Infrastructure Subcommittee Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009

Members Present:  John Riddick, Rob Christensen, John Ott, Karl Kruse, Dennis Knudson, Peter Ashbrook, Fred Schmidt.

Members Absent:  Joan Smith, Jack Jensen, Steven Kullman, Jay Lindner, Mike Alden, Jacque Cowherd, James Joy, Lorenzo Lawson, David Lile, Mike Moore, Janaire Seye, Robert Walters

Staff Present: Ted Curtis, Corri Flaker, Steve Meyer, Steve Saitta, Janet Godon, Mary Hooley

John Riddick called the meeting to order at 4:33 p.m.  The minutes from the previous meeting (11-12-08) were reviewed.  There were no corrections.

Old Business: None.

New Business:
1. Shoulders: Corri Flaker passed around several photos (from the TH& H firm) showing the conditions of shoulders on some sections of the following Bike Routes:  Stadium Blvd., Providence Rd., Nifong Blvd. and Forum Blvd. in order to obtain the committee’s input.  Discussion:

- Stadium Blvd -  The bridge crossing (east of the Ashland Gravel Rd. intersection) is narrow and scary now.   Fred Schmidt stated that going up the hill (westbound), a bicyclist might have to get into the lane which would be scary.  John Riddick wondered if lanes might be narrowed with improvements to the bridge, and if not, it is not a good idea to encourage bicyclist to go that way. 

- Forum Blvd., south of the MKT.  Fred Schmidt and Steve Saitta discussed that though the surface (of the shoulders) is generally good, there is a great deal of traffic, and that the northbound side near Wilson’s is bad, and could use a patch. 

- Nifong Blvd. (between Providence Rd. and Scott Blvd.) was discussed.  The group mentioned that maintenance is an issue.  The intersection at Bethel Rd. and Nifong was singled out for needing work.

The following were recommended higher priority shoulder repair areas:

MoDOT Roads
Providence S bound between Stadium and Old Rt. K/Mick Deaver
Providence N bound between Green Meadows and Mick Deaver Dr.
Stadium Bridge pinch point.

City Roads
Forum Blvd both sides between Katy Lane and Woodrail Ave.
Nifong Westbound between Forum and Sinclair

2.  The next topic was the new Trail on South Providence. 
The discussion was on making the Trail safer, particularly at intersections.  The first intersection discussed was at Green Meadows.  Because the entire intersection is going to be re-done, the group did not need to discuss it.  The next intersection was Nifong Blvd. Ted Curtis described several “tools” that might be used to make the intersection (and intersections, generally) safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.  For example, the trail could have “squiggles” just before the intersection.  Also, the 10’ trail could be striped making the approach lane 4’ just before the intersection.  Raised crosswalks or “speed platforms” could be a good way to slow car traffic at intersections. 

John Riddick liked the idea of a raised crosswalk.  Fred Schmidt and John Ott discussed whether a mid-block crossing might be wise, considering many destinations are nearer a mid-block location, and that cars might be better able to see pedestrians at mid-block.  John Ott stated that we should have a crossing at Rock Bridge High School (RBHS) and that such a crossing could be a “learning place” (if it were enforced).  John Riddick added that another good place for a crossing would be at the Career Center.

There was a discussion about the three-way intersection near Peachtree Dr.  Ideas such as a speed platform, a pedestrian-activated light, and the possibility of putting in three-way stop signs or lights there were suggested.  Ted Curtis said we could check into these.

There was more discussion of possibility of moving the two crossings near RBHS.  Corri Flaker pointed out that the driveway (just N. of RBHS) is an entrance only, and that the bike racks are on the west (back) side of the school.  John Ott suggested there could be additional racks installed on the east side, as well.  It was suggested the crossing at RBHS be a little farther south than originally planned.

There was discussion about how a future connection might be made between this trail (S. Providence) and Bethel St.  Rob Christianson said that there is currently no connection, but that one would be great to have.  Steve Saitta mentioned there is a plan for a connection, but that at this point there is no funding for it.  There was discussion that such a trail could wind around (north), but that kids would take a shorter route.  Janet Godon suggested going along Southampton Dr. Steve Saitta pointed out that it is very  busy.  Ted Curtis said we could take a look at a back side connection to RBHS.  

There was discussion about the intersection of Southampton Dr. and Providence Rd, related to safety.  Ted Curtis said we would ask the engineers for their ideas.  There was discussion about a crosswalk at south side of Corporate Lake Dr. Because it doesn’t get very much traffic, perhaps simply a striped crosswalk there will be sufficient. However, at Old Plank Rd., near the Elementary School, there is more traffic and cars go fast there, so it might be a good place for a raised crosswalk.

3. The next topic was the proposed 10’ sidewalk on the north side of Stadium Blvd., between Providence Rd. and College Ave.  There was discussion on whether having a mow strip or having the sidewalk flush with the road were good ideas.  Many thought that making this 10’ and providing for snow removal would be good.  Ted Curtis brought up the idea of a possible raised crosswalk at the Mick Deaver Dr./Maryland crossing – the committee felt it was not necessary there.  The committee recommended raised crosswalks on all four turn slots at College Ave. and Stadium Blvd intersection. 

4. Steve Meyer showed drawings of four sidewalk projects:  1.  Worley St. (between Clinkscales and West Blvd). This is not a GetAbout-funded project, but a CDBG-funded project; 2. Providence Rd. N. –on the east side, from Blue Ridge Rd. to Smiley Ln.; 3. Broadway—a 6’ sidewalk at the edge of the curb from Stadium Blvd. to Fairview Rd., on the north side; and,  4. Rangeline -- a sidewalk, on the east side, from Business Loop to Big Bear Blvd.  It is proposed to have bike lanes on both sides almost all the way north to Big Bear Blvd.  At I-70, on the east side, there will be a 6’-8’ sidewalk (on the west side it will be a “pinch point”).  There will also be a connection to the Bear Creek Trail on both sides of the road.  Steve Meyer stated that although MoDOT has no objections to the sidewalk or bike lanes, it hasn’t yet commented on the impact of the narrowing of the lanes, in terms of traffic loops and lights.  There was some discussion of bike lanes north of Big Bear, to make this an even better connection. 

5. Although the Sidewalk Repair Study was on the agenda, Kristin Re, the intern who worked on this could not be at the meeting, but would come to the next meeting to discuss her findings, if possible. 

6. There was some discussion about West Broadway, with respect to the present plans for it taking so long, and if it would make sense to have sharrows on it until the plans are fleshed out, which might take years.  Ted Curtis mentioned that there is too much traffic on it for sharrows. 

7. John Ott brought up the need for a sidewalk along the east side of  Providence Rd., along two blocks south of Broadway Ave.  Ted Curtis stated the city had had a plan for this, but it was dropped.  Since this area is part of The District, it was thought that perhaps a sidewalk there could be funded by them.  John Ott said he would look into this (again).

8. Wayfinding. Janet Godon brought up the fact that newcomers to Columbia, or people driving past Columbia on I-70 do not know about the MKT connection to the KATY trail, etc. Ted Curtis said that we would check into what the criteria are to have MoDOT install a sign.  Steve Saitta pointed out the usefulness of additional wayfinding signs, as Columbia builds more trails.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be in two months.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Hooley

1-22-09 Meeting Minutes