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G8.1 Project title:
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Withers & Holt Traffic Signal
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G8.2 Project description: |
The scope of the project is to upgrade a 4-way stop controlled intersection with a traffic signal. Goal is to alleviate heavy peak hour school and community center traffic delay and provide options for non-vehicular modes of transportation. Traffic signals will include options for disadvantaged population.
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G8.3 Project contact: |
Ben McCabe, P.E.
Assistant Director of Public Works
816-439-4502
101 E. Kansas
Liberty, MO 64068
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G1. Project Type: |
Road & Bridge - Traffic Flow
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G2. Funding Stream: |
CMAQ
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G3. TIP Number: |
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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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The intersection has a 4-lane roadway N/S and 3-lane roadways E/W controlled with a 4-way stop situation. The west leg provides access to the Community Center and a middle school. During peak periods traffic backs up entering and exiting these facilities. The amount of vehicular traffic and pour LOS impacts traffic flow on Withers Road and discourages non-motorized access. A traffic signal is needed to provide a higher LOS to vehicles at the intersection while providing better accessibility options to pedestrians and disadvantage population.
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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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Yes
Multiple agencies are driving the need for this project. The agencies include the Liberty School District, Liberty Police Department, and Liberty Parks and Recreation.
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G13. Included in a CIP?
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No
Liberty only places projects on the Capital Improvements Plan when funding is identified. Elected and unelected officials are award of the need for the project and, if awarded CMAQ funding assistance, the project will be added to the 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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No
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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. Curb ramps dont meet ADA requirements and people must negotiate across several lanes of traffic. The 4-way stop control situation creates confusion during periods of heavy traffic which makes pedestrian crosswalks challenging and hazardous. There is no audible warning to assist hearing impaired individuals. With the Community Center and middle school located just to the west of the intersection, improvements need to be made to provide pedestrians and disadvantaged population access to these activity center 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. Parents of students have also voiced concerns through the school district. The use of various public feedback 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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If awarded funding for the project public engagement will use social media, website, and other forms of communication. Public meetings and flyers will be utilized to garner public input. The Community Center and middle school activity centers provide an excellent location for meetings and distribution of materials.
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G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
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----Active Transportation/Living---Age in Place---Compact, Walkable Centers---
Complete Street Design-------Context Appropriate Streets-------
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Mixed-Density Neighborhoods-----------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
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-----Unique Community Characteristics
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G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
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The Community Center and middle school are located directly west of the project. Traffic flow and non-motorized forms of transportation are limited due to the under-performing 4-way stop control at the intersection. As the South Liberty Parkway connecting I-35 to 291 is completed, additional traffic will utilized Withers Road. With sidewalks and trees currently on either side of Withers, the complete street concept is met. Installing a traffic signal at the intersection completes the street/pedestrian concept in the area allow surrounding residential residents non-motorized access to the activity centers.
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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 could access the Community Center and middle school activity centers if safety could be improved. As activity increases the barriers and limitations that 4-way stop controlled intersection represents is becoming more apparent, particularly for those desiring to cross from one side of Wither Road to the other. Public Works has received numerous requests to address the issue.
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G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
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Yes
Less-Intense and Less-Walkable Centers
Heavy traffic volumes and multiple lanes of traffic at a 4-way stop controlled intersection impacts traffic flow and disincentivizes non-vehicular modes of transportation. As development occurs along Withers Road, issues at the intersection will grow. With the intersection serving a school and community center, restrictions to non-vehicular traffic has a large impact on the community. The project removes the restriction and has a net positive impact on a large segment of the community accessing the activity centers.
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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 4-way stop controlled intersection operates inefficiently during periods of high traffic movements. Traffic progression through the intersection is slow resulting in long traffic queues during peak periods. The stop and go conditions creates driver anxiety and uses carbon based fuels inefficiently. A common occurrence is for vehicles to work through the intersection for 15 minutes before passing through the intersection. Traffic analysis suggests a signal would provide a much higher LOS. A significant reduction in idling and stop and go movements 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 Withers and Holt more 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.
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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.
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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 enhancing currently very limiting accommodations to non-vehicular transportation alternatives. City must 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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