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G8.1 Project title:
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35th Street - Ph 2, Crysler to Sterling
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G8.2 Project description: |
This project is the second phase of improvements to the 35th Street corridor. The first phase (35th Street, Noland Road to Crysler Avenue) was completed in May 2014. Phase 2 would be a continuation of the first phase and includes a three lane roadway (2 vehicle traffic through lanes with a center turn lane), on-road bike lanes for cyclists on each side of the street and an ADA-compliant sidewalk for pedestrians and mobility aid users on one side of the street. The bicycle lanes and the sidewalk would improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists using transit along Sterling Avenue (Inde*Bus Blue Route) and to a neighborhood park. Also included in the scope of this project are drainage improvements with curb and gutter and a new storm sewer system. The nearly 30 year old traffic signal equipment at 35th Street & Sterling Avenue will be replaced; and new emergency traffic signals will also be installed at Fire Station #5 replacing the existing obsolete signals.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Kati Horner, City Engineer 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
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G8.4 Purpose and need:
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This complete street improvement would facilitate a safer, multi-modal transportation system and create a link (with more transportation options) for the residents in this area to the major north/south arterials of Sterling Avenue to the west (an OGL arterial) and Crysler Avenue to the east. An intra-city bus route (Inde*Bus Blue Route) along Sterling Avenue would benefit from the improved access this project would provide to pedestrians, mobility aid users and bicyclists living in the area.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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35th Street
Crysler Avenue
Sterling Avenue
.75
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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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Yes
The western limit of the second phase of the 35th Street project is the intersection of 35th Street & Sterling Avenue. Sterling Avenue from US 40 Highway to 35th Street is recognized as a regional corridor and incorporated into the multi-agency Operation Green Light Arterial Traffic Management System (TIP #970097 and City of Independence CIP #70110409). The 35th Street project replaces decades old intersection signal equipment with modern signalization, thereby improving safety and multi-modal transportation access along the OGL regional arterial. The City prioritizes multi-modal traffic operations on OGL and other corridors citywide. The eastern limit of the proposed project connects to Crysler Avenue, which is a MetroGreen corridor.
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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Yes
The proposed project is an extension of the first phase of the 35th Street project (Noland Road to Crysler Avenue, CIP #70110804 completed in May 2014). The second phase of the project is included in the City’s 2018-2024 CIP and would extend the 35th Street complete street and roadway safety improvements westward from Crysler Avenue to Sterling Avenue.
More phases are planned in the future for improving 35th Street. A third phase would be from Sterling Avenue to the west city limits. Phase four would be from Noland Road east to Kiger Road. All phases are planned to be complete streets and would be in accordance with the City of Independence Comprehensive and Thoroughfare Plan and with Transportation Outlook 2040. In total, all four phases of the 35th Street project would improve 4.4 miles through established residential neighborhoods in the City of Independence.
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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: |
All acquired or none needed
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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
This project promotes unique goals and objectives not identified in Transportation Outlook 2040. The first is compliance with the City of Independence Bicycle Master Plan; by extending the on-street bike lanes from the first phase of the 35th Street project a second phase would further improve safety for bicyclists using 35th Street. Another goal/objective achieved would be upgrading a nonconforming minor arterial (35th Street) into compliance with the City’s standard typical section for this category of street as defined by the City of Independence Comprehensive and Thoroughfare Plan. Finally, the project upholds the Citys Strategic Plan, adopted in February 2017, by building quality infrastructure, thereby encouraging growth and reflecting a customer-focused culture.
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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The City of Independence 2010 Parks and Recreation Master Plan summarizes local population and income demographics based on census data and other recognized national survey modes. The 35th Street corridor between Crysler and Sterling has established, maintained residential neighborhoods to the north and south. Age demographics along the corridor show predominately working age and elderly population with beginning of turn-over to young families given the medium to low percentage of school age children. Independence median income is somewhat below that of the county and the state, which is reflected in substantial transit demand and use. Disability statistics along the corridor given the elderly population are considered up to 40% per US Census data. The Phase Two continuation of 35th Street corridor improvements support a population that is aging in place and needs improved sight lines at intersections, whether driving or other mode of transportation.
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G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
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The project was presented to the Independence City Council and support was given to pursue project funding. 35th Street is identified as a minor arterial in the City’s Comprehensive & Thoroughfare Plans but the cross-section of the roadway does not meet the City’s standard cross-section for a minor arterial. Therefore, the 35th Street project is an identified project in the city-wide street sales tax program first as a roadway safety project, and second contributing to a sidewalk to parks program, providing new sidewalk along 35th Street from the 35th & Sterling intersection to Firehouse Park where the City’s Parks Master Plan identifies $230,000 in future improvements. The lead-up to the vote for the street sales tax program was conducted with numerous public meetings, publications & news articles. City staff met with residents in neighborhood meetings, meetings at City Hall & one-on-one to discuss ideas, concerns and questions. Ultimately, the street sales tax with proposed 35th Street improvements passed with ample margin showing public citizenry support of the plan presented by the City.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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Continued engagement with the public for the 35th Street - Ph 2, Crysler to Sterling complete streets and safety improvements 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, display plan sheets with details at various properties, answer questions and take comments.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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Access to Healthy Foods---Active Transportation/Living---Age in Place-------
Complete Street Design---Connected Street Network-----------
------------Integrated Trail System---
----------------
----Repair Strip Corridors-----------
Transit-Ready Corridors---Tree Preservation-
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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This project is the second phase of a complete street design project providing access to a grocery store at 35th & Noland. New bike lanes and a sidewalk support active transportation and promote social connection to age in place and for the transportation disadvantaged; also the repair of strip corridors to the east and west. Phase two is part of a connected street network from phase one (which ends at Crysler Avenue) to Sterling Avenue. The sidewalk and bike lanes on the second phase provide trail linkage to Firehouse Park and a MetroGreen corridor along Crysler Avenue (improving recreation options). Multi-modal access to the retail node and transit hub at 35th & Sterling is enhanced. Street trees would be planted and existing, established trees would be preserved along the corridor for aesthetics, air & water quality improvement, limiting heat islands and rainwater interception.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
The 35th Street 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 sidewalk and bike lanes giving multi-mode access to the retail center at 35th & Sterling. Overall the project is a complete streets design, which promotes sustainability and vibrancy in life-long neighborhoods. The project extends multi-mode access to a neighborhood park and local grocery for healthy food options. Future Phase Three of the 35th Street improvements will provide Complete Streets design directly connecting into a Creating Sustainable Place project designated for the US40 Hwy and Blue Ridge Cut-off intersection.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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No
--Select--
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G25. Environmental justice tracts?
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Yes
The western limit of the 35th Street project abuts the environmental justice tract located on the west side of the 35th Street & Sterling Avenue intersection (Census Tract 120). Building this project would improve access from the environmental justice tract to the west to the existing Inde*Bus Blue Route and other businesses and services along Sterling Avenue due to enhanced pedestrian & bicycle safety provided by the upgraded signalization at this intersection. The next planned phase (phase 3) of this project is 35th Street - Ph3, Sterling to the western city limits (approximately located at the intersection of 35th Street & US 40 Highway). The entirety of the third phase is currently located within an environmental justice tract.
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G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
The project would reduce green house emissions from vehicles on the street because the continuous center turn lane would reduce stacking of idling vehicles behind other vehicles that are stopped and waiting to turn onto side streets or driveways in the existing through lanes. Additionally, the center turn lane provides safe refuge safety for those drivers waiting on gaps to make their turns, reducing rear-ender and improper passing crashes. Air quality would be improved by reducing vehicle miles traveled from use of the on-street bike lanes and the new sidewalk giving people options to walk or cycle instead of driving.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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35th Street lies within existing right-of-way originally planned for minor arterial cross-section; therefore, adequate right-of-way is in place. Minimal environmental impacts are anticipated for construction, including minor grading and removal of existing turf-sodded areas. Efforts will be made to design the project to minimize land disturbance activities, to provide adequate temporary erosion control measures during construction, and to re-vegetate all disturbed areas following construction of the widened roadway and sidewalk on one side.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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Street trees would be planted where restoration makes sense and existing trees along with other environmental assets would be preserved as much as possible. Roadway drainage systems will be designed and built as part of the 35th Street project and would be done with sensitivity toward any environmental assets within the watershed.Street trees would be planted where restoration makes sense and existing trees along with other environmental assets would be preserved as much as possible. Roadway drainage systems will be designed and built as part of the 35th Street project and would be done with sensitivity toward any environmental assets within the watershed. Stormwater quality best management practices will be evaluated for implementation along the corridor such as bioswales and native plantings.
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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35th Street is categorized as minor arterial on the Citys adopted thoroughfare plan. 35th Street improvements is one of the projects listed for street sales tax funding through that program.
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G30.1 Complies with MARC’s CSP?
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Yes
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G30.2 Exception to the MARC CSP?
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No
The project will fully comply with the Complete Streets Policy. Design guidelines will be based on American Public Works Association standards, MoDOT standards, and MSHTO guidelines. The 35th Street project promotes walkability via connection to existing sidewalks along Sterling Ave and along Crysler Ave. Use of public transit is promoted by creating better pedestrian/cyclist access to the existing bus route along Sterling Ave. Cyclists would have dedicated on-street bike lanes from Sterling Ave. to just west of Noland Road. People from the surrounding neighborhoods would be able to safely walk or cycle to the Firehouse Park or the commercial areas on Sterling Ave.
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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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