City of Lawrence, Kansas
TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT
PROGRAM
FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007
Grant Application
Bicycle and Pedestrian CATEGORY
PROJECT:
Bob Billings Parkway from Kasold Road to Engel Road
October 2004
TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT
PROGRAM
FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007
Grant Application
Submitted by:
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The City of Lawrence, Kansas
And
The Lawrence/Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Office
PROJECT:
Recreational Path on Bob Billings Pkwy- Kasold Rd. to Engel Rd.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Transmittal Letters
2. Introduction
3. Application Form
4. Project Description
· Project Eligibility
· Project Description
· Detailed Cost Estimate
5. Supplemental Narrative
· Priority Factors
· Bicycle and Pedestrian Category Factors
6. Conclusion
7. Supporting Exhibits
1. Transmittal Letters
2. Introduction
Introduction
This application is submitted through the Lawrence/Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The application proposes the construction of a “RecPath”[1] designed to connect with the other existing bicycle paths, within the bicycle facilities network, in central Lawrence. The project is a 1.20-mile path that will connect with a future recreational path and an existing bike route. The location of the path will be on Bob Billings Pkwy between Kasold Road to the west and Engel Road to the east. This path will connect to the future recreational path on Kasold Road from Clinton Parkway to Bob Billings Pkwy. From that point, the path will head east connecting the bike route beginning at Engel Rd. and Bob Billings Pkwy (15th St). This project represents a significant piece of the ultimate bicycle network as shown in the “Planning Bikeway Map” of the Bicycle Work Program (BWP). This application is submitted under the Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities category of the TE Program.
This application represents the consolidated efforts of the Bicycle Coordinator (BC), the Bicycle Advisory Committee, and MPO to work with the public to address deficiencies in the existing bicycle and recreation path network and find creative and innovative solutions for them. This application has the support of all three major governing bodies concerned with Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues: the Bicycle Advisory Committee, the City of Lawrence City Commission, and the Lawrence/Douglas-County Metropolitan Planning Organization.
We are pleased to submit this application for FFY 2006 & 2007 Transportation Enhancement Funding. Lawrence is proud of its achievements in cycling, culminating with the resent redesignation of Bicycle Friendly Community status by the League of American Bicyclists this past October. Being the second Bicycle Friendly Community in Kansas and the 51st in the nation comes with a great sense of pride and responsibility. This application furthers the commitment of the City of Lawrence to enhancing the lives of its citizens by providing the best, safest recreation and travel opportunities available.
3. Application Form
Transportation Enhancement Project 
Application Form
Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007
PRIMARY CATEGORY: Bike/Ped Facilities DATE: 10-27-04
Sq. ft.
PROJECT acres
REQUESTOR: Bill Ahrens AREA/LENGTH: 1.20 miles
GOVERNMENT AGENCY: City of Lawrence COUNTY: Douglas
PROJECT LOCATION: Bob Billings Parkway-Kasold to Engel Roads
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Recreational Bike Path on the southside of Bob Billings Pkwy.
Current
COST ESTIMATE: 2004 Bill Ahrens
Cost Contact Person
Construction Cost: $335,000 Transportation Planner
Title
Right-of-Way Cost: $0
6 East 6th St.
Utility Adjustment Cost: $0 Street Address
Construction Engineering: $50,000 6 East 6th St.
Mailing Address
2004 TOTAL PROJECT COST: $385,000
Lawrence, KS 66044
Inflated TOTAL PROJECT COST: $428,505 Phone # 785-832-3155
Fax # 785-832-3160
% Federal Aid Requested: 80 %
email address: bahrens@ci.lawrence.ks.us
% Local Match* 20%
* Minimum of 20%
_____________________________
Signature of Contact Person
Please circle any secondary categories: Submit by November 8, 2004 to:
· Scenic & Environmental items Kansas Dept. of Transportation
Office of Engineering Support
· Pedestrian/Bicycle items 700 SW Harrison Street
Topeka, KS 66603-3754
· Historic items
4. Project Description
· Project Eligibility
· Project Description
· Detailed Cost Estimate
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY
The MPO endorsed this application on October 25, 2004. A letter of submittal concerning this application has been included on the front page of this application. Accompanying the MPO letter of submittal is a supplemental letter and resolution of support signed by the Mayor of Lawrence acting on behalf of the City Commissioners.
APPLICATION FORM
Project Location
The proposed projects are geographically located in the Central incorporated area of Lawrence, Kansas. The proposed project will begin at the intersection of Bob Billings Pkwy (15th St.) and Kasold Drive and would precede eastward on the southside of Bob Billings Pkwy, ending at Engel Road. Existing on the southside of Bob Billings is a linear strip of right-of-way that would allow a RecPath facility to connect the bike route on Engel Road.
Project Descriptions
X Bob Billings Recreational Path Description
This 1.20 mile multi-use path would connect to the existing bike route located on Engel Road. Providing this link would allow passage for those living in the residential area along Bob Billings Pkwy as well as patrons of the commercial shopping area at the corner of Kasold and Bob Billings. This route would also provide excellent travel option for the students, staff, and faculty of KU as major route onto campus. As the central area of Lawrence continues to grow, the need for bicycle and pedestrian facilities will also. This project would need to be coordinated with the proposed facilities along Kasold Drive between Clinton Pkwy and Bob Billings Pkwy.
The facility will not require additional right-of-way; however, pavement has to be installed. The facility will provide essential east – west movement in the central area of Lawrence. This improvement would provide immediate benefits to the bicycling community from both a safety and mobility perspective. This important link, through some of the heavy traffic concentrations in Lawrence, will greatly improve conditions for path users.
Bob Billings Parkway
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CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE |
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15TH STREET-KASOLD DRIVE TO ENGEL ROAD |
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ITEM |
DESCRIPTION |
UNITS |
QUANTITY |
UNIT PRICE |
AMOUNT |
|
1 |
Earthwork |
C.Y. |
9000 |
$10 |
$90,000 |
|
2 |
Recreational Path |
L.F. |
6000 |
$35 |
$210,000 |
|
3 |
Access Ramps |
EA |
15 |
$1,000 |
$15,000 |
|
4 |
Seed, Fertilize, Mulch |
L.S. |
1 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
5 |
Temporary Rock for Access |
TONS |
20 |
$250 |
$5,000 |
|
6 |
Traffic Control |
L.S. |
1 |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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TOTAL |
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$335,000 |
|
|
|
|
Construction Engineering |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
GRAND TOTAL |
$385,000 |
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5. Supplemental Narrative
· Priority Factors
· Bicycle and Pedestrian Category Factors
SUPPLEMENTAL NARRATIVE
This proposal meets the criteria established for evaluation of TE Applications by Kansas Department of Transportation. This section of the application provides the Supplementary Narrative requested in the instructional memorandum. There is some redundancy in the supplemental narrative to ensure that each factor has been addressed completely. The supplemental narrative covers PCR Priority Factors for all applications, Project Requirements for TE Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Category.
PCR PRIORITY FACTORS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS
The proposed Pedestrian / Bicycle Path demonstrates many of the qualities established by the Kansas Department of Transportation as PRIORITY FACTORS for use in review and the decision making process.
v Projects that clearly enhance the quality of utility of existing or new transportation services.
This project would provide essential links in the ultimate bikeway network. The proposed improvement along Bob Billings Pkwy would provide an east–west link between the residential areas west of Kasold to those businesses and residential neighborhoods along Bob Billings Pkwy. It will also facilitate a safer passage for those individuals wishing to use bicycles to access work and school to the KU campus. Bob Billings Pkwy is compatible for bicycle or pedestrian travel and will be the only viable way for either pedestrian or bicyclist to go east or west through central Lawrence. Connecting this path to the with the bike route on Engel Road would greatly decrease travel time and increase convenience. Currently, to connect to the same bike route, bikers would have to travel several miles out of their way. The proposed project would clearly enhance the quality of utility of existing transportation service by forming an essential link at a minimal cost.
v Projects that will be completed with the TE funds requested and the matching funds pledged by the applicant. The project must not be dependent on other funding or scheduling contingencies. It must represent a complete, identifiable, and useable facility of entity rather than only a component of a larger project.
The City has pledged to fund the required 20% match for this application. If selected this project would not be dependent on other funding or scheduling contingencies. The proposed project represents a complete, identifiable, and useable facility that would have immediate benefits to the community.
v Projects that demonstrate the local funds are available and will be able to meet a timely letting.
As previously stated the City is prepared to meet its local match contribution. We are prepared to move forward with the project in a timely manner. (See letter from City Mayor)
v Projects that benefit a relatively large percentage of community’s, region’s, or state’s population.
This project provides a needed link in the bicycle and recreation path network. The benefits of these links not only provide for short distance trips to work and recreation but it also benefit the long distance recreational riders, tourists and casual cyclists who travel the local bicycle pathways in Lawrence.
v Projects which will enhance the state’s travel and tourism efforts.
If this project is selected by KDOT, these facilities will play a significant part in building on the existing bikeway network. It is our intention to again highlight our expansive trail system during next years “Bicycle Awareness Month”. We believe that this project will have a cumulative positive benefit to tourism for the City of Lawrence and the state as whole as Lawrence become known for achievements. In addition, recognition of funding these projects will build on the momentum of Lawrence being named a Bicycle Friendly Community at the bronze level in October of this year.
There has been considerable contact with the Lawrence Visitors Bureau and the Parks and Recreation Department to help in coordination of promotional activities. It is our hope that the “Bicycle Awareness Month” will become an annual event that brings bicycle enthusiast in from the surrounding states and communities. We believe that Lawrence should highlight its expansive trail system and future bicycle / pedestrian facilities. Through an aggressive marketing campaign which uses radio, newspaper, outdoor advertisement and other related marketing techniques we hope to draw many from outside of Lawrence to share in this festival of activities.
v Projects which will contribute to a wide geographical dispersion of the TE funds within the state.
Not applicable.
v Projects that demonstrate local support from the community. Document the public involvement process. Examples include public meeting minutes, press announcements, newspaper clippings, letters, and other similar documents.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), which is made up of local citizens, highly approves this project. Statements from the bicycling community are often heard by the BAC members, and all the members can attest to the tremendous demand by bikers for an east-west link in central Lawrence (Sec. 7 contain the meeting minutes from the BAC to endorse this project). This project is also a segment of a larger project recommended in the Lawrence 2004 Bicycle Plan, recently approved by the Planning Commission this summer (See Sec. 7). The submittal letters included at the beginning of this application from the three governing bodies also show the support for the project on behalf of the public and governing agencies. This project will be well received by the public.
v Consistency with local comprehensive land use and transportation plans. Higher priority shall be assigned to projects which actively advance the goals and policies contained in such plans.
The Bicycle Work Program (BWP) incorporated all of the Goals and Objectives as defined in the Long Range Transportation Plan, Transportation 2025. The first objective states:
Provide logical bikeway connectivity within Lawrence and Douglas County to schools, parks, the downtown, and other major activity areas.
Program activities:
X Through planning, expand and extend the bikeway system in future growth areas to provide a connected system.
X Evaluate the existing bikeways for opportunities to provide Recreational Paths, Bicycle Lanes or Bicycle Routes.
X Identify potential bicycle corridors within Douglas County that could be integrated with existing and future City bicycle facilities.
X Coordinate with Haskell Indian Nations University and the University of Kansas to provide a seamless transition of bikeways in and through the City.
X Prioritize and implement construction of critical segments that provide continuity for the bikeway system.
X Incorporate bicycle and pedestrian facilities into public works projects
Each of the above objectives is addressed directly on indirectly by the proposed project.
v Projects which are supported by other local governments in the vicinity of the project, as well as by the applicant.
Not applicable to this application.
v Projects that have the support of clearly recognized public and not-for-profit organizations of the national, statewide, or regional scope with expertise in the subject matter of the application.
Not applicable to this application.
v The extent of which the project will enhance the quality of experience of the users of transportation systems and facilities.
The extent to which this project will enhance the quality of experience of bicyclist and pedestrians as they use the transportation system is difficult to quantify. However, studies reveal that the presence of bike lanes increases the comfort level of bicyclist regardless of riding expertise. The proposed project would lead riders along Bob Billings Pkwy while keeping them off the road. The addition of a connecting link between the Kasold Drive to Engel Raod will greatly improve in the options and comfort level of riders and path users in central Lawrence.
v The extent to which the applicants indicate a commitment to proved extra effort or contribution above and beyond the minimum matching fund requirement.
Not applicable to this application.
v Projects that serve more than one of the eligibility factors set forth under the Surface Transportation Program and which do so in a logical and coordinated fashion.
The proposed project meets many of the eligibility factors identified above. The project has been well thought out and is presented in a logical and well-coordinated fashion.
Project Requirements (For TE Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Category)
The Kansas Department of Transportation established specific project requirements for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Category of the TE Program. The proposed provisions for pedestrian and bicyclist educational activities are eligible under this program.
v All projects shall begin and end in proximity to the traffic generator such as a residential area, work place, or recreational facility.
This project, along Bob Billings Pkwy, is proposed within a developed area of Lawrence. The projects begin and end in the proximity of residential areas, work places, and campus facilities.
v Projects shall be designed to acceptable guidelines of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) (Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities) and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Accessibility Guidelines –ADAAG) and be representative of sound bicycle/pedestrian facility planning principles
The proposed project shall meet all AASHTO, ADAAG, State and local guidelines for construction.
v Preference will be given to projects that limit the number of conflicts with other modes of transportation.
The proposed project would reduce the number of existing conflicts by removing bicycle travel on Bob Billings Pkwy with the use of a RecPath facility alongside it. The implementation of this project will help to eliminate current conflicts of cyclists riding on the road, which can cause excess of safety issues for both cyclists and motorists. Recreational path facilities have been proven to reduce accidents and affect motorist and non-motorist behavior.
v Estimated number and brief methodology for calculation of bicyclists using the proposed project.
Currently, approximately 1% of the Lawrence community uses cycling as a form of transportation. With the immense demand of this project we anticipate the usage of this path to be consistent with current bicycling patterns.
v Linkage to the existing transportation network.
This project is located along a major east-west arterial in Lawrence that is highly linked to other major arterials, collectors as well as local roads. The project in itself shows significant linkage within the bicycle network by connecting bicycle facilities.
v User accessibility to the proposed project.
This project will begin and end at a major university, centrally located in Lawrence, making it highly accessible. Placing the project within a hub of activity such as a college
campus intuitively increases usage of bike routes by students, staff, and faculty.
v Safety level of proposed project: facility dimensions and signing.
As with all of the city’s bike facilities, this path will be clearly marked as a bicycle recreational path in a manner that both cyclists and motorists can observe. The path will be 1.2 miles long. The width of the path will be 10 feet, allowing for passing and two-directional traffic.
v Continuity of proposed project: treatment of intersections with collector streets, arterials, and state highways.
The proposed path will cross one arterial street; design standards for crosswalk markings and traffic signal controls already exist at this intersection.
v Security level of proposed project.
This path is located in an open area that is not blocked by walls, trees, etc… The road alongside the path currently has ample lighting for night travel. In addition, because of the activity of the area people will constantly be in the area.
v Connections with other bicycle/pedestrian paths
This path will connect the future RecPath on Kasold Drive to an existing Bike Route on Engel Road. This path will also become apart of the proposed RecPath along Bob Billings Pkwy that will extend westward to Wakarusa Drive.
v Estimated benefits of proposed project
A project of this sort is hard to quantify; quality-wise, the project will be very beneficial to the cycling community because they will finally have a safe east-west route through central Lawrence.
v Community awareness and support
Located at the beginning of the application.
v Environmental quality and tourist/recreational benefits of proposed projects.
Increasing bicycle facilities will increase bicycle usage which will decrease road congestion, causing less pollution and cleaner air for the environment. Increase usage will also promote the recreational paths in Lawrence making more cyclists feel comfortable about using the bike path system.
6. Conclusion
Conclusion
In conclusion, this application exhibits many of the PCR Priority Factors and, Project Requirements for TE Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities Category. The MPO and appropriate governing body has endorsed this application and committed to its completion the required coordination and 20% local share.
We believe that this application proposes a necessary and missing link in the ultimate bikeway network. We believe that this improvement would provide immediate benefits to the bicycling community from both a safety and mobility perspective. In closing, we believe that this application should receive the highest priority because it meets all of the applicable criteria, provides a need link at minimal cost to the overall TE program.
7. Supporting Exhibits