City Council Committee Final Hearing/Action Wednesday, September 10, 6 p.m. Police Department Meeting Room

The final committee decisions on a draft North Avenue Corridor Plan occur at  the Transportation, Energy and Utilities (TEUC) Committee meeting Wednesday September 10 starting at 6 p.m. at the Police Department public meeting room in the building at the top of Battery Park.

The TEUC meeting it open to all and everyone who attends will be allotted time to speak on the draft plan, Councilor Max Tracy, chair, has assured.  The other two TEUC committee members are Ward 7 Councilor Tom Ayres who also represented the City Council on the study Advisory Committee and Ward 5 Councilor Chip Mason.  The last step in the review process is expected at a late September  City Council meeting.

The major Advisory Committee short term (within three years)  recommendations: (1) a four-lane to three-lane remarking of North Avenue between Shore Rd./Heineberg Rd. and VT 127; (2) establishing bike lanes on the roadway from Plattsburgh Avenue to Washington Street with cycle track (protected bike lanes which in this case will be flexible posts) between VT 127 and Institute Rd (BHS).

The long term vision includes the goal of North Avenue as a "world class" street with the highest level of safety for those who walk, bicycle, and travel by car or transit.   Achieving that goal includes cycle track from end to end of the 2.8 mile corridor (Plattsburgh Ave. to North St.) and three roundabouts replacing traffic signals at VT 127,  Burlington High School (Institute Rd.) and Plattsburgh Ave).  The improvements for North Avenue represent the first transportation investments impacting on North Avenue since the completion of the Bikepath in 1986 and the Beltline in the 1970s.

Replacing Signals with Roundabouts--Routine Now

The City of Cologne replaced 200 traffic signals with roundabouts and another 90 signals scheduled for the scrap heap there, a trend throughout Germany. Surveys show anywhere from 40 to 100 percent of signals can go the way of the dodo bird.  And the German bike federation applauds the trend. 

http://www.thelocal.de/20110311/33651   Article somewhat dated but still topical. 

Burlington has 75 signalized intersection, Vermont about 400.  

 

The Brattleboro Keene-Turn Roundabout was the first Vermont traffic signal to roundabout conversion in 1999 and injuries dropped 95 percent (five years before, 55, five years after conversion 1).  Montpelier's second roundabout at US 2/302 also replaced a traffic signal.  Manchester Center plans include converting its only two remaining signals to roundabouts (Depot Street).  Brattleboro's Putney Road corridor road re-development plan supported by the Town and Vermont Agency of Transportation converts the three remaining signals from Keeene Turn Roundabout south on US 5 to roundabouts as well as installing both walk and bike mode quality facilities. 

The three signals to roundabouts conversion on North Avenue in the draft plan is just a continuation of the movement to improve intersections with the roundabout reducing delay for all users, saving gasoline and associated pollution (including greenhouse gas emissions), improving scenic quality, and reducing injury and fatality rates for all modes up to 90%.

 

 

CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE FIRST REVIEW OF PART OF PLAN, RESIDENTS COMMENT

In about an hour at an informational session the entire North Avenue Corridor Plan (NACP) process got an overview from Nicole Losch of the Department of Public Works (DPW) and all eight interested City residents, mostly from the Old and New North End commented and interacted with the City Council’s Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committee (TEUC) chaired by Councilor Max Tracy.  The other two TEUC members, Councilor Tom Ayres who also represented the Council on the study Advisory Committee and Chip Mason, also attended the Wednesday, August 13 session, 

An opportunity for all to speak at a public meeting with at least some of the completed draft NACP available will occur in a September (date to be determined) TEUC hearing followed by their changes to the plan, if any.  That TEUC meeting will be held at the Miller Center on Goss Court.  Then a final hearing and decision with changes, if any, occurs at City Council, likely in late September.

The TEUC Wednesday, August 14 meeting held at the Police Department meeting room discussion centered mostly on the Advisory Committee recommendation of a two year “pilot”, a reduction of four lanes to three lanes (the middle lane for turns) between the Shore Rd./Heineberg Rd. intersection and VT 127.  With repaving of that section schedule in about three years to five years a two-year pilot might be possible next year and if found unacceptable to corridor residents, be returned to the current four lanes at no cost as part of repaving at the earliest date of 2017.   The pilot work includes just erasing existing lines and installing the three lane markings, plus marking bike lanes on either side. 

In addition, the Advisory Committee recommendation includes removing parking north of Washington Street and marking bike lanes on either side throughout the corridor north of Washington Street with a demonstration cycle track (protected bike lanes using flexible posts in this case) between VT 127 and BHS.

Advisory Committee NPA member and North End bike commuter RJ Lalumiere asked whether two years is sufficient to determine the three-lane conversion effective.   Tony Redington, another Advisory Committee NPA member pointed to a similar “road diet” conversion in Seattle with the first two years results already showing marked reductions in crashes and injuries for car occupants and pedestrians (down 80 percent) declining significantly and cyclist injury numbers unchanged while bicycle volumes increased 30 percent.  TEUC requested DPW to look into the Colchester Avenue four-to-three lane change and any other examples to give the decision makers some background in addressing this question.  Williston Road from Dorset east underwent a similar conversion in 2013 and reports so far from all users, including cyclists who benefit from marked bike lanes, have been generally very positive.   Redington pointed out the Advisory Committee confidence the pilot would work and obtain community support to be extended.

Phil Hammerslough, a member of the Burlington Walk Bike Council, expressed support for the Advisory Committee recommendations and noted the importance of alternative transportation in the coming years when alternatives of the car become increasingly important to a sustainable community.   Protected bike lanes—cycle track—also was stressed by at the meeting and Mr. Lalumiere noted his own personal bike crash at VT 127—fortunately with only bumps and bruises—while commuting from the North End to his South End worksite.  Two residents expressed doubts about some of the recommendations questioning the quality of public input, the need for the four-to-three lane change, questions about where the funds would come from (mostly from federal highway funds paid by user taxes), and pointing to the Bikepath on the west and the Beltline adjacent bike path for those who bicycle.  Charlene Wallace of Local Motion commented that lack of quality bike infrastructure kept about 60% of the population from bicycling in their community and the presence of lanes and cycle track expands the number of residents willing to take to two-wheelers.  Part and parcel of the pilot would be marked bike lanes from Shore Rd./Heineberg Dr. through to BHS. In addition cycle track would be installed between VT 127 and BHS.

Lalumiere also explained that the others in his family do not bicycle on North Avenue because of safety concerns and getting to the shopping center by bike for them involves an extra mile travel each way—the Bikepath is not an alternative.  

Redington stressed the “try before you buy” approach of the Advisory Committee recommendations of the 4 to 3 lane pilot, and additionally pointed to a letter set to go from the Walk Bike Council to DPW requesting an inexpensive mini-roundabout demonstration at a City all-way stop intersection be installed so everybody gets a chance next summer to drive, walk, and bike though a typical roundabout design.    DPW Director Chapin Spencer and Advisory Committee member and NPA representative Barry Trutor also attended. 

North Avenue Plan Funding--"going for the gold corridor"

BURLINGTON’S (VT) NORTH AVENUE PLAN-- “GOING FOR THE GOLD CORRIDOR”

When the question of funding for Burlington’s (VT) North Avenue came up last year during the early months of the study of the four-mile corridor, local and regional planners sort of rolled their eyes and expressed with knowing glances the dearth of federal funding.  The Advisory Committee pursued a quality approach focusing on a world class, livable street featuring cycle track (protected bike lanes) and the superior all-modes single-lane roundabout at key intersections.  Community participants insisted on a “going for the gold corridor.”

North Avenue now nears the goal line as the first Chittenden County urban corridor to get in line for livable street funding behind Brattleboro and Manchester Center.  Putney Road in Brattleboro, the Town’s busiest commercial corridor, thanks to business leadership first received town and then Vermont Agency of Transportation support for a full corridor with walk and bike mode facilities and all-roundabouts (four, including the first built in 1999, Keene Turn).

In 2012 Manchester Center completed half its long time plan with the State’s first “roundabout corridor,” three roundabouts along its commercial stretch along Main Street—the first walkable State’s first truly walkable all-mode street.  The second half of the Manchester Center plan, converting its only remaining signals to roundabouts along Depot Street with a likely plan revision to include cycle track.  Manchester Center and Brattleboro now compete to see who gets to the finish line with the State’s first both walkable and bikable urban street.  

Meanwhile in Burlington retains a bright possibility of its own for North Avenue as it is the only urban street in Chittenden County with a neighborhood driven draft plan—soon to be accepted by the City Council—containing walkable and bikable infrastructure.  

The opportunity for Burlington lies in the fact that the Chittenden County as a metropolitan area receives a separate stream of federal funding and does not compete directly against Brattleboro and Manchester.  Having the first walkable/bikable street plan in the County puts the City in the driver seat for funding.  Being the first in the State for a walkable/bikable corridor still remains in the cards a real possibility.

Burlington long led the region and the State with its unique contribution to transportation and recreation path development—the Marketplace car free four block plaza completed in 1981 and five years later in 1986 the completing of the amazing shoreline 7.5 mile Burlington Bikepath. 

Stay tuned as it may well be Burlington and its North Avenue “going for the gold corridor” on the quest for completing a State leading trifecta for transportation and recreation innovation.

   

WHAT NEXT FOR THE CORRIDOR PLAN?

The process as I understand it at this point will be to present the draft plan first to TEUC* [end of August], which will take public input during the public forum the night it is presented. TEUC* will then amend the plan (if so determined by the committee based on public input and its own deliberations) and forward it to the City Council with its recommendation. The City Council, of course, always has the option of referring it back to TEUC* for further revision.

TEUC* - which consists of Chair Max Tracy, Councilor Mason and myself - will set its next meeting date at this coming Monday's Council meeting. I have told Eleni and NIcole to anticipate a meeting at which they will present the draft plan sometime in early August. The intent at present is then to forward a recommended plan to the Council for its consideration at the first Council meeting in September. It is my intent to widely publicize the August TEUC meeting and public forum and encourage all New North End constituents to attend and speak their minds before the committee deliberates on the draft plan.

Tom Ayres, Ward 7 City Councilor, TEUC

*TEUC: Transportation, Energy, and Utilities Committee studies and makes recommendations to the City Council on issues concerning all modes of transportation, and interrelated development issues; energy plans, rates and other issues; and utility matters regarding, but not limited to, water, sewer, and telecommunications. Monthly Meetings are held at 645 Pine Street, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The date of the next TEUC meeting can be found in the previous month’s meeting minutes.

   http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CityCouncil/TEUC 

North Avenue Advisory Committee Declares Independence--July 1 Windup Meeting Results

JULY 1 ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING VOTES NORTH AVENUE  A WORLD CLASS CORRIDOR! 

        …The three primary features:

(1) Road dieting the shopping center area to two vehicle travel lanes plus a center turn lane, and 25-mph speed limits (short term "pilot")

(2) Restricting parking from Washington Street north, marking bike lanes with some segments also protected with flexible posts (cycle track) (short term)

(3) Moving to highest level of safety and service to all regardless of age and ability: roundabouts at key intersections and entire corridor cycle tracked (long term).  

July 1 North Avenue Advisory Committee—a Summary Report 

The North Avenue Corridor Study Advisory Committee on Tuesday July 1 declared its own independence endorsing a corridor design insuring the opportunity to reach the stated adopted vision goal: “achieve a world class transportation corridor with quality service and highest safety for those who walk, bicycle and travel by motor vehicle or transit.” The next step is for the consultants to draft the implementation plan and distribute it for Advisory Committee review. After that, there will be presentations to the TEUC and the City Council this summer. 

After more than a year of study in a series of votes the Advisory Committed set the final shape of the plan calling for a short term pilot of a “road diet” the one four lane segment in the shopping center area from Shore Rd./Heineberg Rd. intersection to VT 127--reducing four lanes to three lanes with the center lane for turns.  The other major short term betterment within three years, in part taking advantage of roadway freed up by the road diet, marks bike lanes on each side existing roadway from the north end of the corridor at Plattsburgh Ave. to Washington St. near Burlington College, a distance of about two-and-a-half miles.  The short term “pilot” approach to afford the North Avenue community to “try it before you buy it” also removes little used parking along the Washington St.-Plattsburgh Ave. segments.  Part and parcel of the bike lanes marking involves installation along at least one corridor segment of “cycle track”, a protected bike lane, accomplished through a series of removable flexible posts.  The posts can be removed during the snow season. 

The Advisory Committee also approved two ground breaking recommendations for the long term, the first ever in City studies: protected cycle track from end-to-end of the 2.8 mile corridor with roundabouts installed at key intersections.  Together they promise increased safety and service for all modes and users of all skills and ages. The cycle track long term will be one-way built either on the roadway level or the sidewalk level as decided in the future. In addition to improving safety for all modes, roundabouts re-enforce the speed management as the Committee committed to a 25 mph speed limit during the “pilot” period.  The decrease called for by the Committee from the 30 mph limit in the central part of the corridor, accords with the City speed limit policy of 25 mph with part of this North Avenue corridor currently constituting one of less than of a handful of exceptions to that policy.

Roundabouts recommendations include the intersections of Plattsburgh Avenue, Ethan Allen Parkway, VT 127 and Burlington High School (Institute Road).  The votes for Plattsburgh Ave. and Ethan Allen Parkway were by narrower margins.   The discussion of roundabouts included emphasis that each intersection be carefully evaluated as part of scoping studies that will take some years hence, that traffic levels may well allow single lane roundabouts (the safest treatment, particularly for those who bike and walk), and that further study employ firms with proven experience in roundabout evaluation and design (not available for the corridor study).   Burlington’s (and Chittenden County’s) first busy street roundabout on Shelburne Street at Locust St./South Willard St., a single lane design, involves traffic numbers above that of the two high traffic North Avenue intersections today at VT 127 and Ethan Allen Parkway.

The next steps in the Corridor plan involves write-up of the draft plan reflecting the Advisory Committee decisions followed by review by the City Council Committee on Transportation, Energy and Utilities (TEUC), chaired by Ward 2 Councilor Maxwell Tracey, then the City Council.   (An Advisory Committee member, Ward 7 Councilor Tom Ayres and Ward 5 Councilor Chip Mason are the other two TEUC members.)  Further, separate public involvement opportunities occur at each stage of the plan implementation.

This “North Avenue declaration” comes a few weeks after the Burlington Walk Bike Council “Burlington Declaration” calling for investments in quality walking bicycling infrastructure—particularly cycle track and roundabouts—and BWBC support for considering these measures in the North Avenue corridor study.  Local Motion also undertook initiatives to support inclusion of quality walk and bike “infra” in the North Avenue plan. 

While improved transit was not addressed at the July 1 meeting, a consensus has existed in the planning process for improved frequency and hours of service for Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) routes serving North Avenue, better connectivity to other routes in the City, and at least examining the feasibility of light rail extending from Flynn School south to the Marketplace and beyond (trolley service after about four decades from downtown reaching Ethan Allen Park ended in 1929).

WINOOSKI TRAFFIC CIRCULATOR IS NOT A ROUNDABOUT

WHEN IS A ROUNDABOUT NOT A ROUNDABOUT?  WHEN IT IS THE WINOOSKI TRAFFIC OVAL!

WCAX-TV ran a story about the Winooski traffic oval, erroneously titling the piece “roundabout.”  Roundabouts are engineered to very different specifications, and they are not like the oval in Winooski. Imagine someone putting oversized oval wheels on their wagon, then grumbling that wheels don't work!  Roundabouts are engineered for efficiency and safety, and they move more traffic smoothly through a corridor than any other intersection option.

Not round!

The WCAX reporter described the Winooski traffic oval well, but someone in the newsroom titled the accompanying photo "ROUNDABOUT" in big block letters. But the Winooski traffic oval is what some regional planners accurately call a "traffic circulator."  Roundabouts, like those in downtown Middlebury, Montpelier and soon to be on Burlington's Shelburne Street, all one lane rounds about 120 feet (or less) in diameter. The huge 500ft by 200ft Winooski oval could easily contain three to four normal size roundabouts, with space for other ammenities. 

The likelihood of serious and probably fatal injuries at the poorly planned Winooski oval will continue to place drivers, cyclists, strollers and walkers at risk. The only way to make it safe is to reconfigure the entire area and install two normal size roundabouts. The remaining space can be used for more businesses, wider walkways, and attractive green space around the perimeter. 

NOT a roundabout.

Health Dept Weighs in on Road Diet, and Separated Bike Lanes

Dear [North Avenue Corridor Study Advisory] Committee members:

The Burlington District Office of the Health Department was asked by the Advisory Committee to conduct and submit a desktop Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as part of the North Avenue Corridor Study. This type of HIA draws from existing data such as local reports, public meetings, and published literature about similar scenarios. Garnering and evaluating any new data was beyond the anticipated timeline.

Consideration of the public’s health in the planning process ensures that the potential impacts on the physical and mental well being of residents is evaluated and addressed.

The strategies for making the North Avenue Corridor provide safe, inviting, and convenient travel for all users of all ages and abilities overlap with those that promote health by increasing prospects for safer physical activity and by improving access to services and opportunities for users of all transport modes.

AARP NEW LIVABILITY FACT SHEET TACKLES "ROAD DIETS"

Leave it to AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) through their second "Livability Fact Sheet" released this month (June 2014) tackling "Road Diets" just as Burlington's North Avenue corridor study planning nears completion.   A short term and long term option being considered by the Advisory Committee is a "road diet"--four lanes to three lanes with a bike lane on each side from Shore Rd./Heineberg Rd. to VT 127.  

http://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/info-2014/road-diets-fact-sheet.html

Like the first Fact Sheet ("Roundabouts") "Road Diet" tackles the myths with carefully referenced responses to: "Road diets divert traffic...increase congestion...increase crashes...aren't good for public transit...bad for business..are being reversed...slows down emergency responders...people don't like road diets."  Plus examples of three road diets--Seattle, Orlando and Athens, GA--along with possible cross sections are included.

One Fact Sheet suggestion on "how to get it right" is undertaking a pilot project, one of the very options before the North Avenue Advisory Committee a their July 1 meeting.

AARP's Vermont office continues to work on livability issues in the Champlain Valley and Burlington in particular. 

           

Some Early Returns on the Corridor Online Survey--Take the Time to Add Your Voice!

 The Early Returns on the North Avenue Online Survey—Take the Time to do the Survey and Encourage Others in the Neighborhood Too!

It is important that everyone takes the time to do the online North Avenue survey.

 http://www.ccrpcvt.org/transportation/corridors/north-avenue-corridor-study/