Report_Traffic_Management_Plan.pdf

FINAL Traffic Management Plan

January, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1-1

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................ 2-1

3.0 TRAFFIC SAFETY REPORT ......................................................................................................... 3-2

4.0 WORK ZONE IMPACT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ................................................................. 4-2

4.1 Temporary Traffic Control Strategies ........................................................................ 4.1-3

4.2 Public Communication Plan ...................................................................................... 4.2-4

4.3 Transportation Operations Strategies ....................................................................... 4.3-4

4.4 Traffic/Incident Management Strategies................................................................... 4.4-5

5.0 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN MONITORING .......................................................................... 5-5

6.0 CONTINGENCY PLANS.............................................................................................................. 6-6

APPENDIX A – Traffic Control Typical Sections – Phases I, II and III

APPENDIX B – Traffic Control Plans – Phases I, II and III

APPENDIX C – Local Detour Route

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires all state and local transportation agencies that receive federal aid to comply with the guidelines for Transportation Management Plans (TMP) as of October 12, 2007.

This Transportation Management Plan (TMP), its format and terminology are based on FHWA guidelines.

Figure 1-1 below shows the project location.

Figure 1-1 Project Location

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Public Works (DPW) has conducted a study of this segment of Veterans Drive (Route 30) in Charlotte Amalie; St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (see Figure 1-1: Project Location). The project extends from west of Hospital Gade (STA 237+04.51) to Long Bay Road Intersection. Improvements to Veterans Drive are needed to alleviate the traffic congestion that currently exists. In response to this need, the U.S. Virgin Islands DPW established the objective of improving the traffic management capabilities of the corridor. The goal is to improve the overall flow of traffic in the corridor and the intent is to upgrade Veterans Drive to current design standards in order to provide additional capacity.

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The existing roadway is the major east-west arterial in St. Thomas, and plays an important role as an emergency evacuation route, and for emergency response vehicles. The roadway is the main access into Charlotte Amalie from the southern coastline of St. Thomas and is the primary route between the cruise ship port and the main shopping district. Existing Veterans Drive is an urban, nine-foot lanes, four-lane, undivided facility. There are sidewalks, although not continuous, on both sides of Veterans Drive and a seawall is located on the south side of the roadway bordering St. Thomas Harbor. The sidewalk is used by cruise ship passengers walking to and from Charlotte Amalie.

The roadway currently has several deficiencies including: inadequate current and future capacity; unsafe vehicular driving conditions; and a lack of a continuous pedestrian connection on the north side of the roadway. Veterans Drive is one of the most highly traveled roadways in the territory.

The improvements to the facility are needed to: reduce existing traffic congestion, provide additional capacity, improve safety for motorists and pedestrians, and enhance the aesthetics of the waterfront. Motorist and pedestrian safety will be improved by increasing lane widths, providing for a median to separate the flows of traffic, and by providing a continuous sidewalk on both sides of the roadway for the length of the project. The promenade and lookouts will provide for active and passive recreation opportunities.

Another goal is to improve public safety and emergency services response time. These issues would be adversely affected if the proposed project is not implemented. As traffic volumes continue to increase, travel speeds will decrease. As a result, response times for police, fire and other emergency services will increase, while making it increasingly difficult for pedestrians to safely cross the roadway with numerous cars and congestion.

3.0 TRAFFIC SAFETY REPORT

The project considers widening of the existing roadway. Since traffic conditions will be different after construction is completed, accident analysis in this situation is not applicable. Also, accident data is not available for the existing facility.

4.0 WORK ZONE IMPACT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

The purpose of work zone impact management strategies is to minimize traffic delays, improve safety for both workers and the travelling public, and maintain access for local businesses and residents. These strategies become a key component for the success of the project given the importance of the affected area in terms of tourism, commerce and mobility.

These strategies have been divided into four groups:

Temporary Traffic Control Strategies

Public Communications Strategies

Transportation Operations Strategies

Traffic/Incident Management Strategies

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4.1 Temporary Traffic Control Strategies

The Traffic Control Plan (TCP) developed for this project includes a detailed sequence of construction, general notes, typical sections and plans layout for the reconstruction of Veterans Drive between Station 237+04.51 and Station 261+61.53.

Construction of the project will be divided in (3) phases. Phase I will maintain traffic on existing travelway while widening/reconstructing roadway, bulkhead and promenade on the south side of the corridor. Phase II will shift two-way traffic onto new westbound lanes constructed in Phase I. Phase III will open the newly constructed eastbound lanes from Phase II to eastbound traffic and shift westbound traffic to westbound travelway constructed in Phase I. Table 5-1 provides the suggested sequence of construction.

Table 4-1: Suggested Sequence of Construction

Phase Notes

Phase I (Reconstruction from Sta. 237+04.51 to Sta.

261+61.53)

1. Maintain traffic on existing travelway.

2. Widening/reconstruction of roadway, bulkhead and promenade.

3. Reconstruction: Sta. 237+04.51 to Sta. 261+61.53.

4. Construct new westbound lanes.

5. Place temporary overbuild to provide a smooth transition between newly constructed pavement and existing pavement to facilitate traffic shift in Phase

II.

6. Place temporary pavement marking as per traffic control plans.

Phase II

1. Shift two-way traffic onto new westbound lanes constructed in Phase I.

2. Construct new eastbound lanes: Sta. 237+04.51 to Sta. 261+61.53.

3. Construct temporary drainage per plans.

Phase III

1. Open newly constructed eastbound lanes from Phase II to eastbound traffic.

2. Construct roadway median.

3. Complete final westbound and eastbound tie-ins at west and east ends of the project.

4. Place final lift of asphalt.

5. Install landscaping.

6. Place final pavement markings.

Appendix A shows the typical sections for each of the construction phases. Appendix B shows the Traffic Control Plans for Phases I, II and III.

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4.2 Public Communication Plan

A proactive communications and outreach plan will be deployed to support the traffic management plan for this project with the following goal in mind:

Increase awareness of local travelers and tourists about traffic changes and impacts associated with the Project.

The following strategies are required to achieve the goal of the Public Communications Plan:

Advance notice shall be provided for each phase of construction in media and via Portable Changeable Message (PCMS) signs.

Provide information to the public concerning Transportation Operations Strategies listed below.

Newsletters shall be provided to local communities with updates of traffic flow changes and upcoming phases of construction.

Provide Project Hotline number for updates and revisions to traffic flow changes during construction.

4.3 Transportation Operations Strategies

Transportation Operations Strategies are developed to manage work zone traffic operations including monitoring traffic conditions and making adjustments to traffic operations based on changing conditions. The goal of these strategies is to improve detection, verification, response and clearance of crashes and other incidents in the work zone along the project corridor. This includes adequate enforcement of traffic regulations in the work zone. The following are the strategies to be followed for the Veterans Drive reconstruction project:

Consider incentive/disincentive clauses to complete the phases that impact traffic the most on time.

Coordinate with major stakeholders and employers in the vicinity of the project to identify possible shuttle services to reduce traffic.

Contractor shall submit Traffic Control Plan (TCP) for each phase to Contracting Officer (CO) for approval at least 14 days prior to implementation.

The TCP shall minimize traffic delays by scheduling work at non peak hours, if required. One lane of traffic in each direction shall be maintained at all times.

Access to all driveways and side streets shall be maintained during all phases of construction.

Any temporary closures shall occur during non-business hours. Provide schedule of temporary driveway and side street closures to CO for approval at least 14 days prior to implementation.

Temporary traffic control and flagging shall conform to chapters 5 & 6 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

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Use flagging for safe traffic control operation. Flagging operation to be paid as an incidental cost to the traffic control during construction.

Contractor shall conduct daily inspections to ensure that no adverse conditions exist along travelways. Any deficiencies shall be addressed immediately.

Cover or remove conflicting signs during construction phasing.

Contractor shall keep existing drainage structures operational or provide temporary drainage during each phase and provide erosion protection as per Federal lands highway standard drawings for erosion control (Section 157).

The contractor shall be responsible for securing staging areas for the project work.

For drop-off condition, refer to 2014 FDOT Design Standard.

4.4 Traffic/Incident Management Strategies

The following traffic/incident management strategies are to be followed for the reconstruction of Veterans Drive:

USVI Police Department to be in charge of coordinating and managing traffic and incident management activities in and around work zone.

Use dedicated towing service to reduce the time required to remove vehicles involved in an incident (breakdown or crash).

Local detour route as identified in Appendix C to be in place in case of an incident. If the incident takes place between Hospital Gade and the Long Bay Road intersection and there is one lane open for traffic, drivers travelling westbound should be advised to stay on Veterans Drive while drivers travelling eastbound should be advised to head north (turn left at Hospital Gade), then head east (turn right at Norre Gade), then head south (turn right at De Beltjen Road) to get back on Veterans Drive.

Coordinate with local news media to publicize changes in traffic patterns, incidents and incident management.

5.0 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN MONITORING

The transportation operations strategies as well as the traffic/incident management strategies are to be monitored for the reconstruction of Veterans Drive.

Work activities within the construction work zone shall not commence until the approved traffic control devices are in place in accordance with the approved traffic control plan.

An inspector trained in traffic control shall be assigned to monitor the approved traffic control plan and recommend changes.

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Complete records of the management of the TCP should be maintained by both the contractor and agency personnel.

Traffic crashes and injuries that occur during construction shall be documented and reported to the agency personnel.

6.0 CONTINGENCY PLANS

A contingency plan shall be in place to minimize traffic impacts when unexpected events occur in the work zone, such as: crashes, high traffic demand or inclement weather. The following are to be maintained for the Veterans Drive reconstruction:

The contractor shall maintain a decision matrix with lines of communication and authority for use when unexpected events occur in the work zone.

Names and phone numbers of law enforcement commanders and local agency representatives shall be accessible to the personnel working on site.

Date

APPENDIX A

Traffic Control Typical Section – Phases I, II and III

Victor.Carreras Text Box Refer to plan sheets M02 and M03

APPENDIX B

Traffic Control Plans - Phases I, II and III

Victor.Carreras Text Box Refer to the M sheets in the plans.

APPENDIX C

Local Detour Route

UV310

Long Bay Rd

To lb od G ad e

Po st

O ffi ce A lle y

Fo rt

St ra de

H os pi ta l G ad e

K an al G ad e

De Beltjen Rd

W illi am G. L ew is

Ln

¬«30

¬«35

UV314

BEGIN PROJECT

Sta. 237+04.51

END PROJECT

Sta. 261+61.53

Post Office

Fort Christian

Justice Center

Federal Building US Courthouse

US Coast Guard Station

Legislature Building

Norre Gade

Dronningens Gade

I

Legend Eastbound Traffic

Westbound Traffic

Phase 1