Improvements Outlined in Dresden's Complete Streets Plan
BY DAVID FISHER
david@dresdenenterprise.com
DRESDEN (November 9) — During the November 1 meeting of the City of Dresden Board of Mayor and Aldermen, members approved a resolution outlining a Complete Streets Plan, as recommended by the Dresden Planning Commission.
The plan is the culmination of months of planning, obtaining input from local citizens, and reviewing the results of a comprehensive study regarding the most needed street improvements.
The Complete Streets Plan study, which was funded by a Tennessee Department of Transportation Rural Community Transportation Planning Grant, at no cost to the citizens of Dresden, identifies those streets that need to be upgraded the most, in order to address traffic and pedestrian safety concerns – particularly at dangerous intersections.
After reviewing the deficiencies found along city streets and at intersections, the study recommends the following improvements and provides cost estimates for each project:
The specific areas of focus include: the intersection at TN-22 and Pikeview Street, intersection at TN-22 and Linden Street, and intersection at TN-22 and Evergreen Street. In addition to these intersections, the study area includes Linden Street between Evergreen Street and TN-22, as well as Evergreen Street between Wilson Park and TN-22.
Scope of Work:
Pikeview Street and Hwy-22 Intersection: estimate $250,000 - $500,000
The key improvements at the intersection of Pikeview Street and Highway 22 include the addition of a westbound acceleration lane for vehicles turning right from Pikeview Street onto Highway 22, which will allow vehicles to accelerate up to travel speed before merging into Highway 22 traffic.
The project also calls for updating pavement markings to improve intersection functionality, and the installation of additional landscaping, such as trees, where there is no conflict with overhead or underground utilities.
The goal of these recommendations is to improve safety at the intersection and create an aesthetic gateway into the City of Dresden.
Linden Street and Hwy-22 Intersection: estimate $750,000 - $1,000,000
One of the main improvements at the intersection of Linden Street and Highway 22 outlined in the plan consists of the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection with the addition of protected pedestrian crossings and pedestrian signal displays and push buttons. A future warrant study would be required to determine justification for a traffic signal.
Another improvement listed in the study is to construct raised channelized islands, to reduce the pedestrian crossing distance and improve safety for pedestrians crossing at the intersection. The raised channelized islands will also serve as a form of traffic calming to lower speeds and raise awareness among drivers.
The plan also calls for installing ADA compliant sidewalks and suggests planting trees where there is no conflict with overhead or underground utilities.
In addition, a TDOT Road Safety Audit project along TN-22 at Linden St. has been ongoing during the development of this plan. Concepts identified in this CTPG report have been shared with the Road Safety Audit team for consideration.
Regarding the school crossing at Linden Street and Highway 22, Dresden City Recorder Jennifer Branscum explained, “The Safety Audit is something TDOT did on their own, based on the number of accidents at that intersection. It just so happened, it took place at the same time we were doing our complete street study. They did their own audit and made their own recommendations.”
Branscum stated Dresden shared the results of its study and its thoughts concerning the intersection with TDOT.
“They looked at it and incorporated the crosswalks we thought were needed at that intersection, due to the amount of student traffic, and they did similar studies on their own,” Branscum said. “That had nothing to do with the grant we received.”
Poplar and Morrow Street: estimate $500,000 - $750,000
Major improvements at the Poplar and Morrow streets intersection would include the re-alignment of Poplar Street at the intersection to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety, and the addition of sidewalks along Morrow Street.
It also recommends adding street trees in areas where there is no overhead or underground utility conflicts.
These improvements will add needed pedestrian facilities and improve safety conditions for both pedestrians and vehicular movements.
Evergreen Street Northwest of Highway 22 estimate: $500,000 - $750,000
The key improvements for this study area would include installing raised, ADA compliant sidewalks leading to and from the intersection of Evergreen Street and Highway 22 and neighborhoods to the north.
Guardrails should be installed along the northern edge of Evergreen Street to improve vehicular safety.
Additionally, trees planted along the street in areas where there is no overhead or underground utility conflicts, would improve the aesthetic experience.
Evergreen Street at Highway 22 Intersection: estimate $250,000 - $500,000
The key improvements for Evergreen Street at the Highway 22 intersection would include installing raised, ADA compliant sidewalks leading to and from the intersection with ADA curb ramps.
Adding a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) system for the pedestrian highway crossing, painting crosswalks to define crossing areas, and installing new curb ramps in raised channelized islands to create a pedestrian path of travel across the intersection – would all contribute toward improving pedestrian traffic safety.
Landscaping to improve the appearance of the intersection includes planting trees along the street in areas where there is no overhead or underground utility conflicts.
Federal And State Grant Programs:
The study lists several grant sources and the percentages provided by federal, state and local entities, as follows:
Multimodal Access Grant: provides 95 percent in State funding and requires a local match of 5 percent. The maximum amount provided by the grant is $1 million.
TDOT’s Multimodal Access Grant is a state-funded program created to support the transportation needs of transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists through infrastructure projects that address existing gaps along state routes.
Typical Projects include: sidewalks, bike lanes, park-and-ride facilities, greenways, transit facilities and streetscapes.
Transportation Alternatives Grant: paid for by 80 percent in Federal funding and, 20 percent in local revenues.
More than $317 million in grants has gone to 267 communities across the Volunteer State to build sidewalks, bike and pedestrian trails and to renovate historic train depots and other transportation related structures. These projects serve to improve access and provide a better quality of life for people in the state of Tennessee.
Typical Projects are: sidewalks, bike and pedestrian trails, streetscapes, renovation of historic train depots and other transportation related structures.
Local Parks and Recreation Fund: is a grant paid for by 50 percent from State sources and 50 percent in local funding. The maximum amount of the grant is $1 million.
The LPRF program provides state funding for the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways and the purchase of land for recreational facilities. Funds also may be used for trail development and capital projects in parks, natural areas and greenways. Typical projects include: land acquisition, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, and trail development.
Recreational Trails Program: provides up to $250,000 in grant money, with the State paying 80 percent of the costs and the remaining 20 percent coming from local sources.
The Recreational Trails Program provides grant funding for land acquisition, trails, trail maintenance, trail construction, trail rehabilitation and for trail head support facilities on publicly owned land.
Typical projects funded by the grant are: hard/natural-surfaced trails and greenways (land acquisition, maintenance, construction, trail heads).
Spot Safety and Highway Spot Improvement Program
The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core Federal-aid program with the purpose to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads, including non-State-owned roads and roads on tribal land.
Typical Projects covered by the grant include: safety improvements, such as guardrail, turn lanes, signage, and signals.
