Memorandum

DATE November 10, 2011

TO Trinity River Corridor Project Committee Members: Vonciel Jones Hill (Chair)Linda Koop (Vice Chair), Monica Alonzo, Scott Griggs, Angela Hunt, and Delia Jasso

SUBJECT Riverfront Boulevard Design From Continental Avenue to Cadiz Street

At the next Trinity River Corridor Project Council Committee Meeting on Monday,November 14, 2011, the attached briefing will be presented by Alan Hendrix, RE.,Assistant Director, Public Works Department. This briefing will provide an update onthe options and opportunities for improvements for the Riverfront Boulevard Designfrom Continental Avenue to Cadiz Street.

Please contact me if you have questions.

Jill A. Jordan, P.E.Assistant City Manager

wTHE TRH’HTY

Attachment

cc: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City CouncilMary K. Suhm, City ManagerA. C. Gonzalez, First Assistant City ManagerRyan S. Evans, Assistant City ManagerJill A. Jordan, P.E., Assistant City ManagerForest E. Turner, Assistant City ManagerJoey Zapata, Interim Assistant City Manager

Kelly High, Director, Trinity Watershed ManagementRebecca Rasor, P.E., Managing Director, Trinity River Corridor ProjectPaul D. Dyer, Director, Park and RecreationTheresa O’Donnell, Director, Sustainable Development & ConstructionRosa A. Rios, Interim City SecretaryHelena Stevens-Thompson, Assistant to the City Manager - Council

CITY OF DALLAS

“Dallas, the City that works: diverse, vibrant, and progressive”

Riverfront Boulevard Design From

Continental Avenue to Cadiz Street

Trinity River Corridor Project Committee Prepared by

City of Dallas Public Works Department Hayden Consultants, Inc.

November 14, 2011

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Outline of Today’s Briefing I. Project: Status

a. Overview b. History c. Goals

II. Traffic Conditions a. Present b. Future

III. Road Conditions IV. Similar Roadways in Dallas and Outside of Dallas V. Options for Improvements on Riverfront VI. Project: Going Forward

a. Schedule (estimated) b. Costs c. Available Funding

VII. Summary VIII. Discussion

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Project Overview

Joint project between the City of Dallas, Dallas County, TxDOT, and NCTCOG

Project Boundaries • Phase 1: Riverfront Blvd from 200’ north of

Continental Ave to 450’ south of Woodall Rodgers and Continental Ave from 500’ west of Riverfront Blvd to IH35E southbound frontage road

• Phase 2: Riverfront from 450’ south of Woodall Rodgers to Cadiz St

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Project Overview (cont)

Continental Ave.

Commerce St.

Cadiz St.

Phase 1: Phase 2:

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Project History 2003 – Received initial funding from 2003 Bond Program for

Continental area – Identified as crucial roadway in Trinity River Corridor

Balanced Vision Plan 2006 – Thoroughfare plan amended from 6 to 8 lanes as called

for in the Balanced Vision Plan • Balanced Vision Plan decreased Trinity Parkway from 6 to 4 lanes

south of Continental Ave – Received RTR Funding & Bond Program Funding 2008 – Planned Development 774 and 784 approved supporting higher density future development in area 2009 – City and County retained consultant to begin Riverfront

Boulevard paving and drainage design 2010 – Public meeting conducted to discuss the design:

• 8 lane thoroughfare increasing ROW width to 150’ • Pedestrian amenities and cycle tracks • Sustainable landscape and drainage solutions

– Response from public meeting indicated preference for a 6 lane option

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Project History (cont) May 2011 – Presentation of 5 options to Trinity Committee

• Option 1: 8 lane reconstruction with cycle track adjacent to sidewalk • Option 2: 6 lane reconstruction with on-street bicycle lanes • Option 3: Streetscape and Urban Design (no reconstruction) • Option 4: Do Nothing • Option 5: Improve corridor with reduced project limits

• Committee response included: • Preference for option that is within current budget • Questions regarding trail connections, pedestrian access points,

development potential, and traffic projections

June 2011 – Presentation to Trinity Committee • Discussed 5 previously presented options along with new option 5A • Addressed questions from previous presentation

• Committee response: • Majority preferred option within budget and within existing ROW

(Option 2: 6 lane reconstruction, on-street bike lanes)

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Project Goals Establish major connection between downtown,

Trinity River, Cedars West and the Design District Provide multi-modal opportunities including vehicular,

pedestrian, cyclist and transit amenities Link various trails in the area Enhance economic development opportunities by

providing key access to significant tracts with high development potential

Improve aesthetics, including sustainable landscaping and drainage solutions

Upgrade utilities and increase storm drainage capacity

Project Goal: Establish Major Connection

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As the “Gateway to the Trinity River” Riverfront Blvd will serve as major connector between downtown, Trinity, the Design District and Cedars West

Design District

Corinth St.

Continental Ave.

Downtown

Cedars West

Trinity River

Cadiz St.

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Project Goal: Link Various Trails in Area

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Project Goal: Enhance Economic Development Opportunities

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Present Traffic Conditions

Segment Vehicle Volume Peak Direction # Lanes Vehicles Per Lane Woodall Rodgers to Continental 2540 PM-SB 3 847 UPRR to Woodall Rodgers 2702 PM-SB 3 901 Commerce St to UPRR 2592 PM-SB 3 864 Reunion Blvd to Commerce St 2969 PM-SB 4 743

Typical acceptable Level of Service (LOS) in an

urban area is approximately 700-800 vehicles per lane per hour.

Recent peak hour direction counts taken on Riverfront:

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Future Traffic Conditions Year 2030 Traffic Model Information

• Assumes all freeway corridors have already been completed;

however TxDOT funding limitations will likely extend completion to 2035 or 2040

• Assumes Trinity Parkway has already been expanded from four lanes to six lanes south of Continental Ave

• Does not account for special activity centers such as American Airlines Center, Dallas Convention Center, the West End, and Trinity Park facilities

• Does not account for non-recurring congestion from incidents, accidents, construction, maintenance, or utilities which occurs on a daily basis in the corridor.

• It is a mathematical model that is subject to uncertainty of at least 10%-20%

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Future Traffic Conditions (cont) 2030 Model, Points to Consider

Assumes Trinity Parkway and other TxDOT improvements are already in place.

No other traffic projections are currently available With no other improvements to Riverfront, congestion will likely

increase, especially once the Horseshoe project and other freeway projects go under construction

The 6 lane configuration will have more congestion than the 8 lane, but all intersections excluding Woodall Rodgers will operate at an LOS E

Woodall Rodgers ramps fail in both 8 and 6 lane scenarios due to geometric constraints of Woodall Rodgers ramps

When capacity is exceeded, there will be frequent periods of delay

The region’s growth suggests there will be an increase in automobile traffic

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Future Traffic Conditions (cont) Year 2030 Riverfront Blvd Levels of Service

Continental Ave.

Commerce St.

Cadiz St.

1

2

3

4

5

6 7

Minimum acceptable Level of Service (LOS) in the City of Dallas is LOS E. LOS F is considered unacceptable.

Segment Peak Hour Volume LOS FROM TO AM PM 6 Lanes 8 Lanes

1 Continental Ave Woodall Rodgers 2,750 2,550 E D 2 Woodall Rodgers Commerce St 2,900 2,900 E D 3 Commerce St Reunion Blvd 2,250 1,800 E C 4 Reunion Blvd IH30 WB Frontage Rd 2,250 2,400 D C 5 IH30 WB Frontage Rd IH30 EB Frontage Rd 2,650 2,750 E D 6 IH30 EB Frontage Road IH35E SB Entrance Ramp 2,700 3,000 E D 7 IH35E SB Entrance Ramp Cadiz St 2,600 2,300 E D

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Road Conditions Riverfront Blvd: 6 lane arterial from IH30 to Cadiz Street 6 lane arterial with auxiliary lanes from Continental Avenue to IH30 130’ Right of Way Pavement and drainage originally constructed in 1929

• Expansions and overlays since 1929 Water and wastewater over 40 years in age Few existing sidewalks Undersized drainage system Continental Ave: 6 lane arterial 118’-130’ Right of Way Pavement and drainage original constructed in 1929 Water and wastewater over 50 years in age Existing sidewalks in place Undersized drainage system

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Road Conditions (cont)

Continental Ave.

Commerce St.

Cadiz St.

6 Lane: 7 Lane: 8 Lane:

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Road Conditions (cont)

Existing Typical Cross Section

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Road Conditions (cont)

Existing pedestrian conditions: • Signs of existing pedestrian traffic

• Inadequate and inconsistent pedestrian facilities

Sign of existing pedestrian traffic near IH30

Reunion Intersection – existing pedestrian crosswalk

contains obstructions Existing sidewalks are few

and end abruptly

Sign of existing pedestrian traffic near Commerce

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Similar Roadways in Dallas 6 Lane Thoroughfares

Lovers Lane near Greenville Ave

Pearl Street near McKinney Ave

Haskell Ave near Cityplace

Cedar Springs/Turtle Creek near Hall St

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Similar Roadways Outside of Dallas

Park Ave, New York, New York

Congress Ave, Austin, Texas

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Similar Roadways Outside of Dallas

Via Dei Fori Imperiali, Rome

Passeig de Gracia, Grand Boulevard, Barcelona

Champs Elysees, Paris

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Options for Improvements on Riverfront

Option 1: 8 lane reconstruction with cycle track adjacent to sidewalk • Was the original project scope • Expands ROW to 150’ • Includes cycle track adjacent to sidewalk • Includes pedestrian features, sustainable landscaping, additional capacity for drainage

system, upgrades to water and wastewater systems

Option 2: 6 lane reconstruction with on-street bicycle lanes • Proposed in response to public meeting • Minimizes impact to current property owners and provides maximum area for future

development by maintaining existing 130’ ROW through most of corridor. • Includes on street bicycle lane • Includes pedestrian features, sustainable landscaping, additional capacity for drainage

system, upgrades to water and wastewater systems

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Options for Improvements on Riverfront (cont) Option 3: Streetscape and Urban Design (no reconstruction)

• Retain existing pavement • Includes pedestrian features, sustainable landscaping to medians and parkways • Minimal upgrades to water and wastewater systems • Does not include additional capacity for drainage system

Option 4: Do Nothing

Option 5: Improve corridor with reduced project limits • Consider project limits corresponding to areas with greater development potential such as

Continental to UPRR or Continental to IH 30

Option 5A: 6 Travel lanes with on-street bike lanes • Retain existing pavement • Widen or narrow pavement as needed to accommodate on street bike lanes • Includes pedestrian features, sustainable landscaping in medians and parkways • Minimal upgrades to water and wastewater systems • Does not include additional capacity for drainage system

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Estimated Project Schedule

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Phase 1 Phase 2 Began Preliminary Design June 2009 June 2009 Complete Preliminary Design November 2011 November 2011 Public Involvement Meeting February 2012 February 2012 Council Alignment Meeting April 2012 April 2012 Begin Final Design March 2012 March 2012 Complete Final Design June 2012 March 2013 Begin Right-of-Way Acquisition April 2012 August 2012 Complete Right-of-Way Acquisition August 2012 December 2012 Begin Utility Relocations September 2012 January 2013 Complete Utility Relocations November 2012 October 2013 Begin Phase Construction December 2012 November 2013 Complete Phase Construction July 2014 November 2015 *Schedule shown assumes Option 2 – 6 lane option within existing ROW

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Estimated Costs

*County participation and funding contingent on use of permanent improvements

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Available Funding City of Dallas 2003 Bond Program (Riverfront) $300,000 City of Dallas 2006 Bond Program (Riverfront) $5,488,091 City of Dallas 2006 Bond Program (Continental) $3,828,900 Dallas County $5,756,219 Regional Toll Revenue (RTR) funds** $29,127,713 Total Available Funding $44,500,923 ** RTR funding is set aside specifically for Riverfront Blvd improvements. If not used for

Riverfront funds will go back to NCTCOG and may be applied anywhere in region ** RTR funding is contingent upon a 6 or 8 lane scenario

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Summary of Options, Components, Costs

*County participation and funding contingent on use of permanent improvements

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Action Needed I. Approval of Alternative for the

Riverfront Boulevard Project

II. Final concurrence on an option for moving forward

Discussion

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