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G8.1 Project title:
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83rd Street Railroad Bridge Replacement and Sidewalk Upgrades
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G8.2 Project description: |
Replace the functionally obsolete and low load rating bridge over BNSF & US Army Railroad at the only grade separation for the north half of town. Would provide the only ADA accessible sidewalk across the RR and greatly improve walkability and safe pedestrian/bicycle path to the middle and high schools. The bridge is corroding, losing concrete, and the substandard barrier is failing; if not replaced, will require significant repairs and possible loss of east-west access for emergency vehicles.
Long range planning for De Soto includes a possible rail connection to future development at the old Sunflower Ammunition Plant. This bridge provides 18.5’ vertical clearance, compared to current 23.5’ standards. Providing 23.5’ clearance opens up the possibility of future passenger rail development through town. A new bridge provides pedestrian and ADA connection to the residential area west of 83rd St., continued safe passage of emergency vehicles, and pedestrian access to schools.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Mike D. Brungardt, P.E.
City Administrator, City Engineer
De Soto, KS
P.O. Box C
De Soto, Kansas 66018
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G1. Project Type: |
Road & Bridge - Bridge Replacement/Rehabilitation
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G2. Funding Stream: |
STP
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G3. TIP Number: |
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G4. State: |
Kansas
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G5. Project county: |
1. Johnson
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G6. Project municipality: |
1. DeSoto
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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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The purpose of the bridge replacement is to provide a safe pedestrian and bicycle facility across the RR. This crossing is the only bridge over the RR for the north half of the City and its sidewalk is crumbling, is less than 4’ wide, has steps at each end of the bridge and substandard vehicular and pedestrian rails.
The City needs a new bridge to provide an important connection from the residential area west of the tracks to the City’s downtown district east of the tracks. A new bridge also provides continued safe passage of emergency vehicles, which is currently in danger with the existing bridge. If the bridge is closed, emergency vehicles could get caught at one of the at-grade rail crossings.
The City also needs a bridge with 5’ more vertical clearance, to allow for future passenger rail through town.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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83rd St.
Sunset Dr.
Kickapoo St.
.15 miles
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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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No
Decade:
--Select--
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G12. Muli-Agency Plan?
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No
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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Yes
Replacement of the bridge with new ADA sidewalk and adequate vertical clearances are included in the Citys 5-year CIP.
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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
Long-term development planning goals include a future connection to the old Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant south of K-10. As the Plant is repurposed to new developable ground, providing a north-south connecting link to and from De Soto will be important.
This project would provide a bridge meeting current railroad clearance requirements, opening the door to potential future passenger rail activity.
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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Opening up pedestrian and bicycle access on 83rd between the City’s residential and commercial areas will benefit those unable to drive a vehicle or those who choose to use walking/bicycle facilities. The same is true for connecting school age people east of the tracks to the schools west of the tracks; this bridge would allow for safe passage before or after school when a bus and/or parent transportation is not available.
Accessible sidewalks will allow for disabled pedestrians to gain access to the downtown area east of 83rd and promote business.
It will also allow residents in zero-car households a route where travel is comfortable for pedestrians and bicycles.
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G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
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The public was invited to give feedback during the formulation of the City’s CIP in January 2018. Forums included a public workshop, online survey, and general City council sessions. Items that received strong support included the 83rd St. bridge replacement, as it will greatly improve pedestrian access.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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During the preliminary and final design of the project, public meetings will be held to gain insight from the public for specific needs and wants. Special consideration will be given to needs of disadvantaged populations, specifically the disabled and those without access to a vehicle.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----Active Transportation/Living-------Compact, Walkable Centers---
Complete Street Design---Connected Street Network---Context Appropriate Streets-------
----Green Infrastructure-------Integrated Trail System---
------------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
------------Strong Suburban Downtown---
Transit-Ready Corridors-----
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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New pedestrian and bicycle access will allow for an active mode of transportation and living, and connection from the neighborhoods west of the tracks to be connected to the services in the downtown district they need. This bridge provides the only grade separation crossing for the north half of town, providing an important connection for residents west of the tracks to the downtown district.
The new pedestrian and bicycle access will be coordinated to mesh with the roadway and bridge to create better access to more destinations, using different modes of transportation.
The new bridge will be constructed primarily from concrete, which uses reclaimed materials. The new bridge will also rid the area of the existing rusting bridge, keeping toxic chemicals from entering the water supply.
The new bridge also supports the long-term goal of north-south connectivity with the Sunflower Army Plan development to the south. Also serves the adjacent MetroGreen facility along 83rd St.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
The new bridge with added pedestrian and bicycle access directly supports the PSP initiative by connecting the residential areas west of the tracks to the downtown district east of the tracks with a variety of transportation modes: vehicular, pedestrian, bicycle.
The new bridge also allows for future north-south connectivity via passenger rail to future developments at the old Sunflower Army Ammunition plant. Also serves the adjacent MetroGreen facility along 83rd St.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
High-Intensity and More_Walkable Centers
The 83rd Street bridge replacement adds the only functional sidewalk and bicyclist facility to 83rd St., which would connect west side residential area to the activity center of downtown De Soto, including its businesses (restaurants, banks, retail, services), Johnson County Library, churches, and Post Office. There is currently not an accessible route from this activity center to the west side residential area.
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G25. Environmental justice tracts?
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No
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G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
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Yes
Creating accessible routes to the desired destinations will reduce vehicle miles traveled, thus reducing vehicle emissions. Removing the barriers of unsafe traveled ways for bicycles and pedestrians will increase the chances that a resident will choose a different mode of transportation with less carbon-based fuels.
With the existing bridge continuing to deteriorate, if not repaired or replaced, it will eventually be closed to traffic. This would require traffic to use the at-grade crossing instead, leading to more backup times and cars sitting and idling longer, adding to emissions.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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Through the course of bridge demolition, wasted concrete can be broken up and used as slope protection under the new bridge. This keeps heavy waste products out of our landfill and minimizes the need for new rock to be quarried for slope protection.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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De Soto’s Comprehensive Plan continually supports the concept of connectivity between population centers and retail and community activity centers.
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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 new 83rd St. bridge helps lower fossil fuel use by allowing more modes of transportation and helps economic vitality by connecting the residential area west of the tracks to the downtown business district. It also helps with transportation choices and transportation equity by allowing those not capable of operating a vehicle alternative means of transportation east to west thru De Soto.
Inherently, the addition of pedestrian and bicycle access helps public health and increases their safety and security. The new bridge will also be a system condition upgrade and enhance the system performance by eliminating the functionally obsolete bridge.
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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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Not Accommodated
Transit not currently available but will accommodate in the future
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Cars:
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Trucks:
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Motorcycles:
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Buses:
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Not Accommodated
Bus service not currently available but will accommodate in the future if available
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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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