Burlington Walk-Bike Council

AGENDA - Burlington Walk / Bike Council August 3, 2022, Wednesday 6:00 – 7:00 pm MEETING OPTIONS: 1. In-person - DPW conference room at 645 Pine Street, Burlington 2. Virtually - using Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88225473951?pwd=YzFFQ1Q3Y3J4bzcwR2VNYWRFWnhtUT09 Passcode: 091788 (See other remote access options below) AGENDA: 1. Introductions, Announcements, Updates and Public Comments (15 min) 2. DPW Updates on Key Projects (45 min) Laura Wheelock P.E. and other DPW staff members will provide updates on several important transportation initiatives such as the city-wide sidewalk survey, Main Street Great Streets design, the Railyard Enterprise Project, and an overview of up-coming Federal transportation funding opportunities. Previous Meeting – At the meeting on June 1 next steps on the status report for Walk Bike Plan were discussed, along with plans for an event with UVM students on 9/22/22 - World Car Free Day, and BWBC organizational structure. Next Month: BWBC Meets Wednesday, September 7, 2022, 6:00 – 7:00 pm The BWBC is an all-volunteer advisory council to the City of Burlington. We work closely with and advise the Department of Public Works and the Department of Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront on infrastructure improvements and policy changes for walking and bicycling. The council also leads advocacy efforts and organizes events and activities that promote and celebrate walking and biking in Burlington and beyond. See www.burlingtonwalkbike.org (under construction) and BWBC Minutes and Agendas . BWBC Community Liaisons Erik Brown Brotz*, Ward 5, erik@burlingtontelecom.net, Chair Greg Hostetler, Ward 2 Faith Ingulsrud*, Ward 6 Peter Keating, Ward 6 Justine Sears, Ward 3 Karen Sentoff, Ward 4 Jason Stuffle*, Ward 1 Kerry Swift, Ward 4 Allegra Williams, Ward 3 * = BWBC Coordinating Committee Remote access options for non-ZOOM participation: Phone one-tap : US: +13017158592,,88225473951#,,,,,,0#,,091788# or 13126266799,,88225473951#,,,,,,0#,,091788#. Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 882 2547 3951 Passcode: 091788. International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdoOfuotqF  DPW Project Updates Burlington Walk/Bike Council August 3, 2022 BWBC - August 2022 1 Sidewalk Reconstruction Under Sustainable Infrastructure Plan Historic Sidewalk Work Since 2017 Sidewalk Progress Since Bond Passage in 2016 4 3.77 3.39 3.5 3 3.06 3 2.86 2.8 2.5 Miles 2 1.5 1 1 0.5 0 Pre-Bond 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Average Projected • 15.82 miles of sidewalk replaced since passage of 2016 Bond (not including 2022). • Sidewalk network is 130 miles. • Current trajectory keeps us on the 40 year replacement cycle. BWBC - August 2022 2 Sidewalk Inventory Scoring Sidewalk Condition Index = Barrier Score + Activity/Equity Score Combines deficiencies of a sidewalk section with the anticipated usage by pedestrians Barrier Score = Raw Condition of a Sidewalk Panel Barrier Score by Block Group Lowest 2014 Barrier Score 2022 Barrier Score Barrier Factors Factors • • Highest Heaving Heaving Barrier • Cross Slope • Cross Slope • Running Slope • Running Slope • Puddling • Puddling • Roughness • Gapping BWBC - August 2022 3 Barrier Scores Good Satisfactory Poor Serious 2021 Good 51.9 miles Satisfactory 58.8 miles Poor 19.2 miles Serious 3.2 miles Average Score Satisfactory BWBC - August 2022 4 Sidewalk Inventory Scoring Activity & Equity Score – Anticipated Potential for Pedestrian Use Adapted to City’s current transportation goals in recognition of current communities. Activity/Equity Score By Block Group Added criteria shown in red. Lowest 2022 Activity/Equity Score (with room to expand) Activity • Transit Stops • School Proximity Highest • Activity Park Proximity • City Attraction • Pedestrian Generator • Senior, Community, Medical, or Employment Center • Downtown District • Mobility Challenges • Age and neurodiverse populations • High Minority Population • High Low Income Population • High No Vehicle Households BWBC - August 2022 5 New Sidewalk • Prioritized by: • Activity/Equity score • No sidewalk on either side of street • Funded through State/Federal grants • Past: Cliff St, Flynn Ave, Colchester Ave, Saratoga Ave • Current: Intervale Road Bike/Ped facility awarded $1.1M grant. [Est Construction 2026] BWBC - August 2022 6 Quick Build Projects • Colchester & Chase curb extensions with new paint and bollards • Intervale & Oak curb extensions with paint, bollards, and planters • Intervale & Archibald curb extensions with paint, bollards, and planters BWBC - August 2022 7 Old North End Greenway Mansfield & Loomis • Quick build conversion to permanent installation • Design is underway, includes stormwater treatment • Construction anticipated in 2023 or 2024 Quick Build Permanent Installation BWBC - August 2022 8 Traffic Calming Program Learn more about DPW's Traffic Calming Program: burlingtonvt.gov/dpw/TrafficCalming • Bright Street – August • Scarff Ave – September • East Ave – Next Construction Season BWBC - August 2022 9 North Champlain St 2-way Protected Bike Lane Spring 2023 construction BWBC - August 2022 10 Railyard Enterprise Project New roadway connecting Pine Street to Battery Street Received Federal and State grant funds Public Engagement slated to begin this fall to introduce preferred alternative Ongoing conversations with stakeholders – businesses, property owners, railroad For more information visit www.railyardenterprise.com BWBC - August 2022 11  Railyard Enterprise Project 12 BWBC - August 2022  Great Streets – Main Street BWBC - August 2022 13  Great Streets – Main Street • Timeline • Conceptual Plans complete August 2022 • Preliminary Plans September – December 2022 • Continued public engagement + focus groups • Final Plans January – Spring 2022 • Construction September 2023 14 BWBC - August 2022  Burlington Walk Bike Council (BWBC) August 3, 2022 Meeting Notes The Monthly Meeting took place 6:00- 7:00 pm via Zoom and at DPW Office. In-Person Attendees: Isaac Padberg, Geoffrey DeSena, Scott Luria, Faith Ingulsrud (Ward 6), and Laura Wheelock, Julia Ursaki, and Olivia Darisse from DPW. Online Attendees: Jason Stuffle (Ward 1), Karen Sentoff (Ward 4), Jonathan Weber (Local Motion), and Grey Johnson. 1. Introductions, Announcements and Public Comments Faith Ingulsrud opened the meeting on behalf of BWBC chair, Erik Brotz. She announced that plans for a Car Free Day event on 9/22/22, are falling into place. The event will be targeted to UVM and Champlain College students, but open to all, and take place from 3:30 - 5 PM at City Hall Park. In response to a question about DPW response to the neighborhood concerns about speeding on Prospect Parkway, Laura said that flashing feedback signs will be installed as soon as a software problem is fixed. There will also be a flashing sign installed on Willard. 2. DPW Updates on Key Projects DPW staff presented summaries on the status of the following projects. Their presentation will be posted with the minutes on this webpage. Sidewalk Inventory - Laura Wheelock P.E. explained the background for the 2022 sidewalk inventory and the criteria used to identify which sidewalk segments should have priority for reconstruction. These factors were shown on the presentation along with maps showing relevant sidewalk segments. This led to a discussion about how to measure the criticality of certain routes, as a factor in decision making. Jason asked about the Winooski Bridge sidewalk which is the only pedestrian-bike route across the river and in dangerous condition but not shown on any of the maps for the study. Laura thanked him for raising the issue and said the city has applied for a Federal grant to replace the bridge and is waiting to hear if it is successful. Jason suggested that they make some temporary repairs ASAP since even with funding, it will take years to complete bridge reconstruction. Julia Ursaki P.E. gave the following updates: Quik Build Projects ● Colchester and Chase bump-out - got repainted today - adding paint and bollards soon. ● Intervale and Oak, Intervale and Archibald – quick build extension this year ● The Old North End Greenway (Wiggle) - converted the quick build to permanent changes in the streets, collaborating with the stormwater division. Traffic Calming Projects ● Bright Street and Scarff Avenue will be done this year. ● East Ave traffic calming will take place during the 2023 construction season ● Birchcliff was delayed until next spring. North Champlain Street will have 2-way protected bike lanes. Main Street Great Streets Project - Olivia Darisse P.E. explained the the project is on track for construction starting in September 2023. See details: http://greatstreetsbtv.com/main-street. Railyard Enterprise Project - Laura provided the following outline of where things are at with connecting Battery St to Pine Street through the railyard, and invited those interested to follow progress on: www.railyardenterprise.com. ● Meeting with landowners and assessing the feasibility of three alternative routes proposed in a 2016 study. ● A preferred alternative is due to be chosen by September this year ● There will be continued work after that to determine the best kind of intersection at Pine Street. In response to questions about railyard project, Laura explained: ● The railyard project is currently on a separate track from the Champlain Parkway project, but the parkway cannot be connected to I-189 until the issue of how it will connect with Battery Street is resolved. ● There can be no connection of the Parkway to the Railyard through the Barge Canal so Pine Street must serve as the connector. ● In regards to reducing vehicle demand on the corridor, questions were raised about the new train station and Laura said there will be a new intermodal bus serving the AmTrak station as well as new GMT connections. ● Also, the Battery Street Corridor Project will take place soon, considering bike and pedestrian connectivity in that area. University Place - Construction is underway and due to be completed next year, with street narrowing, buffered bike lanes and pedestrian crossing plaza as well as other improvements. After a short discussion about the relatively few east-west streets with bike lanes, Faith closed the meeting shortly after 7 PM.