Bicycle and Pedestrian Element
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255 N. 4th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201Phone (701) 746-2660 E-mail: [email protected] Earl T. Haugen, Executive Director BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ELEMENT (2045 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN) The preparation of this Report was financed, in part, through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration, and through local contributions from the Governments of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. The United States Government and the States of Minnesota and North Dakota assume no liability for the contents or use thereof. Page 1 of 334 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan provides a set of tools, analysis and actions to help community members, local government staff, and related local agencies in their quest to support a place where people of all ages and abilities can safely and comfortably walk and bicycle. Biking and walking are regular activities available to people during their lives. This plan is a resource tool to be used for the development of a well-connected, easily accessible Grand Forks and East Grand Forks pedestrian network and bicycle system. Discovery School Dismissal Time--Grand Forks--© Photo Kshitij Sharma, 2015 Page 2 of 334 II. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The staff from the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MPO is grateful to the members of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, members of the Working Group, local printed media, community residents and local government agencies for their input and active participation. Special thanks also to members of the general public who provided input through open houses, online and face-to face surveys, and related community events. MEMBERS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Ms. Stephanie Halford, Planning Department, City of Ms. Jane Croeker, University of North Dakota Grand Forks Ms. Ali Rood, CAT Mobility Manager, Cities Area Dr. Aaron Kennedy, University of North Dakota Transit Mr. Bruce Kiefenheim, P. Eng. Resident & Bicyclist Mr. Les Nohre/Jesse Kardmas, North Dakota DOT Mr. Art Young, Resident & Bicyclist Mr. Darren Laesch, Minnesota DOT Ms. Nancy Ellis, Director City Planning Department. Mr. Corey Birkholz, Options For Independent Living City East Grand Forks Mr. Allen Grasser, Director Engineering Department, Mr. Jason Stodarhl, Director Public Works City of Grand Forks Department, City East Grand Forks Ms. Jane Williams, Engineering Department, City of Mr. Allen Anderson, Public Health Department, City Grand Forks of Grand Forks Mr. Dave Kuharenko, Engineering Department, City of Ms. Patty Olsen, Specialist, Safe Kids Grand Forks Grand Forks. Officer Jeremy Moe, Police Department, City of Grand Forks Bicycle-friendly Parking – Downtown Grand Forks- Photo: © MPO staff, 2017 Page 3 of 334 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Executive Summary …………………………… II. Acknowledgements …………………………… III. Table of Contents …………………………… PART I – GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STANDARDS A. Introduction …………………………… B. Rationale Supporting Plan Update …………………………… C. Vision Statement …………………………… D. National Planning Factors/Community Goals …………………………… 1. Objectives …………………………… 2. Standards …………………………… 3. Performance Measures …………………………… 4. Performance Targets …………………………… 5. Action Initiatives and Monitoring …………………………… Activities E. Pedestrian and Bicycle Community Goals, Objectives, Standards & Performance Measures Goal 1 Economic Vitality …………………………… Goal 2 Security …………………………… Goal 3 Accessibility & Mobility …………………………… Goal 4 Environmental/Energy /Quality of Life …………………………… Goal 5 Integration & Connectivity …………………………… Goal 6 Efficient System Management …………………………… Goal 7 System Preservation …………………………… Goal 8 Safety …………………………… Goal 9 Resiliency & Reliability …………………………… Goal 10 Tourism …………………………… F. Public Involvement 1. Advisory Committee …………………………… 2. Working Group …………………………… 3. Project Update Kick-off …………………………… G. Training Seminars …………………………… 1. Laying the Foundation for Complete …………………………… Streets 2. Writing a Successful Complete Streets …………………………… Policy H. Supporting Activities 1. Community Users Survey …………………………… 2. Printed Newspaper Articles …………………………… 3. Display Boards …………………………… Page 4 of 334 PART II – BARRIERS, IMPEDIMENTS AND OBSTACLES TO PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLING ACTIVITIES Introduction Absolute Barriers I. Flood Protection System Grand Forks Floodwall Protection System East Grand Forks Floodwall Protection System II. I-29 III. Railway Facilities (Terminals) Arbitrary Barriers (Impediments) I. High Traffic Volume Roadways II. At-grade Rail Crossings III. Facilities Enabling Bicycle & Pedestrian Movement Relative Barriers (Obstacles) PART III – EXISTING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS A. Introduction Existing Community Land Use Patterns, Zoning & Livability B. Concerns C. State Laws D. City Ordinances E. Supporting Plans F. Characteristics of a Pedestrian G. Types of Pedestrians H. Local Pedestrian Networks (Sidewalks) I. Pedestrian User’s Needs J. Elements of the Pedestrian Network K. Biking in Greater Grand Forks L. Types of Bicyclists M. Bicycle Level of Comfort N. Additional Pedestrian and Bicyclist User’s Needs O. Existing Bicycle Facilities P. Bicycle System: Off Street Bicycle Facilities Q. Existing Bicycle Facilities Network R. Determining Current Levels of Utilization S. Public Attitude Survey of Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning T. Safe Routes to Schools: Parent’s Survey U. Journey to Work: Community in the MPO’s Planning Area V. Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents & Severity W. Page 5 of 334 PART IV – IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES & CONSTRAINTS A. Improving Access and Mobility Opportunities 1. Comments by Respondents to Improve Access & Mobility Opportunities 2. Recommended Land Use Policies to Improve Access & Mobility Opportunities B. Improving Connectivity on the Bicycle System and Pedestrian Network 1. Land Use Trip Attractors & Generators 2. Assessing Existing Bicycle Network Connectivity 3. Assessing Existing On-road Network Bicycle Facilities 4. Observations PART V – PROJECT PRIORITIZATION & FINANCIAL FACTORS A. Appraised Bike Facilities Projects 1. Cost Elements 2. Bicycle & Pedestrian Initiatives 3. Understanding Gaps in the Pedestrian & Bicycle Network B. Suggested Project Evaluation Criteria 1. Ranking & Prioritization Criteria 2. Design Standards C. Proposed On-Road Bike Facilities (Summary) 1. Grand Forks Proposed Facility Costs (2045) 2. East Grand Forks Proposed Facility Costs (2045) 3. Proposed 2045 Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Planned & Existing Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Map PART VI – RECOMMENDATIONS A. Implementation 1. Existing & Planned Bicycle System & Pedestrian Network 2. Funding Sources for Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects B. Recommendations 1. Introduction 2. Recommendations 3. Supporting Resolutions Page 6 of 334 MAPS Part I Grand Forks-East Grand Forks MPO Boundaries, 2017 Part II Greenway Trail System Grand Forks-East Grand Forks At-grade Crossings Grand Forks –East Grand Forks, 2017 Bicycle and Pedestrian Barriers Part III Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Sidewalks & Multi-use Paths Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, 2017 Signalized Intersections/Crossing Beacons Grand Forks-East Grand Forks -2010 to 2016 Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents –Age 14 and Under Occurring ¼ Mile of a School Streets Exempt from Sidewalk Construction Grand Forks Part IV –East Grand Forks City Code Ordinance Chapter XVI Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Planned Carry Over Part V Projects from 2040 to 2045 Bicycle and Pedestrian Element Grand Forks –East Grand Forks 2045 Planned and Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities FIGURES Part III Four Types of Bicyclists 4 Types of Transportation Cyclist Type of Bicyclist TABLES Part III Traffic Signs on School Zones (Grand Forks) Journey to Work by Means of Transportation (Grand Forks) (2008-2014) Journey to Work by Means of Transportation (East Grand Forks) (2008-2014) APPENDIX Existing Conditions Analysis: Public Input Engineering I. Review (Greenway Technical Committee, Safe Kids Grand Forks) II. Display Boards, 2016 Verbatim Comments Comments to Parent’s Surveys, 2016 Safe Routes to III. School IV. Traffic Signs on School Zones (Table) V. Grand Forks Pedestrians Accidents (Table) Page 7 of 334 PART I: Goals, Objectives & Standards A. Introduction B. Rationale Supporting Plan Update C. Vision Statement D. National Planning Factors/Community Goals 1. Objectives 2. Standards 3. Performance Measures 4. Performance Targets 5. Action Initiatives and Monitoring Activities E. Pedestrian and Bicycle Community Goals, Objectives, Standards & Performance Measures Goal 1 Economic Vitality Goal 2 Security Goal 3 Accessibility & Mobility Goal 4 Environmental/Energy /Quality of Life Goal 5 Integration & Connectivity Goal 6 Efficient System Management Goal 7 System Preservation Goal 8 Safety Goal 9 Resiliency & Reliability Goal 10 Tourism F. Public Involvement 1. Advisory Committee 2. Working Group 3. Project Update Kick-off G. Training Seminars 1. Laying the Foundation for Complete Streets 2. Writing a Successful Complete Streets Policy H. Supporting Activities 1. Community Users Survey 2. Printed Newspaper Articles 3. Display Boards Page 8 of 334 A. INTRODUCTION The Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) was established in 1982. The MPO is dedicated to assure that transportation investments are made in a manner that reflects the needs and aspirations of the region. Planning processes advanced by the agency strive to assure that funds and