sneapa 2013 friday e4 9_urban highway challenges
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Urban Highway Challenges. Planning for the Future by Re-visioning the PastTRANSCRIPT
URBAN HIGHWAY CHALLENGES
Planning the future by re-visioning the past:
SNEAPA Planning ConferenceOctober 18, 2013
Presenters
Ruth Fitzgerald, AICPFitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.
David Spillane, AICPGoody Clancy, Inc.
Kelly Murphy, AICPCity of New Haven
Nathaniel Cabral-CurtisHoward/Stein-Hudson, Assoc.
Michael Morehouse, PEFitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.
Rachel GaryFitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Our Agenda
Welcome and Introductions Urban highway history and
challenges Case studies:
o Route 34, New Haven, CTo Casey Overpass, Jamaica Plain, MAo I-84 Hartford, CT
Questions? Comments?
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Highway Visions from the ‘50s: Romantic, Progressive,
Modernizing...
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Urban Highway Realities Today… blighting…crumbling…many need repair or replacement
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
The National Picture: Urban Viaducts Constructed at the Same Time ……..Now Failing Together
Completed:o Boston Big Digo San Francisco
Embarcadero Underway:
o Seattle Alaskan Way Viaduct
o New Haven Route 34o Providence I-195
Planning:o New Orleans, Claiborne
Expresswayo Hartford I-84o Syracuseo Boston, Casey
Arborwayo And many others…..
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Successes and Failures:Urban Highway ScoreCard
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban
Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Failure Success
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Big Dig: Boston Central Artery
High-volume freeway serving economic heart of the region becomes surface boulevard and tunnel Like I-84, carries regional through
traffic and downtown traffic I-93 viaduct was long seen as a barrier
between downtown, the waterfront and neighborhoods
Approximately 190,000 vehicles per day before project
Project increased roadway capacity through tunnel and surface boulevard
Highway in tunnel; surface boulevard carries local traffic
More than 20-year construction period Overall project cost $14.6 billion; state
paid approximately $6 billion
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
San Francisco: Embarcadero Freeway
Freeway spur with modest traffic volumes becomes attractive surface boulevard Served as a spur connecting to
Bay Bridge Created barrier between city
and waterfront Demolished in 1991 and replaced
with an attractive surface boulevard
Freeway carried approximately 60,000 vehicles per day; replacement boulevard carries approximately 26,000 vehicles
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Seattle: Alaskan Way Viaduct
Highway viaduct replaced by tunnel, opening access to the waterfront Carries primarily through
traffic; does not provide local access
Creates physical barrier between city and waterfront
Approximately 100,000 vehicles per day
Replace with a 4-lane bored tunnel that can accommodate 80,000-85,000 vehicles per day for approximately $4.2 billion (state and local funds)Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA
2013
Providence: I-195
Relocating the Highway and building the City Back Highway has been relocated; the
city is growing back into land vacated by the highway corridor
I-195 was relocated to a new corridor to the south; roadway carried approximately 100,000 vehicles per day
Planning for redevelopment continues
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
New Orleans Claiborne Expressway
Replacement viaduct or surface streets…balancing complex needs
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
All Challenges are Not Equal
Existing Urban Highway in need of replacement
Maintain or expand capacity
Reduce capacity
Maintain Corridor
Relocate Corridor
Tunnel options
NO Tunnel options
Boston Big DigSeattle Alaskan Viaduct
San Francisco Embarcadero
Providence I-195
New Orleans-ClaiborneNew Haven Route 34Hartford I-84
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
All Challenges are Not Equal
Existing Urban Highway in need of replacement
Maintain capacity
Reduce capacity
Maintain Corridor
Relocate Corridor
Tunnel options
NO Tunnel options
Boston Big DigSeattle Alaskan Viaduct
San Francisco Embarcadero
Providence I-195
New Orleans-ClaiborneNew Haven Route 34Hartford I-84
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
All Challenges are Not Equal
Existing Urban Highway in need of replacement
Maintain capacity
Reduce capacity
Maintain Corridor
Relocate Corridor
Tunnel options
NO Tunnel options
Boston Big DigSeattle Alaskan Viaduct
San Francisco Embarcadero
Providence I-195
New Orleans-ClaiborneNew Haven Route 34Hartford I-84
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Key Success Factors for Revisioning Urban Highways DOT Commitment Local Leadership Recognizing the Need to Solve More than One
Problem: Social Economic Development and Environmental Perspectives….
Multi-disciplinary planning and design capabilities Early and Continuing Community Engagement Understanding who pays and who benefits Spirit of Collaboration and Compromise: Best
Solutions will require give-and-take from all constituencies
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
New Haven
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
New Haven Downtown Crossing
Socio-Economic Context
• Top 60 metropolitan market of 826,813 people (2012 est.), comparable in population to Dayton, OH and Tulsa, OK.
• Top 30 media market – comparable to San Diego, CA and Nashville, TN.
• Over 300,000 jobs in the region, including over 26,000 in education and 22,000 in business/financial services.
• Rated #13 “best places” for new college grads.
• Largest life sciences cluster in Connecticut and 2nd largest in New England, with 71 life sciences companies in New Haven focused on Health IT, diagnostics, specialty pharma, medical device, technology platform, CRO, and biotech focused around the Yale School of Medicine.
Socio-Economic Context
Best Recovery Bets“New Haven…boasts a world-renowned university and several important teaching hospitals. There are also lots of secure, well-paying jobs...That has helped the economy maintain fairly even keel”. (CNN Money, February 7, 2011)
Apartment Vacancy Rate the Lowest in the Nation“U.S. apartment vacancies dropped to a 10-year low in the fourth quarter, allowing rent increases that are likely to continue this year, Reis Inc. said…New Haven, Connecticut, home to Yale University, had the nation’s lowest vacancy rate, followed by New York; Minneapolis; Portland, Oregon; and San Jose, California”. (Bloomberg, Jan 5, 2012)
Central Business District Renaissance“Drawn by lower rents and access to the university's resources, Yale graduates and other entrepreneurs are choosing for the first time in decades to launch their businesses in New Haven instead of traveling to Boston or New York City”. (WSJ, March 4, 2011)
Highest Population Growth in Connecticut“New Haven's population grew faster this decade than any other city in Connecticut…Between 2000 and 2010, the city added 6,153 new residents, bringing its population up to 129,779”. (Yale Daily News, March 3, 2011)
A Plan in New Haven to Right a Highway’s Wrong“Echoing recent efforts by San Francisco, Milwaukee and Boston to alter or remove their highways…The city’s grid in the area would be restored, creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment, and the Hill would be reattached”. (New York Times, July 17, 2012)
New Haven
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Union Station
The Hill
Downtown
34
Goals: Economy, Place Making and Sustainability Build on existing economic strengths in education, health care,
medical research, advanced manufacturing, arts, culture, and design
Increase the tax base Create new job opportunities for residents and newcomers at all
wage levels Decrease energy footprint, transportation costs and greenhouse
gas emissions Improve city walkability and bikeability Retain a unique, livable, and authentic sense of place
Create 4,000 permanent jobs
Planning Framework
Planning Framework
New Infrastructure
Union Station TOD
100 College St
Future Church St SouthFuture Med District- 10 year build out
Chu
rch
Str
eet
Sou
th
Union Station
Ora
nge S
treet
Phase 1 – Tiger 2 Construction
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
34
Exit 3 – Closed Permanently
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Exit 3 eastbound, closed, May 21, 2013
Exit 3 westbound, closed May 2, 2013
Phase 1 - 100 College Street
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
100 College Street-500,000 s.f. med/lab office building.-Connects Yale School of Medicine to Downtown.
Environmental Benefits-LEED Silver design standard.-20% TDM requirement with full bike parking and showers.-Activated first floor and public space amenities.
-
Phase 1 - Economic Impact
Phase 1 is creating 2,000 construction jobs for building and infrastructure and then 600-960 permanent jobs at 100 College Street.
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway
Challenges
Phase 2 – Orange Street
“The Coliseum Site”Prime 4,5 acre Downtown site (¼ mile from Union Station and State Street Station).
1.0 million s.f. mixed use TOD- 719 units (20% affordable)- 76,900 s.f. retail- 160 hotel rooms- 200,000 s.f. Class A office- 52,620 s.f. public space- 785 parking spaces-
Economic ImpactConstruction Jobs: 4,676 Permanent Jobs: 2,809(direct, indirect and induced), translating to $189 million per year in labor income at stabilization.
Schedule: City Approvals: 2013Final Design / Permitting: 2014Construction: 2015 -
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Route 34 intersects Orange Street at-grade
Hill to Downtown Plan
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Project Context204 acre district, including 20% surface parking lots. The district is home to Union Station and 300-unit Church Street South development.
Proposed mixed use redevelopment that grows the economy and reconnects neighborhoods- 1,200-1,400 units (20% affordable)- Up to 1.0 million new med/lab office development- Retail and parking to support Union Station and district needs.
Economic ImpactConstruction Jobs: 3,051 Permanent Jobs: 3,300(direct, indirect and induced), translating to $232 million per year in labor income at stabilization.
Schedule: Plan Approval: 2013Zoning / Infrastructure Design: 2014Construction: 2015 -
Hill to Downtown Plan
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Casey Arborway: the Overpass
Located in Jamaica Plain 1950’s highway viaduct Formerly part of the route
southeast out of Boston Formerly crossed two
elevated rail lines Originally slated for deck
replacement Determined to be in need
of full replacement
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Casey Arborway: the Overpass
Forest Hills Station: Orange Line, bus hub & Commuter
Rail
Abutting Residential
area
Abutting Residential
area
Abutting Residential
area
Abutting Residential
area
Arbo
rway
Yard
Bus
Faci
lity
Casey Overpass
Franklin Park
Forest Hills
Cemetery
Arnold Arboretu
m
Bu
s R
ou
te
Bus
Rou
teBus
Ro
ute
Bus Route
District Court
Shattuck
Hospital
SWC
Bik
eway
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Casey Arborway: the Planning Process
Spring 2011-Sping 2012 “Unique opportunity”
seen by DOT Launched WAG to:
o Set broad goalso Work through detailso Advise DOT with local
knowledge Alternating schedule of
WAG and public meetings Significant impassioned
debate and controversy
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Making a Decision
Fall 2011: traffic is not a deciding factor between at-grade and bridge options.
At-grade decision made based on:o Original goals set by WAG.o Ability to achieve more bicycle, pedestrian and transit
improvements without a bridge.o Mapping of comments received graphically
demonstrated local preference.
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Casey Arborway: the Plan
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Casey Arborway: Keys to Success
Keys to success:o Documentationo Flexibilityo Memory of the project combined with local knowledgeo Work with local mediao Don’t stereotype stakeholders – take each as an
individual Status:
o Continuing outreach on specific issues• Changes to improve community/project fit ongoing.
o 100% Design Submittedo Expected bid in October, 2013o Projected construction for spring 2014
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Casey Arborway: Lessons Learned
Public involvement worked because it was integrated:o A full seat at the tableo A must, not a “nice to have”
Work with local media carefully:o Don’t be afraid, do respond promptlyo Make sure the message is consistento Help build the project’s narrative
Detailed documentation is important:o Show community influence on the jobo Counters the charge of insufficient outreach
Be ready to try something new “We’re all friends until we make a decision.”
Where is ‘the I-84 Hartford Project’?
Why is it needed? Viaduct is 50 years old Poor condition overall Currently 80% of project is elevated (30 acres) Maintenance costs are very high
Why is it needed? Busiest stretch of
highway in Connecticut• 55,000 vehicles/day (1975)• 175,000 vehicles/day (2013)
Travel delays due to…• Congestion• Accidents• Maintenance
Why is it needed? Obsolete design
o Many on & off ramps• Some left-hand ramps• Close spacing• Merging & weaving
Frequent accidentso Average of 1 daily
Opportunities Economic development Neighborhood connectivity Enhanced mobility
o Bicycleo Pedestriano Transito Vehicular
Synergies with other regional, state, and local projects
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Coordination is complex
New Britain-Hartford Busway
New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Project
MDC Clean Water Project
Local Streetscape Projects
Union Station Planning Study
City of Hartford’s Signal System UpgradeCity of Hartford’s
Downtown Traffic and Circulation Study
Northwest Corridor Study
CT DOT Congestion Mitigation Study
Integrated Transportation
Management Plan
City of Hartford TOD Initiatives
Amtrak Next Gen HSR
Project is complex Very high traffic demand Densely built urban environment Railroad tracks pass beneath viaduct
Existing Ground
Park River Conduit
Project is complex Utilities co-located in corridor Busway under construction in corridor Local street network threatened
Early concepts show promise
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Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges
Potential win-win solutions
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway
Challenges
Meeting the challenges with ongoing engagement
Public Involvement
Public Involvement Goals
To engage many…To actively solicit input using many methods…To use this input in the development of win-win solutions…
Outreach Methods Stakeholder interviews PAC Website – www.I84Hartford.com Social media (Facebook, Twitter) Newsletters E-bulletins Public meetings
What we’ve heard so far…
Stay tuned… The work is just beginning Alternatives analysis and NEPA are next milestones Long-term project
Next update…. ..coming soon to a conference near you!
Thank you for coming!
Questions???Comments???
Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013