Title
Discuss Virginia Parkway Lanes 5 & 6 from US 75 to Ridge Road
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic Growth
MEETING DATE: November 16, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Gary Graham, PE, CIP and Transportation Engineering Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Confirm direction to proceed with construction.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The City has plans to widen Virginia Parkway from US 75 to Ridge Road to provide three lanes in each direction, in order to accommodate increasing traffic needs, improve safety, and provide continuity for the corridor.
• The Engineering Department, at Council’s request, has incorporated design elements at the intersections of Mallard Lakes Drive and Joplin Drive in response to public input and safety concerns.
• The Engineering Department seeks confirmation from Council to proceed with construction of these improvements as part of the widening project.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Engineering Department has been working to complete the design of Virginia Parkway widening from Ridge Road to Us 75 in order to provide the ultimate lane configuration of a six lane divided arterial roadway, as designated in the Master Thoroughfare Plan.
• Design of the east section from Bellegrove Drive to US 75 began in late 2013, and the design contract was extended in 2014 to include the west section from Ridge Road to Bellegrove.
• In September 2014, the Engineering Department hosted a public information meeting where exhibits of the proposed widening project were displayed for public viewing and input.
• Residents attended the meeting and raised concerns for the roadway widening, specifically at the intersections with Mallard Lakes Drive and Joplin Drive.
• In November 2014, Staff presented a summary of the concerns to the City Council in order to confirm the direction of the project before proceeding with the design of the west section of Virginia Parkway widening.
• Council direction was to proceed with the design, and to return to Council to present the improvements proposed for addressing citizen concerns as part of the project. In addition to widening lanes 5 and 6, the following improvements are proposed:
1. Traffic signal at the intersection of Virginia Parkway and Mallard Lakes Drive
2. Completion of the Mallard Lakes Drive intersection north of Virginia Parkway
3. Additional left turn lane and median opening west of Joplin to alleviate U-turn movements at Joplin
4. Additional westbound right turn lane at Joplin Drive
• The additional construction cost associated with these improvements is estimated to be $425,000. Total project construction cost for widening Virginia Parkway from US 75 to Ridge Road, including the additional safety improvements, is estimated to be $13.2 million.
• The construction drawings are at the final stage of review, and the project is scheduled for bidding in January 2016, pending completion of ROW acquisition and the relocation of franchise utilities. The project will take approximately two years to construct.
• Funds are available in the project budget to construct the improvements as part of the widening project.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY: N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: N/A