Old Lee Highway Multimodal Improvements

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JULY 2021

Today’s Agenda

• Provide additional details on staff recommended Major Design Features package of improvementsꟷ Country Hill Drive – Roundabout Versus Left Turn Lanesꟷ Evaluation of Neighborhood Traffic Impacts

• Discuss Next Steps

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Country Hill Drive Roundabout – Existing Conditions

Street view looking north along OLH approaching Country Hill Dr. intersection3

Country Hill Drive – Existing Conditions

Existing right turn lane from southbound Old Lee Highway to Country Hill Drive

Significant excess pavement along northbound Old Lee Highway

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Country Hill Drive Roundabout

Roundabout fits within existing paved area Minimal right of way acquisition required Total right of way required – 2,500 SF 6 impacted residential properties 5

Country Hill Drive Turn Lane Alternative

Alignment constrained by properties on north side opposite Queen Anne Dr.

Total right of way required – 10,000 SF 9 impacted residential properties (ROW / Easement) Estimated $500,000 cost increase (Construction & ROW)

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Country Hill Dr. Intersection Alternatives Summary

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Roundabout Turn Lanes

Construction Cost Comparison $500k less $500k more

Properties Impacted 6 9

Right of Way Required 2,500 SF($100K)

10,000 SF ($400K)

Provides Safer Neighborhood Egress Yes No

Retaining Wall Required 0 FT ~800 FT

Maximum Roadway Width (Curb to Curb) 40 FT 48 FT

Old Lee Highway Throughput Slower Faster

Country Hill Drive Additional Cars

Generally low left turning volume to/from adjacent neighborhoods during the peak hour AM: Each side street has approximately 1 left turning vehicle EXITING onto OLH every

6 minutes during the AM peak hour, except Brookwood, which has 1 every 2 minutes

PM: Each side street has approximately 1 left turning vehicle ENTERING the neighborhood from OLH every 3 minutes during the PM peak hour

Layout of the neighborhood streets creates a “natural route” for most drivers – significant traffic shifts are not expected. Difficult to quantify exact nature of the shift

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Neighborhood Roundabout Usage (North)

9Approximately 5 more vehicles on Country Hill during the peak hourAssumes 20% vehicle addition to the roundabout

Neighborhood Roundabout Usage (South)

10Approximately 6 more vehicles on Country Hill during the peak hourAssumes 20% vehicle addition to the roundabout

Additional Turn Lanes?Additional turn lanes from OLH onto Old Post and Embassy:

• Require approximately 400 linear feet in each direction from the intersections

• Do not allow isolated widening for turn lanes due to intersection spacing requirements

• Result in a wider, 3-lane roadway from Daniel’s Run to Blenheim & from Embassy to Lion Runꟷ Lengthens pedestrian crossing across OLH from 23’ to 34’ꟷ Requires more right of way (approx. 5 additional properties impacted near Old Post,

including historic home at corner)ꟷ Requires additional tree removalꟷ Requires significant additional utility relocations (and easements)ꟷ Increases impervious area 11

Additional Turn Lanes?• Allow turning traffic to move out of the through lane

ꟷ Removes traffic “gaps” to allow pedestrians time to crossꟷ Reduces safety for pedestriansꟷ Reduces multimodal functionality

• Increased project costꟷ Adds time to schedule for redesign and delays construction startꟷ Increases right of way, utility relocation and construction costsꟷ Leaves less funding available for aesthetics and amenitiesꟷ Fixed amount of funding available

• May not have enough outside funding; may require local supplement

• Project scope agreed to by Council, with prior public input, did not include widening of Old Lee Highway or additional turn lanes 12

Additional Turn Lanes?

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Additional Turn Lanes?

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Major Design Features Staff Recommendation Roundabout at Ridge Avenue/OLH Intersection

Roundabout at Country Hill Road/OLH Intersection

Left Turn Lane from NB OLH to Sherwood Center

St. Leo’s/Daniel’s Run Access Management Improvements

Provide Left Turn Lane from SB OLH to Daniel’s Run Entrance

Consolidate & realign northern entrances to St. Leo’s (Coordination Ongoing)

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Next Steps

July 13,2021 - Council Resolution endorsing Major Design Features

Community Engagement to continue

Formal Public Hearing (No Council Action) at ~60% Design

Right of Way Acquisition

Award of Construction Contract (Council Action)

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