Thanks Jonathan. I will be submitting comments to provide sidewalks on both sides the length of the project, and make it a 4-lane with two roundabouts with reduced lane widths and speed limits and at least one ped-activated crossing along the Mileground.
 
Interestingly, after a recent snow I saw footprints in the snow on the shoulder the entire length of 705 from Don Nehlen/Sheetz up to the Mileground. PROOF, peds use it!
 
Key to my argument are the data from the models and the conclusion made by the DOT's consultant (Entran) in its report about the Mileground, (page 27, see http://plantogether.org/documents/plan/MilegroundRoadReport.pdf)
"The Four-Lane alternative with roundabouts at major intersection would add capacity and reduce congestion. The raised median would eliminate left turns and make all driveways right-in/right-out access points; left turns would be accommodated as U-turns through the downstream roundabout. This alternative offers improved safety compared to the existing three-lane cross-section and there would be smoother flow along
Mileground Road, but there could be an associated negative perception by local businesses and patrons because of the elimination of left turns. For this alternative, a roundabout at Mileground Road/Cheat Road/Point Marion Road is not recommended due to safety concerns associated with approach grades that are steeper than recommended guidelines. Finally, the Four-Lane alternative would have significant right-of-way
acquisition requirements.

The Five-Lane alternative also performed well with respect to reducing congestion, but right-of-way acquisition would be most significant among the options that were considered. Additionally, vehicular conflicts and resulting crashes would be expected to increase when compared to the existing three-lane section and as traffic volumes grow."
 
Please share the above with the BB.
Christiaan

>>> On 1/26/2012 at 2:48 PM, <freesource@cheat.org> wrote:
I agree.  I asked the same question when I was at the meeting, shouldn't the speed of the road be the same as the roundabout to maintain a continuous flow of traffic?  We need to emphasis "Complete Streets."  We can make it happen!

Also, the 2009 MUTCD has shared lane markings (Section 9C.07), another great facility to include in comments.

Since Christiaan is cced to this conversation, I want to add that when I spoke to Jason Foster, design section head, about sidewalks in Phase I (Stewartstown Intersection to Mileground Intersection) , he said WVDOH is still determining the viability of them, and that they don't want to build sidewalks to nowhere.  Right now, at best, they are considering sidewalks only on one side.   I would comment that sidewalks be built on both sides as Jan Derry, director of NWV Center of Independent Living discusses in the Dominion Post (Jan. 25). 

You can watch me talking to Jason here:  http://www.wboy.com/video?clipId=6671925&autostart=true

-Jonathan


On 1/26/2012 2:27 PM, Frank Gmeindl wrote:
Bicycle Board Members,

I'm thinking of submitting the following supplemental comment to WVDOH about Mileground.  What do you think?  Am I missing something that would make a 20 mph speed limit unrealistic given that the expected roundabout speed will be 20 mph?  (I will submit this by Friday night if I don't hear from you.  BTW, from discussions with other participants at the public meeting, I understand that WVDOH is very receptive to our comments so I would encourage you to comment.  It's very easy on the on-line form at http://www.transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/wv705connector/Pages/default.aspx

Mr. Bailey,

This is a follow-up to the comments that I submitted January 24, 2012.  My comment #3 was to post speed limit at 35 mph or less.  At the public meeting January 25, a WVDOH engineer stated that the expected speed through the roundabouts is 20 mph.  I would recommend then that the speed between the roundabouts and leading into the roundabouts be posted at 20 mph.  I understand that one goal is to maximize throughput in the corridor and I suppose that having traffic flow continuously at 20 mph rather than speeding up and slowing down and sometimes even stopping would achieve that goal.  

Again, sharing a bicyclist's perspective, when traffic is traveling at speeds similar to a bicyclist's speed, physical conflicts between motor vehicles and bicycles are minimized.  At 20 mph along the level sections of the corridor, cyclists can "keep up with" traffic.  Now, on Easton Hill coming from Pt. Marion Rd. to Mileground, cyclists are challenged to exceed 5 mph.  Along this segment, it is critical that faster moving motor vehicles pass bicyclists safely.  At least along this segment, Bicycles May Use Full Lane (R4-11) signs as described in the 2009 MUTCD can help ensure that bicyclists choose safe lane position and that motorists pass them safely.  If WVDOH still hasn't adopted the 2009 MUTCD by the time the 705 connector project is built, Share the Road signs would be a minimal accommodation until WVDOH adopts the current MUTCD.

Frank

Begin forwarded message:

From: Frank Gmeindl <frank.gmeindl@comcast.net>
Date: January 25, 2012 9:59:57 AM EST
To: Bicycle Board <bikeboard@cheat.org>
Subject: Fwd: WV 705 Connector (Mileground Widening Project)

Bicycle Board Members,

FYI, I submitted the following (not on behalf of the BB but just myself):

Comments submitted to Greg Bailey, WVDOH January 24, 2012

I'm writing on the WV 705 Connector project as a Morgantown bicyclist and pedestrian.  After having attended the January 24, 2012 public meeting at Easton Elementary School as well as previous meetings on this project, I offer the following recommendations.  

1. Install roundabout at Mileground/Airport Blvd. intersection.  This roundabout will enable continuous flow on Mileground between and around the roundabouts.  

2.Install mountable median instead of currently preferred center turn lane.  Center turn lane (suicide lane) crash statistics prove that center turn lanes are extremely dangerous and unjustifiable in any modern design.  

3. Post speed limit at 35 mph or less.

4. Install R4-11 Bicycles May Use Full Lane signs throughout the corridor.

5. Install sidewalk on the north side of Easton Hill to enable pedestrians from the West Run Valley to walk to Mileground.

6. Install sidewalk on east side of 705 between Mileground and Chestnut Ridge Rd. to enable pedestrians to walk between Mileground and Suncrest Town Center.  (Rudimentary bicyclist and pedestrian connections between Suncrest Town Center and WVU Research Park, Monongalia General Hospital and businesses in Suncrest currently exist and justify pedestrian connection of Mileground to the Chestnut Ridge Rd. area.)

I appreciate your fair consideration of these recommendations.

Frank

Begin forwarded message:

From: Damien Davis <ddavis@cityofmorgantown.org>
Date: January 25, 2012 8:46:15 AM EST
Subject: WV 705 Connector (Mileground Widening Project)

All, 

Attached is the handout from DOH's public meeting concerning the 705 Connector project. At the back of the handout is a form for comments. Comments can also be made by visiting the link below:

http://www.transportation.wv.gov/highways/engineering/comment/wv705connector/Pages/default.aspx

The DOH will be accepting comments until Friday, February 24, 2012. 

J. Damien Davis, PE, CFM
Assistant City Engineer
City of Morgantown
Public Works Department - Engineering Division
389 Spruce Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
Office: 304.284.7398
Fax: 304.284.7409

=




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