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G8.1 Project title:
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Mill & Lightburne Intersection Improvements
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G8.2 Project description: |
The goal of this project is to increase the safety and operations at the signalized intersection of Mill Street and Lightburne Street for vehicular and non-vehicular modes of travel.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Ben McCabe, P.E.
Assistant Director of Public Works - City of Liberty, MO
101 E. Kansas
Liberty, MO 64068
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G1. Project Type: |
Other CMAQ
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G2. Funding Stream: |
CMAQ
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G3. TIP Number: |
N/A
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G4. State: |
Missouri
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G5. Project county: |
1. Clay
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G6. Project municipality: |
1. Liberty
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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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Both Lightburne and Mill Streets are former MoDOT routes that have been absorbed into the city roadway network. The intersection provides access to the nearby Clay County seat, Liberty City Hall, and the historic downtown Liberty Square. The traffic signal operates with inefficient split phasing for east/west traffic, and protected only left-turn phasing for north/south traffic. Further complications include skewed geometry and an at-grade rail crossing at the south leg of the intersection. Pedestrians travel through the intersection even though crosswalks are not provided on all approaches. Mill Street has also been identified as a route for a future greenway trail in the Liberty Trails and Greenways Plan, highlighting the need for pedestrian accommodations. Lastly, Lightburne Street provides an important connection between 291 Highway and 69 Highway to the north as approximately 80% of traffic on Lightburne uses the roadway for connectivity reasons rather than destinations.
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G9. Origin and ending
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Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
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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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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
The City of Liberty has several master planning documenting the need to make improvements at the intersection of Mill and Lightburne. The Mill Street Plan from 2001 recommends a roundabout at the intersection. The Jewell Neighborhood Action Plan identifies the need for pedestrian access limitations across Lightburne and Mill Streets. Recently, TranSystems is completing a study of the Mill and Lightburne intersection to review options.
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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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--Select--
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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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No
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G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
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The intersection currently is not set up for disadvantaged populations. Crosswalks are missing on many of the road legs, curb ramps are not ADA compliant, and crosswalk indicators do not serve visually impaired residents. With City of Liberty and Clay County public facilities located just to the northwest of the intersection, improvements need to be made to provide disadvantaged population access to these facilities.
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G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
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Public input from social media, phone calls, emails, and employee observations have identified the need for this project. The use of these tools allows the disadvantaged population with opportunities to provide input and feedback. Additionally, the City of Liberty employs two full-time Public Information Officers who oversee public engagement for all city departments.
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G21. Planned Public Engagement:
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As the project progresses forward, public engagement opportunities will continue to be provided through social media and web tools via the Citys Public Information Officers. Social media tools will include Facebook and Twitter. There will also be feedback opportunities at City Council Meetings as consultant and contractor items are brought forth for approval.
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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---Context Appropriate Streets---Diverse Housing Types---
------------Integrated Trail System---
Mixed-Density Neighborhoods-------Optimize Parking---Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
------------Strong Suburban Downtown---
-----Unique Community Characteristics
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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The Clay County seat, Liberty City Hall, and other gov facilities are located directly NW of the project. Liberty recently completed a large project to improve the downtown square which included more accessibility for all modes of transportation. William Jewell college in located just to the east. There are also many historic homes, apartments, and various other housing choice options located in the downtown Liberty area. The net result of existing facilities, college, historic homes, and City of Liberty investments in public infrastructure is the achievement of many of the sustainable places criteria. The signalized intersection of Lightburne and Mill is a major connection point for both vehicles and pedestrians. This connection point serves both local and non-local traffic. The intersection performs poorly during peak periods for vehicular traffic and presents a barrier for pedestrian and disadvantaged populations. Consequently, improvements to the intersection are necessary.
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G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
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Yes
A high amount of pedestrians, exercise enthusiasts, disadvantaged populations, and vehicles access the area the downtown area daily. As activity increases the barriers and limitations that Mill and Lightburne Streets represent are becoming more apparent, particularly for those desiring to cross from the east side of Lightburne and the south side of Mill. Public Works has received numerous requests to address the issue and non-motorized access has been identified as a shortcoming in many city planning documents. As Mill Street is on the Greenways Plan, the long-term plan is to construct a pedestrian friendly intersection at Mill and Lightburne combined with a road diet west of intersection on Mill Street. This will allow for the construction of a trail (on the Greenways Plan) along Mill Street and create better non-motorized crossing opportunities.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
Highest-Intensity and Most-Walkable Centers
Mill and Lightburne Streets represent barriers to high intensity and walkable centers. Specifically, historic homes and William Jewell College on the east side of Lightburne and public parking, businesses, and historic homes on the south side of Mill have challenges from a non-motorized perspective when accessing the downtown area. Accommodations to the traffic signal at Lightburne and Mill represents a big step is overcoming this challenge. Libertys future plans include the possibility of constructing a trail along Mill Street by incorporating road diet strategies to the west of the Lightburne/Mill intersection.
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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
The traffic signal operates with inefficient split phasing for east/west traffic, and protected only left-turn phasing for north/south traffic. Traffic progression through the intersection is slow resulting in long traffic queues during peak periods. A common occurrence is for a vehicle to sit through several signal cycles before passing through the intersection. Traffic analysis indicates the signal currently operates at a LOS F and will operate at a LOS C by eliminating split phasing and allowing protected/permitted left turn movements. With the amount of truck traffic, a significant reduction in idling will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of carbon based fuels.
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G27. Natural Resource information:
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The Citys approach at natural resource conservation and restoration is two-fold. First is the reduction of the use of carbon based fuels by increasing traffic flow and reducing idling vehicles. Second is to promote non-motorized forms of transportation by making the intersection of Mill and Lightburne pedestrian friendly. This will provide a transportation option, reduce vehicles on the roadway, and provide for a more sustainable area; particularly for those wishing to make short trips. Future road diet considerations along Mill Street will further these goals.
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G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
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More traffic and idling vehicles leads to pollutants in the form of vehicle fluids. Rain events wash these pollutants into natural drainage ways. Reducing idle time and encouraging other forms of transportation has a net positive effect on the watershed from an environmental perspective.
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G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
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The City of Liberty Comprehensive Plan stresses the need to improve transportation routes accommodating non-motorized forms of transportation, accommodating mixed use, and complete street concepts - http://www.libertymissouri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2182. Libertys Mill Street Master Plan and Jewell Neighborhood Action Plan identify traffic shortcomings on Lightburne Street and the need to provide pedestrian connectivity across Mill and Lightburne Streets - http://www.libertymissouri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/23361 http://www.libertymissouri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1257
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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 intersection will be improved to better accommodate vehicles while adding currently non-existent accommodations to pedestrians, future trails, future road diet of Mill Street, and disadvantaged populations. The road diet application to Mill Street with a future project will fully take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Complete Streets Policy because the users and surrounding land uses will demand full implementation.
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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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