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SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AGENDA June 29, 2011 - 5:00 P.M. - City Hall Conference Room - City Hall - City of Dover Public comments are welcomed on any item and will be permitted at appropriate times. When possible, please notify the City Clerk (736-7008 or e-mail at CityClerk@dover.de.us) should you wish to be recognized. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS 1. Presentation - Regional Bike Plan (James Galvin/Juanita Wieczoreck) 2. Staff Briefing on Discussions with Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and Capital School District on New Dover High School 3. Draft Letter to Capital School District - Pedestrian Crosswalk (Referred to Staff During the Meeting of April 27, 2011) 4. Adjournment /tm S:\AGENDAS & MINUTES\Committee-Agendas\2011\06-29-2011 SA&T.wpd THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.

Dover/Kent County MPO Regional Bicycle Plan OVERVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Purpose • Provide a safer environment for people to ride their bicycles to work, school, shopping and recreation • Encourage people to replace short motor vehicle trips with bicycle trips • Encourage active living • Offer travel options

Benefits  Create safer streets  Reduce ozone  Reduce green house gas emissions  Promote health – reduce health care costs  Improve mental health

Vision and Goals  Make bicycle riding a viable transportation option  Effective and safe  All bicyclists and motorists follow the rules of the road  Increase the number of trips in the region that are made by bicycle  Local utility trips  School trips  Work trips  Recreation and fitness trips

Strategies: Make bicycle riding a viable transportation option  Increase on-street bikeways –  Make intersections safer  Increase off-road and multi-use paths  Increase roads for shared use  Increase bicycle parking  Establish an on-going committee  Fund bicycle and motorist education  Fund bicycle enforcement campaign

Strategies: Increase the number of trips made by bicycle  Improve bicycle routes and increase parking  Increase bike routes to school  Increase off-road trails

Policy Recommendations  Selecting Appropriate Facilities  Lanes  Shared shoulders  Shared lanes  Shared use paths  Bicycle boulevards  Intersection treatments  Intersections with right turn lanes  Bicycle boxes  Parking

Assessing Needs  Surveys  Interviews  Working group knowledge  Identify Destinations  Review existing facilities  Parking  Paths  Shoulders

Existing System

Key Destinations

Existing Off-road System

Bicycle Parking

Gaps and Impediments  Impediments  Physical impediments  Safety impediments  Gaps  Bike lane  Shoulder  Shoulder striping  No facilities at an intersection  Narrow shoulders, heavy traffic

Removing/Mitigating Impediments  Widening  Adjusting pavement use  Striping  Sharrow markings  Share the road signs  Less on-street parking  Parallel routes  Off-road paths

Performance Measures  Miles of paths  Miles of signs and markings  Number of riders

Project Recommendations

Project Selection/Priority  Barrier/gap elimination  Safety & security  Regional significance  Local significance  Multi-modal connections  Connections to recreational facilities and/or schools  Cost

Next Steps  Release draft  30-day public comment period  Presentations to local groups, if requested  Media releases  Presentations to MPO committees and Council  Adoption by MPO Council in September

APPENDIX D: SUMMARY OF PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS Construction and Lane-Width Reallocation Projects South West Street is the location of the new Dover transit hub, but has no bicycle facilities to access the South West South from North Street transit center. The road needs to be widened and a bike Street (.40 miles) lane added, linking to the proposed bike lanes and multi- use path on North Street. US 13 is a major highway running north-south the length of the County, creating an impediment for bicyclists traveling east-west. Within Dover, US 13 is Scarborough Rd to the main road to access many shopping and US 13 Puncheon Run (4.61 employment areas, but has no bicycle facilities and very miles) heavy, fast-moving automobile traffic. Lane width should be reallocated to add a bike lane through this road segment during the upcoming road resurfacing project. The segment of State Street south from US 13 to Walker Between US 13 and Road has no bicycle facilities and no shoulders, and State Street Walker Road (approx .5 heavy, fast-moving traffic. In addition, the road is miles) constrained by the bridge over Silver Lake. Reallocate lane width to add a bike lane. DE 8 is one of the major east-west routes through Dover. The road west of US 13 has no bike facilities, no Railroad tracks to DE 8/Forest shoulders and heavy auto traffic. The road will also be Heatherfield Way (1.8 Avenue one of the main access roads to the new Dover High miles) School. Reallocate lane width to add bike lanes. Walker Road is a major east-west route connecting State Street and neighborhoods on the west side of the city. The road also has an elementary school and Dover High State Street to Saulsbury School. Between State Street and Saulsbury Road, Walker Road Road (approx. 1 mile) Walker Road has a wide outside lane, no shoulders and moderate auto traffic. There is a bike lane between Saulsbury Rd and Kenton Road. Reallocate lane width to add bike lanes. Dover/Kent County MPO Regional Bicycle Plan DRAFT 1

North Street/Hazlettville Road is a major route utilized to access Dover from the west. There is currently a multi-use path running on the eastbound side of the road between Shutte Park and the east end of the Eden Hill property. From the end of the multi-use path Wyoming Mill Rd to across the railroad tracks, the road is narrow and busy. North Street Railroad tracks (1.51 On the westbound side, there is no shoulder nor multi- miles) use path, except for a short segment of bike lane between the railroad tracks and Minima Street. Bike lanes and a clear transition from the multi-use path to North Street need to be added. College Road is the main road, other than US 13, accessing Delaware State University, and serves as a Between McKee Road connector from West Dover to commercial areas on US College Road and Dover-Kenton Road 13. The road segment west of McKee Road has no bike (2.13miles) facilities, no shoulders, and heavy auto traffic. The road needs to be widened and a bike lane added. DE 10 is the main road connecting Dover AFB with the towns of Camden and Wyoming. There are several schools along or just off the route. A key hazard is the bridge over the St. Jones River, there are no shoulders on westbound side, and no bike facilities and heavy, fast- Between US 113 and US DE 10 moving auto traffic in both directions. Eastbound the 13 (2.9 miles) shoulder should be marked as a bike lane, westbound, lane width should be reallocated to add a bike lane. Ideally, the speed limit on the bridge should also be reduced. A continuous bike lane should be added in each direction From Lulu Ross Elem. School: Lovers Lane to SE Front St to Marshall Street to the Riverwalk To connect existing residential development with the Riverwalk - (.83 miles). Downtown and the Riverwalk, and In conjunction with Milford the Safe Routes to Schools Program. From Banaker Elem. School: Church Street south to the Riverwalk (.63 miles). Saulsbury Rd/McKee Rd/Scarborough Rd connects Delaware Tech and shopping areas to West Dover, and Saulsbury Rd./ Between North Street and connects to each of the main east-west routes through DE 15 US 13 (3.57 miles) Dover. The existing bike lane needs to be continued along the full length of the road, including through the intersections. Dover/Kent County MPO Regional Bicycle Plan DRAFT 2

US 113 is the main north-south route through Milford, US 113 - From SR1 south through connecting numerous shopping areas. The road has no Milford Milford (2.7 miles) bicycle facilities, no shoulders, and fast, heavy auto traffic. A bike lane needs to be marked and/or added. Kenton Road is a key commuting route for residents northwest of Dover, as well as a key route for recreational bicyclists. The road has no bicycle facilities DE 8 to Denny’s Road and no or narrow shoulders and heavy, fast-moving Kenton Road (2.35 miles) automobile traffic. Lane width should be reallocated and the road widened if necessary to add a bike lane, including adding bike lane markings at the intersection with DE 8. Part of the St. Jones Greenway trail system the causeway connects from the Hunn Family Farm House to the Lebanon Landing Boat Ramp. From there a pedestrian bridge crosses over the St. Jones River to Old Lebanon Road. This road can be used by bicycles for Between DE 10 and the approximately 2 miles until the path is blocked by the Sorghum Mill Hunn Property (1.65 DAFB housing project. Sorghum Mill Road continues Road miles) west to the small town of Lebanon and continues to multiple housing developments (Locust Grove, Eagle Meadow, and Quail Landing) as well as an elementary school, a middle school and the John S. Charlton facility. The causeway needs to be widened and a bike lane added. A significant recreational biking road which is also used by horse and buggies and large trucks. The road has no Pearsons Between DE 8 and DE 42 bicycle facilities, no shoulders and moderate automobile Corner Road volume. Pearsons Corner Road needs to be widened to add striped shoulders. Chestnut Grove Road is a main connector route, used by automobiles, bicycles, and horse and buggies, from Chestnut Grove Between Kenton Road west of Dover to the northern commercial areas on US Road and DE 8 (2.59 miles) 13. The road has no bike facilities, no shoulders, and fast, moderate volume auto traffic. The road needs to be widened and striped shoulders added. DE 12 is a main mid-county east-west bicycling route. From Felton to the West of Felton, the road has no bike facilities, no DE 12 Maryland line (10.75 shoulders, and fast, moderate volume auto traffic. The miles) road needs to be widened and striped shoulders added. This segment of DE 15, a major north-south bicycling From Viola to Airport route, has no bike facilities, no shoulders, and fast, DE 15 Road (5.72 miles) moderate volume auto traffic. The road needs to be widened and striped shoulders added. Dover/Kent County MPO Regional Bicycle Plan DRAFT 3

Intersections Needing Bike Lanes or Directional Markings US 13 is a four-lane divided highway with a median. US 13 Length of Kent County Traffic volumes along this highway are high, and the posted speed is 50 mph. DE 10 US 13 is a four-lane divided highway with a median. Intersection with US 13 in Traffic volumes along this highway are high, and the Felton posted speed is 50 mph. Warner Road (K406) & US 113 - traffic volumes are heavy along this segment of US 113. As Warner Road Intersection of Warner Rd Rehoboth Blvd crosses US 113 right where it forks between US 113 and (K406) & US113 SR 14, the geometry of the intersection may confuse bicyclists traveling through the area for the first time. 10th Street, Intersections with US 113 No bicycle facilities. 10th Street is a city-planned bike Milford and SR1 route. DE 6 - Smyrna Intersection of DE 6 and There are only two narrow lanes (10 feet) with turn US 13 lanes. There is no shoulder or extra space available for bicycle travel. At its intersection with US 13, US 13 is a divided Intersections with US13, highway, with restaurants located in the median. The DE 14 US113, SR1 access points to these restaurants may create conflicts with bicycle traffic. US 113A, S. Voshell Mill Rd north to No bike facilities at most intersections, fast auto traffic State St. SR 1 No bike facilities through intersections, fast, heavy auto DE 42 Kenton to Cheswold traffic Road Segments Identified for Sharrows US 13 south to US 13, including intersections with State St. - Dover Walker Rd, Division St, Loockerman St, North St, and Water St. (3.00 miles) Walker Rd to Water St, including intersections at Governors Ave - Dover Division St and Loockerman St. (1.35 miles) Division St. - Dover US 13 to RR (1.53 miles) Loockerman St. - Dover Division to US 13 (1.36 miles) DE 10 - Camden/Wyoming US 13 to railroad on west side of Wyoming BICYCLE ROUTE 3 - Harrington Within Harrington (3.55 miles) Dover/Kent County MPO Regional Bicycle Plan DRAFT 4

City of Dover Public Services/Planning Memo To: Safety Advisory & Transportation Committee From: Scott D. Koenig, P.E., Interim City Manager Ann Marie Townshend, AICP, Director of Planning & Community Development Date: June 17, 2011 Re: Dover High School Site Planning Coordination As you are aware, the Capital School District will shortly begin construction of a new Dover High School on the west side of Dover on Delaware Route 8. The Capital School District, City of Dover, and State of Delaware recognize the significance of this project on the entire Dover region. The new high school will provide a learning environment that incorporates today’s technology into the educational environment, a new building that utilizes green building practices, and quality athletic fields and facilities for the district’s athletic programs. The new high school will also be located on Route 8, which is a major east/west artery for Kent County. Recognizing the importance of this major capital project, the City of Dover staff has been working closely with the Capital School District, DelDOT, and other stakeholders to facilitate a smooth and responsible planning process as this site nears construction. In October 2010, the Planning Commission held a joint meeting with the Capital School Board so that the Planning Commission had an opportunity to learn about the project and ask questions prior to their formal review of the development application in December 2010. To ensure that the review of the project continues smoothly and that questions or disagreements are worked out in a timely manner that meets the needs of all involved, we have scheduled monthly staff-level coordination meetings to include the Capital School District and their staff of consultants, DelDOT, City of Dover departments, and the DNREC Stormwater Management Program. We are optimistic that these monthly progress meetings will provide a mechanism to resolving disagreements and avoiding miscommunication about the project. 1

ACTION FORM PROCEEDING: Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Public Services/Planning DATE SUBMITTED: June 15, 2011 PREPARED BY: Ann Marie Townshend, AICP, Director of Planning & Community Development and Scott D. Koenig, P.E., Interim City Manager/Public Services Manager SUBJECT: Pedestrian Overpass Over Route 8 REFERENCE: N/A RELATED PROJECT: Dover High School REVIEWED BY: James Hosfelt, Chief, Dover Police Department EXHIBITS: Draft Letter EXPENDITURE REQUIRED: N/A AMOUNT BUDGETED: N/A FUNDING SOURCE (Dept./Page in CIP & Budget): N/A TIMETABLE: N/A RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff recommends that the attached letter, revised from the April 27, 2011 Committee meeting be sent to DelDOT with a copy to the Capital School District. BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS At the Safety Advisory Committee meeting on April 27, 2011, the Committee discussed a letter proposed by Mr. Davis to send to Capital School District requesting that a pedestrian bridge be installed over Route 8. The Committee asked staff to amend the letter and bring it back to the Committee for consideration. Staff has amended the letter to address it to DelDOT, rather than the Capital School District, and to request that DelDOT perform a feasibility study for such a pedestrian bridge.

Shailen Bhatt, Secretary Delaware Department of Transportation P.O. Box 778 Dover, DE 19903 Dear Secretary Bhatt: The City of Dover’s Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee has discussed concerns related to the safe travel of pedestrians from residential developments on the north side of Route 8, including Cranberry Run, Heatherfield and Heatherfield East, to the new Dover High School site on the south side of Route 8. Route 8 serves as the western gateway to the City of Dover and as a major east/west artery for central Kent County, moving passenger vehicles and freight alike. In order to improve pedestrian safety from the residential neighborhoods on the north side of Route 8 to the school, and to facilitate a smooth flow of vehicle traffic during peak hours, the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee requests that the Department of Transportation conduct a feasibility study for the installation of a pedestrian overpass over Delaware Route 8. Such a study could determine feasibility of such an overpass, along with some general cost estimates and potential funding sources. The Committee would be glad to discuss this concept with the Department at one of our upcoming Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meetings. Respectfully Submitted, James L. Hutchison, Chair Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee