OPEN HOUSE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING. Stark County Garage Ohio Department of Transportation 4505 Atlantic Boulevard, Canton, OH 44705

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1 OPEN HOUSE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING Stark County Garage Ohio Department of Transportation 4505 Atlantic Boulevard, Canton, OH Thursday, December 10, :00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. US 62 (Atlantic Boulevard), Middlbranch Avenue, Harrisburg Avenue and 30 th Street Improvements ODOT Project No. STA-US (PID # 96346) City of Canton and Plain Township in Stark County, Ohio Ohio Department of Transportation District South Arlington Road Akron, Ohio (330) or (800) (Ohio)

2 INFORMATIONAL HANDOUT Purpose of this Public Meeting The purpose of this open house public involvement meeting is to present and discuss the proposed roadway improvements with the general public, residents, business owners and public officials and solicit public opinion regarding the proposed improvement. No formal presentation will be made, however, project team members from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and DLZ, the project design engineer, are available to discuss the proposed improvements and address your questions. Exhibits showing preliminary design for the proposed work and the current Maintenance of Traffic plan and related detours are on display for your review. You are invited to comment regarding the proposed improvements. In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (codified as 36 CFR 800), ODOT also requests information regarding the presence of any cultural resources in the vicinity of the proposed project. Cultural resources include prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, historic bridges, and historic buildings, sites and districts. Proposed Roadway Improvements The proposed transportation improvement (ODOT Project No. STA-US ; PID No ) extends along US Route 62 (Atlantic Boulevard) from the ramp to Harrisburg Avenue NE to a point east of Roosevelt Avenue NE; along Middlebranch Avenue NE from US Route 62 north 800 feet; along Harrisburg Avenue NE from US 62 to 400 feet south of a proposed new roundabout intersection with 30 th Street NE; and along 30 th Street NE from the new roundabout east to a point near Roosevelt Avenue NE. Furthermore, the project includes: a relocated and reconstructed intersection with a proposed traffic signal at US 62 and Harrisburg Avenue NE; a reconstructed intersection with a proposed traffic signal at US 62 and Middlebranch Avenue NE; a relocated and reconstructed intersection at Harrisburg Avenue NE and 30 th Street NE to create a roundabout; widening on US 62 from the new intersection at Harrisburg Avenue NE to Middlebranch Avenue NE to accommodate side-by-side left-turn lanes; and widening to accommodate eight-foot shoulders on US 62 from west of Harrisburg Avenue NE to east of Roosevelt Avenue NE. Purpose and Need The purpose of the transportation improvements in the project area is to improve the safety of the intersections for the roadway users; to correct geometric deficiencies; to improve the level of service; and to provide appropriate access to the corridor for local residences, businesses, and future developments consistent with the ODOT Access Management System Inventory. 2

3 The proposed project is being considered in response to the existing safety problems, geometrical deficiencies, and predicted future congestion within the project study area. Under the existing roadway geometry, the project study area has a higher crash rate when compared to the state average. Additionally, intersection delays are predicted to increase in the design year (2040). To maintain an efficient and safe route of travel for the public, the crashes and capacity deficiencies within the project study area must be addressed. Crash Data Based on crash data collected from 2011 to 2013, 101 total crashes occurred within the project study area. At the intersection of US 62/Harrisburg Avenue NE/Middlebranch Avenue NE, 44 total crashes occurred during the three-year study period. The highest crash type was rear-end, accounting for 45.5 percent (20) of the total crashes at this intersection. The second highest crash type was angle with 15.9 percent (7). Parked vehicle crashes were 13.6 percent (6) of the total crashes and sideswipepassing crashes were 11.4 percent (5) of the total crashes. Thirty-three (33) property damage only crashes (75%) and 11 injury related crashes (25%) were reported at the intersection. Based on the 2013 Stark County Regional Planning Commission (SCRPC) crash report, this intersection has a Stark County Area Transportation Study (SCATS) Hazard Rating of (30 th highest in Stark County) and a crash rate of 0.82 (36 th highest in Stark County). Overall, this intersection is rated the 2 nd highest in Plain Township based on the crash rate, severity, and SCATS hazard rating. At the intersection of Harrisburg Avenue NE/30 th Street NE, 30 total crashes occurred during the threeyear study period. The highest crash type was angle, accounting for 56.7 percent (17) of the total crashes. The second highest crash type was rear-end with 10 percent (3). Left-turn, backing, and fixed-object crashes each accounted for 6.7 percent (2) of all crashes. Twenty-three (23) property damage only crashes (76.7%) and seven injury related crashes (23.3%) were reported at the intersection. Based on the 2013 SCRPC crash report, this intersection has a SCATS Hazard Rating of (5 th highest in Stark County) and a crash rate of 2.17 (8 th highest in Stark County). Overall, this intersection is rated the 5 th highest in Stark County (1 st in Plain Township) based on the crash rate, severity, and SCATS hazard rating. Twenty-seven (27) crashes occurred at the intersection of US 62/Westbound On-Ramp (from Harrisburg Avenue NE/30 th Street NE). The highest crash type was rear-end, accounting for 70.4 percent (19) of the total crashes at this intersection. The second highest crash type was angle with 14.8 percent (4), while parked vehicle crashes were 7.4 percent (2). Eighteen (18) property damage only crashes (66.7%) and nine injury related crashes (33.3%) were reported at the intersection. This intersection was not identified in the 2013 SCRPC crash report. Based on the crash data noted above, this intersection had a crash rate of 1.84 per million vehicle miles traveled, which is higher than the state average on Principal Arterials and Minor Aterials. Roadway Geometrics The ODOT Location and Design Manual, Volume 1, Section 401.3, states that all new or relocated highways provide intersection angles of 70 to 90 degrees. An angle of 60 degrees may be satisfactory if one of two conditions is met: (1) the intersection is signalized; or (2) the intersection is skewed such that a driver stopped on the side road has the acute angle (at center of intersection) on the left side (vision not blocked by his/her own vehicle). Currently, the intersection of US 62 and the ramp to 3

4 Harrisburg Avenue NE create an angle of 51 degrees, while the US 62 and Middlebranch Avenue NE intersection is 65 degrees, and the US 62 and Harrisburg Avenue NE Intersection is 35 degrees. Level of Service and Capacity Analysis Traffic congestion is ranked using a Level of Service (LOS) designation expressed in terms of letters. According to the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM), LOS is a qualitative measure which describes the operational conditions within a traffic stream which is generally described in terms of such factors as speed and travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, comfort and convenience, and safety. LOS is expressed by assigning a ranking with LOS "A" representing the highest quality traffic flow and minimal delay, to LOS "F" representing poor traffic operations, excessive vehicular delay, and substantial queuing (Table 1). Table 1 LOS Criteria Control Delay per Vehicle (sec) Level of Service Signalized Intersections Unsignalized Intersections A B > 10.0 and 20.0 > 10.0 and 15.0 C > 20.0 and 35.0 > 15.0 and 25.0 D > 35.0 and 55.0 > 25.0 and 35.0 E > 55.0 and 80.0 > 35.0 and 50.0 F > 80.0 > 50.0 Source: Highway Capacity Manual, Transportation Research Board, 2010 Traffic analysis was completed to determine the future No Build Condition LOS for the intersections within the project area. This analysis was conducted using ODOT Certified Traffic data and Highway Capacity Software (HCS). As shown in Table 2, under the No Build conditions (2030), the intersections are predicted to operate at LOS D at the US 62 intersections with Middlebranch Avenue NE and Harrisburg Avenue NE. The Harrisburg Avenue NE/30 th Street NE intersection is predicted to operate at an unacceptable LOS E and F during the morning (AM) and afternoon (PM) peak hours, respectively. With projected traffic volume increases, the efficiency and operational conditions associated with the current roadways will continue to worsen throughout the project study area. Table 2 - Level of Service No Build Conditions in 2030 Intersection & Analysis Period LOS Delay (SECONDS) AM Peak Hour US-62 & Middlebranch D 35.5 US-62 & Harrisburg D 35.5 Harrisburg & 30 th E* 46.5 PM Peak Hour US-62 & Middlebranch D 43.5 US-62 & Harrisburg D 43.5 Harrisburg & 30 th F* >300 *Delay is for the WB left-turn movement, since NB & SB movements are free flow 4

5 Table 3 shows the projected LOS with the proposed intersection improvements. Note that the Level of Service for the signalized intersection modifications and proposed roundabout ranges from LOS A to C, all acceptable LOS ratings for this type of facility by ODOT standards. Table 3 - Level of Service Proposed Roundabout and Intersections in 2030 Intersection & Analysis Period LOS Delay (SECONDS) AM Peak Hour US-62 & Middlebranch C 26.9 US-62 & Harrisburg B 17.1 Harrisburg & 30 th A 7.0 PM Peak Hour US-62 & Middlebranch B 17.8 US-62 & Harrisburg C 21.3 Harrisburg & 30 th B 13.6 Realizing the severity of the existing and anticipated future conditions, a need has been identified to implement improvements to accommodate the projected traffic volumes, address geometric deficiencies, and improve the efficiency of the roadway. Environmental Considerations ODOT and the DLZ project team have conducted several environmental studies throughout the course of this project. In the sections below, the findings of these studies are categorized and summarized. Ecological Resources (including wetlands, streams, aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and threatened and endangered species) DLZ evaluated the project study area and completed an Ecological Survey Report (ESR) in June of Though the Middle Branch of Nimishillen Creek is in the project vicinity, it is located 200 feet outside the project study area and no project impacts are expected to the creek. No evidence was found of any endangered species habitat in the project study area. No substantive ecological resources will be impacted by the proposed project. Cultural Resources (including historic sites, archaeological sites, and historic architecture) The DLZ team completed a Section 106 Request for Review (RFR) for the project study area in January No previously identified previously identified cultural resources were identified within the project study area. In 2009 Crider and Stoll completed a Phase 1 archaeological survey near and west of the project study area. No other archaeological sites appear in the Archeological Atlas of Ohio and no properties 50 years of age or older were identified in the project study area as being eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). 5

6 In accordance with Stipulation 4B of the Section 106 Programmatic Agreement approved on November 30, 2011 (Agreement No ) and in compliance with 36 CFR 800.4(d)(1); Ohio Department of Transportation - Office of Environmental Services (ODOT-OES) has determined that no historic properties affected is the appropriate finding for the proposed undertaking based on the following: 1. The work is limited to the existing street rights-of-way and areas totally disturbed by modern commercial development. No further archaeological investigations are recommended. 2. No National Register eligible or listed properties will be affected by the project. Section 4(f)/6(f) Resources (including parks and other recreation land, natural and wildlife areas, waterfowl refuges and cultural historical resource) No known Section 6(f) property is affected by the proposed work, but Willig Park is proposed to be impacted and is a qualified Section 4(f) property. Willig Park is a public recreational park located in the city of Canton, Ohio, at the southeast corner of the 30 th Street NE and Ohio Avenue NE intersection. Willig Park encompasses approximately 20 acres, and includes four ball fields and associated facilities, open grass areas, and a small playground. The primary use for this recreational park is by baseball and softball leagues. The project will require acquisition of temporary and permanent rights-of-way from Willig Park to complete construction. Approximately 0.65 acre of park land will be converted to public roadway rightof-way and approximately 0.69 acre of existing park land/mowed green space will be converted into parking for the park resulting in impacts to 1.34 acres of the 20 acres of existing park land. Coordination with the City of Canton Recreation Park Commission during design and construction is required for this project. Several commitments made to the City of Canton to minimize or mitigate harm to the qualified 4(f) property are listed below: The proposed project will provide a paved and lined parking lot with a higher parking total capacity than the existing parking lot to ensure the transportation improvement project will not impact the facility s current use. The proposed project will provide safer defined access to the public road system with two dedicated park access driveways. A high fence between the proposed parking lot and the ball fields will be constructed to protect vehicles using the parking lot. No staging and/or storage of construction equipment will occur outside the project construction area within the Section 4(f) property. The full list of commitments are included in the project documentation and available on request. Hazardous Materials/Wastes (sites with potential hazardous material concerns) Following completion of an Environmental Site Assessment Screening performed for the project study area, DLZ completed Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) on eight sites (comprised of 14 parcels) for the project in October Investigations conducted for the Phase I ESA recommended one site be advanced to Phase II investigation, and six other sites which had been used as auto repair shops, service stations, or other petroleum related activities were recommended for plan notes to 6

7 address possible subsurface petroleum contamination during project construction. At the recommendation of ODOT, three of these sites were added to the Phase II ESA investigation. Field sampling and analysis for the Phase II ESA was conducted on three sites in January Results of the laboratory testing indicated that chemical compounds were detected in a few samples of soil from the various sites investigated within the project area. Generally, the reported concentrations were below the Ohio Voluntary Action Program (VAP) residential Generic Direct Contact Soil Standard or Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) unrestricted reuse limits for petroleum contaminated soils. On the basis of the chemical testing conducted for this investigation, it is recommended that plan notes addressing potential subsurface petroleum contaminated soils be included for one site. Noise (analysis of traffic noise and feasibility of noise abatement) A noise analysis of the project area identified traffic generated noise levels at 21 noise sensitive receptor sites representing residential dwelling units and a park located nearest the roadway improvement using the Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM) Version 2.5 for the Existing Year 2020 and the Design Year 2040 Build alternative. Of the 21 modeled noise sensitive receptor sites, five of the receptors were predicted to experience peak hour traffic noise levels that approach or exceed the Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC) for the Activity Category B classification for the Design Year 2040 build scenario. None of the sites in the project area were predicted to experience a substantial increase in noise levels (increase > 10 dba) as a result of the proposed action. In accordance with 23 CFR Part 772, when noise impacts are identified as a result of a proposed action, noise abatement measures must be considered for impacted sites predicted to approach or exceed the applicable FHWA NAC. Based on an evaluation of the noise abatement measures, it was determined that noise barriers would not meet the applicable definitions of feasibility, as the close proximity of driveways to each other and density of driveways along the corridor would not allow for the construction of noise barriers with an adequate length to effectively reduce noise levels and construction of an effective noise barrier would eliminate access to the residential properties. Therefore, noise barriers are not recommended for further consideration. Social and Economic/Community Impacts (including businesses, residences, emergency services, travel patterns, schools, recreational activities, etc.) Two relocations of businesses are anticipated to construct the project due to the placement of the proposed roundabout on the existing business properties. US 62 shall remain open to traffic during construction; however, there will be closures and/or one way detours for 30 th Street NE and Harrisburg Avenue NE during portions of the project. Other localized closures may be necessary at times during the project. Access shall be maintained to adjacent properties at all times during construction of the project. Emergency services will have access to the project area but may experience short term minor delays in response times due to construction activities. No impacts to schools will occur with the proposed improvements. The project should not adversely impact the local community or the local economy. 7

8 Maintenance of Traffic A minimum of one lane of traffic will be maintained on US 62 and Middlebranch Avenue NE at all times during project construction utilizing appropriate maintenance of traffic measures. Harrisburg Avenue NE and 30 th Street NE will be open during the initial construction phase, but local northbound and westbound traffic will be detoured and a full detour may be required as construction continues. Detour routes will be posted for northbound Harrisburg Avenue NE traffic and westbound 30 th Street NE traffic as required by construction phasing. A detour route for US 62 traffic bound for Harrisburg Avenue NE and 30 th Street NE will be posted during a construction period that will be time-restricted for the contractor. During the final part of construction a detour for traffic on Harrisburg Avenue NE and 30 th Street NE bound for US 62 will be posted. The detour for 30 th Street NE includes Harmont Avenue NE north to US 62 (for US 62 bound traffic) or Harmont Avenue NE to Mahoning Avenue to Harrisburg Avenue NE (for Harrisburg bound traffic). The detour for Harrisburg Avenue NE includes Mahoning Avenue to Harmont Avenue NE to US 62. Access to adjacent properties shall be maintained at all times during project construction. All signs utilized for the project will be placed according to the guidelines in the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and ODOT specifications. The ODOT District 4 Office of Public Information will notify the local officials, public services, school system and the public of the roadway closures a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to project construction. For additional detailed information on the anticipated Maintenance of Traffic phasing and detours, please review the project displays available tonight. Right-of-Way Acquisition To accommodate the roadway widening, the relocated signalized intersection, utility relocations and the proposed roundabout intersection, the purchase of additional permanent right-of-way, easements and temporary right-of-way will be required. Preliminary estimates on right-of-way acquisition indicate approximately 53 parcels will be affected by the proposed project. ODOT operates under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 and amendments of The main objective of this Act is to ensure that every effort is made to acquire the needed right-of-way in a fair and equitable manner. This Act provides advice and financial assistance to persons whose residence, business, farm and/or non-profit organization may be acquired as part of a project. Operated in accordance with Chapter 163 of the Ohio Revised Code and Public Laws and , the Relocation Assistance Program (RAP) ensures fair and equitable treatment of each individual, family, business, farm, and non-profit organization. The Federal Highway Administration and ODOT have established basic policies in this effort. All properties must be appraised before acquisition is started. Qualified appraisers who are familiar with real estate values in the area do this. Upon determination of the fair market value, an ODOT Real Estate representative will contact the owner for an appointment. At this time, the representative will explain a project to the owner and the effect of a project on the property, and will present the offer based on the appraisal, both orally and in writing. 8

9 It is ODOT s hope that any needed right-of-way would be acquired through successful negotiations. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, property owners have recourse through the local judicial system where compensation will be determined by a jury, if necessary. This is a basic overview of the right-of-way procedures. It is the intent of ODOT that every effort will be made to obtain a mutual agreement with the owner and to see that the owner is justly compensated for the property. This will be accomplished by consistent and fair treatment of all owners. Estimated Project Costs The estimated total construction cost for the proposed improvements is approximately $7.36 million. The project is anticipated to include approximately $1.79 million for the acquisition of Right-of-Way and easements. Federal, state and local funds will be used to complete the recommended transportation improvements. Project Schedule Final design plans will be complete in October 2017 and Right-of-Way acquisition will occur between September 2016 and November Project construction will begin in June 2018 and end in Public Comments Your comments are an important part of the planning process for this project. Please review all the exhibits on display, speak with the study team representatives, and return the attached comment sheet during this meeting or mail the comment sheet to ODOT by Tuesday, December 29, Project information, including the meeting displays, will be available on the ODOT District 4 website: (select the Public Meetings/Public Involvement heading on the left side menu). Also, a summary of public comments received during the public comment period and responses to those comments will be available on the ODOT District 4 website within 60 days after the close of the public comment period. 9

10 OPEN HOUSE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING COMMENT SHEET US Route 62/Middlebranch Ave/Harrisburg Ave & Harrisburg Ave/30 th St Intersection Improvements STA-US ; PID # Summary of Project: Construction of separate signalized intersections at US Route 62 and relocated Harrisburg Avenue NE and US Route 62 and Middlebranch Avenue NE; widening US Route 62 between the two intersections to create side-by-side turn lanes; and realignment and reconstruction of 30 th Street NE and Harrisburg Avenue NE Intersection to create a new roundabout intersection. Please use this sheet to provide project comments. If more space is required, attach another sheet. COMMENTS: Name Address Phone Please turn in this comment sheet at the meeting or return to: Date Dayna Mallas, P.E. ODOT Project Manager Ohio Department of Transportation District S. Arlington Road Akron, OH The final date for submission of comments is Tuesday, December 29, A summary of public comments received during the public comment period and responses to those comments will be available on the ODOT District 4 website within 60 days after the close of the public comment period: (select the Public Meetings/Public Involvement heading on the left side menu). 10