URBAN HIGHWAY CHALLENGES

Planning the future by re-visioning the past:

SNEAPA Planning ConferenceOctober 18, 2013

Presenters

Ruth Fitzgerald, AICPFitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.

David Spillane, AICPGoody Clancy, Inc.

Kelly Murphy, AICPCity of New Haven

Nathaniel Cabral-CurtisHoward/Stein-Hudson, Assoc.

Michael Morehouse, PEFitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.

Rachel GaryFitzgerald & Halliday, Inc.

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Our Agenda

Welcome and Introductions Urban highway history and

challenges Case studies:

o Route 34, New Haven, CTo Casey Overpass, Jamaica Plain, MAo I-84 Hartford, CT

Questions? Comments?

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Highway Visions from the ‘50s: Romantic, Progressive,

Modernizing...

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Urban Highway Realities Today… blighting…crumbling…many need repair or replacement

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

The National Picture: Urban Viaducts Constructed at the Same Time ……..Now Failing Together

Completed:o Boston Big Digo San Francisco

Embarcadero Underway:

o Seattle Alaskan Way Viaduct

o New Haven Route 34o Providence I-195

Planning:o New Orleans, Claiborne

Expresswayo Hartford I-84o Syracuseo Boston, Casey

Arborwayo And many others…..

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Successes and Failures:Urban Highway ScoreCard

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban

Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Failure Success

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION

LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Big Dig: Boston Central Artery

High-volume freeway serving economic heart of the region becomes surface boulevard and tunnel Like I-84, carries regional through

traffic and downtown traffic I-93 viaduct was long seen as a barrier

between downtown, the waterfront and neighborhoods

Approximately 190,000 vehicles per day before project

Project increased roadway capacity through tunnel and surface boulevard

Highway in tunnel; surface boulevard carries local traffic

More than 20-year construction period Overall project cost $14.6 billion; state

paid approximately $6 billion

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

San Francisco: Embarcadero Freeway

Freeway spur with modest traffic volumes becomes attractive surface boulevard Served as a spur connecting to

Bay Bridge Created barrier between city

and waterfront Demolished in 1991 and replaced

with an attractive surface boulevard

Freeway carried approximately 60,000 vehicles per day; replacement boulevard carries approximately 26,000 vehicles

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Seattle: Alaskan Way Viaduct

Highway viaduct replaced by tunnel, opening access to the waterfront Carries primarily through

traffic; does not provide local access

Creates physical barrier between city and waterfront

Approximately 100,000 vehicles per day

Replace with a 4-lane bored tunnel that can accommodate 80,000-85,000 vehicles per day for approximately $4.2 billion (state and local funds)Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA

2013

Providence: I-195

Relocating the Highway and building the City Back Highway has been relocated; the

city is growing back into land vacated by the highway corridor

I-195 was relocated to a new corridor to the south; roadway carried approximately 100,000 vehicles per day

Planning for redevelopment continues

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

New Orleans Claiborne Expressway

Replacement viaduct or surface streets…balancing complex needs

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

All Challenges are Not Equal

Existing Urban Highway in need of replacement

Maintain or expand capacity

Reduce capacity

Maintain Corridor

Relocate Corridor

Tunnel options

NO Tunnel options

Boston Big DigSeattle Alaskan Viaduct

San Francisco Embarcadero

Providence I-195

New Orleans-ClaiborneNew Haven Route 34Hartford I-84

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

All Challenges are Not Equal

Existing Urban Highway in need of replacement

Maintain capacity

Reduce capacity

Maintain Corridor

Relocate Corridor

Tunnel options

NO Tunnel options

Boston Big DigSeattle Alaskan Viaduct

San Francisco Embarcadero

Providence I-195

New Orleans-ClaiborneNew Haven Route 34Hartford I-84

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

All Challenges are Not Equal

Existing Urban Highway in need of replacement

Maintain capacity

Reduce capacity

Maintain Corridor

Relocate Corridor

Tunnel options

NO Tunnel options

Boston Big DigSeattle Alaskan Viaduct

San Francisco Embarcadero

Providence I-195

New Orleans-ClaiborneNew Haven Route 34Hartford I-84

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Key Success Factors for Revisioning Urban Highways DOT Commitment Local Leadership Recognizing the Need to Solve More than One

Problem: Social Economic Development and Environmental Perspectives….

Multi-disciplinary planning and design capabilities Early and Continuing Community Engagement Understanding who pays and who benefits Spirit of Collaboration and Compromise: Best

Solutions will require give-and-take from all constituencies

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

New Haven

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

New Haven Downtown Crossing

Socio-Economic Context

• Top 60 metropolitan market of 826,813 people (2012 est.), comparable in population to Dayton, OH and Tulsa, OK.

• Top 30 media market – comparable to San Diego, CA and Nashville, TN.

• Over 300,000 jobs in the region, including over 26,000 in education and 22,000 in business/financial services.

• Rated #13 “best places” for new college grads.

• Largest life sciences cluster in Connecticut and 2nd largest in New England, with 71 life sciences companies in New Haven focused on Health IT, diagnostics, specialty pharma, medical device, technology platform, CRO, and biotech focused around the Yale School of Medicine.

Socio-Economic Context

Best Recovery Bets“New Haven…boasts a world-renowned university and several important teaching hospitals. There are also lots of secure, well-paying jobs...That has helped the economy maintain fairly even keel”. (CNN Money, February 7, 2011)

Apartment Vacancy Rate the Lowest in the Nation“U.S. apartment vacancies dropped to a 10-year low in the fourth quarter, allowing rent increases that are likely to continue this year, Reis Inc. said…New Haven, Connecticut, home to Yale University, had the nation’s lowest vacancy rate, followed by New York; Minneapolis; Portland, Oregon; and San Jose, California”. (Bloomberg, Jan 5, 2012)

Central Business District Renaissance“Drawn by lower rents and access to the university's resources, Yale graduates and other entrepreneurs are choosing for the first time in decades to launch their businesses in New Haven instead of traveling to Boston or New York City”. (WSJ, March 4, 2011)

Highest Population Growth in Connecticut“New Haven's population grew faster this decade than any other city in Connecticut…Between 2000 and 2010, the city added 6,153 new residents, bringing its population up to 129,779”. (Yale Daily News, March 3, 2011)

A Plan in New Haven to Right a Highway’s Wrong“Echoing recent efforts by San Francisco, Milwaukee and Boston to alter or remove their highways…The city’s grid in the area would be restored, creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment, and the Hill would be reattached”. (New York Times, July 17, 2012)

New Haven

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Union Station

The Hill

Downtown

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Goals: Economy, Place Making and Sustainability Build on existing economic strengths in education, health care,

medical research, advanced manufacturing, arts, culture, and design

Increase the tax base Create new job opportunities for residents and newcomers at all

wage levels Decrease energy footprint, transportation costs and greenhouse

gas emissions Improve city walkability and bikeability Retain a unique, livable, and authentic sense of place

Create 4,000 permanent jobs

Planning Framework

Planning Framework

New Infrastructure

Union Station TOD

100 College St

Future Church St SouthFuture Med District- 10 year build out

Chu

rch

Str

eet

Sou

th

Union Station

Ora

nge S

treet

Phase 1 – Tiger 2 Construction

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

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Exit 3 – Closed Permanently

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Exit 3 eastbound, closed, May 21, 2013

Exit 3 westbound, closed May 2, 2013

Phase 1 - 100 College Street

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

100 College Street-500,000 s.f. med/lab office building.-Connects Yale School of Medicine to Downtown.

Environmental Benefits-LEED Silver design standard.-20% TDM requirement with full bike parking and showers.-Activated first floor and public space amenities.

-

Phase 1 - Economic Impact

Phase 1 is creating 2,000 construction jobs for building and infrastructure and then 600-960 permanent jobs at 100 College Street.

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway

Challenges

Phase 2 – Orange Street

“The Coliseum Site”Prime 4,5 acre Downtown site (¼ mile from Union Station and State Street Station).

1.0 million s.f. mixed use TOD- 719 units (20% affordable)- 76,900 s.f. retail- 160 hotel rooms- 200,000 s.f. Class A office- 52,620 s.f. public space- 785 parking spaces-

Economic ImpactConstruction Jobs: 4,676 Permanent Jobs: 2,809(direct, indirect and induced), translating to $189 million per year in labor income at stabilization.

Schedule: City Approvals: 2013Final Design / Permitting: 2014Construction: 2015 -

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Route 34 intersects Orange Street at-grade

Hill to Downtown Plan

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Project Context204 acre district, including 20% surface parking lots. The district is home to Union Station and 300-unit Church Street South development.

Proposed mixed use redevelopment that grows the economy and reconnects neighborhoods- 1,200-1,400 units (20% affordable)- Up to 1.0 million new med/lab office development- Retail and parking to support Union Station and district needs.

Economic ImpactConstruction Jobs: 3,051 Permanent Jobs: 3,300(direct, indirect and induced), translating to $232 million per year in labor income at stabilization.

Schedule: Plan Approval: 2013Zoning / Infrastructure Design: 2014Construction: 2015 -

Hill to Downtown Plan

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Casey Arborway: the Overpass

Located in Jamaica Plain 1950’s highway viaduct Formerly part of the route

southeast out of Boston Formerly crossed two

elevated rail lines Originally slated for deck

replacement Determined to be in need

of full replacement

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Casey Arborway: the Overpass

Forest Hills Station: Orange Line, bus hub & Commuter

Rail

Abutting Residential

area

Abutting Residential

area

Abutting Residential

area

Abutting Residential

area

Arbo

rway

Yard

Bus

Faci

lity

Casey Overpass

Franklin Park

Forest Hills

Cemetery

Arnold Arboretu

m

Bu

s R

ou

te

Bus

Rou

teBus

Ro

ute

Bus Route

District Court

Shattuck

Hospital

SWC

Bik

eway

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Casey Arborway: the Planning Process

Spring 2011-Sping 2012 “Unique opportunity”

seen by DOT Launched WAG to:

o Set broad goalso Work through detailso Advise DOT with local

knowledge Alternating schedule of

WAG and public meetings Significant impassioned

debate and controversy

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Making a Decision

Fall 2011: traffic is not a deciding factor between at-grade and bridge options.

At-grade decision made based on:o Original goals set by WAG.o Ability to achieve more bicycle, pedestrian and transit

improvements without a bridge.o Mapping of comments received graphically

demonstrated local preference.

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Casey Arborway: the Plan

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Casey Arborway: Keys to Success

Keys to success:o Documentationo Flexibilityo Memory of the project combined with local knowledgeo Work with local mediao Don’t stereotype stakeholders – take each as an

individual Status:

o Continuing outreach on specific issues• Changes to improve community/project fit ongoing.

o 100% Design Submittedo Expected bid in October, 2013o Projected construction for spring 2014

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Casey Arborway: Lessons Learned

Public involvement worked because it was integrated:o A full seat at the tableo A must, not a “nice to have”

Work with local media carefully:o Don’t be afraid, do respond promptlyo Make sure the message is consistento Help build the project’s narrative

Detailed documentation is important:o Show community influence on the jobo Counters the charge of insufficient outreach

Be ready to try something new “We’re all friends until we make a decision.”

Where is ‘the I-84 Hartford Project’?

Why is it needed? Viaduct is 50 years old Poor condition overall Currently 80% of project is elevated (30 acres) Maintenance costs are very high

Why is it needed? Busiest stretch of

highway in Connecticut• 55,000 vehicles/day (1975)• 175,000 vehicles/day (2013)

Travel delays due to…• Congestion• Accidents• Maintenance

Why is it needed? Obsolete design

o Many on & off ramps• Some left-hand ramps• Close spacing• Merging & weaving

Frequent accidentso Average of 1 daily

Opportunities Economic development Neighborhood connectivity Enhanced mobility

o Bicycleo Pedestriano Transito Vehicular

Synergies with other regional, state, and local projects

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Coordination is complex

New Britain-Hartford Busway

New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Project

MDC Clean Water Project

Local Streetscape Projects

Union Station Planning Study

City of Hartford’s Signal System UpgradeCity of Hartford’s

Downtown Traffic and Circulation Study

Northwest Corridor Study

CT DOT Congestion Mitigation Study

Integrated Transportation

Management Plan

City of Hartford TOD Initiatives

Amtrak Next Gen HSR

Project is complex Very high traffic demand Densely built urban environment Railroad tracks pass beneath viaduct

Existing Ground

Park River Conduit

Project is complex Utilities co-located in corridor Busway under construction in corridor Local street network threatened

Early concepts show promise

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Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges

Potential win-win solutions

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway

Challenges

Meeting the challenges with ongoing engagement

Public Involvement

Public Involvement Goals

To engage many…To actively solicit input using many methods…To use this input in the development of win-win solutions…

Outreach Methods Stakeholder interviews PAC Website – www.I84Hartford.com Social media (Facebook, Twitter) Newsletters E-bulletins Public meetings

What we’ve heard so far…

Stay tuned… The work is just beginning Alternatives analysis and NEPA are next milestones Long-term project

Next update…. ..coming soon to a conference near you!

Thank you for coming!

Questions???Comments???

Planning the Future by Re-Visioning the Past: Urban Highway Challenges | SNEAPA 2013