Upper Gwynedd Township 1 Parkside Place North Wales, PA 19454
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION ITEM REQUEST
Date: July 7, 2020
To: Board of Commissioners
From: Sandra Brookley Zadell, Township Manager
Re: Trail RFP Consultant
Meeting Date: July 13, 2020
Background: As you know the BOC authorized an RFP for a consultant to perform the Powerline Trail Feasibility Study. We received ten responses to our RFP, and Sarah Prebis and I reviewed all 10 proposals. We narrowed those proposals down to four firms that Commissioner Damsker and Commissioner McNaney and Sarah and I then interviewed. All of the proposals were strong and interesting but, in the end, we decided to go with Michael Baker International, Inc’s proposal. Chris Stanford and his team have worked on over 100 miles of trails. Chris and his associate Michael Szilagi who will be our main team contacts are very knowledgeable with our area. Michael lives in North Wales Borough and uses our trails system currently. The firm has strong relationships and experience with trails that impact SEPTA and rail crossings (which our trails impact). Chris was the trail design professional on the 202-parkway trail and has experience acquiring easements from PECO and Delaware Valley University both of which are required with this portion of our trail system. Finally, their proposal includes the use of Wikimaps, which includes an interactive tool that residents can access on our website and social media to share their thoughts, concerns, and opinions about our plans. This forward-thinking approach utilizing technology for resident outreach was interesting to us. I have also worked with Chris Stanford in two previous municipalities. I know firsthand his dedication to public outreach and his approach with residents. He believes that the trail system belongs to the community and will design trails that work for our residents.
Budget Impact: The proposal indicates the cost will be $30,000 and that is exactly what we have budgeted for this project. $15,000 of that will come from the C2P2 grant funding.
Interdepartmental Action: The Parks and Recreation Department will work with the Township Manager and Chris Stanford and his team to complete the feasibility study over the next 8-12 months.
Recommended Motion/Resolution/Ordinance: Motion to appoint Michael Baker International, Inc. as our consultant for the Power Line Trail Feasibility Study.
May 29, 2020 Sarah A. Prebis, Parks and Recreation Director Upper Gwynedd Township, Parks and Recreation Department 1 Parkside Place North Wales, PA 19454 RE: Proposal for Powerline Trail Feasibility Study for Upper Gwynedd Township Dear Ms. Prebis, Michael Baker International, Inc. (Michael Baker), in association with Wikimapping Inc. (Wikimaps), is excited to submit this proposal for Upper Gwynedd’s Powerline Trail Feasibility Study. The Powerline Trail has been under planning and development in the County for several years in various municipalities, with some sections already successfully completed. With the acquisition of a DCNR grant, the Township is ready to take the next step with the planning and development of this important addition to the Township’s trail network. Michael Baker is ready to assist the Township with this effort. We bring the following advantages: Our bike/pedestrian team has over two decades of planning and public outreach experience with similar trail feasibility studies. Local examples include the Liberty Bell Trail Study (Lansdale Borough), New Britain Borough Rail with Trail Study, Destination Peace Valley Park Trail Feasibility Study (Doylestown/New Britain Townships), Turk Road Neighborhood Trail Study (Doylestown Township), Frankford Creek Greenway Study (City of Philadelphia), Rail Trail Feasibility Studies (City of Philadelphia), Swarthmore Borough Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan, Schuylkill River Trail Gap Analysis (City of Philadelphia), and several others. This extensive background gives us many lessons learned and effective approaches to trail planning and implementation, property negotiation/acquisition, public engagement, environmental permitting, and agency coordination. Michael Baker was the final design engineer for the 202 Parkway Trail in Montgomeryville. We have intimate knowledge of the public right of ways and property ownership in the SR 202/SR 63 portion of the study area. Chris Stanford, PE, PMP, PTOE, our proposed project manager for this study, was also the project manager for that 202 Parkway Trail design section. Michael Baker coordinated with PECO and Delaware Valley University for property easements/acquisition in that area. This familiarity and base of existing right of way, traffic signal design, and other engineering information will be valuable to the Township for planning this portion of the trail network and for creating a safe connection to the 202 Parkway Trail. Our 15+ years of design experience with DCNR grant-funded projects and writing winning DCNR grant applications will significantly benefit the Township. Our complete understanding of DCNR’s funding programs, design/review process, and match requirements will streamline project management for Township staff and accelerate the completion of this study. In addition, our knowledge of other grant funding programs, such as PennDOT TASA, PennDOT Multimodal, DCED Multimodal, DCED Greenways and Trails, DVRPC Regional Trails Program, and others will result in a superior implementation plan. We have extensive experience planning, designing, and gaining PUC approval for railroad crossings for trails. In recent years, we completed grade crossing modifications at three locations along SEPTA regional rail lines and two CSX rail lines, as well as coordination with SEPTA for a new grade crossing for the Pennypack Trail. Michael Baker’s Rail Transit group includes numerous former engineers and construction managers from railroad companies. Staff, such as Ed La Guardia, PE, who worked for the SEPTA railroad for 30+ years prior to joining Michael Baker, can apply AREMA railroad requirements to plan safe crossings of SEPTA’s Lansdale Doylestown Line and Stony Creek Branch railroad (currently operated by CSX). As one of PA’s largest transportation planning and engineering firms, we have extensive expertise with road/trail crossing design. We have firsthand experience with trails crossing PennDOT, County, and Township roadways of all levels of traffic volume. Our plans have ranged from simple signing and markings to rectangular rapid flashing beacons to full signals for new trails. This experience will allow for upfront coordination with PennDOT and Montgomery County, as well as
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 210, Fort Washington, PA 19034
the Township staff to plan for the right location and right level of safety improvements needed for several trail/road crossings needed for the Powerline Trail. Michael Baker has completed planning, design, and construction of over 100 miles of trails, shared use paths, bike lanes, cycle tracks, shared roadways, and other bicycle infrastructure in Pennsylvania over the last 20 years. This includes experience on similar projects along Jordan Creek Greenway, Saucon Rail Trail, Liberty Bell Trolley Trail, Neshaminy Greenway, Pennypack Rail Trail, 202 Parkway Trail, Schuylkill River Trail, East Coast Greenway, and Doylestown Community Bike and Hike System, among others. Chris Stanford, PE, PMP, PTOE is a certified project management professional with over 26 years of experience successfully completing a wide range of trail, greenway, and transportation projects in southeast PA. His significant management expertise, combined with DCNR relationships and experience on similar trail studies, will be an asset to the Township. We have partnered with Jenkintown resident and avid bicyclist Steve Spindler of Wikimapping to assist with the public outreach process. Wikimaps is a cost-effective tool to gain public input on a map-based platform. The tool allows the public to indicate barriers to walking/bicycling at specific locations and to ask questions about potential trail routes. This tool could be linked to the Township’s website, social media accounts and online survey to achieve maximum input from many residents and to gain feedback that will be beneficial to the feasibility study. Michael Baker has worked extensively with Delaware Valley University for many years at the DelVal Doylestown campus, successfully negotiating trail easements and designing multi-use public trails on school property. Our experience working directly with PECO on the numerous trail and transportation planning/design projects including a major highway easement across this same PECO corridor for the 202 Parkway will be valuable for this study. Michael Baker previously acquired a County highway occupancy permit for the wastewater facility on West Point Pike. This knowledge of existing right of way will be helpful for investigating trail alternatives in that area. Michael Baker’s Fort Washington office is only eight miles from the study area. This proximity will facilitate cost-effective site views and on-site meetings. As demonstrated from our in-depth proposal that follows, the Michael Baker Team has a solid understanding of this project’s unique challenges and has formulated a streamlined approach to meet the Township’s goals. Our unique combination of trail planning experience on similar studies, road crossing and railroad crossing design experience related to trails, public outreach approach enhanced by Wikimaps, local knowledge and extensive understanding of grant funding and project implementation makes us exceptionally qualified for this study. Please contact Chris Stanford, Project Manager, (phone 215-528-7072, [email protected]) if you have any questions regarding this proposal. Sincerely, MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Federal ID # 25-1228638)
Eric Frary, PE Chris Stanford, PE, PMP, PTOE Senior Vice President Project Manager
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 210, Fort Washington, PA 19034
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Profile of Firm 1
Methods and Procedures 19
Scope of Work 24
Work Schedule 26
Cost 27
Appendix 28
PROFILE OF FIRM
Experience & Location
Michael Baker International, Inc. (Michael Baker) is a Pennsylvania‐ based corporation, founded in 1940, with its headquarters located in Michael Baker Office Locations Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Michael Baker is authorized to perform professional engineering services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Headquarters: Local Office: and is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth. Locally, 500 Grant Street 500 Office Center Drive Michael Baker has three eastern Pennsylvania offices located in Suite 5400 Suite 210 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fort Washington, PA 19034 Philadelphia, Fort Washington, and Allentown. Our Montgomery County presence began in 1997. Since then, Michael Baker has continuously www.mbakerintl.com completed projects ranging from small municipal projects to $100+ million PennDOT highway and bridge reconstruction projects over the past 20 years. One of our most well-known projects is the S.R. 202, Section 700 Parkway and Trail. For over 10 years, Michael Baker served as PennDOT’s Design Manager for this $200 million, 9-mile new alignment roadway from Montgomeryville to Doylestown. In this role, Michael Baker led the completion of the complex environmental clearance and permitting activities, preliminary engineering, municipal coordination and public involvement tasks. Michael Baker also performed final design engineering for the southern 2-mile section of S.R. 202, Section 701 Parkway. Michael Baker has specialized expertise in bicycle, pedestrian, and trail infrastructure planning and design. Our local team has completed numerous trail feasibility studies, trail and greenway construction projects, safe-route-to-school projects, transportation enhancement projects, and streetscape improvements throughout Pennsylvania. We have completed planning studies and construction plans for over 100 miles of new trails and greenways in the Commonwealth. Michael Baker excels at providing innovative solutions to overcome project obstacles to design award winning trail corridors and networks that enhance communities and bolster health. In addition, Michael Baker has been retained by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) as their trail engineering consultant for PEC’s trail projects in five counties of Southeastern Pennsylvania and by Doylestown Township as their appointed Bike and Hike Engineer. Additional notable regional projects and planning studies: Michael Baker is your trusted partner Neshaminy Creek Greenway for the Powerline Trail Feasibility Study. Pennypack Rail Trail Active Allegheny Plan Schuylkill River Trail (Oaks to Mont Clare) Susquehanna River Trail Study Audubon Loop Trail 58th Street Greenway Washington Crossing Gateway Park Walnut Street Bridge Streetscape
Michael Baker is committed to the combined goals of technical excellence and responsiveness to client needs. Our success in achieving these goals is earned through not only adhering to these principles, but by nurturing long-term relationships and offering personalized attention to our clients. Michael Baker has a proven track record of successfully completing projects on time and within budget. Excellent organization, tools and methods to monitor budgets, an emphasis on communication both internally and externally, and a structured project management approach are a few examples of how Michael Baker maintains client satisfaction.
In the following sections, the Michael Baker team will present our qualifications, experience, and most importantly, our project approach that will demonstrate that we are the best qualified team to deliver this study for Upper Gwynedd Township.
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Key Staff
CHRIS STANFORD, PE, PTOE, PMP | 26 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE | PROJECT MANAGER Chris will serve as the overall project manager for this study and will apply his 26 years of experience to assist with the trail alignment planning and design concept development. He has been involved with the planning, design and construction of over 75 miles of trails and other walking and bicycling infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Chris has successfully completed numerous similar trail feasibility studies in the region. He is well known for developing realistic implementation plans and assisting many municipalities in acquiring funding through DCED, DCNR, PennDOT, and DVRPC grant programs.
MIKE SZILAGYI | 16 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE | TRAIL PLANNING Mike is a civil associate with 16 years of experience in trail planning and transportation projects throughout Pennsylvania. Mike will serve as one of the primary trail planners for this study. As mentioned previously, Mike assisted with a published book on the Liberty Bell Trolley and has a wealth of information and technical resources that will be valuable for this study.
BILL TORR, PE | 10 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE | ROADWAY/TRAIL ENGINEERING Bill has a decade of experience serving as a project manager and lead designer for a wide range of trail and roadway projects throughout eastern PA with anticipated construction costs totaling approximately $20 million. His active transportation project experience includes the design of park trails, rail trails, urban trails, streetscapes, RRFB crossings, ADA compliant sidewalks and curb ramps, trail signing and pavement marking, wayfinding signage, and trailhead parking lots. He has extensive experience in roadway design, quantity calculations and cost estimating, drainage design, bid specification preparation, client coordination, public outreach, property owner coordination, and utility coordination.
TINA ROSEBERRY, AICP | 26.5 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE | PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT & PLANNING Tina is an AICP Certified Planner with over 26 years of professional experience specializing in land-use and multimodal transportation planning, economic development, brownfield and urban revitalization planning, public funding, strategic planning, housing redevelopment, and blight reduction. Tina successfully manages a variety of community and economic development planning projects for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, as well as the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources. Such experience includes small and large redevelopment and brownfield projects, parks and recreation, and corridor master planning work in both rural and urban places. In addition, Tina is heavily involved with supporting planning projects that include public engagement programming. Tina brings specific public involvement experience as it pertains to community-wide engagement for recreation, as well as hands-on knowledge and experience in working with municipal staff, municipal government, developers, private property owners, and county commission engagement.
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BILL KING, PE, PTOE | 18 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE | TRAFFIC With 18 years of experience in multiple states, Bill King skillfully manages some of Michael Baker's most complex transportation and traffic engineering projects. His experience covers a wide range of highway engineering efforts, traffic signal design, traffic modeling/analysis and traffic control plan development for an array of municipal government and DOT clients. His previous experience working in the public sector gives him the ability to understand project challenges from the local point of view. He also has specialized expertise in bicycle/pedestrian planning and design projects that improve safety within our communities. In addition, he has significant experience developing high quality construction bid packages through detailed cost estimating, thorough project scheduling, and customized specification writing.
KEN CORTI, PWS | 37 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE | ENVIRONMENTAL Ken has extensive experience in environmental planning and permitting. Ken has a strong background in environmental studies and compliance for trail and transportation projects in the Mid-Atlantic region. Ken has participated in several similar trail feasibility studies doing screening of environmental and cultural resources. Ken has provided guidance on trail alignment selection related to avoiding wetlands, sensitive bog turtle habitat, historic properties and other resources. His expertise on DEP permitting and the PennDOT NEPA process is helpful in locating trails to minimize permitting requirements. Ken has been an active community volunteer with neighboring Whitpain Township since 2006. He has served as Chair of the Whitpain Planning Commission since 2009.
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References
Michael Baker is committed to the combined goals of technical excellence and responsiveness to client needs. Our success in achieving this is earned not only by adhering to these principles but also by nurturing long-term relationships and offering personalized attention to our clients. Michael Baker has a proven track record of successfully completing projects on time and within budget. Excellent organization, methods to monitor budgets, an emphasis on communication both internally and externally, and a structured project management approach are a few examples of how Michael Baker maintains client satisfaction.
PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP BUCKS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 1315 Walnut Street, Suite 532 425 Wells Road 1260 Almshouse Road Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107 Doylestown, PA 18901 Doylestown, PA 18901 Patrick Starr, Stephanie Mason, Paul Gordon, Executive Vice President Manager Senior Transportation Planner 215.545.4570 215.348.9915 215.345.3884
“The Michael Baker Team have worked diligently with PEC for over three years to complete the planning, design and construction of the 58th Street Greenway Connector. This was a complex project completed in a compressed timeframe to meet the requirements of the TIGER program. I commend our Baker team for their flexibility in navigating the hurdles associated with a federally funded project while balancing neighborhood and stakeholder concerns.” – Patrick Starr, PEC
“It is with great pleasure that I recommend Michael Baker and more specifically Chris Stanford, P.E. as a consultant for your trail project. Mr. Stanford and his team at Michael Baker have worked with the Doylestown Community Bike/Hike Committee since 2001, when he assisted us with a grant to install a bike/hike trail from New Britain Road to Central Bucks West High School. Since then Mr. Stanford has worked with our Committee on several DCNR, DCED and TAP Grants for more trails throughout our area. Today we have 27 miles of trail throughout our community and Michael Baker has assisted with most of them.” – Lynn Goldman, Chair, Doylestown Community Joint Bike & Hike Committee
“I’ve worked with the Michael Baker team, specifically Chris Stanford and Mike Szilagyi, on bike and pedestrian projects for Bucks County. They consistently rate among the highest rated firms when we’ve reviewed proposals for various trail projects. For the contracts they have been awarded, they’ve exceeded our expectations and provide great service to their clients... The team is very knowledgeable with all aspects of the trails and greenways development process ranging from feasibility studies to design and engineering projects. They meet their deadlines, provide frequent updates on the project, have great project management skills, are very flexible, and have solid relationships with PennDOT and other approval agencies.” – Paul W. Gordon-Planner, Bucks County Planning Commission
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Project Reference #1 Liberty Bell Trail Client Lansdale Borough One Vine Street, Suite 201 Feasibility Study Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446 John Ernst, Borough Manager Lansdale Borough, Pennsylvania (215) 368-1691
Michael Baker performed a feasibility study for development of Completion Date the Liberty Bell Trail from Madison Lot to the Hatfield Township Border. The Borough determined a need for creating a more Estimated: 2017 navigable community via a dedicated multi-use trail connecting residential neighborhoods to the downtown. Sections of the Project Costs Liberty Bell Trail were planned and constructed; however, an $35,000 (Fee) important gap remained undefined. The study examined this gap as an essential section to provide multimodal access between the Madison Lot Development, the Michael Baker’s Role downtown business district, to the newly constructed 9th Street SEPTA station and • Project management and the Borough’s recreation amenities in that area. The study identified potential schedule alignments and associated challenges with the fundamental criteria that it be located • Data collection off the roadway network to the maximum extent possible. It was intended that the • Site investigations final trail route would be an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint, multi- • Multi-use pathway feasibility use trail and connect valuable Borough destinations. and conceptual plan Challenges • Maintenance plan and cost included estimate determining a • Funding recommendations • feasible trail Public meeting assistance • Final report alignment north from the proposed Madison Lot Redevelopment, threading an off-road trail through a dense residential neighborhood, providing a safe crossing of Moyers Road, and developing a feasible alignment from Moyers Road Park/Wedgewood Park to a trail tie-in point on the Hatfield Township line. Potential solutions considered by Michael Baker included the possibility of placing an off- road trail at the edge of existing railroad rights-of-way, implementing of rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) signals where trails cross busy streets, using certain borough streets by reallocating right-of-way and roadway widths to “right-size” the width of pavement necessary for motor vehicles, and coordinating with the Borough as land developments proceed through the approval process to incorporate trails.
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An important aspect in evaluating potential trail routes was the incorporation of abandoned Liberty Bell trolley route alignments through the project area. Michael Baker studied the legal status of abandoned track-beds as a key component of the matrix of criteria by which alternative trail alignments can be assessed and ranked. Michael Baker developed a milestone schedule and provided overall management of study activities, including invoicing and administrative tasks; gathered pre-project data for creation of a base plan, including GIS mapping, right-of-way, and utility constraints; and solicited input from residents, business owners, commuters, and public officials to determine the community vision for this segment of the trail. Michael Baker then prepared a base plan with an aerial photo background to evaluate the location and type of the future trail development. Michael Baker performed an engineering feasibility analysis to provide solutions for a safe trail with connections to other transportation modes and points of interest. General concepts and approaches to address stormwater management along the future trails were also addressed. Michael Baker recommended a preferred alignment location that considers right-of-way and site control issues, environmental and construction permits, and utility avoidance/relocations. The study included a conceptual plan that illustrated the vision for the trail and built upon the physical inventory and assessment mapping. Additionally, Michael Baker presented anticipated costs for the construction and maintenance of the trail, including recommended mitigation measures necessary for existing trail infrastructure or facilities, and developed an implementation plan for construction. Recommendations for funding strategies and potential funding sources for the construction of the proposed design and maintenance plan were also addressed. Two public meetings were held for this study: the first, after the initial information gathering was completed in order to solicit initial input from the community and stakeholders; the second, after alignment alternative recommendations were developed. Michael Baker delivered oral presentations; prepared display boards for each meeting; and documented meeting dates, information presented, and input received from all stakeholders during the study period. Michael Baker prepared a concise final report that made recommendations for multi-use trail alignments connecting to other planned multi-use trail segments in the Borough and connecting to Borough destinations in the project area. The report identified a maximum of three potential alignment options along with cost, benefits, and challenges for each and made a final recommendation on the preferred alignment.
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Project Reference #2
Client SR 202, Section 701 Parkway Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 6-0 and Trail 7000 Geerdes Boulevard King of Prussia, PA 19406-1525 Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Madeleine Fausto, Project Manager (610) 205-6848 Baker completed preliminary engineering for the 9 mile long S.R. 202 Section 700 Parkway and Trail between Montgomeryville and Doylestown, Pa. Baker also Completion Date completed final design for a two-mile section of U.S. Route 202, Section 701, New Estimated: 2012 Alignment Alternative, which is a four-lane, limited-access parkway starting from existing S.R. 63 (Welsh Road) and proceeding north to just beyond Horsham Road Project Costs in Montgomery County. Baker's tasks involved preliminary and final roadway $31,000,000 (Construction) design, including geometric layout and profiling; interchange design; bridge and $5,000,000 (Fee) retaining wall design; stormwater management, contour grading, and drainage design; traffic control plan, signing and pavement marking plan, and traffic signal Michael Baker’s Role plan development; utility relocation design and coordination; and right-of-way • Preliminary and final highway plan preparation. design • Right-of-way plan preparation The new alignment is generally positioned between Upper State and Stump roads, • Bridge design along lands partially reserved by municipalities in response to the 1968 U.S. Route • Shared-use path and bicycle 202 Bypass study. The road incorporates a parkway design approach and includes lane design grade separated interchange at S.R. 309. • Stormwater management design Shared Use Path and Bike Lane Design • Oversight of subconsultants, The project also involved the detailed design of 2.5 miles of independent 12- including those performing footwide shared-use path is located beyond the northbound lanes of the roadway. landscaping, erosion control, Baker designed the precise horizontal and vertical alignment of the trail, trail bridge design, and field specific signing and pavement marking plans, and its treatment at interchanges, surveying tasks crossroads, and stream crossings. Barrier separated areas on roadway bridges and • Traffic signal design • Traffic control design • Signing and pavement marking plan development • Public involvement
culverts were designed to accommodate the shared use path. This design also included connections to adjacent residential and commercial developments. In addition, over 4 miles of bike lanes were designed along the roadway in both directions. Two trail head parking areas were also design to provide enhanced access and parking for the shared use path.
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Highway Design Baker collaborated with community stakeholders to establish highway and traffic design criteria that contribute to a self-enforcing speed concept and fit the context of the area. This "proactive" highway design approach included matching of design speed to the desired posted speed limit and use of a curvilinear alignment to minimize straight-aways and shorten the driver's visual distance, horizontal and vertical curvature at the upper limit of design criteria to control speed, and landscaped splitter-islands to calm traffic.
Bridge, Retaining Wall and Culvert Design Baker's project scope included structural design of a 117-foot-long bridge over S.R. 309 and a 30-foot-long arch culvert spanning a tributary to Neshaminy Creek. The project also involves design of 1,200 linear feet of retaining walls.
The project won the 2010 ASHE Delaware Valley Section Project of the Year (Over $10 million Category) for its innovative compete streets and green infrastructure elements.
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Project Reference #3
Client Frankford Creek Greenway City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department Feasibility Study 1515 Arch Street 13th Floor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA 19102 Rob Armstrong Baker is providing trail planning, alternative analysis and 215-683-0229 engineering support services for a feasibility study to advance development of the Frankford Creek Greenway in Philadelphia. Completion Date The Frankford Creek corridor is a heavily developed and Estimated: 2014 industrialized area that has little or no access to trails or parks. The City has a goal to develop a continuous greenway network centered around a Project Costs share use path along the Frankford Creek that will connect this underserved area $75,000 (Fee) to the Delaware River Waterfront and the East Coast Greenway. Baker is assisting the City in evaluating trail alignments, identifying potential park and greenspace Michael Baker’s Role acquisitions as well as conducting right of way and property research. Another • Trail Feasibility • important aspect of the project is to coordinate the greenway development with Right of way/Property research the on-going design and construction of I-95 which crosses over the Frankford • Alternatives analysis Creek corridor. Baker is also identifying gateways and community connections to • Cost estimate preparation the greenway, connections to existing trails, bike lanes and parks as well as • Stakeholder coordination identifying areas for potential stormwater management improvements. Baker will • Public involvement program hold public meetings during the study to gather feedback from the general public. development and Baker will also conduct environmental database research to locate potentially implementation hazardous waste areas that need to be avoided with the trail alignment. This study was funded by through the DVRPC Regional Trails program.
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Project Reference #4
Client City of Philadelphia Rail Trail City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1515 Arch Street Feasibility Studies 10th Floor, Parks and Recreation Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Completion Date Michael Baker performed a feasibility study of three rail 2016 corridors for potential development of a walking and bicycling trail. The study examined following three rights-of-way: Project Costs Fox Chase Lorimer Trail (former Fox Chase Newtown Rail Line) $99,911 (Fee) Parkside Cynwyd Trail (active Cynwyd SEPTA Line) Airport Fort Mifflin Trail (potential future rail line) Michael Baker’s Role • Feasibility study Each would were studied for alignment location, property ownership, development • Planning potential, and best management practices (BMP) for safe trail operations in advance • Property and background of funding for a conceptual or preliminary design study. One corridor involved document research conversion of an inactive SEPTA line into a rail trail, the second involved adding a • Constraints map trail to an active SEPTA commuter rail line, and the third involved planning a trail development with a future Conrail freight line to the Philadelphia Airport. • Steering committee and As part of the study of each corridor Michael Baker developed the following: public meeting facilitation • Alignment development and Alignment alternatives, Advantages and disadvantages analysis Existing railroad right of way, road right of ways and property constraints • Implementation plan Infrastructure needs, locations of bridges, drainage improvements, • Cost Estimates fencing/barrier requirements, and intersection crossings. • Best Practices research for Environmental review for such as streams, wetlands, sensitive animal rail with trail projects habitats Prepared concept plans showing the alignment options.
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Project Reference #5
Client Neshaminy Greenway Trail New Britain Township 207 Park Avenue Bristol Road to Upper State Road Chalfont, Pennsylvania 18914 Eileen Bradley, Township Manager Bucks County, Pennsylvania (215) 822-1391 Michael Baker is providing design and construction phase services for the Lenape Lane to Upper State Road section of the Neshaminy Greenway Trail. This 1.3-mile trail Duration of Project project will be an 8’-10’ wide shared-use path for walking and bicycling between the 2016-Present, Ongoing existing trail at Lenape Lane in Chalfont Borough and the existing Neshaminy Greenway Trail and parking Project Costs area on Upper State Road in $175,000 (Design) Doylestown Township. The trail route involves crossing the Bristol Road and Upper State Michael Baker’s Role Road Bridges over Neshaminy • Final Design Creek with a connection to the • Bridge Design existing Neshaminy Greenway • Traffic Signal Design Trail near the Chalfont New • Planning Britain Sewage Treatment Plant • Environmental Clearance which will provide a direct • Utility Coordination connection to the 202 Parkway • Right of Way Plans Trail. 2020 photo of the trail project during construction. • Agency Coordination Key project features: • Cost Estimates 1.3 miles of new off-road shared use path and shared roadway bike route Additional of structure mounted concrete barrier and fencing systems to two 200+ long roadway bridges over the Neshaminy Creek to create separated trail area Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beason signal for trail crossing of State Roadway Earth berms and landscape plantings to screen adjacent residential neighborhood Approx. 0,5 mile of on road bike route using sharrows and custom wayfinding signage Unsignalized trail crossing of Township road utilizing high visibility crosswalk and warning signage This project is using DCNR funding for design and the PennDOT process for design approvals and construction.
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Other Capabilities & Qualifications
The Township needs a team with the following qualifications to develop a high-quality trail feasibility study for the Power Line Trail: Extensive trail planning experience on similar feasibility studies Road crossing expertise Railroad crossing expertise Public involvement experience
SUPERIOR TRAIL AND GREENWAY PLANNING EXPERIENCE Michael Baker has an extensive resume of similar trail and greenway feasibility studies including: Liberty Bell Trail Feasibility Study (Lansdale) This experience provides us a wealth of knowledge and Turk Road Neighborhood Trail Study (Doylestown) lessons learned that will be beneficial to the Township for 202 Parkway Trail – Central Park to Route 313 Feasibility the Powerline Trail. Based on our first-hand experience Study (Doylestown) with bicycle-pedestrian and trail design projects in Eastern Pennsylvania, the Michael Baker team Three Rails to Trail Feasibility Studies for City of Philadelphia understands the challenges and opportunities that may Swarthmore Borough Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan arise from this project. The Michael Baker team is in a SRT Gap Analysis at the Wissahickon Gateway strong position to successfully prepare the feasibility Frankford Creek Greenway Feasibility Study study for this project based on our history of producing practical, action-oriented bicycle and pedestrian plans for Advance Feasibility Study for Frankford Creek Greenway local municipalities and counties. Our team brings SRT Phoenixville to Mont Clare Feasibility Study analytical techniques, tools, and planning and design Destination Peace Valley Trail Feasibility Study approaches that have advanced the state of planning in New Britain Trail with Rail Feasibility Study Pennsylvania. Additionally, we understand how to Cynwyd Spur Trail Feasibility Study engage stakeholders and incorporate new ideas into the planning process.
Alignment Alternatives map for the Frankford Creek Greenway in Philadelphia 12
The Michael Baker team has an ideal mix of local, statewide, and national experience in bicycle planning, design, and engineering services. Our staff has extensive experience in: Planning, design, and construction of over 100 miles of shared use paths, bike lanes, cycle tracks, shared roadways, and other bicycle infrastructure in Pennsylvania over the 20 several years. Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning and Design Training Contracts for PennDOT. Eight years of experience on three successive Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning contracts for New Jersey Department of Transportation. More than 15 years of planning/engineering for the Doylestown Community Bike & Hike Committee. Municipal positions as Bike and Hike Consultant for Doylestown Township.
Michael Baker has a retainer position as the trail engineering consultant for the southeast office of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to assist with critical East Coast Greenway and Circuit Coalition trail projects. Montgomery County selected Michael Baker as its trail consultant for completion of the Pennypack Trail between Lorimer Park and County Line Road. In addition to engineering for this five-mile rail to trail conversion and two parking area designs, this role includes bridge design, PennDOT road crossing and signal design, Township permits, and environmental permitting. Michael Baker has performed grant writing to assist several municipalities in acquiring over $5 Million in DCNR, PennDOT, and Commonwealth Financing Authority grants for bicycle improvement projects. Michael Baker has performed Expert Witness services related to trails for Pennsylvania DCNR.
Our engineering and construction experience building numerous trails and greenways throughout southeastern PA and the country gives us a pragmatic and grounded approach to planning and project development. We know the realities of environmental permitting, right of way acquisition, and the costs of construction. This realistic approach will give the Township the confidence that what our team recommends is truly feasible and can be implemented in a reasonable amount of time and money.
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ROAD CROSSING PLANNING Over the last 20 years working on numerous bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects, Michael Baker has planned and designed dozens of similar road crossings. During this process, we have developed a custom crossing design approach that includes the most effective elements of several available design manuals. We have taken the best elements of the PennDOT TC-8600 signing and pavement marking standards, the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities and the AASHTO Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices and combined them into a high-quality design approach to enhance safety for trail users and motorists.
Michael Baker-designed road crossing for the Neshaminy Connector Trail
The concept includes the following: High visibility white continental crosswalk pavement markings 10’ wide Advance warning signage several hundred feet prior to the crossing and trail crossing signage with a down arrow at the crossing location All warning signs using high visibility reflective fluorescent yellow green background “Shark teeth” yield line pavement markings and “yield here to pedestrians” regulatory sign 20’-30’ in advance of crossing “Ped Xing” pavement legends in advance of crossing Stop sign, road name sign, and destination signing along each RRFB installed for the Pennypack Trail at Terwood Road. trail approach to the roadway to aid trail users in wayfinding
Rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) and full traffic signals for trail crossings will also be considered based on the traffic volume of the crossroad, sight distance, and other safety issues. Michael Baker has extensive experience with planning, designing, and constructing these types of trail crossings and also coordinating with PennDOT District 6-0 to acquire approvals for crossings of state routes.
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RAILROAD CROSSING PLANNING AND DESIGN The Powerline Trail will likely include one or more railroad crossings of SEPTA railroads over its 6-mile route in the Township. Coordination and planning for a safe trail crossing will be a critical component of the trail development. Michael Baker has successfully completed several trail crossings of SEPTA regional rail lines, including two on the Lansdale Doylestown Line and the following locations: SEPTA railroad crossing modification at New Britain Station for Almshouse Rd Trail (New Britain, PA) SEPTA railroad crossing modification at Lower State Rd for Almshouse Rd Trail (Doylestown, PA) CSX railroad crossing modification at Wheatsheaf Lane for Frankford Greenway (Phila) CSX railroad crossing modification at Lewis Rd Frankford Greenway (Phila) Norfolk Southern railroad crossing modification at Rossmoyne Rd A Michael Baker-designed railroad crossing (Mechanicsburg, PA) Norfolk Southern railroad crossing modification at 58th St for East Coast Greenway (Phila)
Michael Baker has several ongoing planning/engineering agreements directly with SEPTA. We have been working closely with SEPTA on numerous projects all over Philadelphia and the suburban counties for decades. In addition, former SEPTA staff, such as Ed LaGuardia, PE and transit operations expert Michael DiCamillo, PE, currently in Michael Baker’s Rail Transit group will be valuable assets to our Team for this Study. Our SEPTA coordination experience and in-house experts will streamline interagency communications.
STRONG PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM The Michael Baker/Wikimaps Team will work with Township staff and other project stakeholders to execute a proactive public involvement effort. We anticipate working with Township staff to develop a thoughtful public survey that can be combined with the Wikimaps outreach tool to gather feedback from the community about the trail location, potential areas of concern, areas where screening may be needed, connection points to neighborhoods, and other considerations. Our outreach planning starts on day one of each study and is continuous through the length of the Michael Baker assisted the Philadelphia City Planning Commission with large scale project to ensure that potential opportunities and public meetings for trail improvements at the Wissahickon Gateway. conflicts are recognized early and addressed in a way that supports consensus. Early and continuous communication is key to people being able to offer meaningful input. Similarly, public outreach must offer complete information. It is important to explain the scope and limits of the study so that participants input support for the schedule and objectives of the project. Responsiveness to all inquiries—no matter how big or small—demonstrates that people’s time and input are deeply valued.
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Steering Committee Coordination Meetings The Steering Committee will meet regularly over the course of the study. A steering committee will be established through input from the Township and will take into consideration the make-up of participants from critical neighborhoods, PECO, and property owners. The Steering Committee Kick-off Meeting will outline specific project objectives and the study work plan and will be immediately followed by a site field walk/virtual field view using Google Earth. The site field walk/virtual field view will help all steering committee members have a common understanding of the existing conditions and provide a chance for the group to identify and discuss opportunities and challenges at the front end of the study. Community Meetings The Michael Baker Team has extensive experience with the public involvement process and is very comfortable with the high level of communications that are required on large-scale public projects. We are well-versed in conducting public outreach, running community workshops and charrettes, developing questionnaires/surveys, interviewing project stakeholders, and working with adjacent residents and local political officials. These “open house style” meetings typically include plan displays and one-on-one interaction with local residents, Township staff, and officials. Stations are setup for residents to take an online or hard-copy survey or to complete comment forms to express their thoughts and concerns. Numerous public involvement approaches are utilized to gain public feedback and Public design workshop for the Cynwyd Spur consensus, such as: Trail Feasibility Study in Lower Merion Twp. Large-scape maps with aerial photo base Route alternative analysis maps Written survey forms Multi-voting, using colored stickers to identify preferred options Small group breakout sessions, etc.
The Team also has extensive experience delivering public presentations to various neighborhoods, Township boards, public information workshops, and other public outreaches on numerous trail and streetscape projects. Michael Baker’s guidance for community outreach prevents many of the obstacles and delays that interfere with a project moving forward. Conflict is replaced with cooperation when stakeholders know that their input is heard and valued. We recognize that the first project meeting is an important opportunity to share the overall vision for the trail corridor, hear initial concerns/needs of theresidents/neighbors and gain initial public input on the critical issues of the study. The second meeting will present alignment alternatives and options Sticker polling of artistic renderings is one to the community to guide the direction of the study. The final public meeting is useful public engagement tool anticipated to be a public presentation of the results of the trail study at a Commissioner’s meeting near the end of the study.
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An alternative approach for the second public meeting would be to get feedback on the draft trail corridor plan at a public event, such as a Township festival or concert. Michael Baker used this approach on the Liberty Trail Study in Lansdale Borough. We had a tent and table at the “Founder’s Day” festival that allowed festival attendee’s to casually review the trail plans, ask questions, and present feedback directly to the staff working on the study. This approach can be effective in reaching a wider range of residents/families and a different audience than typically attend night public meetings.
Michael Baker’s Mike Szilagyi (left) and Chris Stanford (right) tabling at Lansdale’s Founders Day Festival
WIKIMAPS Wikimaps is a map- based survey tool that allows the general public to make comments based on geography of issues. This is especially effective for corridor studies, like the Powerline Trail, where selective physical conditions and property issues create challenges for trail development. The tool is also valuable to graphically show where opportunities for connections to trails, Wikimaps was used effectively as part of the Bike Mont Co study. parks, businesses and residential neighborhoods and other community destinations exist. WikiMapping was first used for the Minute Man Bikeway in Massachusetts in 2013 and has been used to get public input for a variety of planning projects. Over 1,000 plans and studies have used Wikimaps successfully
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to help engage the public and advance planning efforts. Firms, municipalities, and MPO’s use WikiMapping for multiple projects because they receive so much more public input. Wikimaps makes processing results easier than dealing with written comments on paper maps. We anticipate coordinating the use of Wikimaps as part of the Township’s public survey effort, adding a link to the Township website, sending out the link through the Township’s social media channels, and making laptops with Wikimaps available during public meetings/outreach events. Wikimaps will help us identify locations of community requests for landscape screening/fencing as well as requests for connections to the proposed trail.
CONCLUSION The Michael Baker/Wikimaps team has the ideal mix of trail planning expertise, public outreach, and local knowledge to create a superior feasibility study for the Township. Our prior experience on the 202 Parkway Trail in the Welsh Road area, along West Point Pike, and for numerous roadway and SEPTA railroad crossings for trails will be extremely valuable for this study. Our existing relationships and experience acquiring easements with Delaware Valley University and PECO will be helpful as well. Our experience with many similar DCNR grant funded studies will streamline management for Township staff. Our deep understanding of the many grant programs related to trails will lead to a realistic and cost-effective implementation plan. Our expert team looks forward to working with the Township to create an exceptional vision for the Powerline Trail and bringing this important recreational and transportation asset to the Upper Gwynedd community.
Pennypack trail designed by Michael Baker
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METHODS AND PROCEDURES
The Power Line Trail is envisioned as an 18-mile-long multi-use trail traversing central and eastern Montgomery County. A key link in both The Circuit regional trail system and Montgomery County’s Primary Trail network, five miles of Power Line Trail have been completed in Horsham Township. Planning studies continue to investigate how best to extend the trail’s reach, with the goal of ultimately connecting to the Cross County Trail, 202 Parkway Trail, and the Perkiomen Trail. Prior planning efforts co-locate two miles of the Power Line Trail on the existing alignment of the 202 Parkway Trail in Montgomery Township. The current endpoint of the 202 Parkway Trail is on the northeast corner of Upper Gwynedd Township, at the intersection of U.S. Route 202 and PA Route 63. Determining the feasibility of extending the Power Line Trail from that point, six miles within Upper Gwynedd Township, to a point where it can meet with the future Power Line Trail in Worcester Township, is the goal of this study. The Michael Baker team will apply a multi-disciplinary approach to this project. Establishing an accurate inventory of the study corridor will integrate readily available GIS-based data acquired from regional, state, and local sources. Advanced planning tools allow the overlay and analysis of adjacent land uses; ownership patterns; topography including terrain, waterways and potential wetlands; roadway network; railroads and their operating status; and the locations of potential destinations such as parks, schools, transit stops and employment centers. The resultant GIS files are carefully formatted and presented as legible maps that clearly convey the concepts to those interested, including elected officials, stakeholders and the public. A key aspect of the process is the garnering of input from stakeholders, landowners, and potential trail users. When facilitating public workshops, a proven technique is to offer pens and markers to attendees and ask them to mark up large-format maps with desire lines or areas of concern. Carefully composed questionnaires regarding the study’s goals may elicit valuable input that might not be received otherwise. Partnering with online services, such as WikiMapping, allows the gathering of public input from those not inclined to attend an in-person session (especially important today and may continue to be for some time to come). It is to be expected that some residents may express opposition to the trail. In that situation, it is essential that residents are made to feel that they are being heard and that their concerns are being taken into account. If privacy and security are concerns, it may be pointed out that thoughtful location of trail alignments and design of landscape buffers, earth berms, fencing and other screening elements are integral components of a successful trail design. We anticipate close coordination with Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) in those areas where WVWA’s Green Ribbon Trail occupies portions of the PECO right-of-way. The Michael Baker Team’s decades of experience implementing multi-use trails, from planning through design to construction management, provides a unique practical perspective. Recommendations are made with an eye to constructability, recognizing that limited funding needs to be disbursed in a prudent, responsible manner. Michael Baker’s expertise regarding relevant specialties ranging from environmental permitting to traffic engineering to railroad crossing design, as well the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association is a key stakeholder. WVWA’s DCNR/PennDOT/DCED approval processes, combined with valuable insights will inform the study process creative problem-solving skills, results in workable solutions that may not be obvious at the outset.
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PARKWAY
202 TRAIL 1 N
6 2 1
POTENTIAL POWER LINE TRAIL ALIGNMENT AND ALTERNATES 3
SEPTA Doylestown Line 4 5 7 2 SEPTA
8 3 6
Stony Creek Branch
SEPTA 7
9 4
8
SEPTA Penna.
10 9 5 10
Turnpike
1 0 /2 mile Power Line Trail Study Corridor Map
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THE STUDY CORRIDOR A preliminary examination of the study corridor finds a mix of opportunities and challenges. The following is a brief summary, organized from east to west. These locations are indicated on the study corridor map.
1. U.S. Route 202 at PA Route 63 (Welsh Road) is the current endpoint of the 202 Parkway Trail. A limited number of options are available to tie the Powerline Trail to the 202 Parkway Trail. Between Dekalb Pike and Route 202, a side path along the Upper Gwynedd (south) side of Welsh Road would cross two busy entrances to the Wawa gas station. Crossing Welsh Road at Dekalb Pike, and placing the trail along the Montgomery Township (north) side of Route 63 to Route 202, may represent a solution. These are among the alternates that will be studied and compared as to their merits and potential drawbacks, as part of this project. As the engineers for this portion of the SR 202 Parkway and Trail project, Michael Baker The Baker team is well suited to work with the Welsh Road – Route 202 has extensive right of way and engineering information that intersection area, having served as design engineers for will be vital to solving this connection challenge. Our long- the 202 Parkway Project. standing relationship with PennDOT will allow us to coordinate with the key decision makers to plan for a safe trail alignment through this complex area. 2. Delaware Valley University’s Roth Center for Sustainable Agriculture occupies the entire northeast corner of the township. Coordination with Delaware Valley University will be important in this portion of the trail alignment. The Michael Baker team has worked extensively with Delaware Valley University over many years at the DelVal Doylestown campus, successfully negotiating several trail easements and designing multi-use public trails on university property. 3. Hancock Road is one of several roads that will need to be crossed at grade. Each potential crossing will be carefully assessed, and recommendations made. Among potential solutions are high visibility continental crosswalks, warning signage, LED embedded warning signs and pushbutton-actuated rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), curb bump outs among other options. The crossing of state-owned roads such as North Wales Road will require PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permits or Shared Path Crossing Agreements. Curb extensions could be considered to shorten crossing distances for trail users on excessively wide roads such as South Broad Street near Hartley Drive. 4. Pennbrook Middle School, Gwyn-Nor Elementary School, Michael Baker designed RRFB with curb extensions in Swarthmore Borough enhances pedestrian safety. and Nor-Gwyn Baseball & Softball Complex adjoin the PECO right-of-way and could be readily served by the trail.
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5. SEPTA’s Lansdale Doylestown railroad will need to be either crossed at grade, or the trail made to pass beneath. Nearby, Dickerson Road once crossed the railroad at-grade. Though the crossing has been closed for years, the study can determine whether reopening the at-grade crossing is an option for the trail. SEPTA has allowed new at-grade trail crossings of their active lines (most recently with the Pennypack Trail in Huntingdon Valley). The double- track SEPTA line is on a high earth embankment where the PECO right-of-way crosses. The feasibility of tunneling a trail culvert beneath the This June 2019 ribbon-cutting celebrated the opening of a new tunnel railroad should be investigated. Culvert bored beneath a railroad embankment for the D&L Trail in Bucks County. Train service continued without interruption construction allows uninterrupted train service. during construction. Recently this method allowed the Delaware & Lehigh Trail to connect a key trail link in Bucks County. 6. Sumneytown Pike represents a potential challenge. Rather than a mid-block crossing of this four-lane road, the trail may run along the north side of Sumneytown Pike to a signalized intersection such as West Point Pike or Parkside Place. A quarter mile long side path on the east side of West Point Pike could provide access to the PECO right-of-way. Alternately, the Sumneytown Pike trail bridge over Wissahickon Creek could be utilized, and the sidewalk to Parkside Place widened to serve as a trail. A commercial development including a Royal Farms gas station is now under construction on Sumneytown Pike. Depending on whether the Power Line Trail was Asphalt multi-use trail links Parkside Place with considered when Royal Farms site was being designed, West Point Pike it is possible that a trail easement from this property owner will be needed. 7. Parkside Place, Upper Gwynedd’s flagship community center with its mile of asphalt-surface trails, may offer a suitable alignment for the trail. Crosswalks and signals with pedestrian heads are already in place at the intersection with Sumneytown Pike. Farther west, a large PECO substation and Metro Self Storage occupy the south side of the road, preventing access from the road to the PECO right-of-way. Instead, a new trail alignment through the wooded area near the Upper Gwynedd Community Center (the Lion’s Club building, home of BSA Troop 152) could complete the connection. Another option is to co-locate the trail with the asphalt shared-use path that connects to Clover Drive and West Point Pike. 8. Stony Creek Branch, owned by SEPTA and operated by CSX, will need to be crossed. Occasional slow-speed freight trains are dispatched over this single-track railroad. Preliminary options include modifying the West Point Pike grade crossing or implementing a new at-grade crossing where the PECO right-of-way crosses the railroad. Several existing at- grade crossings are in place nearby on Merck’s campus serve as a precedent for a potential new crossing for the trail. Michael Baker has extensive experience with crossing of railroads for trails including three recent crossings of SEPTA regional rail lines. We worked effectively with the Public Utility Commission and SEPTA’s Dave Mackey on each of these
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crossings to achieve a design that is safe for trail users and the railroad alike. This recent experience will be extremely helpful in laying the groundwork for a future crossing. 9. License agreements negotiated with PECO allow individuals to lease ground within PECO rights-of-way for their own use. A nursery on the east side of West Point Pike appears to be one such arrangement. PECO has in the past approved trails, with the proviso that holders of existing license agreements must give their consent. We work closely with PECO to identify the presence of license agreements within the study corridor. We are coordinating with various PECO staff throughout the region on various large-scale transportation plans and projects. These existing relationships and our understanding of their operations will be helpful in planning this trail alignment along their facilities. We will be sure to leverage any existing agreements/lessons learned from the Horsham Township section of the trail for this study. 10. Morris Road is the township line, shared with Worcester Township. At this point the trail cannot follow the PECO right-of-way as it crosses both Morris Road and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Determining how to proceed from this point may be guided by the recommendations of Worcester Township’s 2004 Community Greenway Plan. That plan envisions the Power Line Trail within Worcester as a side path along Valley Forge Road/PA Route 363, bringing the Worcester segment of trail to the signalized intersection of PA Route 363 and Morris Road. Upper Gwynedd’s Power Line Trail can reach that intersection by placing a one- Installation of a concrete barrier in the 18-foot-wide shoulder half mile long of the Morris Road overpass could allow the Power Line Trail side path along to cross the Pennsylvania Turnpike the north side of Morris Road. The challenge of crossing the Pennsylvania Turnpike may be solved by placing the trail on the existing Morris Road overpass, with a new barrier or other element separating trail users from motor vehicle traffic. The 18-foot-wide shoulder offers adequate space. Retrofitting a bridge deck to accommodate a multi-use trail is a solution that the Michael Baker team has successfully implemented in half a dozen locations in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. As the prime engineering consultant for the PA Turnpike, Michael Baker can use this role to facilitate discussions about modifications of the bridge for the trail.
These represent the team’s preliminary thoughts, based on a cursory overview of the study corridor. Undoubtedly, additional considerations will come up in addition to these, as we work closely with the Township, stakeholders, Michael Baker designed barrier retrofit on the and members of the public. We feel that this project is an exciting opportunity, South Easton Rd bridge over Route 611 in Doylestown is example of a viable solution at one that has the potential to advance a desirable facility destined to enhance all Morris Rd over the PA Turnpike. Upper Gwynedd residents’ quality of life.
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SCOPE OF WORK
Task 1 – Assess Existing Conditions and Right of Way Immediately after the kickoff meeting for this project, Michael Baker recommends a field view of the project area with Township staff and project stakeholders. This will allow everyone to have a common understanding of the site conditions, constraints, and potential opportunities. Michael Baker will prepare a photo log of digital photos of the project area and provide it to the Township. A written summary of items noted during the field view will also be developed. Michael Baker will complete desktop / online research for the existing PECO right of way, road right of ways, existing Township property/open space and other property information in the study area. Township Tax maps/GIS data, County GIS files and PennDOT right of way/construction plans will also be utilized. It is assumed that existing GIS/CADD data for the property lines and right of way will be provided to Michael Baker at no cost. This information will be added to the base map for the study. No courthouse research or deed plotting is included in this task. Michael Baker will conduct field visits of the project area to document constraints and opportunities. Digital photos will be taken and will be utilized in the study report. Task 2 Opportunities and Constraints Map Michael Baker will use PASDA data and aerial photos as the base map for the project. Michael Baker will conduct online and desktop research to document existing environmental constraints and cultural resources. Sources such as the PA Cultural Resource GIS system, National Wetland inventory, PA DEP PNDI, County GIS files and other sites will be used to identify environmental resources in the project corridor. These resources will be plotted on the base map for the project. Michael Baker will document walking/bicycling opportunities and connections to existing and planned trails on the project concept plan. Connections to existing parks, employment centers, cultural destinations, commercial areas and major residential neighborhoods will also be identified. Constraints that affect trail options will also be added to the project concept plan. Task 3 - Trail Alternatives Development and Analysis Michael Baker, in collaboration with the Township Staff/Steering committee will develop the preliminary location and configuration of several trail alternatives. The AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities will be used as the guidance for share use path planning / design criteria. A maximum of three alignment alternatives will be developed based on field views, physical constraints, right-of-way and property constraints, utility impacts, environmental constraints, and recommendations of the project stakeholders. The alternatives will also consider connectivity, connections to community destinations, safety and security concerns, right-of-way impacts and requirements, ease and relative cost of construction, as well as ability to acquire environmental permits. The three alternatives will be shown on an opportunities and constraints map incorporating all data obtained and conclusions reached in the above field views and analysis. In summary, this map will include: Trail alternative routes Trail access points Areas for trail barriers and emergency access Areas needing natural buffers and/or screening Proposed linkages to parks, schools, neighborhoods, etc. Base map with above physical features, right-of-ways, property lines, and constraints Once developed, the alternatives will be analyzed for safety, user comfort, feasibility, constructability, cost effectiveness, environmental permitting requirements, right of way requirements, etc. The advantages and disadvantages of each alternative will be developed and documented in a technical memo.
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Task 4 – Concept Plan and Cost Estimate A concept plan will be developed following DCNR standards. The concept plan will utilize the previously prepared base map and aerial photo background. More detail will be added related to major anticipated infrastructure improvements required, such as bridges/walls, road crossing types (signs/markings, RRFB, etc.), railroad crossing improvements, bridges/structures, waterway crossings, utility impacts, environmental impacts, and other items relevant to implementation and construction of the trail. The concept plan will be reviewed with the Township staff and project stakeholders for consensus. A written description of the alignment alternatives, trail types, and typical cross sections for each segment will be provided in a technical memo. An order of magnitude cost estimate will be developed for the preferred alternative. The cost estimate will be broken down by major construction items and tasks. The cost estimate will utilize contractor bid history from similar trail projects that Michael Baker has completed in the past and PennDOT ECMS bid history. Task 5 – Public Input Sessions In addition to the Township/Wikimaps survey, three public meetings will give the general public additional opportunities to learn about the project and provide input to the process. Two open house style public meetings will be held during the study to acquire feedback on the study. The first public meeting will present the scope of the study, study boundaries, study schedule and existing conditions information. The intent of the first meeting is a “listen session” to gain an initial understanding of areas of concern, goals and desires that the general public have regarding the project. Five (5) large scale color boards will be created for the first meeting. Laptop computers will allow attendees to complete the Township/Wikimaps survey at at the meeting. Hard copy comment forms will also be available. The second public meeting will include a brief powerpoint presentation outlining the information that we heard from the public at the first listening session public meeting and how that information was incorporated into the study analysis. This meeting will also include presentation of a first of the draft alignment alternatives map showing preliminary locations for potential the main trail and connections to local neighborhoods, sidewalks, parks and other destinations. Attendees will have the chance to provide input on the draft alignment alternative locations and other aspects of the study. Five (5) large scale color boards will be created for the second meeting. Township staff will provide assistance with public meeting organization, advertising and logistics. The presentation materials from each meeting will be provided to the Township in electronic format for posting to the Township website. The third public meeting for this project is anticipated to be a presentation at a regular Commissioner’s meeting. The final concept plan, study results and implementation recommendations will be presented in a powerpoint presentation. (Note: Virtual options for these meetings can be developed if requested.) Task 6 Implementation Plan for Trail Development Michael Baker will develop a phased implementation plan for the preferred alternative. Concepts for breaking the project into logical segments and manageable design/construction sections will be developed. Recommendations for appropriate grant funding programs will be included. Task 6 Study Report Michael Baker will summarize the results of all the tasks and meetings in a concise study report. Task 7 Project Management This task includes administrative takes related to project setup, invoicing, and supervision of tasks within this scope of work. Task 8 Township Staff/ Steering Committee Meetings Meetings/conference calls will be held on a monthly basis to coordinate with Township Staff/steering committee during the course of the study. This task includes a kickoff meeting for the study.
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WORK SCHEDULE
Public Input/Public Presentation
Meeting/Conference Call
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COST
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APPENDIX
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Years with Michael Baker: 22 Chris Stanford, PE, PTOE, PMP Years with Other Firms: 4 Project Manager Degrees
S.R. 0202, Section 701 Parkway and Trail, Montgomery Township, Pennsylvania. Master’s Certificate, 2007, Project Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 6-0. Project Manager. Management, University of Responsibilities included managing $4.7 million design contract with 5 subconsultants. Pittsburgh, Katz Graduate School This $31 million construction project involved the design of a 2 mile section of U.S. of Business Route 202, Section 701, New Alignment Alternative, which is a four-lane, limited access M.S., 2001, Civil Engineering, Parkway in Montgomery Co. The project also included over 2 miles of shared use paths Villanova University and 2 miles of bike lanes. B.S., 1994, Civil Engineering, Liberty Bell Trail Feasibility Study, Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Lansdale Borough, Lafayette College Pennsylvania. Project Manager. Responsibilities included overall project management as well as trail planning and concept design. Michael Baker is providing Licenses/Certifications bicycle/pedestrian trail planning, feasibility analysis, cost estimates and public Project Management Professional involvement activities as part of the study for the proposed Liberty Bell Trail through highly developed Lansdale Borough, The study includes potential trail with rail Professional Engineer, locations and modification of an existing at-grade railroad crossing for the trail. Pennsylvania, 1999, PE055032E Frankford Creek Greenway Feasibility Study & Final Design, Philadelphia, Professional Traffic Operations Pennsylvania. City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Project Manager. Michael Baker is Engineer, 2001, 751 providing bicycle/pedestrian planning and alternative analysis for a feasibility study for the 3 mile Frankford Creek Greenway and 1 mile of final design for this project. The city goal is to develop a greenway centered on a shared-use path along the creek that will connect this underserved area to the Delaware River Waterfront and the East Coast Greenway. Michael Baker is evaluating trail alignments, design of street and bridge retrofits for bicycle /pedestrian facilities and right-of-way and property research. Bike and Hike Consultant and On-call Planning/Engineering Services (2012 to present). Doylestown, PA. DoylestownTownship. Project Manager/Engineer. Michael Baker has provided trail planning, trail engineering, grant writing, easement plans/acquisition, trail bridge design, trail planning and feasibility studies land development plan reviews, PennDOT coordination for a 30-mile trail network. Philadelphia Rails with Trails Feasibility Study, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia City Planning Commission. Project Manager. Supervised the development of feasibility study development including existing conditions assessment, alignment alternatives analysis, conceptual design plans, implementation plan and final report writing. Michael Baker is assisting the City in determining the feasibility of three rail corridors for trail development. One corridor involves conversion of an inactive SEPTA line into a rail trail. The second corridor involves adding a trail to active SEPTA commuter rail line and the third corridor involves the planning of a trail with a future Conrail freight line to the Philadelphia Airport. Trail with Rail Feasibility Study, New Britain Borough, PA. New Britain Borough. Project Manager. Michael Baker evaluated the feasibility of a two-mile-long bicycle-pedestrian trail along the SEPTA Lansdale-Doylestown commuter rail line right-of-way to connect Delaware Valley College and the Doylestown Bike-and-Hike System. Destination Peace Valley Trail Feasibility Study, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Doylestown Township. Project Manager. Responsible for study activities, report development, public meetings and overall project coordination. This study involves working with a multi- municipal committee to plan a trail connection between the Doylestown community bike and Hike system to Bucks county’s Peace Valley Park. Neshaminy Creek Greenway Trail Planning and Design Phase 1, 2 and 3. Doylestown, PA. Chalfont Borough, New Britain Borough, New Britain and Doylestown Townships. Project Manager / Lead Engineer Michael Baker worked with the Community Bike and Hike
Committee on environmental studies, preliminary engineering, final design, environmental permits and PennDOT coordination for three separate sections of this new trail totaling over 5 miles of the Neshaminy Creek Greenway. PEC On-Call Trail Planning/Engineering Agreement (2013 to present). Southeast, PA. PA Environmental Council. Project Manager/Engineer. Michael Baker has provided a wide variety of planning, engineering, field survey, right of way services, trail planning and feasibility studies, and grant writing assistance related to the Delaware & Lehigh Trail, East Coast Greenway and other trails in Philadelphia, Bucks and Delaware Counties since 2013. Swarthmore Borough Pedestrian and Bicycle Accessibility Master Plan, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Swarthmore Borough. Project Manager. Michael Baker prepared a prioritized list of new sidewalk installations, intersection safety enhancements, developed a bicycle network map, and created a public education campaign designed to encourage walking and bicycling as alternative modes of transportation. Audubon Loop and Schuylkill River Trails, Montgomery County, Audubon, Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Planning Commission. Project Manager. Michael Baker provided engineering services as part of a design team for two separate trail projects totaling more than 5.0 miles of shared-use paths. The Audubon Trail is a 2.5-mile paved trail that connects the Pawlings Road Trailhead of the Schuylkill River Trail with the Lower Perkiomen Park Trailhead on the Perkiomen Trail. The 2.5-mile Mont Clare Section of the Schuylkill River Trail connects the Perkiomen Trail to the foot of the historic Schuylkill Navigation Canal Schuylkill River Trail Gap Analysis, Wissahickon Gateway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Project Manager. Responsibilities included overall project management as well as trail planning and design. Michael Baker provided planning and engineering support services for a gap analysis of the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) at the Wissahickon Gateway. The existing connection from the Kelly Drive segment of the SRT to the Manayunk Canal tow path and the Montgomery County section of the SRT is inadequate. This project is integral to the completion of the SRT along Kelly Drive, which will expand linkages within Philadelphia's bicycle network, promote multimodal connectivity, and enhance safety. Bicycle / Pedestrian Planning, Statewide, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Central Office. Task Manager. Responsible for managing the development of a feasibility study of the 15-mile Susquehanna River Trail in Lycoming County. 58th Street Connector Greenway Design, Philadelphia, PA. PA Environmental Council. Project Manager. Michael Baker performed conceptual bicycle facility planning, public involvement, environmental clearance, and final engineering for the design of a bicycle–pedestrian trail in a highly urbanized portion of southwest Philadelphia. The project included conversion of sidewalk to shared use path, buffered cycle track design, bike lane design, shared roadway design on roadways with two active SEPTA trolley tracks. Liberty Bell Trail Planning and Design, Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. Coopersburg Borough, Pennsylvania. Project Manager. Responsibilities included overall project management as well as trail planning and final trail design. Michael Baker is providing bicycle/pedestrian trail planning, final design, cost estimates, bid package preparation and construction consultation for 0.6 mile of Liberty Bell Trail. Includes trailhead parking lot design, PennDOT HOP and several road /trail crossing designs.
Years with Michael Baker: 5 Mike Szilagyi Years with Other Firms: 11 Trail Planning Task Leader Degrees Certificate, 2002, GIS, Rutgers Newtown Rail Trail Design and Engineering Services, Bucks County, University, New Brunswick Pennsylvania. Designer. Responsible for final design of 2.5-mile shared use path on abandoned railroad grade. Design includes traffic signal Specialties upgrades at one high-volume highway crossing, and the provision of offset Trail, Bike & Pedestrian Facility center refuge island and RRFB warning beacons at another. Design Pennypack Rail Trail Extension, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. PennDOT-Compliant Design & Designer. Responsible for the Byberry Road trail-head design, driveway, Construction Documents and parking area so that it blends into existing terrain while sparing as many trees as possible. Also designed overflow parking lot on adjacent Trail Feasibility Studies leased property. Michael Baker provided engineering services for the SEPTA & Agency Coordination adaptive reuse of the former Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority Newtown Fox Chase Commuter Railroad into a 3.5-mile extension of the Safety Designs Pennypack Trail.
2015 Trail Master Plan Implementation, Rail Trail Studies Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer. Worked closely with City officials and SEPTA to design conceptual plans and author feasibility studies for three rail trail projects in the City of Philadelphia. Michael Baker performed a Rails with Trails Feasibility Study to examine rail rights-of-way for three potential trails: the Lorimer Fox Chase Trail, Parkside Cynwyd Trail, and Airport Fort Mifflin Trail. This 1.25- mile shared use path connects neighborhoods in Northeast Philadelphia to the East Coast Greenway along the Delaware River. On-Call Bicycle-Pedestrian Facilities Engineering Services, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer. Authored the definitive safety study highlighting the unacceptably high bicycle-motor vehicle crash rate on Spring Garden Street as it exists today. Mapped the crash locations so that clusters and patterns could be analyzed. Compared the number of potential bicycle/motor vehicle conflict points as they exist today, to the drastically reduced number of conflict points after the Greenway is implemented. Michael Baker performed various planning and engineering services related to a wide range of walking and bicycling facilities. This included grant writing assistance, traffic analysis and Synchro traffic simulation models, crash analysis, walking and bicycling trail feasibility analysis, shared use path engineering, cost estimating, and value engineering efforts. Jordan Creek Greenway Trail, Allentown, Pennsylvania. Designer. Responsible for final trail design, alignment, and typical sections, and for the preparation of legal documents describing trail easements to be obtained from several privately held land parcels. Michael Baker is providing planning, preliminary engineering, final design, permitting, and other services for the City, including the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail, which will connect the on-street bike network in Center City to Jordan Meadows Recreation Area to several residential neighborhoods and to Jordan Park. Key features of the project include custom gateways and wayfinding signage; rectangular rapid flashing beacon warning signals at trail crossings; infiltration trenches, bioswales, and other stormwater management features; and landscaping with street trees and warm season grasses. 2012 Municipal Engineering Services, Doylestown Township, Pennsylvania. Designer. Responsible for the final design of a key link in the Neshaminy Greenway Trail, serving the SEPTA Lansdale- Doylestown Line train station. Michael Baker served as the retained municipal engineer to perform annual on-call engineering reviews. Tasks ranged from reviewing land development plans and bicycle and pedestrian facility plans for compliance with township ordinances to providing permitting assistance, to performing on-site monitoring of construction projects.
Years with Michael Baker: 1 Bill Torr, PE Years with Other Firms: 9 Roadway/Trail Task Leader Degrees B.S.C.E., 2010, Civil Engineering, Fox Chase Lorimer Trail Design. City of Philadelphia. Transportation Drexel University Engineer. Michael Baker is providing preliminary engineering, final design, permitting, and other services to the City. This half-mile path will connect Licenses/Certifications Rhawn Street and the adjacent Fox Chase SEPTA train station to an extension of the existing Lorimer Trail being installed by Montgomery Professional Engineer - Civil, County. Once complete, the path will provide multi-modal access to several Pennsylvania, 2015, PE083142 additional neighborhoods in Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties. Key features of this project include pedestrian and vehicle signals at the Rhawn Street crossing, drainage trenches, and other stormwater management features. Responsibilities included trail design, stormwater permitting, bid package preparation, and coordination with sub-consultants, PWD, PUC, and utility companies. Anticipated Construction: 2020. Coopersburg Saucon Rail Trail. Coopersburg Borough. Transportation Engineer. Responsibilities included the vertical and horizontal design of a trailhead parking lot, access, and trail roadway crossing. Additional responsibilities included the design of a rapid rectangular flashing beacon, pavement markings, and stormwater facilities. Anticipated Construction: 2020. Jordan Creek Greenway Trail. City of Allentown. Transportation Engineer. Michael Baker is providing planning, preliminary engineering, final design, permitting, and other services for the City, including the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail. This 1.5-mile urban greenway will connect the on-street bike network in Center City to Jordan Meadows Recreation Area to several residential neighborhoods and to Jordan Park. Key features of the project include custom gateways and wayfinding signage; rectangular rapid flashing beacon warning signals at trail crossings; infiltration trenches, bioswales, and other stormwater management features; and landscaping with street trees and warm season grasses. Responsibilities included trail design, pavement marking and signing design, sidewalk design, ADA ramp layout, bid package preparation, and coordination with City officials and utility companies. Anticipated Construction: 2021. Covered Bridge Park On-Call. South Whitehall Township. Transportation Engineer. Responsibilities included parking lot, access, and sidewalk vertical and horizontal design. Other responsibilities included rain garden layout, item quantification, cost estimating, client and manufacturer coordination, and bid preparation. Anticipated Construction: 2020.
Non-Michael Baker Project Experience Union Meeting Road Trail Project. Whitpain Township. Transportation Engineer. This project provides approximately two-thirds of a mile of multi-use path along Union Meeting Road. Responsibilities included trail design, roadway and driveway crossing design, and client coordination. Anticipated Construction: 2020. Sumneytown Pike Culvert Widening Project. Lower Gwynedd Township. Transportation Engineer. This project widened the existing culvert to provide the width needed for several additional travel lanes. The project included roadway reconstruction, drainage design, sidewalk design, and guiderail design. Anticipated Construction: 2020. S.R. 4004, Sec. MTF. Lower Providence Township. Transportation Engineer. This project realigns an offset four-leg stop- controlled intersection to create a traditional signal-controlled intersection. It involves reprofiling the roadways up to six feet to meet vertical geometry requirements and installation of two box culverts. Responsibilities included roadway design, design for relocating and reprofiling approximately three hundred feet of stream, drainage and stormwater BMP
design, including rain gardens and swales, guiderail design, and extensive property owner coordination, including required easement and right-of-way layout. Design Completion: 2019. SR 0073 and Butler Avenue Intersection Improvement Project. Whitpain Township. Transportation Engineer. This project included roadway widening and the installation of an additional auxiliary lane to increase capacity and motorist safety. Responsibilities included roadway design, ADA curb ramp design, client and utility coordination. Constructed: 2018. Lower Salford Township Trail Project. Lower Salford Township. Transportation Engineer. This project installed a trail which connected an existing trail network adjacent to the Skippack Creek to the intersection of Main Street and Clemens Road. Responsibilities included trail design, stormwater design, and municipal coordination. Anticipated Construction: 2020. Alderfer Road Culvert Replacement Project. Lower Salford Township. Transportation Engineer. This project replaced an existing box culvert with a new box culvert with a larger hydraulic opening. The project included reprofiling the roadway, drainage design, and guiderail design. Design Completed: 2019. Indian Creek Road Culvert Replacement Project. Lower Salford Township. Transportation Engineer. This project replaced an existing box culvert with a new box culvert with similar dimensions. The project included roadway reconstruction and guiderail design. Constructed: 2019. S.R. 0063 Culvert Widening Project. Lower Salford Township. Transportation Engineer. This project widened the existing culvert to provide the width needed for an additional travel lane. The project included roadway reconstruction, drainage design, sidewalk design, and guiderail design. Constructed: 2017. Aquetong Spring Park Trail Project. Solebury Township. Transportation Engineer. This project provides approximately half a mile of multi-use path for a future Bucks County Cross-County Trail connection. Responsibilities included trail, trailhead parking lot, and driveway design, drainage design, client and sub-consultant coordination. Anticipated Construction: 2020. Solebury Gateway Trail Project. Solebury Township. Transportation Engineer. This project upgraded a busy roadway adjacent to SR 0202 and installed a half-mile multi-use path that connects the Bucks County Cross-County Trail to several Township parks. Responsibilities included trail, roadway, and ADA curb ramp design, drainage design, quantity and bid specification preparation. Constructed: 2017. S.R. 0532, Sec. PH1. Northampton Township. Transportation Engineer. This project upgrades an existing signalized T- intersection in a very confined area with numerous buildings directly adjacent to the shoulders. Upgrading the vertical and horizontal geometry of the roadways to meet design criteria, including extensive drainage design. Responsibilities included roadway design, drainage design, guiderail design, parking lot design, and extensive property owner coordination including required easement and right-of-way layout. Anticipated Design Completion: 2020.
William L. Torr, P.E.
Tina Roseberry, AICP Years with Baker: 1.5 Public Involvement & Planning Task Leader Years with Other Firms: 25 Degrees Cumberland County Recreation and Open Space Plan. Successfully applied to B.A., 1989, Geography and Urban DCNR for funding for planning to create a County-wide Recreation and Open Space Planning, Shippensburg University Plan. A schedule was developed for public meetings throughout the County as well as “drop-in” Planning Commission and/or Officials meetings at strategically selected Licenses/Certifications municipalities. Other engagement activities facilitated included Pertinent questions American Institute of Certified were Stakeholder interviews and community survey. The Plan prioritized key lands Planners, Pennsylvania, 1999, for preservation, needed park upgrades, park expansions, and additional lands 081899 needed for recreation consistent with projected growth areas. Certified PMPEI Instructor, 2007 Cumberland County Open Space Preservation Strategy. Worked with the Cumberland County Commissioners to better understand the value of agricultural National Main Street Certification, land and other larger open spaces throughout Cumberland County. The Strategy was 2001 developed as a promotional tool for existing land owners, farmers and municipalities Pennsylvania State Planning Board feeling pressure over future land development. 2018 Steelton Borough Recreation Plan. Successfully applied to State and Federal agencies for planning and implementation funding to create a master recreation plan as well as design and construction of several priority projects within the plan including: trail development, boat house and dock, river and canal riparian buffer projects, and park rehab projects. A public engagement plan was created and implemented that included stakeholder interviews, community survey, website updates, and public workshops and meetings. Dillsburg Borough Municipal Park Master Plan. Successfully applied (3 years of funding) to PADCNR for planning and implementation funding to create a park master plan as well as design and construction of a municipal pool, life cycle trail, utility easement plan, pavilion, parking, streetscape and handicap accessible crosswalk enhancements. A public engagement plan was created and implemented that included stakeholder interviews, community survey, website updates, and public workshops and meetings. French Creek Redevelopment. As part of a 125-acre redevelopment project, PADCNR funding was used for creating 2 miles of creek-side trails, latterly “benched” into the creek flood fringe. Worked with a private developer and Phoenixville Borough to create a finance strategy, public engagement plan that included a planning charrette, two product workshops, and final public meeting. West Ward Neighborhood Plan, 2018 an urban neighborhood plan funded in part by Northampton County and PA DCED. The Plan was a priority implementation project of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and included a healthy public engagement plan including stakeholder interviews, neighborhood workshops, community survey, on-line survey, area agency focus group meeting, neighborhood business focus group, and a neighborhood action project. Susquehanna River Trail. As a senior planner at Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, DCNR funds were successfully obtained to create a master trail project that mapped the islands and coastal shores for places stationed trail stops. Municipal officials, river agencies, river-oriented businesses, and the Millersburg Ferry Organization and residential property owners were engaged as part of the mapping and planning process. Trail mapping was prepared, public education and promotion plans were developed, and tour brochures were made for future trail users. Auburn Cross Trails Park Master Plan – Engagement Program. Currently, Tina is working with the City of Allentown on the engagement program for the Auburn Cross Trails Park Master Plan. The program includes over 20 one-on-one Stakeholder interviews, Team progress meetings, collaborative meetings with other Trail development/interest agencies, community survey development and distribution, and public meetings. Key meetings that will influence the plan included Trexler Trust, Allentown Bike Works, America on Wheels, Jaindl Properties, and others. West Ward Neighborhood Plan. In 2018 an urban neighborhood plan funded in part by Northampton County and PA DCED. The Plan was a priority implementation project of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and included a healthy public engagement plan with stakeholder interviews, neighborhood workshops, community survey, on-line survey, area agency focus group meeting, neighborhood business focus group, and a neighborhood action project. The creation of an Advisory Committee was very strategic. Membership was given to those who have a vested interest or want to have a bigger stake (financially, in-kind support, or through volunteerism) in the community. Queen Ann’s County Comprehensive Plan. A county-wide comprehensive plan was prepared that included a healthy public engagement program. Engagement activities included 3 large public meetings hosting keynote speakers, storytelling presentations, consensus governance training for top workshop staff, key Issue Topic Committee meetings, student government day at 2 high schools, County Commissioners meetings and adoption hearings. Evening workshops included asset and placemaking activities, preference surveys using online voting tools. The Student government day exercises focused on issues surrounding the young adult community and regional needs based upon future career paths. The Issue Topic Committees were tasked to complete an independent report that would ultimately integrate into the Comprehensive Plan.
Years with Michael Baker: 11 Bill King, PE, PTOE Years with Other Firms: 7 Traffic Task Leader Degrees
S.R. 0202, Section 701 Parkway Design, Montgomery Township, M.B.A., 2018, Business Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, District 6-0. Administration, University of Civil Engineer. Responsible for the design of the pavement base drain for Delaware the proposed Bypass. Responsible for the design of the pavement base B.S.C.E., 2002, Civil Engineering, drain for the proposed Bypass. Other responsibilities included various Villanova University quantity calculations and assisting in the coordination of right of way plans, construction plans, cross sections, and cost estimate. Also developed Licenses/Certifications preliminary designs for 10 intersections along a new limited access highway Professional Engineer, alignment. Analyzed traffic data and developed synchro models to evaluate Pennsylvania, 2007, PE074275 levels of service and queues for various intersection alternatives. Devised a synchro model encompassing the entire project corridor, using projected Professional Traffic Operations volumes to compare and analyze future no-build conditions versus the full- Engineer, 2009, 2663 build alternative. Michael Baker designed a two-mile section of U.S. Route 202, Section 701, New Alignment Alternative, which is a four-lane, limited- access parkway. The project involved preliminary and final roadway design, including geometric layout and profiling; interchange design; grading, drainage, and stormwater management design; bridge and retaining wall design; traffic control design; and utility coordination and right-of-way plan preparation.
Frankford Creek Greenway Section 1 Final Design, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. City of Philadelphia. Traffic Engineer. Completed a warrant study for the installation of a multi-way stop sign at a critical trail crossing location. Michael Baker provided preliminary and final engineering for Section 1 of the Frankford Creek Greenway Trail. This 1.25-mile-long share use path connects neighborhoods in Northeast Philadelphia to the East Coast Greenway along the Delaware River. Michael Baker prepared construction plans; developed typical sections; prepared safety studies and safety recommendations; developed plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E); prepared erosion and sedimentation control plans; managed and coordinated subconsultants and subcontractors; provide utility coordination; developed trail and roadway signing, pavement marking, maintenance of traffic, and landscaping planting plans; and complete an NPDES permit application package. Additionally, Michael Baker performed environmental impact studies necessary to prepare categorical exclusion evaluation (CEE) document and provide construction consultation.
Destination Doylestown Bikeway Phase 2, Doylestown Borough, Pennsylvania. Doylestown Borough/Doylestown Township. Civil Associate. Assisted in the final pavement markings and signage plans, including the placement of signs, striping and other pavement markings. Tabulated pavement markings for cost estimate. Michael Baker provided planning, environmental clearance, utility coordination, agency coordination, cost estimates, and final engineering plans for the $1 million Destination Doylestown Phase 2 project trail construction and bridge replacement project. The project involved the development of an approximately 1.0-mile walking and bicycling trail through the Delaware Valley College campus connecting the 15-mile Doylestown Community Bike and Hike system to the proposed 9 mile S.R. 202 Parkway trail and Doylestown's Central Park.
Bicycle-Pedestrian Improvements, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Swarthmore Borough, Pennsylvania. Traffic Engineer. Designed rapid flashing beacons for three intersections. Michael Baker completed environmental clearance and final design engineering for a community-wide bicycle and pedestrian improvement project. The project includes installation of
shared lane markings throughout the Borough, sidewalk improvements for several thousand feet along four roadways, and traffic calming and pedestrian crossing improvements at three intersections. Curb extensions, rectangular rapid flashing beacon signals, extensive signing, and pavement marking improvements are proposed at the three intersections.
Audubon Loop and Schuylkill River Trails, Montgomery County, Audubon, Pennsylvania. Montgomery County Planning Commission. Civil Associate. Developed right-of-way plats. Michael Baker provided engineering services as part of a design team for two separate trail projects totaling more than 5.0 miles of shared-use paths. The Audubon Trail is a 2.5-mile paved trail that connects the Pawlings Road Trailhead of the Schuylkill River Trail with the Lower Perkiomen Park Trailhead on the Perkiomen Trail. The 2.5-mile Mont Clare Section of the Schuylkill River Trail connects the Perkiomen Trail to the foot of the historic Schuylkill Navigation Canal. Michael Baker's tasks included coordinating environmental permitting; researching property ownership and right-of-way; performing field surveys and producing base maps; designing a pedestrian bridge and two metal arch culverts; providing site and utility engineering support for trailhead parking area and restroom building construction; and performing shop drawing review, construction inspection, and construction consultation.
Susquehanna River Trail Feasibility Study, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Investigated an approximately 28-mile- long corridor to determine the viability and constructibility of two separate trails that would make up a portion of the Susquehanna Greenway. Identified various alternatives, created figures and cost estimates to assist in the analysis of alternatives. Developed reports which analyzed the existing conditions and the benefits and disadvantages of alternatives.
Jordan Creek Greenway Trail, Allentown, Pennsylvania. City of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Traffic Engineer. Responsible for designing two Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs). Michael Baker is providing planning, preliminary engineering, final design, permitting, and other services for the City, including the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail. This 1.5- mile urban greenway will connect the on-street bike network in Center City to Jordan Meadows Recreation Area to several residential neighborhoods and to Jordan Park. Key features of the project include custom gateways and wayfinding signage; rectangular rapid flashing beacon warning signals at trail crossings; infiltration trenches, bioswales, and other stormwater management features; and landscaping with street trees and warm season grasses.
William B. King, P.E., PTOE
Years with Michael Baker: 20 Ken Corti, PWS Years with Other Firms: 17 Environmental Task Leader Degrees Master’s Certification, 2008, Pennypack Rail Trail Environmental Permitting, Montgomery County, Project Management, Drexel Pennsylvania. Environmental Manager. Responsible for preparation, University oversight, and review of the prepared Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) General Permit Registration form (GP-11 MS, 2000, Geography, Rutgers application) for the repurposing of three former railroad bridges as part of University a continuation of the Pennypack Trail. BS, 1983, Natural Resources Newtown Rail Trail Design and Engineering Services, Bucks County, Conservation, University of Pennsylvania. Environmental Manager. Responsible for administering and Connecticut managing environmental studies, documentation, and clearance phase. The Licenses/Certifications environmental clearance includes preparation of studies to support the Scoping and Categorical Exclusion Evaluation documents, including planned Environmental Permitting public involvement. Trail Planning & Design Lower Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail, Montgomery County, Environmental Planning Pennsylvania. Environmental Manager. Responsible for providing environmental planning services for the design, construction, and inspection Public Involvement of three miles of walking and bicycling paths. Michael Baker provided Bike & Pedestrian Trails environmental studies, trail planning, final design, and construction inspection for approximately three miles of the multi-use Lower Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail in Whitemarsh and Springfield Townships. 58th Street Connector Greenway Design, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Environmental Manager. Responsible for administering and managing the environmental studies, documentation, and clearance phase. The environmental clearance includes preparation of studies to support the Scoping and Categorical Exclusion Evaluation (CEE) documents, including public involvement. Michael Baker performed conceptual bicycle facility planning, public involvement, environmental clearance, and final engineering services for the design of the 58th Street Connector Greenway bicycle–pedestrian trail in a highly urbanized portion of southwest Philadelphia. Michael Baker's prepared a conceptual trail plan, conducted extensive community outreach activities, prepared a categorical exclusion evaluation, developed conceptual alignments, and performed final streetscape and trail engineering. Schuylkill River Park Bicycle/Pedestrian Ramp, South Street Bridge and Schuylkill River Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Environmental Manager. Responsible for providing environmental planning services for the design, construction, and inspection of walking and bicycling paths. Specific tasks completed included a wetland identification and delineation; Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Search Form, Supplement No. 1 for species of special concern listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and permit preparation and procurement. Michael Baker prepared preliminary and final design for the construction of a bicycle/pedestrian ramp that connects the newly reconstructed South Street Bridge with the Schuylkill River Park Trail along the east bank of the Schuylkill River. Bike and Pedestrian Connections, East Coast Greenway and the Philadelphia Trail Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Environmental Manager. Responsible for administering and managing environmental studies, documentation, and clearance phase. The environmental clearance includes preparation of studies to support the Scoping and Categorical Exclusion Evaluation documents, including planned public involvement. Michael Baker provided final design and engineering of four bicycle and pedestrian connections, and a feasibility study of a fifth connection to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.