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G8.1 Project title:
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Truman and Winner Intersection Safety Improvement Project
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G8.2 Project description: |
The Truman and Winner project is a transportation safety infrastructure project located in western Independence. The project goal is to improve the pedestrian, bike, vehicular and bus traffic around Van Horn High School which sits on the NE corner of the intersection. The project will remove an existing median and realign skewed intersections on Winner Rd. Currently buses stage Truman Rd and students dart into traffic from between the buses. The loading zones will move to Winner and the exits north of the school will be improved as well as pedestrian crossings serving the nearby transit stop. The project will also improve access to a nearby apartment complex and to adjacent underutilized commercial properties to create a stronger, denser activity center within the surrounding environmental justice tract. As the eastern terminus of the 2014 Truman Road Green Gateway Plan, a PSP project, landscaping, greenspace, multimodal, and beautification are all part of the plan.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Kati Horner P.E. City Engineer
City of Independence Public Works Department
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: |
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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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Yes
The Independence School District will have to realign the drives and bus loading and parking areas to match the new plan. They have approved of this concept. See attached letter of support.
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G8.4 Purpose and need:
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The project will implement the Truman Road Green Gateway Plan, a PSP project on the eastern end of the plan corridor, including Van Horn High School. The existing street design negatively impacts pedestrian and vehicular flow, resulting in safety issues, especially for student pedestrians and drivers. Exiting school buses require police to halt traffic on Winner Rd to allow buses to exit school property due to a misaligned median. The project will remove this obstacle and result in a smoother transition during peak times. Truman Road, a state highway/minor arterial carrying notable truck traffic, intersects with pedestrian crossings at mid-block points, resulting in safety concerns. The project shifts pedestrian, bus, and student pickup activity to Winner Rd and onto school property. The design encourages pedestrians to use signalized crosswalks at the intersection, improves access to transit, and creates safer driving movements for motorists, including the schools young drivers.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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Winner Road
Truman Road
Arlington Ave Spur
.5 miles (one half mile)
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G10. Functional Classification:
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Collector
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G11. In Transportation Outlook 2040?
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Yes
Decade:
2020
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G12. Muli-Agency Plan?
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Yes
This is part of project 372 in the Transportation Outlook 2040 Update and is the first step in implementing the Planning Sustainable Places corridor plan called the Truman Road Green Gateway Plan of 2014. The TRGG Plan was a cooperative effort between Jackson County, Missouri and the City of Independence, Missouri. The proposed project centers on the eastern terminus of TRGG plan at the Truman and Winner Road intersection which is entirely within the City of Independence. A future phase in unincorporated Jackson County to the west would be completed by the County. The Independence School District is also included in and supportive of the plan.
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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Yes
This project is listed in our current 2018-2024 Capital Improvement Plan and is anticipated to be scheduled in fiscal year 2021 in the Public Works Department schedule of projects.
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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
Van Horn High School was integrated into the Independence School District in 2008. Since that time considerable investment by the School District and the City has occurred to address the needs of the schools incorporated into the school district to bring them to the same standards of all schools existing in the District. Investments related to sidewalks to schools, water, stormwater, and sanitary sewer projects continue to occur as a means of support for the neighborhoods in western Independence. These investments have led to a more connected and vibrant area. This project will continue to improve transportation choices and safety for all people while giving a better opportunity for residents to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Loading and unloading of buses will be relocated off the state highway, impacting ease of use for young drivers coming to and from the school each day.
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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The Truman and Winner project will have a positive impact on the disadvantaged
populations in the surrounding area by providing a safe travel environment for
students, parents, bus drivers, and the general public accessing Van Horn High
School or traveling on the adjacent streets. Disadvantaged populations are
prevalent in the Truman and Winner project area. Approximately 5.2% of households in the area have no vehicle, double the regional level; students travel to school either as pedestrians, on a school bus, or a few are driven by a parent. The area has a Hispanic population that is double that of the KC Metro area. The poverty rate is double that of metro area with 24.5% of households in this category. The area north of Truman Road has a poverty rate between 30% and 37%. The most northern area is nearly triple the regional poverty rate. The median household income is approximately $32,400, or two-thirds of the metro area. Median income ranges from $23,000 to $40,700. Household income is distributed to the lower income levels with more than 21% of households in the $10,000 to $20,000 level(See Exhibit A, attached). Higher income levels have progressively fewer households in each income category.
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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 funding. Seven public engagement events took place to connect the public with the Truman and Winner project. Events began in the summer of 2015 with a community stakeholder meeting followed by six subsequent events focusing on the Independence School District, parents groups associated with area schools (elementary, middle and secondary) plus several other meetings with the Truman Gateway Committee, a property and business group in the area. The focus of the public engagement strategy was Van Horn High School. Presentations and discussions were made with different parent groups and the Van Horn High School Student Council. It was our intent to involve the students as much as possible as a way to engage their parents and neighbors and build a connection with the school and school district. The most successful engagement event took place at an evening when the high school hosted three basketball games with students, parents, and other stakeholders in attendance. This event provided the most diverse group of participants from a part of Independence that has some of the lowest incomes and high minority populations. The final presentation took place at the Van Horn Student Council meeting and was the second meeting with the Student Council. Members of the steering committee, business community, parents, City Council and Planning Commission members attended along with about 35 students. The events with the students resulted in articulate and insightful comments and suggestions.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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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. The public engagement plan is to continue with and expand the strategy used with the Truman and Winner project to date. The intent is to identify locations and events that allow outreach to the community by tagging along to other events where residents have other compelling reasons to be there. We are confident weve identified some very good connections with the Truman and Winner neighborhoods and will build upon that and make it more robust and meaningful to the residents.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----Active Transportation/Living---Age in Place---Compact, Walkable Centers---
Complete Street Design---Connected Street Network-----------
----Green Infrastructure-------Integrated Trail System---
------------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
----Repair Strip Corridors-----------
Transit-Ready Corridors----Unique Community Characteristics
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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The Truman & Winner project coordinates many aspects of active transportation criteria by investing in bike, pedestrian, and transit infrastructure at a recognized activity center including Van Horn High School and nearby underutilized commercial properties, allowing residents to access their destinations in a safe, convenient manner. Encouraging use of alternative transportation modes will reduce negative environmental impacts and improve system performance by reducing traffic. This project is the first phase of a commercial center redevelopment effort including a mix of uses connecting residents to education, businesses, services and a trail network, all within a complete streets context. This project supports an existing transit corridor and consequently provides connected transportation options to residents and improving the quality of life for the non-driving population, further allowing residents in adjacent neighborhoods to age in place.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
The Truman and Winner project supports concepts of PSP and CSP by addressing low-income area safety issues, reinvestment in an older part of the community with an identified activity center, transportation choices for residents through a complete streets strategy that encourages a healthier lifestyle for residents by designing the street for many transportation modes (pedestrian, bicycle, transit and vehicles). One outcome of the project is to encourage students of Van Horn High School to walk to school by providing a connected and safe pedestrian environment. The project is the baseline for the future vibrancy of the remaining three corners of the activity center. Partnerships with the Independence School District, Van Horn High School, parent groups and area stakeholders (business & property owners) were solidified through the PSP process. Recently the City has constructed several sanitary, storm and street projects in the area indicating support for northwest Independence.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
High-Intensity and More_Walkable Centers
The Truman and Winner project area is at the intersection of an identified activity center. The project includes many elements of TO2040 by investing and enhancing the already busy intersection of State Hwy 12 (Truman Rd.) and Winner Road, a major collector street. When fully developed the three remaining quadrants (the first quadrant encompasses Van Horn High School) will include local commercial businesses, medium density housing, local services, and employment. The focus on reconstructing the drive lanes by removing the median and adding wider bike/ped areas will support a healthy vibrant lifestyle and provide a better functioning, connected, and more attractive intersection for the residents of these neighborhoods.
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G25. Environmental justice tracts?
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Yes
The majority of the project area is located north of Truman Rd. and is entirely
within an environmental justice (EJ) tract. The area south of Truman Rd. is just
outside an EJ tract, however this is the location of the transit stop where we
anticipate enhancements with furniture and shelters.
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G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
Completing the Truman and Winner Rd. project will reduce congestion along Winner
Road at peak travel time when school buses, public transit buses, automobiles, and pedestrians arrive and depart Van Horn High School. As such, greenhouse gases will be reduced due to fewer vehicles idling as they attempt to negotiate the current road design. Air quality will be improved with more attractive bike/pedestrian facilities as well as providing safer access to the nearby transit stop. Through the provision of safer pedestrian and bike facilities as well as access to transit stops, travelers will be encouraged to use alternative transportation choices, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and subsequent emissions.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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The Natural Resource Inventory indicates impervious surface for the roadways and
adjacent areas as herbaceous, shrubs, barren and existing buildings. The
project increases total greenspace by removing a median from Winner Rd. and adding bicycle lanes, pedestrian facilities, greenspace, and street trees to both sides of the roadway. The net change will be more greenspace overall. The overall plan for the PSP Truman Green Gateway Plan of 2014, of which the Truman and Winner project is part, will increase greenspace wherever possible. The project will also evaluate potential stormwater BMPs such as native plantings, bioswales, and other implementations that will improve water quality and reduce runoff from this long-established area that was developed with minimal stormwater runoff requirements. The implementation of the BMPs can be maintained in partnership with the school district Academies which focus on career development tracks and can be used as a joint-effort learning lab.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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The Natural Resource Inventory indicates impervious surface for the roadways and
adjacent areas are herbaceous, shrubs, barren and existing buildings. The
project increases greenspace by removing a median from Winner Rd. and adding bicycle lanes, pedestrian facilities, greenspace, and street trees to both sides of the roadway. The net change will be more greenspace overall. The overall plan for the PSP Truman Green Gateway Plan of 2014, of which the Truman and Winner project is part, will increase greenspace wherever possible. The project will also evaluate potential stormwater BMPs such as native plantings, bioswales, and other implementations that will improve water quality and reduce runoff from this long-established area that was developed with minimal stormwater runoff requirements. The implementation of these BMPs can be maintained in partnership with the school districts Academies which focus on career development tracks and can be used as a joint-effort learning lab.
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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Truman Road (Minor Arterial) and Winner Road (Major Collector) are part of the Citys adopted Thoroughfare Plan (an amendment to the Citys Comprehensive Street Plan approved in 2007). An update to the Plan is in progress and there are no plans to modify the roadway classifications.
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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 MARC Complete Streets Policy. The design
guidelines will be based upon American Public Works Association standards,
MoDOT standards and AASHTO guidelines. To the extent possible, the project will repurpose street and shoulder pavement. The project will have a beautification component including street trees, street furniture, and other amenities to create a more vibrant atmosphere serving multi-modal users in the corridor.
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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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We welcome your feedback on this. Comments from the public will be shared with project
sponsors and the evaluating committee. If you wish to be contacted directly about
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