Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-Committee

City Hall City of Harrisonburg 409 South Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Meeting Minutes - Final Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub-Committee Marci Frederick Jessica Pyle Benjamin Craig Jenny Toth Dudley Bonsal Monday, August 2, 2021 6:00 PM Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center 1. Welcome and Introductions The Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee meeting on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 6:00pm was held at Lucy Simms Continuing Education Center. The meeting was streamed live on the Public Works Facebook page. Members of the public were also given the opportunity to provide comments on the items discussed by phone or e-mail prior to the meeting. Mr. zumFelde opened the meeting and asked everyone to introduce themselves. Those present were the following. Subcommittee members: Marci Frederick, Jessica Pyle, Dudley Bonsal, Ben Craig, Jenny Toth Staff: Tom Hartman (Public Works), Erin Yancey (Public Works), Jakob zumFelde (Public Works), Kelly Adams (Public Works) Other attendees: Kyle Lawrence (Transportation Safety & Advisory Commission chair) 2. N. Liberty St reconfiguration between Rock St and Gay St Mr. zumFelde said that the reconfiguration of N. Liberty St between Rock St and Gay St has been completed, with the majority of the pedestrian improvements also being completed as discussed at previous meetings. Mr. zumFelde said that Public Works has heard considerable concern from people who had previous biked northbound on this block of Liberty St and can no longer do so. He provided information about the concerns that have been expressed and the reality that alternative routes are not as safe or desirable for people biking. He provided some data regarding the number of people biking at the Rock St & Liberty St intersection. He then indicated a few City of Harrisonburg Page 1 Printed on 9/29/2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Meeting Minutes - Final August 2, 2021 Sub-Committee alternatives for improving safety for people biking in this area. He showed a diagram with information about one potential alternative, which would create a contra-flow bike lane in the space between the existing parking lanes. He indicated that this bike lane would be created with a green color to draw attention to the bike lane. Mr. Bonsal asked if the bike lane could be created adjacent to the curb, with the parking lane protecting the bike lane from vehicles. Mr. zumFelde and Mr. Hartman said that this would not leave 20 feet between vehicles, which is necessary for emergency response by the Fire Department. Ms. Pyle expressed concern that drivers exiting the parking lane through the bike lane will not look forward and see oncoming bicycles. She asked if a path could be created to replace the sidewalk along this segment. Mr. Hartman said that there could be grade challenges to construct this, and that construction would be quite costly and would have significant business impact. Mr. zumFelde said that he understands Ms. Pyle’s concerns about this configuration being new and potentially confusing to both drivers and cyclists. He noted that the configuration is designed based on guidance in the NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials) Bicycle guide, so there is precedent for the design. He also mentioned that there will be a 4-foot wide buffer between the bike lane and the parked vehicles. Mr. Lawrence said that he has been contacted by a large number of people who bike and who have expressed concern about no longer being able to bike northbound on Liberty St, as they have said that their alternative routes are not as safe. Mr. Lawrence said that he thought the contra-flow bike lane would address these concerns. 3. Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant application Mr. zumFelde provided an overview of the Recreational Trails Program grant program, through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreational. He said that staff submitted an application for a segment of the Northend Greenway, which would connect Jefferson St to Drake Ln. 4. Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant applications Mr. zumFelde provided an overview of the Transportation Alternatives Program grants, through the Virginia Department of Transportation. He said that staff have submitted pre-applications for review by VDOT, with costs and other aspects of the project still being finalized before the October 1 full City of Harrisonburg Page 2 Printed on 9/29/2021 Bicycle and Pedestrian Meeting Minutes - Final August 2, 2021 Sub-Committee application deadline. He said that a TAP pre-application was submitted for the Northend Greenway segment between Jefferson St and Roberts Ct. He said that a second TAP pre-application was submitted for a project to construct a sidewalk along the south side of Country Club Rd between Spotswood Homes Trailer Park and Linda Ln. Staff and the Subcommittee members noted that there is high need for this project, given the number of students who live in the trailer park community and go to the nearby schools. There was additional discussion about future improvements along Country Club Rd. Mr. zumFelde told the Subcommittee that Safe Routes to School (SRTS) “non-infrastructure” funding is now also through the TAP program. He said that a pre-application was submitted by Harrisonburg City Public Schools, in coordination with Public Works staff, to fund continuation of the existing SRTS Coordinator position and activities. Finally, he said a pre-application was submitted for the Bluestone Trail extension from Stone Spring Rd to Ramblewood Park. He said this is unlikely to be submitted as a full application, given the cost of the project and the lack of local match money available at this time. 5. Project Updates - see attachment Mr. Hartman said that staff have received many good comments about the addition of pedestrian signals at Liberty St & Bruce St downtown. Mr. Hartman provided updates on the Garbers Church Rd Shared Use Path and said that construction is anticipated to still be completed by the end of the year. Mr. Lawrence asked if the path connection between Ohio Ave and the Cale Trail is still possible. Mr. zumFelde explained the demand for this path connection, along the edge of Westover Park, to the Subcommittee and said that staff are working with staff in the Parks and Recreation Department to discuss coordination of the potential path with the disc golf course. 6. Other Business/Announcements Mr. zumFelde said that the plan is to continue meeting in-person at the Lucy Simms Center and that additional technical improvements will be added for future meetings there. Adjournment City of Harrisonburg Page 3 Printed on 9/29/2021