReduce Circuitous Traffic Movements

• One-Way vs. Two-Way Webster + Prospect

Evaluate Turn Lanes at Intersections

Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements

ExistingConditions

LOS

AM PEAK(PM Peak)

Safety Analysis

All crashes from2009-2011 inStudy AreaCrash Rate PerMillion EnteringVehicles

District Average-• .77 Signalized• .58 Unsignalized

Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements

Improve Pedestrian ConnectivitySignal Timing/Phasing

• Exclusive vs. Concurrent Phasing• Leading Pedestrian Interval

Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements

Improve Pedestrian ConnectivityCrosswalk Locations

• Shorten CrosswalkLocations where Possible

– Modify Alignment– Adding Bump-out

• Add any MissingPedestrian Links

Improve BicycleConnectivity

Painted Bicycle Lanes

Bike Boxes• Increase Visibility of Cyclist• Reduces Signal Delay• Facilities Left Turn Position• Helps Prevent Left Hook

Conflicts

Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements

Improve Bicycle ConnectivityTwo Stage Turn Queue Box

• Left Turn Safety• Formal Queue Space• Reduces Turning conflicts• Separates Turning &

Thru Bicyclists

Goals of Interim TransportationImprovements

BicycleAlternatives

Two-Way BikeLanes onProspect,Sharrows onWebster

WidthConstraints atProspect +SomervilleIntersection

BicycleAlternatives

NB Bike Lane onProspect, SB BikeLane on Webster

Width Constraintsat Webster +SomervilleNotAccommodatingHeaviest AM BikeMovement

BicycleAlternatives

SB Bike Lane onProspect, NB BikeLane on Webster

Width Constraintsat Webster +SomervilleCapacity forProspect Bike Box

Prospect/Somerville/WashingtonConcept

Prospect/Somerville/WashingtonSignal Operations

Webster/Somerville/WashingtonConcept

Webster/Somerville/WashingtonSignal Operations

Webster/ProspectConcept

Webster/Prospect Signal Operations

InterimConditions

LOS

AM PEAK(PM PEAK)

DiscussionUtilitiesProspect St. & Webster Ave.Bicycle accommodationsPedestrian crossingsConnection with Green Line StationBus stop relocations

Next StepsUtility improvements:

Advance concept plans & modeling for sewer separationEarly Action – Interim Improvements:

Finish designAdvertise for bids

Street improvements– Refine concept plansBicycle accommodationsImproved pedestrian crossingsConnection with Green Line stationBus stop relocations

Streetscape Design:Plaza alternativesStreetscape concepts

Contact UsHayes MorrisonCity of SomervilleDirector of Transportation andInfrastructurehmorrison@somervillema.gov617-625-6600 x2522