Report 5_PAC DESIGN MEMO_Redacted.pdf

12-14-2017

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

LOCATION AND DESIGN

DESIGN MEMO

State Project Number: 0036-074-753, C501 Federal Project Number: RSTP-5A27(100)

County/City: Prince George District: Richmond

Project Description

From: 1.53 Mi. West Rte. 144 (Temple Ave.) UPC: 104697

To: 1.09 Mi. West Rte. 144 (Temple Ave.)

Functional Classification: Urban Collector Minimum VDOT GS Standard: GS-7

Project Purpose and Background information:

o The purpose of this project is to improve operations, safety, and increase storage at Fort Lee entrance at the intersection of Rte. 36 and Lee Gate. VDOT will be responsible for design and FHWA Eastern Federal Land (EFL) will be the lead agency in administered and delivering the project.

Description of Roadway Characteristics and Proposed Design:

o Oaklawn Blvd. (Rte. 36) is a four-lane divided Urban Collector (GS-7) with a design speed of 50 MPH and a posted speed of 45 MPH. Lee Avenue, the connecting roadway, is a four-lane divided Urban Local Street (GS-8) with a design speed and posted speed of 25 MPH. The proposed improvements to Rte.

36 include extending the existing ramp from the Petersburg National Battlefield to create a new right turn lane into Fort Lee. The acceleration lane from Northbound

Lee Avenue to Eastbound Rte. 36 will also be extended to provide the appropriate acceleration length, and a right turn lane will be provided along Westbound Rte.

36 at Northbound Lee Avenue. The proposed design will utilize a 2 foot paved shoulder along the acceleration lane from Northbound Lee Avenue onto

Eastbound Rte. 36, and along the right turn lane from Westbound Rte. 36 onto

Northbound Lee Avenue. The existing roadway condition consists of a 0-2 foot paved shoulder along East and West Bound Rte. 36. The proposed design along the acceleration lane onto Eastbound Rte. 36 will utilize a 2 foot buffer strip between the curb and gutter and the sidewalk. The length of the sidewalk and curb and gutter in this area will be extended to provide a perpendicular cross walk across the acceleration lane. There will be a Storm Water Basin located between the Proposed Entrance to Fort Lee and the Existing Lee Avenue.

Accident History:

See Intersection Analysis For State Route 36 (Oaklawn Blvd.) and Lee

Avenue (Fort Lee Gate) by Volkert, Inc. and the latest in the email provided by VDOT Traffic Engineering.

Design Exceptions/Waivers:

Shoulder:

The shoulder criterion for an Urban Collector (GS-8) with a design speed of 25 MPH is 8 feet, of which 4 feet is paved according to the Road Design Manual Appendix A, Section A-1, Page A-18. The proposed design along the acceleration lane from

Northbound Lee Avenue to Eastbound Rte. 36 with utilize a 2 foot paved usable shoulder to eliminate any impacts to the security fence surrounding Fort Lee’s Military Base property (approximately 200 feet). An 8 foot shoulder (2’ Paved) will be provided along the right turn lane from Westbound Rte. 36 onto Northbound Lee Avenue.

The AASHTO Green Book (Table 7-3, Page 7-5) states that “The usable shoulder width may be a minimum of 2 feet if needed to reduce construction impacts, provided that bicycle use is not intended to be accommodated on the shoulder.” Bicycle accommodations are not and will not be provided within the proposed project’s limits.

Section 9.7 Page 9-124 -Auxiliary Lanes in the AASHTO Green Book also states that

“Shoulders may be omitted adjacent to auxiliary lanes in urban areas and on right and left turn lanes. In these cases, the auxiliary lane also serves as a useable shoulder for emergency us and to accommodate stopped or disable vehicles.” The frequency and types of accidents within the project limits do not suggest that the paved shoulder width contribute to its severity or cause. Roadway lighting is present along the acceleration lane to illuminate the area. The proposed 2 foot paved shoulder matches the existing roadway conditions throughout the project limits. The approximate cost to meet the minimum shoulder width of 8 feet is

Buffer:

The buffer strip criterion for an Urban Local Street (GS-8) with a design speed of 25

MPH is 3 feet according to the Road Design Manual Appendix A, Section A-5, Page A-

168. The proposed design along the acceleration lane from Northbound Lee Avenue to

Eastbound Rte. 36 will utilize a 2 foot buffer strip to eliminate any impacts to the security fence surrounding Fort Lee’s Military Base property (approximately 125 feet).

The AASHTO Green Book Section 4.17.1 Page 4-56 -Sidewalks states that “The width of a planted strip between the sidewalk and traveled-way curb, if provided, shoulder be a minimum of 2 feet to allow for maintenance activities.” The frequency and types of accidents within the project limits do not suggest approximate cost to meet the minimum buffer strip width 3 feet is