BP Feb minutes

Bicycle Pedestrian Sub‐Committee Dover City Hall Large Conference Room Dover, DE February 5, 2019 *** REVISIONS - ACCEPTED MARCH 5, 2019 *** Members Present: Others Present: Gerry Pennington, Chris Asay, Fran Riddle, Carolyn Courtney, Eddie Diaz, John Fiori Jayce Lesniewski, Andy Siegel Kirby Hudson, James Galvin, Helen Wiles, Dirk Lee INTRODUCTIONS CALLED TO ORDER: Meeting opened at 5:00 P.M. CHAIR Welcomed everyone. Dirk Lee was introduced as a guest and potential candidate for the subcommittee. AGENDA It was noted to remove the Glo Rides as Dave Moses was not in attendance. It was noted to remove Bicycle Advocacy Group topic as well. With these changes, the Agenda was then accepted. MINUTES The Meeting Minutes of October 2018 and January 2019 were presented for approval. With a motion from Ms. Ridde and a second from Mr. Asay, the motion carried without objection to accept the minutes as presented. NEW BUSINESS Removed from agenda. OLD BUSINESS BANK LANE FEASIBILITY STUDY COMMENTS Mr. Asay reviewed his Bank Lane Proposal document dated February 5, 2019 included in today’s packet. After reviewing the comments, he made a motion that the City reject all options and request another option be developed by Century Engineering. This motion did not get a second. Discussion transpired on the issue of getting across Governors Avenue at Bank Lane. There are constraints at Bank Lane. This study addressed the need to of making a more safe crossing of Governors Avenue. Of the options presented, the easternmost block of Bank Lane will become a one-way street. There are constraints at Bank Lane. Mr. Galvin stated a rapid flashing type of light is not being recommended. It was stated if the study had not been done there would most likely not be any funding allocated for improvement. Mr. Galvin also noted the feasibility study was an important enough topic, that the previous MPO Director allocated money towards Bank Lane improvements. He noted the traffic counts at various intersection along Governors Avenue varied greatly. Mr. Diaz added that the intersection of Cecil Street crossing Governors was very different from Bank Lane crossing Governors. Cecil Street is aligned as it crosses Governors, whereas Bank Lane does not have the same alignment feature. It was noted that during the Public Workshop process, members were welcomed to share their comments and following the January meeting, members were also provided comment forms. A few members of this committee had already returned their comment forms for inclusion in the final report. Mr. Asay asked to have this topic on the next agenda for further discussion. CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Mr. Fiori reviewed the following update on pertinent construction projects:

1. POW Parkway Crossing Flashing Beacons: Received an e‐mail on January 30th that the installation of the RRFB’s has been completed and are now fully operational! 2. Capital City Trails Directional Signs along Saulsbury Road Multi‐use Path and Elsewhere. Signs have been installed! 3. Senator Bikeway, Phase 1: The project was submitted for PS&E on January 25th. The contract is waiting to be sent out for bids. Once the contract is awarded the project will be put on hold until the end of FY2019/beginning of FY2020. The reason for this is to have the project under construction while school is out for the summer. Project Description This project will involve the design and construction of pedestrian and bicycle improvements on Forest Street and Division Street, from Saulsbury Road to West Street, which will include new sidewalk, new bicycle facilities, upgrades to curb ramps, crosswalks, and curb replacement. The project will also include modifications to the on‐street parking on the north side of Division Street, between Weston Drive and West Street. 4. US 13 Sidewalk Improvement: The project was PS&E’d with the contract awarded to Grass Busters. After the preconstruction meeting within a month, anticipate construction beginning early spring 2019. Project Description This project will involve the design and construction of a shared‐use path along northbound US 13 within the City of Dover from Townsend Boulevard to Leipsic Road. This project will improve mobility and safety for pedestrian and bicycle users within this corridor. 5. Saulsbury Road Multi‐use Path Gap Completion: The 640’ section of 5’ wide sidewalk along the east side of Saulsbury Road beginning at Royal Farms has been widened to 8’. This now provides a shared use path 8’‐10’ wide from North Street to Forest Street. 6. SR8 & SR15 Intersection Improvements: The semi‐final plans were distributed for internal review on December 7, 2018 with comments due January 11, 2019. Due to the work along Saulsbury Road, the existing concrete path on the east side of Saulsbury Road will be replaced with an 8‐10’ wide hot‐mix shared used path from the Royal Farms entrance to the intersection of Saulsbury Road and SR 8. PS&E is anticipated being in June 2020. The estimated number of calendar days for construction is 320 days. Project Description: Planned improvements include the construction of and additional through lanes on each leg. The existing sidewalk and shared‐use path will be replaced to be ADA compliant. ADA compliant curb ramps will be installed. 7. Bradford Street Streetscape Enhancements: The preliminary construction plans were distributed for internal review on January 10, 2019 with comments due on February 8, 2019. The anticipated schedule for the project is as follows:  Semi‐final Construction is scheduled for April 2019  Final Construction Submittal is scheduled for August 2019  PS&E Submittal is scheduled for December 2019 Project Description: Construction of pedestrian facilities along a section of Bradford Street between Loockerman Street and Division Street. This will provide a continuous travel route for pedestrians between Wesley College and the downtown area. The existing sidewalk and buffer will be replaced to an adequate ADA compliant route and to maintain consistency through the corridor. ADA compliant curb ramps will be installed. 8. Capital City Trail Gateway to South State Street: The semi‐final plans were distributed for internal review on November 19, 2018 with comments requested by December 20, 2018. Comments are currently being reviewed and/or addressed. The anticipated schedule for the project is as follows:  Final ROW is scheduled for March 2019  Final Plans is scheduled for March 2019  PS&E is scheduled for June 2019 Project Description

The purpose of this project is to construct a multi‐use trail from the Gateway Shopping Center to South State Street for pedestrians and bicyclists connecting communities’ schools and businesses. All facilities will be ADA compliant. 9. Kenton Road, SR 8 to Chestnut Grove Road: The following was provided by Century Engineering; The schedule for the K104, Kenton Road, SR8 to Chestnut Grove Road project is as follows:  Semi‐Final Construction and Right of Way Plans – January 2019  Final Right of Way Plans – Spring 2019  Begin Right of Way Acquisition – Summer 2019  Final Construction Plans – Spring 2021  Begin Construction ‐ Spring 2022 (Funding Dependent) Project Description: Left and right turn lanes are proposed at all intersections along the corridor. An additional left turn lane is proposed from Walker Road and College Road onto Kenton. As a result, a second receiving lane is required on Kenton Road. The additional travel lane will continue southbound from College Road to SR8. Pedestrian safety will be addressed by replacing and extending the existing shared use path with a 10’ wide P.C.C. shared use path along the east side of Kenton Road from SR8 to College Road. The shared use path will cross Kenton Road at College Road and continue to W. Carnoustie Road (Fox Hall West Entrance) to allow for a low stress route. The remainder of the project corridor will have sidewalks along both sides of Kenton Road to accommodate pedestrian movements. Five‐foot (5’) bicycle lanes will also be added to Kenton Road from SR8 to Chestnut Grove Road and will be designated between the through and right turn lanes at intersections. A new traffic signal is proposed at the intersection of Kenton Road and Greentree Drive to accommodate the increase in vehicular traffic and to allow for safe pedestrian crossings. Chestnut Grove Road will be realigned to provide better sight distance for drivers and a roundabout is proposed for the intersection. PEDESTRIAN ISSUES Mr. Lesniewski mentioned the cross walk in the area of Pennsylvania crossing Division Street. The markings are almost non‐visable. He also inquired about the status/potential for a mid‐block cross walk on State Street at Washington Street. Ms. Courtney and Mr. Hudson said they would look into those matters and have a response for the next meeting. DOVER DUATHLON Ms. Courtney reported due to the Parks & Recreation departments’ workload and Master Planning projects, they would not be able to host the Dover Duathlon this year. They are able to assist on the Dover Treasure Hunt/Walking activity that is being partnered with the Mayor’s Kayak & Canoe Regatta. Possibly next year, the Duathlon could return. As Dover Park is undergoing a massive master plan process and park improvement program. Dover Park will be an even better place for hosting these kinds of events. Everyone was invited to ride out to Dover Park to see the improvements to vegetation removal that has been accomplished to date. BIKE MONTH EVENTS FOR MAY Bike to Work Day and the Ride of Silence are set for Wednesday, May 15. Both events will run similar to past years. Mr. Fiori added that the Legislators Ride is slated for May 8th and there will a few locations that people could join in the ride from either northern or southern Delaware. More details will be presented as we move closer to those dates. DOVER TREASURE HUNT Ms. Riddle presented the update, included in today’s packet. We are proposing an August 31, 2019 event that will partner with the City and Restoring Central Dover Committee. The event will be comprised of the Mayor’s Annual Kayak & Canoe event on Silver Lake with featured walking paths that would start and end at Silver Lake. The working group would be meeting again in February to continue moving this forward. Future updates will be shared with this committee. EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS (BIKE RODEOS) Mr. Fiori noted at this time, no bike rodeos were scheduled for the spring. He and Ms. Courtney will follow up with intention to get some of the elementary schools on board before then end of the 2019 school year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Fiori shared that DelDOT had received the Bicycle Friendly Business designation. In October 2019, DelDOT submitted an application to renew its bicycle friendly business program. In December 2019, the League of American Bicyclists' announced that the Delaware Department of Transportation was again awarded a Silver designation. This recognition is valid for four years. DelDOT takes great pride in the bicycle friendly workplace being created for our employees and visitors. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, we adjourned at 6:06 pm

Bank Lane Proposal 2/5/19 by Chris Asay Motion: Subcommittee recommends that the City of Dover reject all three options presented by Century Engineering and the MPO, and request a fourth option be developed by Century that is in line with their plan for the Senator Bikeway as it crosses the same roadways (Queen Street and Governors Avenue). The facts as presented by Chris Asay 1. Neither Century nor MPO consulted with our Subcommittee before developing the options, a mistake that Century and the MPO now acknowledge. 2. Contrary to what Century and the MPO presented to the subcommittee at our January meeting, DelDOT considers (and we concur) that Bank Lane is presently a Low‐Stress Bike Route. LTS=1, the lowest rating. (Century and the MPO misunderstood the maps they obtained from DelDOT.) See correct map, attached. 3. Queen Street and Governors Avenue present moderate crossing challenges to cyclists traveling along Bank Lane. 4. The Senator Bikeway also crosses Queen Street and Governors Avenue in nearly identical conditions as it follows along Cecil Street. 5. Century Engineering’s plan for the Senator Bikeway is very different from the proposed options for Bank Lane. No construction of multi‐use path or cycle track was recommended. On‐road bicycle travel was recommended. 6. Constructing a cycle track or multi‐use path on the four blocks of Bank Lane will cost over $1 million and provide minimal assistance for cyclists crossing Queen Street and Governor’s Avenue. (No traffic signals are recommended by any of the three current options) 7. A solution that mirrors the Senator Bikeway Plan will likely cost significantly less, and provide equal benefit. This information is solely a statement of Mr. Asay and does not reflect an opinion from the City of Dover, MPO, DelDOT or Century Engineering.

DOVER TREASURE HUNT UPDATE To: Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee To bring you up to date on the Dover Treasure Hunt, the planning group met in December and proposed that we scale down the project by planning a combined event with the City and Restoring Central Dover for August 31, 2019, the Saturday of the Labor Day weekend. The event would include kayaking and canoeing in the park and a Treasure Hunt walking path similar to one of our proposed Treasure Hunt arteries that would start and end in the park and loop to the Green. The City and RCD already have expressed interest and, if Open Streets is funded again, this would also be an Open Streets event. The Treasure Hunt planning group is encouraged that this event would be a way to modify our original proposal to bring us strong partners and allow us to test out the walking‐path concept on a small scale. If successful, we could expand from this base and add additional Treasure Hunt walking paths in other areas of the City as originally planned. By combining forces with the City of Dover, RCD, and Open Streets, we maximize resources to create synergy around a walk/recreation friendly Dover, the health of its residents, and their discovery of hidden gems in their own backyard. We assume the Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee is still interested in being a co‐sponsor of this event. The Treasure Hunt planning group will continue to meet to tailor original plans for the 8/31/19 event and will keep the Subcommittee informed of progress. Fran Riddle February 4, 2019