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Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming PREPARED BY MCMAHON ASSOCIATES FORT AVENUE & COLUMBUS AVENUE TRAFFIC CALMING City of Salem, MA Salem Willows Neighborhood Meeting November 9, 2021 ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 2 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming • Provide background • Overview of the project • Obtain input on concept design MEETING PURPOSE ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 3 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming STUDY AREA AND SCOPE OF WORK • Fort Avenue intersections: • Memorial Drive • Winter Island Road • Columbus Square and Columbus Avenue • Scope includes: • Evaluation of crosswalk locations • Safety improvements • Engineered design (25% design) Source: Toole Design Group December 2020 ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 4 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming BACKGROUND • City Plans & Policies • Bicycle Master Plan – fully separated multi-use path • Complete Streets policy • Traffic Calming Program • Past Activities • Traffic Calming application March 2019 • Striping October 2019 • Additional physical changes Summer 2020 • Concepts December 2020 ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 5 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming • Survey Spring 2021 • Traffic Commission Coordination – July 2021 • Meeting July 2021 • Opportunity for comments & input • Field Observations – July 2021 • Sight distance and field conditions • Additional neighborhood input • Concept Development – August/September 2021 • City staff and Councilor met with direct abutters CONCEPT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 6 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming COMMENTS RECEIVED • Safety concerns at Columbus Avenue/Columbus Square/Fort Avenue • Location and design of crosswalks across Fort Avenue • Speeding vehicles • Confusion at Fort Ave intersection at Winter Island Road • Parking concerns (especially summer) ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 7 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming • Clarify roadway vehicular lanes and slow speeds at intersections • Curb extensions to allow for safer crossing • Sidewalk level multi-use path is grade separated from the street with the potential for a vegetated buffer • On-street parking where possible • Improve cross street intersections • Columbus Square one-way to reduce the number of potential conflict points on Fort Avenue • Modify parking spaces on the south end of the project area to improve safety • Pedestrian crossing south of Winter Island Road shifted north in response to neighborhood requests CONCEPT DESIGN GUIDELINES ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 8 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming CONCEPT 1: NORTH CROSSING Pros • Better sight lines for northerly Fort Avenue crossing • Improves connections to neighborhood sidewalks Cons • Greater impact to the Columbus Avenue / Fort Avenue island • Multi-use path has four roadway crossings to get to and from Salem Willows Park ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 9 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming CONCEPT 2: MID- BLOCK CROSSING Pros • Keeps multi-use path away from residential areas • Fewer impacts to the Columbus Avenue / Fort Avenue island that is liked by residents • Multi-use path only has two roadway crossings to get to and from Salem Willows Park Cons • Sight lines not as clear as Concept 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 10 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming • Crossing locations • On-street parking • Green space considerations • Winter Island Road Turning Radius ABUTTER INPUT ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 11 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming CONCEPT 3 – TWO CROSSINGS • Modifies two existing crossings • Multiuse Path crossing nearest to public parking • Expands and connects sidewalk network • Columbus Square one- way toward Fort Avenue • Expands Green Space • New crosswalk at Winter Island Road and Columbus Square ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 12 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming DESIGN FEATURES ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 13 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming RAISED CROSSWALKS Salem Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 14 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming DESIGN FEATURES – TRUCK APRON Build Toolkit NACTO ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 15 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming DISCUSSION ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 16 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming 1. Using this feedback, refine concept plans 2. Present at Traffic Commission Meeting 3. Complete 25% Design and cost estimates 4. Secure funding for implementation NEXT STEPS ---PAGE BREAK--- Transportation Solutions Building Better Communities Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming Page 17 Fort Avenue & Columbus Avenue Traffic Calming THANK YOU!