Mountainland Association of Governments SPRINGVILLE-SPANISH FORK AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY APRIL 2012

Transcription

1 Mountainland Association of Governments SPRINGVILLE-SPANISH FORK AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY APRIL 2012

2 PLANNING FOR OUR FUTURE Planners with the Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) have evaluated transportation improvements in the Springville, Spanish Fork, Mapleton areas and parts of unincorporated Utah County. The population in this area is rising steadily, with the population expected to more than double in the next 30 years. With this increase in population comes an increase in travel demands, and MAG is in the process of evaluating future projects that will relieve traffic congestion and support Utah County s growing economy. Population Growth Projections in Utah County AAGR * Utah County 560, , ,210 1,092, % Mapleton City 8,764 11,644 16,358 17, % Spanish Fork City 34,173 46,042 56,651 66, % Springville City 30,536 44,438 50,741 58, % Subtotal South Utah County 119, , , , % * Average Annual Growth Rate LOCATIONS OF STUDY PROJECTS I-15 Main Street Center Street 400 South 1600 South US North US-89 In response to these future needs, MAG adopted the 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) on May 5, The new MTP includes transportation improvements to accommodate increased travel demands in the study area. Among these improvements are four specific projects that are evaluated by this study: A new interchange at I-15 and Center Street in Spanish Fork A new commuter rail station in Spanish Fork A new interchange at I-15 and Springville 1600 South/Spanish Fork 2700 North The widening and extension of 1600 South connecting to Mapleton US-6 Rating Level of Service Description A B C D E F Free Flow Traffic low volumes, no delays Stable Flow Speeds restricted by travel conditions, minor delays Stable Flow Speeds and maneuverability closely controlled due to higher volumes Stable Flow Speeds considerably affected. High density traffic restricts maneuverability; volume near capacity Unstable Flow Low speeds cause considerable delay; volumes slightly over capacity Forced Flow Very low speeds, volume exceeds capacity, long delays and stop-and-go traffic As the population of Utah County continues to increase over the coming decades and higher numbers of vehicles are on our roads, projects like those evaluated in this study will help maintain higher levels of service for the traveling public.

3 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WITHOUT PROPOSED PROJECTS As Utah County s population grows, we will see steadily increasing traffic demand on our existing infrastructure. In anticipation of these rising demands, MAG recently adopted a new Transportation Master Plan that identifies a wide range of improvements, including those evaluated by this study. Shown at left are expected traffic conditions in 2040 if the projects were not to be built. Both 400 South and Main Street would fail without the recommended improvements TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WITH PROPOSED PROJECTS Shown at left are anticipated traffic conditions in 2040 if the projects evaluated by this study are implemented. These projects are specifically aimed at providing relief to 400 South and Main Street. As shown, the 1600 South/2700 North interchange, and 1600 South extension work to improve conditions on 400 South. Main Street receives much needed relief from the implementation of the Spanish Fork Center Street Interchange.

4 SPANISH FORK CENTER STREET INTERCHANGE & UTA COMMUTER RAIL STATIONS 2B Grade-separated railroad crossing provides better safety and traffic operations for future transportation SR 147 Does not require costly relocation of reconstructed freeway Good access to nearby and adjacent properties Expected area of UTA commuter rail station 6800 SOUTH 1050 WEST Good access to nearby and adjacent properties CENTER STREET 100 SOUTH N 100 South crossing removed STUDY RECOMMENDATION CONCEPTUAL DRAWING ONLY Goals: Improve traffic operations to Level-of-Service (LOS) D or better on Spanish Fork Main Street from I-15 to Center Street. Need for the Project The project is needed to improve traffic operations on Spanish Fork Main Street. Without this project, Main Street is projected to operate at LOS E/F for most of the route from I-15 to Center Street by Expected population growth will also increase population densities, making transit more feasible. Overview Construct a new interchange with I-15 at Center Street in Spanish Fork. Also construct a commuter rail station near the interchange on the new Provo to Payson commuter rail line. Environmental Factors Relocations Cultural Social Farmland 0 0 None None Wetland Less than 0.5-acres Public Response The public is in support of this project; no negative feedback was offered regarding the interchange or UTA station at this location. Public comment was specifically supportive of the commuter rail station. Project Cost: $55 Million Implementation Timeframe This project will deliver maximum value if operational by Construction of the interchange and the rail station at this location are mutually dependent and must be concurrent. Economic development or the expansion of commuter rail to Payson could accelerate the need for this project.

5 1600 SOUTH SPRINGVILLE/2700 NORTH SPANISH FORK INTERCHANGE New frontage road alignment to the west Out of direction travel from current frontage road system 1750 WEST STUDY RECOMMENDATION Minimizes impacts to businesses Provide congestion relief for 400 South 950 WEST Provides access to Main Street 1600 SOUTH (SPRINGVILLE) Connection to 400 East has Clover interchange solves weaving a lowered design speed problem with US-6 Interchange Minimizes impacts to residents Bisects existing farmland US-51 Grade separation 1600 SOUTH/2700 NORTH with UPRR MAIN ST 1600 WEST WALLACE DR. Grade-separated railroad crossing N N. Main Street Will utilize the new bridge built by I-15 CORE CONCEPTUAL DRAWING - SUBJECT TO CHANGE 200 East I-15 Larger ROW footprint for partial cloverleaf ramps CONCEPTUAL DRAWING ONLY N A2 Goal: Provide LOS D or better on 400 South from I-15 to US-89 in Springville. Need for the Project The project is needed to improve traffic operations on 400 South from I-15 to US-89 in Springville. 400 South in Springville will be congested by 2040 and operate at LOS E and F. Overview Construct a new interchange at Springville 1600 South/Spanish Fork 2700 North. The study recommendation includes a loopramp system with symmetrical, 35 mph loops constructed on presently-undeveloped ground in the southeast and northwest quadrants. Environmental Factors Relocations Cultural Social Farmland 0 0 None None Wetland Greater than 0.5-acres Public Response Public response to the interchange was neutral to positive. Few people commented on the interchange itself; most comments were directed at the 1600 South extension connecting to US-89. Project Cost: $51 Million (construction could potentially be phased; see section 3 of study for costs of individual phases) Implementation Timeframe This project will deliver maximum value if operational before This timeframe is supported by traffic analysis using the regional model and current socioeconomic data (see appendix of study); however, future economic development could accelerate the need for this project. Environmental clearances and right-ofway could be completed early to expedite completion.

6 1600 SOUTH EXTENSION TO US-89 STUDY RECOMMENDATION Provides congestion relief for 400 South 400 EAST Connection to 400 East has a lowered design speed Minimizes impacts to residents 1600 SOUTH (SPRINGVILLE) MA US-51 IN S T 950 WEST Bisects existing farmland Grade-separation with UPRR -89 US Connection to existing intersection CONCEPTUAL DRAWING ONLY N B3 Goal: Relieve traffic congestion on Springville s 400 South by Overview providing direct I-15 access for Mapleton traffic. An alignment closely following theoretical 1600 South, and connecting to US-89 at Mapleton 1600 North Street would Need for the Project provide the best traffic service; however, that option would The project is needed to improve traffic operations on 400 also have the greatest impact upon existing neighborhoods. South from I-15 to US-89 in Springville. 400 South in Springville The proposed routing for the US-89 connection was driven, will be congested by 2040 and operate at LOS E and F. primarily, by the desire to minimize neighborhood impacts. Environmental Factors Relocations Cultural Social Farmland Wetland 5 Up to 2 Minimal Moderate (Prime & Unique) 4.9 acres Public Response During the first public meeting, this project was represented with a straight path from Springville 1600 South to Mapleton 1600 North. This received strong negative reactions from the public. While the community was very vocally against this option and several other alternatives, there was general support of the recommended option and better connectivity for Mapleton. Project Cost: $30 Million Implementation Timeframe Implementation of this project should lag behind implementation of the interchange at Springville 1600 South/Spanish Fork 2700 North. It will provide maximum benefit after the interchange is complete and operational.

7 WHAT S NEXT? With the study complete, each of the affected cities Springville, Spanish Fork, and Mapleton will now have the opportunity to adopt the recommended projects into their respective city master plans. The Utah Department of Transportation, the Utah Transit Authority, and Utah County will similarly adopt projects and include them in long range plans. The appropriate parties will then be able to start securing right-of-way in anticipation of the coming projects. Since the overall Project Delivery process can take from 3 to 10 years to complete, it is important for this process to be initiated early, providing a greater cost/benefit ratio. After being accepted into the appropriate master plans, each individual project will follow its own process toward completion. Possible steps include securing funding, environmental clearances, coordination with other agencies, and detailed design. The complete study is included on the CD attached at right. For more information about the study, please visit our website at www. mountainland.org. Place CD of Study Here Study completed by

8