Title
Discussion of Holcomb Bridge Road over GA 400 Pedestrian Improvements - Guidance
Body
Action Required:
Guidance
Description:
The pedestrian improvements at the Holcomb Bridge Road bridge over GA 400 is a multi-modal safety improvement to install sidewalks and pedestrian accommodations along Holcomb Bridge Road adjacent to and on the bridge over GA 400. Exhibit A illustrates the improvements. Funds in the amount of $500,000 are available in the MARTA Fund Grant Cost Center.
The design consultant, PB Americas Inc., has met with GDOT to discuss the project and has begun the design of the pedestrian improvements.
Upon further study, staff has identified one additional traffic safety improvement that could be added into the project. The additional improvement is to extend the eastbound left-turn lane to turn northbound onto GA 400. The improvement also includes extending the median and providing a pedestrian refuge in the crosswalk. This will improve a major congestion bottleneck for eastbound traffic and improve pedestrian safety. The RTOP (Regional Traffic Operations Program) project manager and GDOT support this new improvement concept.
Staff recognized that extending the left-turn lane would result in removing 5 Bradford Pear trees in the median. Staff is aware of previous concepts to remove the Bradford Pear trees and replace them with crepe myrtles between Dogwood Road and GA 400. Crepe Myrtles are a species of tree that is approved by GDOT for this application. Additionally, there was a pedestrian fatality in early 2010 involving a pedestrian running across Holcomb Bridge Road mid-block to catch the MARTA bus and the pedestrian was struck by a vehicle. Pedestrians routinely cross mid-block.
To address these issues, staff further identified three improvements that could complement the pedestrian improvement project. Exhibit G illustrates:
1. Relocating the eastbound MARTA bus stop from Old Dogwood Road closer to the GA 400 On-ramp. This would move the bus stop closer to the crosswalk across Holcomb Bridge Road, thus discouraging mid-block crossings and encouraging pedestrians to use the crosswalk.
2. Consider installing a 4-foot high decorative fence along the median between Dogwood Road and GA 400. This would further discourage/restrict pedestrians from crossing mid-block. Photo #1 is an example of a fence along Cumberland Blvd next to the Cumberland Mall and CCT Bus Transfer Station in Cobb County. This fence was installed about one year ago to address a similar problem. Cobb County staff indicated the fence cost $32,000 to install, is working well, and requires little maintenance.
3. Re-landscape the median between Dogwood Road and GA 400. Add new landscaping west of SR 400.
Staff believes the above improvements would improve pedestrian and vehicular safety as well as improve the visual appeal of this area.
Staff anticipates construction of these improvements could start before summer 2011.
Comments:
The MARTA Fund Grant can only be utilized for pedestrian and transit improvements.
Staff recommends using Road Safety Program funds for the design and construction of extending the eastbound left-turn lane. Staff estimates the cost at $60,000.
Staff also recommends using Road Safety Program funds for the design and construction of a fence in the median and design of the landscape plans. Staff estimates the cost at $40,000.
Funds in the amount of $275,000 are available in the Road Safety Program.
Staff recommends using Tree Planting Program funds for installation of landscaping as mentioned above. Funds in the amount of $61,685 are available in the Tree Planting Program.
Staff will coordinate with MARTA on the relocation of its bus stop. If approved we will attempt to negotiate a cost share. Our portion of this could be funded with the MARTA Fund Grant.