CITY OF BURLINGTON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
645 Pine Street, Suite A Burlington, VT 05401 802.863.9094 VOICE 802.863.0466 FAX 802.863.0450 TTY www.burlingtonvt.gov/dpw
November 24, 2020
Scott Robertson, Municipal Assistance Bureau VT Agency of Transportation 219 N Main Street Barre, VT 05641
Re: Fall 2020 VTrans Transportation Alternatives Grant Application
Dear Mr. Robertson,
The City of Burlington has made significant progress on our walking and biking infrastructure in recent years. The 2020 Transportation Alternatives Grant is an important opportunity that will continue our momentum by advancing a project that is very important to our community:
Design / Construct a shared-use path along Lake Street as recommended in the 2020 Lake Street Pedestrian, Streetscape, and Stormwater Feasibility Study . The city is fully committed to providing the local match and future maintenance from our Capital Improvement Program.
Burlington was fortunate to receive a Transportation Alternatives grant in fall 2019 for a shared use path through Schifilliti Park. The City remains committed to this project but has not yet executed the grant agreement due to unexpected challenges facing one of our key partners. This project is a partnership between the Burlington Department of Public Works (DPW); Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department (BPRW); and the Burlington School District (BSD). Since receiving the grant award, the Burlington High School has unexpectedly closed and BSD has had to prioritize classroom relocation and facility planning to either remediate or rehome the high school. As a result, BPRW has agreed to take over grant management and BSD has had to reevaluate their financial commitments for anything outside of the high school. At their next meeting, the BSD Facilities Committee will consider the request to still allocate the local match for the 2019 TA grant; pending their decision, if BSD is unable to provide the local match then DPW and BPRW will work to secure the match. The Schifilliti Park path is a very important connection for our community. The city is committed to its construction. The Agency of Transportation’s understanding and patience is appreciated while we navigate these difficult circumstances.
The city shares the Agency of Transportation’s commitment to a safe, multi-modal transportation network. Thank you for the opportunity to improve access and safety for pedestrians and bicyclists within our Downtown District.
Sincerely,
Chapin Spencer, Director
Our Mission: To steward Burlington’s infrastructure and environment by delivering efficient, effective, and equitable public services.
VTrans Fall 2020 Transportation Alternatives (TA) Grant Application (Note: Most TAP grant projects reach construction in approximately 3 to 4 years)
Thoroughly read the Vermont Transportation Alternatives Fall 2020 Application Guide before you begin your application. It includes important program information and step-by-step instructions. Pay particular attention to the application process requirements. Applications are due in hand or by e-mail by Friday November 27, 2020. Please e-mail the completed application to: [email protected]
Lake St Sidewalk & Stormwater Management (Project Name/Title) 802-391-6809 (Phone) Nicole Losch (Municipality contact person responsible [email protected] for the management of this project) (e-mail address)
Burlington $ 300,000 (Town) Amount of Federal Funds requested (no more than 80% of the project cost estimate). 05401 (Zip Code) $89,344 Amount of Local Match. Example: Federal 645 Pine St Suite A Award = $300,000 (80% of total), Local Match = Burlington VT 05401 $75,000 (20% of total), Total Project Cost = (Mailing Address) $375,000 (100% of the total)
County: Chittenden
Town/Village/City: Burlington
Specific location, street or road: Lake Street
Regional Planning Commission: Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
If a linear project, what is the length in feet? 150
Is the project on or intersecting to a State maintained highway? Yes ☐ No ☒ Note: If yes, be sure to include documentation that you have notified the VTrans District Transportation Administrator of the intent to apply for TA funding and have provided them with a brief (one paragraph) description of the proposed project.
Project type being applied for: ☐ Scoping ☒ Design/Construction
Vermont Transportation Alternatives Grant Application Fall 2019 1
The municipality understands that a typical construction project utilizing Transportation Alternatives Program funds will take roughly three years (min.) in the Design and ROW phases prior to going to construction (as pointed out in the TA Program Application Guide)? Yes ☒ No ☐
Does this project have a previously completed scoping or feasibility study? Yes ☒ No ☐
Note: Attach a map(s) of the project area and clearly show the limits of the project as well as surrounding benefits from the proposed improvement. If the project is within or adjacent to a designated downtown, village or growth center, clearly indicate the relationship of the proposed project to the boundary of the designated area. Color photos of the area are also recommended.
Fiscal Information: Accounting System Automated ☐ Manual ☐ Combination☒ DUNS # 603299272 Fiscal Year End Month June
Property Ownership:
If the proposed project is on private property that will need to be acquired by the Municipality through purchase, easement, or eminent domain (includes temporary construction rights) in accordance with the “Uniform Act”, then the municipality is committed to exercising its right of eminent domain to acquire the rights to construct the project if necessary. Yes ☐ No ☒
Funding: Does this project already have existing funding? If so, please describe. Yes ☐ No ☒ n/a
Will you accept an award less than you applied for? Yes ☐ No ☒
If yes, please indicate whether local funds will be used to make up the shortfall, or if the project scope will be reduced. If the project scope is to be reduced, describe what part of the project (please be specific) you would accept partial funding for. n/a
A support letter from the governing body of the applicant municipality or organization and an acknowledgement and source of the local match and commitment to future maintenance responsibility for construction projects is requited (must be dated within 1 year of the application). Is a letter of support attached? Yes ☒ No ☐
Regional Planning Commission Letter of Support: In order to apply, the project must have a letter of support from the regional planning commission. Is a letter of support attached? Yes ☒ No ☐
Vermont Transportation Alternatives Grant Application Fall 2019 2
Application Scoring Criteria:
1. Please give a brief description of the project (be sure to indicate the primary facility type being applied for and be concise). (10 points max.) The proposed project will design and construct a 150’ long and 12’ wide shared use path along the northern section of Lake Street, filling a gap in the sidewalk and path network on the north side of Lake Street. Sidewalks exist to the east and west of the project area and a shared use path (the Burlington Greenway) exists immediately south and west, but a well-worn footpath exists where a gap in the sidewalk network fails to connect the Lake Street sidewalks between Depot Street and Penny Lane. This section crosses the New England Central Railroad (NECR) and a feasibility study was completed in 2020 that identified a preferred alternative to fill this gap. The study acknowledges a diagnostic review is needed to determine the level of control at the NECR crossing and assumes a formal crossing will be required for the shared use path.
Lake Street is the only north/south street along Burlington’s waterfront, connecting the city’s core to the northern waterfront. Recent improvements include a Lake Street extension, on-street parking, sidewalks, world class skate park, new Burlington Sailing Center, a new Water Works Park, and a realigned Burlington Greenway – Burlington’s most popular attraction and part of the Island Line. Work is currently underway for the Moran FRAME, which is repurposing the former Burlington Electric facility into a public gathering space on the waterfront.
The recent improvements to the northern waterfront have increased the volume of people walking and biking in the area. The proposed shared use path will provide a safe and secure connection for people walking and biking on the Burlington Greenway, on Lake Street and Depot Street (restricted to vehicle traffic except private driveways and part of Burlington’s on-road bike network) east of the project area, and with the vast recreational opportunities in the northern waterfront.
2. What is the feasibility of this project? Feasibility (or Scoping) study applications will not be scored on this criterion. Also, please describe the extent of project development completed to date. (10 points max.) A feasibility study was completed in June 2020 and identified the proposed shared use path as a viable preferred alternative. It will require a diagnostic review for the New England Central Rail crossing. Aside from that complexity, it is a relatively straightforward project within the city’s right-of-way. Since completion of the feasibility study, DPW Engineers have refined the project with a detailed construction estimate.
The Feasibility Study is available in the city’s online publication library: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPW/Past-Projects
3. Does this project address a need identified in a local or regional planning document? If so, please describe. (5 points max.) Yes, planBTV Walk Bike identifies Lake Street and Depot Street as future bikeways and identifies the Burlington Greenway as an important part of the existing network. In addition, the city’s Transportation Plan and the Sidewalk Management Plan each set a target for a sidewalk on at least one side of every street. The northern waterfront has been identified as an important area for people walking and biking: it is a connection for the Burlington Greenway (Burlington’s segment of the Island Line Trail), it is a major destination for recreation, and it is the only route for vehicle access to the northern waterfront.
Vermont Transportation Alternatives Grant Application Fall 2019 3
The proposed project area does not have a sidewalk or path connection to other adjacent sidewalks and paths. It has a well-worn footpath which is not meeting the needs identified in our established city plans. The proposed shared use path will fill a gap in the existing sidewalk network and improve connections for people biking between existing facilities.
4. Does this project benefit a State Designated Center per the link below (i.e., downtowns, villages, or neighborhood growth centers recognized by the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development? (10 Points Max.) http://maps.vermont.gov/ACCD/PlanningAtlas/index.html?viewer=PlanningAtlas Yes, the proposed shared use path is within Burlington’s Downtown District and will benefit this State Designated Center.
5. Provide a project cost estimate below (project costs below include both federal dollars and local dollars). Projects will be scored based on whether the cost appears realistic for the size and scope of the project. For scoping studies, use PE and Local Project Management lines only. Note: If you are applying for additional funds for an existing project, show the amount being requested for this grant in the PE, ROW, Construction, Construction Engineering, and Municipal Project Management rows below. Also, be clear regarding total project cost and other funding amounts and sources in the additional funding comments box below. (10 points max.)
Preliminary Engineering (PE) (Engineering, Surveying, Permitting) $ 40,840
Right-of-way / Acquisition (ROW) (appraisals, land acquisition and legal fees) $ 0
Construction (construction costs with reasonable contingency) $ 272,268
Construction Engineering (cost to provide inspection during construction) $ 40,840
Municipal Project Management Costs (minimum of 10% of total PE, ROW and Construction Phases). $ 35,395
Total Project Cost $ 389,395
Addition Funding Comments: (ex. Total and additional funding for existing projects) n/a
6. Select the eligibility category below (A, B, C or D) that best fits your project and answer the corresponding questions for that category (choose only one category). 10 bonus points will be awarded to projects that are primarily Bicycle or Pedestrian facilities.
☒ A. Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities (includes Safe Routes for Non-Drivers and Conversion of abandoned railroad corridors.
Vermont Transportation Alternatives Grant Application Fall 2019 4
(i) Will the project contribute to a system of pedestrian and/or bicycle facilities? (10 points max.) Yes, the proposed shared use path will fill a gap and connect an existing network of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Sidewalks exist to the east and west of the project area, a shared use path (the Burlington Greenway) exists immediately south and west, and on-road bikeways exist to the east on Depot Street; but a well-worn footpath exists on Lake Street where a gap in the sidewalk network fails to connect the Lake Street sidewalks between Depot Street and Penny Lane. There is no alternative route to walk or bike for anyone traveling along the Depot Street or the northern section of Lake Street.
(ii) Will the project provide access to likely generators of pedestrian and/or bicyclist activity? (10 points max.) Yes, this section of Lake Street is in Burlington’s northern waterfront. The Burlington Greenway, Waterfront Park, and skate park are immediately adjacent the project area. These attractions generate a very high volume of people walking and biking. Depot Street is immediately east and intersects with the project area. Depot Street is the only connection for people walking and biking (restricted to motor vehicles except private driveways) to and from the city street network and neighborhoods to the north and east; the next northerly connection is over 1 mile to the north. With the existing generators of pedestrian and bicyclist activity leading into the project area, the proposed shared use path will provide direct access and safety improvements for people already walking and biking without a dedicated facility to separate them from vehicle traffic.
(iii) Will the project address a known, documented safety concern? (10 points max.) The project area involves a crossing of the New England Central Railroad (NECR) and is heavily travelled by people walking and biking. The current crossing is not ADA compliant, puts people walking and biking into the street with vehicles, and is a curb- less section of street that sees substantial dirt and debris accumulate – presenting an additional challenge for people walking and biking.
The proposed shared use path will separate people walking and biking from motor vehicles, will improve drainage, will create a defined and predictable rail crossing, and will install an accessible route for people of all ages and abilities.
Attachments: 1. Cover letter and commitment of local match and maintenance 2. CCRPC letter of support 3. Project budget / engineer’s estimate 4. Site Map 5. Area photos and excerpts from the 2020 Lake St Feasibility Study
Vermont Transportation Alternatives Grant Application Fall 2019 5
110 West Canal Street, Suite 202 Winooski, VT 05404-2109 802-846-4490 www.ccrpcvt.org
November 23, 2020
Scott Robertson, P.E. Municipal Assistance Bureau TA Coordinator VT Agency of Transportation 219 North Main Street Barre, VT 05641
Dear Scott:
This letter is in support of the City of Burlington’s application to the VTrans Transportation Alternatives Grant Program for the design and construction of a shared use path to fill the gap between Penny Lane and Depot Street, a railroad gate for the new ped/bike crossing, and stormwater management in the project area. This project was scoped by the CCRPC in 2019/2020 and when constructed will connect walk/bike facilities at Burlington’s popular waterfront area and address stormwater issues adjacent to Lake Champlain.
This project is supported by several sections of the CCRPC’s ECOS Plan related to active transportation projects:
One of the four broad goals established at the beginning of the document states: “Make public and private investments in the built environment to minimize environmental impact, maximize financial efficiency, optimize social equity and benefits, and improve public health.” ECOS Plan page 8
In the transportation discussion of key issues there’s this finding: “More robust investment in transportation options – transit, walking/biking, carsharing and ridesharing – could reduce congestion, vehicle miles traveled, use of single occupancy vehicles, social exclusion, and could improve public health, and enhance the economic well-being of our residents, businesses and visitors.” ECOS Plan page 63
Under future transportation investments, one of the identified focal areas is to: “Expand walking and biking infrastructure to support active transportation and to provide interconnection with the region’s transit system.” ECOS Plan page 93
The Public Health section also includes this as a priority strategy: “Obesity -- Create policies and environmental supports that increase access to active transportation, active recreation, and healthy foods.” ECOS Plan Page 103
The financial section of the transportation element of ECOS also notes a recommended shift in new transportation funding away from roadway investments and more into transportation alternatives like walking and cycling projects (see ECOS Plan page 180).
The Plan section on implementing transportation corridor improvements identifies this priority: “Expanding the bicycle and pedestrian networks with on- and off-road facilities and more sidewalks.” ECOS Plan page 181
This project is also supported by the following goals from our 2017 Active Transportation Plan: “Provide accessible, safe, efficient, interconnected, secure, equitable and sustainable mobility choices for our region’s businesses, residents and visitors.” “Encourage walking and biking in local communities through work with towns, schools, businesses and community walk-bike groups.” “Expand walking and biking infrastructure to provide interconnection with the region’s transit system.”
Thank you for your consideration of this project.
Sincerely,
Bryan Davis Senior Transportation Planner
cc: Andy Montroll, CCRPC Burlington representative
Lake Street Shared Use Path Engineer's Estimate
LAKE ST PEDESTRIAN PATH ITEM NUMBER ITEM NAME UNIT QUANTITY UNIT PRICE TOTAL PRICE 201.100 CLEARING AND GRUBBING LS 1.0 $2,000.00 $2,000 203.150 COMMON EXCAVATION CY 84.1 $50.00 $4,205 203.280 EXCAVATION OF SURFACES AND PAVEMENTS CY 2.5 $50.00 $125 301.250 SUBBASE OF CRUSHED GRAVEL, COARSE GRADED CY 82.5 $50.00 $4,125 406.250 MARSHALL BITUMINOUS CONCRETE PAVEMENT (TYPE II) SF 1715.0 $4.00 $6,860 604.420 CHANGING ELEVATION OF SEWER MANHOLES EACH 1.0 $1,000.00 $1,000 616.280 CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE CURB, TYPE B LF 34.0 $30.48 $1,036 616.410 REMOVAL OF EXISTING CURB LF 34.0 $8.51 $289 618.100 PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE SIDEWALK, 5 INCH SY 9.7 $72.35 $702 618.300 DETECTABLE WARNING SURFACE SF 64.0 $44.56 $2,852 620.500 REMOVING AND RESETTING FENCE LF 5.0 $15.86 $79 630.100 UNIFORMED TRAFFIC OFFICERS HR 10.0 $65.00 $650 630.150 FLAGGERS HR 100.0 $25.00 $2,500 635.110 MOBILIZATION/ DEMOBILIZATION LS 1.0 $30,000.00 $30,000 646.418 DURABLE 4 INCH YELLOW LINE, RECESSED THERMOPLASTIC LF 156.0 $0.75 $117 646.512 DURABLE RAILROAD CROSSING SYMBOL EACH 1.0 $541.00 $541 649.310 GEOTEXTILE UNDER STONE FILL SY 238.5 $4.00 $954 651.150 SEED LB 2.0 $15.00 $30 651.350 TOPSOIL CY 4.0 $50.00 $202 653.200 TEMPORARY EROSION MATTING SY 3500.0 $3.00 $10,500 653.550 PROJECT DEMARCATION FENCE LF 300.0 $0.78 $234 675.200 TRAFFIC SIGN, TYPE A SF 1.0 $13.11 $13 675.341 SQUARE TUBE SIGN POST AND ANCHOR LF 14.0 $9.42 $132 900.200 SPECIAL PROVISION (Contaminated Soils) CY 82.5 $100.00 $8,250 900.301 SPECIAL PROVISION (Gate - Train) EACH 1.0 $140,000.00 $140,000 900.302 SPECIAL PROVISION (Gate - Electrical Work) LS 1.0 $30,000.00 $30,000 900.303 SPECIAL PROVISION (Extend At Grade Crossing At Tracks) LS 1.0 $20.00 $20 900.400 SPECIAL PROVISION (Relocate Boulder) EACH 1.0 $100.00 $100 Total Construction Cost $247,517 CONTINGENCY $24,752 = 10% OF CONSTRUCTION COST SUBTOTAL CONSTRUCTION $272,268
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING $40,840 = 15% OF CONSTRUCTION COST CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING $40,840 = 15% OF CONSTRUCTION COST SUBTOTAL DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION $353,949
MUNICIPAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT COST $35,395 = 10% OF CONSTRUCTION + PE COST
TOTAL COST $389,344 GRANT REQUEST Federal 80% $311,475 $300,000 Local Match 20% $77,869 $89,344 Project Area Maps Designated Downtown
Along the project corridor there are two mid-block pedestrian crossings. Both crosswalks are painted brick crossings that have seen considerable weathering. One crossing leads to the Waterfront Park and the other to the City of Burlington parking area. There is limited site distance for both mid-block crossings due to the close vicinity of on-street parking. The existing mid-block railroad crossing to the Waterfront Park also does not have the required detectable warning surfaces as shown in Figure 8 below. At the intersection with Penny Lane and Depot Street, there is no formal ADA compliant pedestrian crossing to get people from Lake Street over the railroad tracks and to the Waterfront North as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 8: Mid-block pedestrian crossing over railroad to Waterfront Park.
Figure 9: Railroad crossing on Penny Lane with no formal pedestrian crossing.
June 30, 2020 8
4.6.2 Shared Use Path
For the Shared Use Path alternative, a 12’ wide shared use path is proposed on top of a concrete railroad crossing platform, shown below. This would allow pedestrians and cyclists coming from both Depot Street and Lake Street to safely access the Waterfront Park and Island Line Trail.
Field observations of this intersection showed that both pedestrians and cyclists were crossing through the intersection in an unsafe manner via the designated vehicle access, indicating that infrastructure connecting Depot Street and Lake Street to the Waterfront Park and Island Line Trail is highly desirable. Pursuing this alternative would require a formal railroad crossing which offers a long-term solution for this intersection and is depicted in Figure 20, and the same intersection can be found in greater detail in Figure 4b of Appendix E.
Figure 20: Railroad line with shared use path alternative.
Figure 21: Shared Use Path Rendering.
June 30, 2020 18