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G8.1 Project title:
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RD Mize Rd Safety Improvements Phase 4: Eureka to Pink Hill
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G8.2 Project description: |
RD Mize Ph 4 Safety Improvements will continue improvements made in earlier phases. Phase 4 widens RD Mize to a 3-lane cross-section with two opposing travel lanes & one center two-way, left-turn lane, matching earlier phases. The cross-section has storm drainage structures, curb & gutter & sidewalks on both sides adding connectivity from local neighborhoods to the Little Blue Trace trail. Phase 4 has 2 areas of horizontal curvature; one curve in particular not meeting safe design speed criteria. The project reduces horizontal curvature to reduce accidents. The RD Mize & Pink Hill intersection is the eastern limit of the project. The intersection has a 15-year old temporary span wire traffic signal that City forces installed to handle diverted traffic during a project to widen I-70. Since then the City constructed a new east-west arterial on 39th St bypassing the intersection. The RD Mize project will remove the span wire signal & build a roundabout to handle traffic.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Kati Horner Gonzalez, City Engineer, City of Independence Public Works Department, 111 E. Maple Avenue, Independence, Missouri 64050, 816-325-6217, khorner@indepmo.org
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G1. Project Type: |
Transportation Safety Infrastructure
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G2. Funding Stream: |
STP
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G3. TIP Number: |
NA
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G4. State: |
Missouri
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G5. Project county: |
1. Jackson
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G6. Project municipality: |
1. Independence
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G7. Multiple agencies / jurisdictions?
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No
None
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G8.4 Purpose and need:
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The project establishes continuous pedestrian multi-use linkage across 4 phases of RD Mize including the 2006 Hidden Valley Rd project. A future Phase 5 will extend the safety improvements on RD Mize to the south City limits near Duncan Rd & serve elementary and middle schools. Multi-use improvements start at Hidden Valley Rd & M-291, then continue east along RD Mize with Phase 4 ending at Pink Hill Rd. Total length is 3.5 miles with RD Mize Phase 4, measuring 1 mile. RD Mize is a major east-west arterial in the City’s comprehensive plan, linking neighborhoods covering some 150,000 acres with several thousand homes to near-by regional commercial, retail and medical facilities. Phase 4 makes safety improvements to the rural section where design conformance is lacking, adding safety with a two-way, left-turn center lane & widening horizontal curves. Independence Fire Station #10 located on Phase 4 of RD Mize will benefit by improved accessibility to the neighborhoods served.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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RD Mize Road
Eureka Road
Pink Hill Road
1.0
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G10. Functional Classification:
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Minor Arterial
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G11. In Transportation Outlook 2040?
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Yes
Decade:
2010
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G12. Muli-Agency Plan?
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No
NA
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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Yes
RD Mize Rd is identified in the City’s Little Blue Valley Comprehensive Plan Amendment as part of the major road network serving the Little Blue Valley in eastern Independence. Transportation is an important element for the planned development goals of mixed land use, reduced commute distances from housing to jobs, support for transit operations, inter-connection between developments, expanded pedestrian and bicycling networks and using best practices for engineering design. The City’s thoroughfare plan shows RD Mize Rd being completed from Hidden Valley Road past Pink Hill to the south City limit. Phase 4 from Eureka to Pink Hill and a subsequent Phase 5 will provide arterial service to eastern Independence and into Blue Springs.
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G14. Planning stage:
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Conceptual Plan
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G15. Reviewed by state DOT?
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No
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G16. Right-of-Way acquisition: |
Not started
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G17. ROW by local public agency process manual?
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Yes
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G18. Other unique local goals and objectives?
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Yes
In 2017 City Council adopted a comprehensive Strategic Plan outlining Values, Goals, Objectives & Strategies for improved quality of life for residents. Major corridors are to be evaluated for recommendations to improve condition, reduce crime, increase safety, revitalize neighborhoods & build new housing units to fill market need. RD Mize Phase 4 is a prime corridor for established 1990s & newer housing & is an important economic driver for vast undeveloped parcels in eastern Independence. With completed north-south major arterial of Little Blue Parkway, the City is fielding a variety of development projects for parcels previously encumbered by limited access. RD Mize provides an important east-west link to Little Blue Parkway & there is increasing traffic volume on both arterials as residential & commercial parcels continue to develop. Making safety improvements in response to the increased traffic on the rural cross-section of RD Mize fits Council objectives perfectly.
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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The RD Mize Phase 4 project will benefit the transportation disadvantaged population. There are two maintenance-provided residential developments catering to older adults within one-eighth mile of RD Mize Phase 4. The street will be wider, have a center turn lane, horizontal curvature appropriate for the speed limit, improved street lighting and pavement markings. These features improve safety for all users. Sidewalks on both sides of the road will provide safe means of travel for pedestrians and bicyclists. The project improves an arterial and reduces travel time for the City Fire Station #10 that serves the eastern section of the City.
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G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
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RD Mize has been a community goal and shown as a planned minor arterial on the City’s comprehensive plan for decades. RD Mize is listed in the City’s License Surcharge Tax program where a fee is assessed on new developments and set aside for use on transportation improvements. There were public meetings about the License Surcharge Tax including discussion about improvements to RD Mize prior to the successful public vote in the early 2000’s. The public is engaged about public improvement projects through the City’s website, the monthly CityScene newsletter, and the local government television channel. The citizen oversight committee for the License Surcharge Tax actively reviews all expenditures and transportation improvements covered by the program. The project was presented to the Independence City Council and support was given to pursue funds.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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Continued engagement with the public for the RD Mize Phase 4 project would occur through the City website, City 7 TV channel, CityScene newsletter (distributed by mail with monthly utility bills) and via public meetings during project plan development. If selected for STP funding, LPA process will be followed including public hearings to meet with the public in order to provide information displays, plan sheets, details at various properties, answer questions, and take comments.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----Active Transportation/Living---Age in Place-------
Complete Street Design---Connected Street Network---Context Appropriate Streets-------
------------Integrated Trail System---
----Natural Resources Protection-----------
----------------
------
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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RD Mize Phase 4 extends multi-use access for Active Living/Transportation another 1.0 mile for a full length of 3.5 miles from the M291 Hwy past numerous residential developments to the Pink Hill intersection. The project integrates access directly to the 14-mile long Little Blue Trace trail in Jackson County. The project promotes the Age in Place marketability of the maintenance-provided developments bordering RD Mize. Complete street design methods for moderating driver behavior will be used including changes to horizontal curvature appropriate for design speed. Phase 4 extends the connected street network for a primary east-west arterial. Context appropriateness will occur through definition of unique features of adjacent neighborhoods. The project promotes natural resource protection through the extension of access to the Little Blue Trace trail which is a prime location for open and natural spaces in eastern Jackson County.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
The RD Mize Phase 4 project incorporates several Creating/Planning Sustainable Places Potential Action Steps identified in the Independence, MO 2014 Sustainable Community Audit in partnership between HUD, MARC and the City. The action steps in the project include sidewalks for walkability between neighborhoods and access to the Little Blue Trace trail, and Complete Street Design with safety enhancements for the adjacent neighborhoods and age-in-place maintenance provided communities.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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No
--Select--
NA
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G25. Environmental justice tracts?
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No
NA
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G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
Completing RD Mize Phase 4 would reduce congestion on M-291 Highway and thus reduce green house gas emissions caused by idling during peak hours of traffic on this highway. Air quality would also be improved by reducing emissions caused by local traffic because people could choose to walk or bicycle to their destinations instead of using their cars.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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The project will is a one-mile extension of an overall multi-mode corridor from M291 and Hidden Valley Road to RD Mize and Pink Hill for a total of 3.5 miles. The corridor connects to the Little Blue Trace trail which parallels the Little Blue River. RD Mize Phase 4 has a Riparian area for a tributary stream. Erosion control incorporated into the project will protect the stream.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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There is a stream immediately adjacent to the RD Mize Phase 4 project with Riparian Health score of 7. The project will protect the stream with strong erosion control via the implementation of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). Stormwater quality BMPs will be evaluated for implementations along the corridor such as bioswales, native plantings, and street trees.
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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RD Mize is part of the City’s adopted comprehensive / thoroughfare plan. RD Mize is one of the streets listed in the City’s License Surcharge Tax program to be improved with fees collected on new developments that are set aside for transportation improvements.
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G30.1 Complies with MARC’s CSP?
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No
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G30.2 Exception to the MARC CSP?
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Yes
The project will fully comply with the Complete Streets Policy. The design guidelines will be based on American Public Works Association standards, MoDOT standards and AASHTO guidelines.
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Traveler Type (All Ages & Abilities)
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Pedestrians:
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Mobility Aids:
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Bicyclists:
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Transit Riders:
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Cars:
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Trucks:
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Motorcycles:
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Buses:
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Green Streets:
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