#04 Review and approved proposed reconstruction plans for a portion of River Street
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
June 27, 2011
TO: City Council
FROM: Carl J. Weber P.E., Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Review and Approval of Proposed Plans for Reconstruction of River
Street from West Racine Street to West Court Street
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the plans for reconstruction of
River St. from W. Racine St. to W. Court St. as presented herein.
City Manager’s Recommendation
The City Manager recommends approval of the plans for reconstruction. I believe
this is a critical project in the continued redevelopment of the downtown.
Suggested Motion
I move to approve the plans for the reconstruction of River St. from W. Racine St.
to W. Court St. as presented and including Option 3 for parking alignment.
Request
DPW staff is seeking approval of the design concepts for the various elements of
the street reconstruction prior to completion of final plans and specifications and
advertising for bids. The design needs to be completed this fall to allow for
construction during the 2012 construction season as scheduled.
Background
The City has previously determined that River St., which was originally constructed
in 1957, is in need of reconstruction due to its deteriorated pavement structure. To
this end, the city applied for and received a Federal grant to fund 80% of the cost
of reconstruction. The City (and WisDOT) subsequently retained MSA
Professional Services to prepare plans and specifications.
MSA is currently 30% complete with the design process. City staff and MSA have
held 3 meetings with different community members who would have interest in the
project (including one to which the general public was invited) as well as several
one on one meetings with abutting property owners. Based on comments from
those meetings, field surveys, and a review of the City of Janesville Downtown
Vision and Strategy and in compliance with State and Federal design standards, a
preliminary plan has been prepared for your review and approval.
A summary of the preliminary plan elements is as follows:
1. The street will be reconstructed from ROW line to ROW line including
pavement, curb and gutter as well as sidewalk. The roadway width would
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be narrowed from existing widths of 42ft – 46ft to 41ft. This would allow for
two traffic lanes, two bike lanes and one parking lane. Parking would be
eliminated on one side of the street to allow a reasonable terrace width. The
block between McKinley St and W. Court St would be slightly wider at 45ft
(vs. 48ft existing) to accommodate a separate right-turn lane for Court St.
and would have no parking on either side.
2. The pavement structure would be an 8” concrete over 6” aggregate with
intermittent areas of increased stone base.
3. Three options have been considered for the single parking lane between W.
Racine St. and McKinley Street:
a. Option 1: All parking on the west side
b. Option 2: West side parking from W. Racine St to W. Holmes St,
east side from W. Holmes St to W. Van Buren St and west side from
W. Van Buren St. to McKinley St..
c. Option 3: West side parking from W. Racine St to W. Holmes St,.
and east side from W. Holmes St to McKinley St..
Staff recommends Option 3 as it provides 3 more stalls than Option 2 and 9
more than Option 1. It also provides a drop off spot for the bus transfer
station outside of the McKinley St intersection and allows for temporary bus
parking during maintenance operation for the transfer station pavement
area.
4. Bump-outs will be provided at each intersection except W. Racine St and
W. Court St (where with turn lanes will be provided) to provide for safer
pedestrian crossings and additional green space.
5. The existing standard street lights on the west side of the street will be
removed and replaced will new decorative lights on concrete poles on the
east side of the street matching those installed on Court St to the east of
Main St. a few years ago.
6. Parkway trees in poor condition will be removed and replaced with trees
that are compatible with the existing environment.
7. Within the public open space area between the street and the river from
Union St. to Rock St. a large rain garden will be constructed. This will
provide 1) management of stormwater runoff from a portion of the street
prior to discharge into the river, 2) general education for the public about
the benefits of stormwater management, and 3) an aesthetically enhanced
entry way into the central business district from the south.
8. The existing walkway on the east side of the street between 431 S. River
Street and Rock St. is under consideration for elimination with pedestrian
traffic redirected to the parallel Rock River recreation trail. This would
eliminate redundancy of construction and maintenance costs for this part of
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the project and provide a more pleasant environment for walkers and
recreational bikers. This proposal is currently under review by the WDOT.
9. The Rock River Trail would be extended from its current terminus one half
block north of Union St to the north end of the City property at Rock St. The
trail would be aligned to allow for future extension north along the river with
a connection to the existing trail at the south end of the Transit Transfer
Facility. A sidewalk connection to the trail at the northwest end of the
Racine St Bridge will also be provided.
10. All necessary utility improvements will be completed either immediately
prior to or as part of the project.
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Jacob J. Winzenz, Assistant City Manager/Dir. of Administrative Services
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