Transcript US 220 @ I-68 Exit 42 & Greene St
US 220 @ I-68 Geometric Improvements Project # AL419 Update
Stephen A. Bucy Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA)
Overview
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Project Background
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Current Project
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Schedule
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Questions
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Project Background
Issue: Safety Concerns with Undersized Merge Area onto EB I-68 from combined NB US 220 and Fletcher Dr high-speed ramp – – NB US 220 and Fletcher Dr Ramps are < 1,000 ft apart Curbed grass separation adjacent to I-68 required to combine the merge area for both ramps US 220 NB Ramp Fletcher Dr Ramp Safety Issues with Small Merge Area
Project Background
• Issue: Direct access from SB US 220/Greene St to EB I-68 is NOT provided at the interchange – Traffic must take a circuitous route on local residential streets to get to the Fletcher Dr Ramp Ramp to EB I-68 No Left Turn
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Project Background
2006: Determined the Way Ahead – – Change the Fletcher Dr ramp to restricted access Eliminate a section of the grass median, which allows the ramp merge area to be extended significantly – Provide direct access from SB US 220/Greene St to EB I-68 at the interchange • 2007: SHA initiated a engineering concept study • 2008: Final report came in with 2 primary interchange alternatives – 1: Roundabout – 2: Left/U-Turn Lane (Included Signal) • 2008: Roundabout Alternative was chosen – – SHA initiated a design contract SHA Roundabout Design Team made improvement recommendations
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Project Background
2008: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Concurs • 2009: Project design progress temporarily halted due to statewide funding issues • 2010: Concrete interchange area transferred from City to SHA • 2010: Project design funding restored – Final Design Review Meeting in Dec 2010 • • Project to include full depth pavement to replace concrete pavement through interchange Project to include paving below the interchange to a point near the Industrial Park entrance • 2010: Project construction funding secured • 2011: Project design completed
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Current Project
Extended Merge Area – Large section of grass median eliminated – Allows the ramp merge area to be extended significantly New Gate New End of Curb Grass Median Eliminated
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Current Project
Roundabout “U-About” Concept at the interchange
• Project Benefits:
Current Project
– Addressed the safety issues at the EB I-68 Exit 42 on-ramp • • Remove large section of grass median Extends merge/acceleration area Better operation of the merge • Reduces back-ups on ramp that are currently observed during peak periods • Removes the conflict point between Fletcher Dr ramp movement and the US 220 ramp – Provides access from SB US 220/Greene St to EB I-68 at the interchange • Simplifies access to the Interstate • • Provides access for all types of vehicles at Exit 42 from West Side Reduces traffic on local residential streets (Fayette, Gephart, and Fletcher)
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Current Project
Project Benefits: – Full depth replacement of all the problematic concrete pavement – Pavement job extends south to a point near the Industrial Park – Interchange lighting upgrades – Drainage improvements – Signage upgrades – Traffic Calming
Current Project
New Gate • Project Questions: – Will emergency vehicles and/or the Armory have access to the old ramp?
– Yes – The gate will be padlocked and applicable emergency services organizations as well as the Armory personnel will be issued keys for emergency use
Current Project
New Gate • Project Questions: – Will there be any problems accessing the City Pump Station?
– No – The gate will be located below the pump station entrance, so there will be no access issues
Current Project
• Project Questions: – Will residents in Fletcher Dr area have access to the old ramp?
New Gate – No • • • The old ramp will be closed to public access Do Not Enter and “For Use of Authorized and Emergency Use Vehicles Only” signs will be installed Residents will have to travel to one of the other EB I-68 on ramps – Note: This also means less overall traffic on the local residential streets
Current Project
• Project Questions: – Why is the “Passing lane” on NB US 220 before the interchange being eliminated?
• The second lane was never a “Passing lane,” but the start of the divide where one lane would go to EB I-68 and the other to WB I-68 • Today’s tractor trailers have sufficient power to compare with the climbing power of passenger vehicles • Note: There will still be a separate left turn lane into the Park & Ride facility
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Current Project
Project Questions: – Was consideration given to NB US 220 vehicles having to yield on an upgrade?
• Yes • There may be slight back-ups during peak traffic periods of the day • The yield scenario is preferred over coming to a complete stop, many times unnecessarily, at a traffic signal – How does this project relate to the future US 220 Corridor?
• • The 2 issues are independent This project meets an immediate need & is managed by SHA’s District 6 office in LaVale • City officials and local SHA staff were recently updated on the status of the US 220 Corridor Tier One Planning Study, led by the state of West Virginia • Although there is progress on the US 220 Corridor, there is still much work to be done
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Current Project
Project Questions: – Why are we installing another roundabout?
• Addressed the left turn at a severe angle that previously could not be navigated • The engineering study showed that a roundabout offered a better level of service than a signal at this specific location • Other advantages: – – – – – Improves intersection safety Keeps traffic moving Reduces unnecessary stops Reduces air pollution Minimal maintenance required after construction
Project Schedule
• Spring 2011: Project goes out for bid • Summer 2011: Project will be awarded • Fall 2011: Site preparation work to begin • 2012: Majority of construction activity will occur – “U-About” opened – Fletcher Dr ramp changed to restricted access only