TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve a recommendation to select Alternative #2 as the preferred alignment for the proposed improvements to 248th Avenue between 95th Street and 103rd Street
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Ray Fano, Project Engineer
BACKGROUND:
Location
The project area extends along 248th Avenue from 103rd Street to 95th Street. The project is located in Will County. The total length of the improvement is 1.0 mile. The corridor is located approximately 1 mile west of IL. Route 59.
Existing Condition
248th Avenue is classified as a minor arterial between 103rd Street and 95th Street that carries approximately 14,000 vehicles per day. The road has a rural design with one 11.5-foot through lane in each direction, aggregate shoulder, and adjacent drainage ditches. The posted speed limit is 45 mph. Traffic signals are located at 95th Street, Trumpet Avenue and 103rd Street. Left turn lanes are provided at the higher volume intersections along the corridor. The right-of-way on this segment varies from 80 to 120 feet in width.
South of 103rd Street, 248th Avenue consists of two 11-foot through lanes in each direction with a 17-foot median and left turn lanes. This segment of 248th was improved in 2005 with the adjacent development.
Adjacent Land Use
Land use along the 248th Avenue corridor has changed from almost entirely agricultural to almost entirely residential over the past two decades. Subdivisions that are adjacent to 248th Avenue between 95th Street and 103rd Street include:
• Tall Grass
• Carillon Club
• Ashwood Pointe
• Ashwood Crossing
• Ashwood Heights
Two vacant properties are located along the corridor. One vacant parcel is located on the east side of 248th Avenue near Honey Locust Drive. The Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN) has proposed a mosque and school facility at this location that have been approved by both the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. The other vacant parcel is located on the northwest corner of 248th Avenue and 103rd Street. Silverthorne Development reached out to city staff about proposing to subdivide the parcel into nine residential lots in compliance with R1-A zoning requirements.
Other notable land uses along the corridor or in the area include:
• A major east-west Commonwealth Edison right-of-way located north of Honey Locust Drive that includes electric transmission towers
• The Canadian National (CN) Wisconsin Central Railroad tracks located approximately ½ mile to the west of 248th Avenue
• The recently completed Wolf’s Crossing Community Park located west of 248th Avenue on the south side of Wolf’s Crossing Road
Pedestrian Facilities
There is a 10-foot shared-use path along the west side of 248th Avenue. The path location varies between 20-45 feet from the edge of the shoulder, and gaps exist in the shared-use path. There are no existing pedestrian facilities on the east side of 248th Avenue.
The Tall Grass Greenway Trail crosses 248th Avenue between Honey Locust Drive and Lapp Lane at an uncontrolled mid-block crossing. At the crossing, there is a painted crosswalk, signage, and pushbutton-activated flashing warning beacons. The Tall Grass Greenway Trail is under the joint maintenance and jurisdiction of the Forest Preserve District of Will County and the Naperville Park District.
Drainage and Utilities
The existing drainage system for 248th Avenue is an open drainage system with roadside ditches and swales. There are no major drainage problems within the project area. Public utilities in the area include an electric duct bank, sanitary sewer and watermain owned and maintained by the City. Private utilities include natural gas, electric, cable and communication through AT&T, ComEd, MCI/Verizon, Nicor Gas, and WOW.
DISCUSSION:
Purpose and Need of the Project
The need for capacity improvements along 248th Avenue was initially identified through the analysis associated with the City’s Road Improvement Plan. The initial phase of the 248th improvement between 103rd Street and 111th Street was completed in 2005.
The purposed of the proposed improvement of 248th Avenue between 95th Street and 103rd Street is to reduce congestion and improve mobility, access and safety for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Existing traffic volumes are nearing the capacity limits of the current two-lane roadway. Additional traffic lanes are needed to accommodate the anticipated traffic growth (projected 2050 average daily traffic is 18,000 vehicles). Eliminating gaps in the existing shared-use path will allow bicyclists and pedestrians to better navigate the corridor. Street lighting, additional turn lanes, and crossing enhancements will provide safety and operational benefits.
Public Information Meetings (PIMs)
To date, the City has conducted four public information meetings for the project as summarized below:
Public Information Meeting #1 - November 7, 2019 (95th Street Public Library)
• Introduce project to the public, show existing condition of the road
• Let residents ask questions, provide feedback, share concerns
• No proposed alternatives were provided
• Well attended with 66 residents participating
Public Information Meeting #2A - August 31, 2020 (Zoom)
• Show 3 alternatives based on feedback from PIM #1
• Answer questions and listen to any feedbacks, concerns,
• 180 people registered, 119 unique viewers attending
Public Information Meeting #2B - September 10, 2020 (Commissioner’s Park)
• Same information provided as Public Information Meeting #2A
• Residents were able to ask questions and provide feedback, concerns
Public Information Meeting #3 - December 8, 2021 (95th Street Public Library)
• Introduce the preferred alternative based on feedback from PIMs #1, #2A, #2B
• Answer questions and listen to any feedbacks, concerns
• Well attended with 51 residents attending and 21 written comments submitted
Summary of Comments from the Public Information Meetings
• Need for widening of the roadway to 4 lanes
• Concerns with existing traffic congestion
• Concerns with high vehicle speeds within the corridor
• Connection of the gaps in the path on the west side of 248th Avenue
• Pedestrian and bicyclist safety; especially at the Tall Grass Greenway Trail crossing
• Need for sidewalk on east side of 248th
• Need for street lighting
• Investigate if traffic light at Honey Locust Drive is warranted if ICN is constructed
• Improper usage of the Carillon Club entrance drive
• Investigate noise wall if roadway is widened
• Concerns with ICN development; especially the proximity of the north driveway entrance to the Tall Grass Greenway Trail crossing
• Concerns with ICN development; especially the potential for increased traffic
• Concerns of the impact of 248th improvements to existing trees near the right-of-way; especially the two in front of 9956 S 248th Avenue
• Need for nicer landscaping as part of the post-construction restoration
• Investigate if right turn lane is needed at Honey Locust Drive if ICN is constructed
• Investigate if comprehensive traffic study is needed to account for the growth in southwest Naperville over the past 20 years
• Investigate length of southbound left turn lane in front of Honey Locust Drive if ICN is constructed
Proposed Geometric Improvements
The proposed improvement on 248th Avenue between 103rd Street and 95th Street will consist of widening the roadway from a two-lane section to a five-lane section. The proposed design will also consist of a 17-foot landscaped median with left-turn lane at intersecting streets and Type B-6.18 curb and gutter. As part of this study, three alternatives were developed as shown in the attachments:
• Alternative 1 - 17-foot median with symmetrical widening
• Alternative 2 - 17-foot median with asymmetrical widening
• Alternative 3 - 12-foot median with symmetrical widening
The asymmetric widening related to Alternative 2 includes horizontal re-alignment of the 248th Avenue centerline to reduce impacts to both right-of-way and utilities. The re-alignment consists of shifting the centerline just north of 103rd Street six feet to the east. This re-alignment will reduce right-of-way impacts to the parcel on the west side of 248th Avenue at the Landsdown Avenue intersection. Two mature trees will also be maintained.
Based on all the feedback and concerns from residents as well as an internal review of all three alternatives, city staff recommends approval of Alternative 2. Alternative 2 will include a re-alignment of the 248th Avenue centerline. This will reduce the impact to the right-of-way and existing utilities and minimizes the number of easements that need to be acquired. It will also minimize the number of existing trees that must be removed.
Proposed Pedestrian Improvements
The gaps in the 10-foot shared-use path on the west side of 248th Avenue will be completed, providing a continuous connection between 103rd Street and 95th Street for both bicyclists and pedestrians. West of the Landsdown Avenue intersection, the proposed shared-use path will be 8 feet wide to minimize the right-of-way impacts and avoid tree removal. The shared-use path will be realigned and reconstructed to maintain a minimum of 5-feet from the edge of traveled way.
A five-foot sidewalk will also be constructed on the east side of 248th Avenue, which will shift to avoid existing utilities where possible. New crosswalks will be installed, and existing sidewalks will be upgraded to ADA compliant where necessary.
To maintain the connectivity between the Tall Grass Greenway trail and the 248th Avenue shared-use path, an at-grade, two-stage crossing is proposed with a pedestrian refuge island in the median. This design will help simplify the crossing maneuvers for the trail users. Rapid rectangular flashing beacons are proposed at the trail crossing to enhance awareness and compliance for drivers on 248th Avenue.
Proposed Traffic Operation
Traffic operations will be improved or maintained. The three traffic signals along the corridor will remain with timing patterns re-optimized to improve traffic operation within the corridor. Additional through lanes and left turn lanes will help improve the operation of the intersections and corridor. A continuous street lighting system is proposed along the corridor.
Utility and Drainage Improvements
Storm sewers will be installed as part of this project. The storm sewers will be installed along with Type B-6.18 curb and gutter to drain the roadway. The proposed storm sewer will meet the 10-year storm requirements. Some other utility relocations may be necessary. Detention locations are currently being investigated as part of this project.
Noise Analysis
On December 8, 2021, a third public information meeting was held at the 95th Street Public Library. The purpose of the meeting was to gather input from the public relative to Alternative 2. The third public information meeting followed the approval of the Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN). During the meeting, many residents questioned why the impact of the ICN development was not included in all the analysis, but most notable the noise wall analysis which indicated that a wall was not warranted for the 248th Avenue project. The noise wall analysis followed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements and does not require specific impacts to be taken into consideration unless the city has granted a building permit.
Based on the feedback from many residents, our consultant is updating the noise analysis with the ICN’s traffic data. Civiltech will also be contacting IDOT and FHWA to see if the revised analysis will be acceptable. If the analysis supports the addition of a noise wall(s) and IDOT approves of the revised study, it will be included with the federal funding application for construction of the project.
Next Steps
• Present the preferred alternative with TAB recommendation for City Council consideration
• Receive Project Development Report approval from IDOT
• Submit application for federal funding of construction phase on March 15, 2022
• Initiate detailed design of preferred alternative and land acquisition
• Coordination with outside agencies
• Initiate construction pending approval of federal funding, design approval, and land acquisition (estimated timeframe 2024 to 2027)