ATHENS BYPASS TPR McMinn County, TN Table of Contents 1.0 Background Information ................................................................................................ 5 1.1 Project History ........................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Project Study Area ..................................................................................................... 8 1.3 Community Description............................................................................................ 15 2.0 Existing Transportation Conditions .............................................................................. 19 2.1 Regional Highway Network Discussion ................................................................... 19 2.2 Planned and Recent Improvements ........................................................................ 21 2.3 SR-30 Existing Geometric Conditions & Deficiencies .............................................. 21 2.4 Safety ...................................................................................................................... 25 2.5 Alternative Transportation Modes in Study Area ..................................................... 27 3.0 Purpose and Need ...................................................................................................... 30 3.1 Purpose and Need of a Bypass............................................................................... 30 3.2 Purpose and Need Requirements ........................................................................... 30 4.0 Measures of Effectiveness .......................................................................................... 33 4.1 Level of Service ....................................................................................................... 33 4.2 Volume to Capacity Ratio & Congestion Reduction ................................................ 33 4.3 Average Travel Speed ............................................................................................. 33 4.4 Travel Time .............................................................................................................. 33 5.0 Proposed Improvements ............................................................................................. 35 5.1 Design Criteria ......................................................................................................... 35 5.1.1 Cross Section Design ........................................................................................ 35 5.1.2 Roadside Design ............................................................................................... 35 5.1.3 Access Control.................................................................................................. 35 5.1.4 Design Speed.................................................................................................... 36 5.1.5 Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations......................................................... 36 5.1.6 Disposition of Existing Route ............................................................................ 37 5.2 Corridor Options ...................................................................................................... 37 5.2.1 No Build Option................................................................................................. 39 5.2.2 South Bypass Options....................................................................................... 44 5.2.3 North Bypass Option......................................................................................... 56 6.0 Assessment of Options ............................................................................................... 64 6.1 TDOT’s Seven Guiding Principles ........................................................................... 64 6.1.1 Guiding Principle 1: Preserve and Manage the Existing Transportation System ................................................................................................................................... 64 6.1.2 Guiding Principle 2: Move a Growing, Diverse, and Active Population ............. 64 6.1.3 Guiding Principle 3: Support the State’s Economy ........................................... 64 6.1.4 Guiding Principle 4: Maximize Safety and Security ........................................... 64 6.1.5 Guiding Principle 5: Build Partnerships for Livable Communities ..................... 65 6.1.6 Guiding Principle 6: Promote Stewardship of the Environment ........................ 65 6.1.7 Guiding Principle 7: Promote Financial Responsibility ...................................... 71 6.2 Summary of Options................................................................................................ 72 2 ATHENS BYPASS TPR McMinn County, TN Table of Exhibits Exhibit 1.1 Project History ................................................................................................... 6 Exhibit 1.1 Project History (Continued) ............................................................................... 7 Exhibit 1.1 Project History (Continued) ............................................................................... 8 Exhibit 1.2.1 Area Vicinity Map ............................................................................................ 9 Exhibit 1.2.2 Project Location Map (Legend) .................................................................... 10 Exhibit 1.2.2 Project Location Map (1) .............................................................................. 11 Exhibit 1.2.2 Project Location Map (2) .............................................................................. 12 Exhibit 1.2.2 Project Location Map (3) .............................................................................. 13 Exhibit 1.2.2 Project Location Map (4) .............................................................................. 14 Exhibit 1.3.1 Major Industries............................................................................................ 16 Exhibit 1.3.2 Major Industries Map.................................................................................... 17 Exhibit 1.3.3 Utility Service Providers ................................................................................ 18 Exhibit 2.1 Regional Map .................................................................................................. 20 Exhibit 2.3.1 Existing Conditions....................................................................................... 22 Exhibit 2.3.2 SR-30 4-Lane Divided Section (Photo) ........................................................ 23 Exhibit 2.3.3 SR-30 5-Lane Section (Photo) ..................................................................... 23 Exhibit 2.3.4 SR-30 4-Lane Section (Photo) ..................................................................... 24 Exhibit 2.3.5 SR-30 2-Lane Section (Photo) ..................................................................... 24 Exhibit 2.4.1 SR-30 Crash Data for 2003-2005 ................................................................. 25 Exhibit 2.4.1 SR-30 Crash Data for 2003-2005 (Continued) ............................................. 26 Exhibit 2.4.1 SR-30 Crash Data for 2003-2005 (Continued) ............................................. 26 Exhibit 2.5.1 Rail Freight Map ........................................................................................... 28 Exhibit 2.5.2 Inland Waterway System .............................................................................. 29 Exhibit 4.1 LOS Table ....................................................................................................... 34 Exhibit 5.2.1 I-75 Exits....................................................................................................... 39 Exhibit 5.2.1.1 No Build Option 2013 LOS ........................................................................ 41 Exhibit 5.2.1.2 No Build Option 2033 LOS ........................................................................ 41 Exhibit 5.2.1.3 No Build Option LOS Table ....................................................................... 42 Exhibit 5.2.1.4 SR-30 Travel Time Runs Table ................................................................. 43 Exhibit 5.2.1.5 SR-30 Travel Time Runs Chart ................................................................. 43 Exhibit 5.2.2.1 South Bypass Option A 2013 LOS - 2-Lane Bypass ................................. 47 Exhibit 5.2.2.2 South Bypass Option A 2013 LOS - 4-Lane Bypass ................................. 47 Exhibit 5.2.2.3 South Bypass Option A 2033 LOS - 2-Lane Bypass ................................. 48 Exhibit 5.2.2.4 South Bypass Option A 2033 LOS - 4-Lane Bypass ................................. 48 Exhibit 5.2.2.5 South Bypass Option B 2013 LOS - 2-Lane Bypass ................................. 49 Exhibit 5.2.2.6 South Bypass Option B 2013 LOS - 4-Lane Bypass ................................. 49 Exhibit 5.2.2.7 South bypass Option B 2033 LOS - 2-Lane Bypass ................................. 50 Exhibit 5.2.2.8 South bypass Option B 2033 LOS - 4-Lane Bypass ................................. 50 Exhibit 5.2.2.9 South Bypass Options LOS Table – SR-30 ............................................... 51 Exhibit 5.2.2.10 South Bypass Options LOS Table –2-Lane South Bypass Option A ...... 52 Exhibit 5.2.2.11 South Bypass Options LOS Table – 4-Lane South Bypass Option A ..... 53 Exhibit 5.2.2.12 South Bypass Options LOS Table – 2-Lane