Franklin Pike Multi-modal Path

Franklin Pike Multi-modal Path

OAK HILL, TN

OCTOBER 2017

Aerial photograph of current conditions of Franklin Rd.

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CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

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TOOL KIT

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VISION

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS NASHVILLE CIVIC DESIGN CENTER

The mission of the Nashville Civic Design Center is to elevate the quality of Nashville’s built environment and to promote public participation in the creation of a more beautiful and functional city for all.

Nashville Civic Design Center Staff: Gary Gaston, Executive Director Ron Yearwood, Assistant Director Melody Gibson, Education Coordinator Fuller Hanan, Community Development Manager Eric Hoke, Design Coordinator Joes Mayes, Program Coordinator Jolie Yockey, Special Projects Kelsey Oesmann, Enterprise Rose Fellow Mike Thompson, Research Fellow Daniel Toner, Design Fellow Billy White, Digital Fellow civicdesigncenter.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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INTRODUCTION Oak Hill is a satellite city of Nashville, TN located less then 4 miles south of downtown Nashville along Interstate 65 between Nashville and Franklin. The main spine of Oak Hill is Franklin Pike which connects it to Brentwood and Berry Hill.

The location is conveniently accessible allowing for several commuting options along I-65, Franklin Pike, etc. Oak Hill is also the gateway to Radnor Wildlife Refuge area, a major asset to the entire region attracting over 1.45 million visitors in 2017.

Oak Hill Mayor, Heidi Campbell, approached the Nashville Civic Design Center with the idea of creating a multi-modal path along Franklin Pike to better connect Oak Hill with the Walk N Bike Master Plan, the future and existing greenway network by taking advantage of the right-of-way along Franklin Pike. This connection could bridge the gap between Oak Hill residents, Radnor Lake State Park, over 12 schools and churches and connect 3 different shopping areas.

OPPORTUNITY Franklin Pike is a typical pike condition in Nashville -- a four lane road with large, clear wide shoulders on the west side of the road, however, it is not commercialized like many of the other pikes. This makes the move of shifting the lanes to the east and thus providing an opportunity to take advantage of the right-of-way space for the two-way cycle track on the west side of Franklin Pike a feasible and viable option.

There are two greenway projects that align with the proposed Oak Hill bikeway route. From a big picture standpoint, this project would connect to the 440 Greenway project.

This connection would join eight city parks including the Fairgrounds and Centennial Park. (See Exhibit 1.3) The more immediate project is the Browns Creek Greenway. This short connection would make a very easy connection to the heart of the 12 South neighborhood. (See Exhibit 1.1)

CONNECTION TO OAK HILL

Exhibit 1.1

A successful example of a similar project is the Davidson St. Cycle track in East Nashville that connects Shelby Bottoms to Downtown. (See Exhibit 1.2)

Exhibit 1.2 (Davidson St. 2-way cycle track in East Nashville)

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INTRODUCTION

Tennessee State University

Fisk Nashville General University Gateway to Heritage: Hospital / I-40 Jefferson Street Meharry Medical College Interchange

Hadley Park

Pearl-Cohn High School

Martin Luther King High Magnet School

28th Avenue

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October 2010

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Murphy Road Bike lanes to Richland Creek Greenway

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Belmont University

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12’ Asphalt Trail On-Grade Bridge or Boardwalk Structure Improve Existing Sidewalks; Add Bike Lanes New Sidewalks; Add Bike Lanes Existing Bike Facility or Greenway Planned Bike Facility or Greenway 28th Ave. / 31st Ave. Connector

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CONNECTION TO OAK HILL

Vanderbilt 100 Oaks Campus

Exhibit 1.3

INTRODUCTION

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OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT The major asset in Oak Hill is Radnor Lake State Park. With millions of visitors to this park annually, the opportunity to access the park by means other than a car would be a tremendous asset. Currently automobile traffic is a huge strain on the park to the point where the Friends of Radnor Lake are in the process of acquiring property solely for parking to ease congestion on the Beaver Creek Road which is primarily residential. This is a highly demanded connection and could also encourage active transportation by making it possible to bike from the east side of the park to the west. (See Exhibit 1.3)

THE ROUTE The primary mode of transportation for Oak Hill residents is the personal automobile and there are limited bus routes and sidewalks that can help residents move around without a car, limiting the accessibility options in the area. By capitalizing on its central location and providing safe and adequate bicycle infrastructure to connect from Brentwood to Downtown Nashville, this proposal would transform the way the people think of commuting and access recreational opportunities in Oak Hill and beyond.

The proposed route would run from the Franklin Pike and Old Hickory intersection all the way into Nashville where Franklin Pike becomes 8th Ave. South. The cycle track would primarily be on the West side of the road as this is where the excessive right-of-way occurs as well as the major assets. Although it is not ideal to have a cycle track cross a busy road like Franklin Pike, providing a crossing near the only commercial area in Oak Hill at 5554 Franklin Pike would not only provide a safe path to the business that are here, but also makes the likelihood of people commuting via active transit greater. (See Exhibit #)

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INTRODUCTION

NORTH

RADNOR LAKE STATE PARK

Exhibit 1.3

INTRODUCTION

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BEST PRACTICES IDEAL BIKE ROUTES

Feeling Safe while Riding: Good bike routes make riders comfortable.

• Giving ample space between moving vehicular traffic and a bike lane is key to a successful bikeway.

• Signs that clearly explain how bikers and motorists are supposed to engage with one another are essential elements as well.

• Providing a curb or planters can give an enhanced feeling of safety even with a small amount of room.

Exhibit 2.1 (Proper communication to all users of the road)

Exhibit 2.2 (Diagram illustrating how a curb protected bike lane can converge with an unprotected bike lane)

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TOOL KIT

Exhibit 2.3 (Ideal section of a separated cycle track)

Exhibit 2.4 (Example of an enjoyable one-way cycle track)

TOOL KIT

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Visioning

SHARING THE ROAD DESIGN CHALLENGE

Wide stretches of the road make speeding vehicles more frequent and dangerous for both cyclists and pedestrians.

Placing a metal rail guard between the cycle track and the auto traffic would give the necessary feeling of safety for cyclists. Painting conflict zones green is a tactic often used to notify other drivers and cyclists that they should be on alert.

Exhibit 3.1 (Existing condition looking south on Franklin Pike)

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VISION

Funding aside, the biggest hurdle with this project is the section between Lakemont Dr. and Forest Hill Drive. There is a large cliff face that limits the amount of space in the right of way. For this section, which runs a little more than half a mile, the path would have to use the majority of the shoulder. (See Exhibit 3.2)

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Exhibit 3.2 (.38 mile section of proposed Multi use path that would have to use existing shoulder lane)

Exhibit 3.3 (Proposal for the separated 2 way cycle track)

VISION

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New Crossings SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS

DESIGN CHALLENGE Having the ability to walk to school is something that all students should have the opportunity to do. With the increase in technology, motivating youth to be physically active can be a challenge.

However, integrating opportunities within their daily routine, such as walking to school, can be dangerous with existing status of connections. With the potential to reach seven schools in the project area, Oak Hill is a model community for the safe routes to school program that can provide funding for infrastructure improvements such as the proposed multi-modal path

Exhibit 3.4 (Existing conditions on Franklin Pike)

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VISION

Because of the car-centric character of these schools, after the connections are made across Franklin Pike, there must be an effort to continue the connection from the street to the front door of the school. Creation of paths to these new connections on school grounds are integral to the success of this multi-modal path proposal.

Exhibit 3.5 (Vision for multi-modal path making connections to schools and churches)

VISION

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Key Intersections BATTERY LN

Exhibit 4.1 (Existing conditions of Battery Rd and Franklin Pike Intersection)

HARDING PL

Exhibit 4.2 (Proposal for Battery Ln and Franklin Pike Intersection)

TYNE BLVD

Exhibit 4.3 (Existing conditions of Tyne Blvd and Franklin Pike Intersection)

Exhibit 4.4 (Proposal for Tyne Blvd and Franklin Pike Intersection)

OTTER CREEK RD

Exhibit 4.5 (Existing conditions of Otter Creek & Franklin Pike Intersection)

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CONCLUSION

HOGAN RD

Exhibit 4.6 (Proposal for Otter Creek & Franklin Pike Intersection)

Wrap-up DESIGN CHALLENGE These intersections (shown on the left) will be the biggest conflict areas with the proposed multi-use path.

As necessary connections near Oak Hill evolve, it is imperative that Oak Hill and the greater region consider themselves as key pieces in the puzzle of connectivity. Through the leadership and forward thinking of Mayor Heidi Campbell, Oak Hill will be able to improve the quality of life for its citizens.

By taking advantage of the assets and opportunities clustered in the area such as Radnor Lake and the number of schools and identifying potential key funding sources that align similar goals such as Vision Zero, Safe Routes to School and TDOT funding, this project could be a model for future planning efforts in the region.

Exhibit 4.7 (Rendered perspective view for Otter Creek & Franklin Pike Intersection)

CONCLUSION

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This publication, Franklin Pike Multi-modal Path, is part the Nashville Civic Design Centers's initiative: Moving Tennessee Forward. This initiative focuses on the design elements used throughout Nashville and looks at potential new developments, infrastructure, and transportation options to implement in the future.