Douglasville Comprehensive Transportation Plan

• George Boulineau, Douglasville Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee • J.R. Davidson, City of Douglasville Police Department • Councilwoman Lashun Burr-Danley, City of Douglasville • Councilman Terry Miller, City of Douglasville • Corey Jackson, City of Douglasville • Marcus Thompson, City of Douglasville • Ron Roberts, Douglas County • Miguel Valentin, Douglas County • Karla Poshedly, Douglas County • April McKown, City of Douglasville • Patrice Williams, City of Douglasville • Michelle Wright , City of Douglasville • Reggie James, Atlanta Regional Commission

• Megan Weiss, Georgia Department of Transportation

PLANNING PROCESS Community Engagement An integral part of the planning process is reaching out to the community to get input and feedback. The Douglasville CTP update used multiple methods to engage the community including a steering committee, an online survey tool, attending community events, and a public meeting.

Inventory and Assessment The inventory and assessment phase establishes baseline conditions of the transportation network and projects future conditions. Problems and opportunities are identified through analytical methodologies.

Recommendations The recommendations phase looks at capital projects that will address the issues and opportunities found in the previous planning phases. The projects are broken down into short, mid, and long-range implementation phases.

RECOMMENDATIONS The following project recommendations address issues identified through data analysis, staff input, stakeholder outreach, and community engagement. The projects are broken down into four types: • Vehicular Safety & Operations – This project type includes improvements along a corridor such as signal upgrades, turning lanes, medians, and fiber signal communications.

• Intersection Improvements – This project type is similar to safety and operations but are limited to a single intersection. They can also include upgraded pedestrian accommodations.

• Roadway Widenings – This project type adds capacity to roadways by adding additional travel lanes. This is the most expensive project type in this plan.

• Active Transportation – This project type includes accommodations for people such as sidewalks, multiuse trails, bike lanes, and crosswalks.

VEHICULAR SAFETY & OPERATIONS Crash data covering the most recent three-year period was pulled from the GDOT GEARS database for this analysis. Crash density was analyzed to identify corridors and intersections with vehicular safety concerns.

In addition, stakeholder and public input was used to verify the results.

Safety concerns include: • Chapel Hill Road from the interchange with I-20 south past Stewart Mill Rd

• • • • • • • • • •

Douglas Boulevard near SR 5 as well as Chapel Hill Rd SR 6 from near Blairs Bridge Rd to Maxham Rd Chicago Ave from Strickland St to Cave Springs Rd SR 92 From the I-20 interchange to the new SR 92 bypass project SR 92 from US 78 north to Upshaw Mill Rd SR 5 near the intersection with US 78 Intersection of Chapel Hill Rd and Douglas Blvd Intersection of Chapel Hill Rd and Stewart Mill Rd Intersection of Blairs Bridge Rd and SR 6 Intersection of US 78 and SR 5

VEHICULAR SAFETY & OPERATIONS Safety concerns were cross referenced with planned and recently completed projects to guard against duplicating efforts.

Recommendations from the Dallas Highway LCI study were also considered and included in these recommendations.

VEHICULAR SAFETY & OPERATIONS

VEHICULAR SAFETY & OPERATIONS Project ID

*DTP-09

DTP-12

Road

Chapel Hill Rd

Chicago Ave

From

Nightingale Ln

Strickland St

To

Hospital Dr

Operational and traffic flow improvements access management features, turn lanes, signal operational upgrades, and ITS connectivity.

Cave Springs Rd.

Safety upgrade - signal timing, turn lanes, or access management. Shoulder upgrades for safety.

DTP-25 Ellis Street

SR 92 Relocation

Description

Huey Rd

Convert to urban section with curb and gutter and sidewalk.

VEHICULAR SAFETY & OPERATIONS * Possible partnership with Douglas County DOT

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS

INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS Project ID

Road

From

To

DTP-03

Chapel Hill Rd

at Douglas Blvd

-

Prestley Mill Rd

at High St

DTP-11

-

DTP-04

SR 5

at Concourse Pkwy

-

DTP-21

Bright Star Rd

at Wood Rd

-

*DTP-16

Prestley Mill Rd

at Frank Ln

-

Description Additional Right and Left Turn lanes, signal upgrade, streetlights.

Gateway Feature Traffic study to assess how well intersection has improved as result of GDOT project #0012618.

Traffic Study

Roundabout

DTP-17

Prestley Mill Rd

at Saddlebrook Way

Roundabout

DTP-10

Douglas Blvd

CONGESTION

At SR5

-

Add a second eastbound and westbound left turn lane. Add a dedicated westbound right turn land. Add a dedicated southbound right turn lane.

* Possible partnership with Douglas County DOT

The Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) Regional Travel Demand Model (TDM) was utilized to assess congestion on Douglasville roadways going out to the year 2040.

Stakeholder and public input was used to verify results of the congestion analysis.

In general, congestion on non-interstate routes in

Douglasville is relatively minor. Much of the existing and projected future congestion was centered near downtown Douglasville along SR 92 (Fairburn Rd and Dallas Hwy) and US 78 (Veterans Memorial). The SR 92 bypass project that is currently under construction is expected to alleviate much of the congestion downtown. In additions, there is some overlap with corridors with safety concerns. Congested Corridors Include: • US 78 (Veterans Memorial Highway) in downtown Douglasville and near SR 5 •

Riverside Parkway from SR 92 to King Dr

•

Chapel Hill Rd near Interstate 20

•

Blairs Bridge Rd from Mt. Vernon Rd to SR 6

The congestion analysis was cross referenced with planned and recently completed projects to guard against duplicating efforts.

WIDENING

WIDENING Project ID

Road

From

To

*DTP-07

Chapel Hill Rd

Stewart Mill Rd

Central Church Rd

DTP-26

*DTP-08

John West Rd Relocation

I-20

Mobley Creek

SR 5 (Bill Arp Rd)

Bright Star Rd

Bright Star Road

Description

Widening from 2 to 4 lanes Relocate John West Road to the north to tie in with Bright Star Connector. Close Cherry Lane and limit the existing John West Road to right in/right out.

Split diamond interchange. At I-20 at SR 5 and I-20 at Bright Star Road with frontage roads between Bright Star Road and SR 5 and two new signalized intersections at new ramp termini with Bright Star Road.

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

*DTP-14

Blairs Bridge Rd.

Mt. Vernon Rd

SR 6 (Thornton Rd)

Widening from 2 to 4 lanes

* Possible partnership with Douglas County DOT

During the planning process for this CTP update two other plans were under development: the Dallas Highway LCI plan and a Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity Plan. Both plans have project recommendations for active transportation (walking, biking, etc.). Because of these two other efforts the CTP did not develop specific project recommendations.

A high-level analysis of was conducted to identify priority pedestrian corridors based on land use, transit routes, proximity to schools, and proximity to parks. Those priority routes are shown in the image on the left.

The Dallas Highway LCI study is complete. Its recommendations are included. The recommendations from the ongoing Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity Plan will be included.

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION Project ID

Road

From

To

*DTP-15

Riverside Parkway

SR 92 (Fairburn Rd)

King Dr

DTP-01

Church St

Rose Ave

Fairburn Rd

DTP-18

Club Dr

Selman Drive

Church St

DTP-13

Campbellton St

Wood Valley Rd

Church St

DTP-19

Veterans Memorial McCarley St. RR Xing

Description

Fairburn Road

DTP-06

Spring St

Club Dr

-

*DTP-22

Prestley Mill Rd

Hospital Dr

Saddlebrook Way

*DTP-23

Prestley Mill Rd

Hospital Dr

Slater Mill Rd

DTP-02

Dallas HWY

Strickland St.

Complete Street including separated shared use path.

Redesign the Church Street streetscape to include narrower travel lanes, a cycle track, landscape strips, wider sidewalks (minimum 8’ width) and on-street parking, space permitting.

Redesign the Club Drive streetscape to include narrower travel lanes, a multi-use trail, landscape strips, and on-street parking, space permitting.

Redesign the Campbellton Street streetscape to include narrower travel lanes, a multi-use trail, landscape strips, and sidewalks.

Create an alternative streetscape design for Veterans Memorial HWY to replace GDOT's plan.

Construct new 6' sidewalk to connect to the conference center.

Add sidewalk on south side of road

Add multi use path on north side of road Implement recommendations from Dallas New State Route 92 Highway LCI.

* Possible partnership with Douglas County DOT

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION Project ID

Road

From

To

Description

Implement complete street conversion. The preferred typical section would reduce the amount of vehicular travel lanes from 5 to 2 (one in each direction). It would include street parking on both sides of the road. The new typical section would accommodate Veterans Memorial nonvehicular modes by adding a landscaped median outside of the street parking and then a one-way cycle track. Outside of the cycle track would be a 5' furniture zone followed by a 10' sidewalk. Complete street conversion would include upgrade pedestrian crossings at Estelle St, Spring St, Church St, and Veterans Memorial.

DTP-05

Fairburn Rd

Hospital Dr

DTP-20

Veterans Memorial

Fairburn Rd

SR 92 Relocation

*DTP-24

Dorris Rd

Durelee Ln

Fairburn Rd

Construct a 10' shared use path Construct a 10' shared use path

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION *DTP-28

Citywide Study

-

-

ITS Implementation study

* Possible partnership with Douglas County DOT

ALL PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS

FUNDING SPLOST The main source of funding for transportation projects used by the City of Douglasville is the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). A SPLOST is a 1% sales tax that can be used for capital improvements in the city. The current SPLOST was approved in 2016. It began collection in April 2017 and will run through April 2023. It will generate an estimated $37,504,000 for the city. The SPLOST was approved with a specific project list and dedicates about 45% to transportation projects.

For the purposes of this study it was assumed that the SPLOST will be renewed in 2023. With a 3% annual growth rate the new SPLOST could generate up to $41,644,000.

With a similar percentage allocated to transportation (45% – 55%) the City of Douglasville could invest between $18.7 million and $22.9 million in transportation improvements.

In order to implement the recommended projects multiple SPLOST renewals will be required.

FUNDING SPLOST Estimated new SPLOST funding is broken down here by implementation time periods: Short Term, Mid Term, Long Term. Estimate uses 3% growth rate and a 50% allocation to transportation.

•

Short Term – 2020-2025: $6,500,000 estimated additional funding

•

Mid Term – 2026 – 2030: $18,000,000 estimated additional funding

•

Long Term – 2031 – 2041: $50,500,000 estimated additional funding

•

Total Plan 2020 – 2041: $75,000,000 estimated additional funding

These funds can be used directly to implement transportation projects. In addition they can be used as match for federal or state funds to leverage total funding.

FUNDING Federal Funding In addition to local funding for transportation, federal funds can be secured to help implement projects. Federal funding comes with more administrative requirements which typically increases implementation time. However, federal funds can be used for up to 80% of project costs which would make the increased oversite worthwhile for larger, more expensive projects.

The City of Douglasville could allocate a portion of its SPLOST funds to use as a match for federal funds. For example, if the city allocated $10 million as a 20% match it could leverage an additional $40 million in federal funds to implement a $50 million project.

Strategic use of federal funds for large projects is recommended. Smaller projects can be implemented faster with less red tape by utilizing only local funds.

FUNDING State Funding State funds can also be utilized to implement projects on state routes. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) allocates these funds. Often local governments can partner with GDOT to fund projects. A common partnership would include the city funding the preliminary engineering phase of the project while GDOT would fund right of way and construction costs. All project agreements are different, but this type of arrangement could help implement projects on state routes.

PROJECT LIST – Project ID Project Type

DTP-01

DTP-02

DTP-03

DTP-04

DTP-05

Road

PAGE 1 From

To

Description

Implementation Phase

Short Range

Church St

Rose Ave

Fairburn Rd

Redesign the Church Street streetscape to include narrower travel lanes, a cycle track, landscape strips, wider sidewalks (minimum 8’ width) and on-street parking, space permitting

Dallas Highway

Strickland St

New State Route 92

Implement recommendations from Dallas Highway LCI.

Chapel Hill Rd

at Douglas Blvd

SR 5

at Concourse Pkwy

Active Transportation

Cost

Prioritization Score

$ 5,200,000.00

10

Complete Street

Intersection

Intersection

Complete Street

Fairburn Rd

Hospital Dr

Veterans Memorial

$

7,200,000

Additional Right and Left Turn lanes, signal upgrade, streetlights

Short Range

$

1,582,000

8.75

Traffic study to assess how well intersection has improved as result of GDOT project #0012618

Short Range

$

50,000

8.75

Implement complete street conversion. The preferred typical section would reduce the amount of vehicular travel lanes from 5 to 2 (one in each direction). It would include street parking on both sides of the road. The new typical section would accommodate non-vehicular modes by adding a landscaped median outside of the street parking and a one-way cycle track pair. Outside of the cycle track would be a 5' landscape flex zone followed by a 10' sidewalk. Complete street conversion would include upgrade pedestrian crossings at Estelle St, Spring St, Church St, and Veterans Memorial.

Mid Range

$

12,400,000

8.75

PROJECT LIST – DTP-06 *DTP-07

Active Transportation Roadway Capacity

Spring St

Chapel Hill Rd

PAGE 2 Club Dr

Stewart Mill Rd

Central Church Rd

Construct new 6' sidewalk to connect to the conference center

Mid Range

$

200,000.00

8.75

Widening from 2 to 4 lanes

Long Range

$

15,800,000

8.75

These project costs are based on planning level studies and experience on prior projects and are approximate only. All costs are subject to change due to fluctuations in the construction market as well as further detailed design associated with each project provided.

Project ID Project Type

Road

From

To

Description

Long Range

Mid Range

*DTP-08

Interchange Capacity

I-20

SR 5 (Bill Arp Rd)

Bright Star Road

Split diamond interchange. At I-20 at SR 5 and I-20 at Bright Star Road with frontage roads between Bright Star Road and SR 5 and two new signalized intersections at new ramp termini with Bright Star Road.

*DTP-09

Safety & Operational

Chapel Hill Rd

Nightingale Ln

Hospital Dr

Operational and traffic flow improvements access management features, turn lanes, signal operational upgrades, and ITS connectivity

DTP-10

DTP-11

Intersection

Douglas Blvd

at SR 5

Implementation Phase

Conference Center

Cost

Prioritization Score

$

32,000,000

7.75

$

2,000,000

7.5

Add a second eastbound and westbound left turn lane. Add a dedicated westbound right turn land. Add a dedicated southbound right turn lane.

Mid Range

$

3,025,000

7.5

Gateway Feature

Short Range

$

50,000

6.25

Intersection Prestley Mill Rd

at High St

PROJECT LIST – DTP-12

DTP-13

Safety & Operational

Active Transportation

*DTP-14

Roadway Capacity

*DTP-15

Complete Street

PAGE 3

Chicago Ave

Campbellton St

Strickland St

Cave Springs Rd

Wood Valley Rd

Church St

Safety upgrade - signal timing, turn lanes, or access management, and shoulder upgrades.

Mid Range $

2,550,000

6.25

Redesign the Campbellton Street streetscape to include narrower travel lanes, a multi-use trail, landscape strips, and sidewalks

Mid Range

$

2,300,000

6.25

$

36,081,000

6.25

Blairs Bridge Rd

Mt Vernon Rd

SR 6 (Thornton Rd)

Widening from 2 to 4 lanes

Long Range

Riverside Pkwy

SR 92 (Fairburn Rd)

King Dr

Complete Street including separated shared use path. (approximately 5.5 miles)

Long Range

$15,000,000

6.25

These project costs are based on planning level studies and experience on prior projects and are approximate only. All costs are subject to change due to fluctuations in the construction market as well as further detailed design associated with each project provided.

Project ID Project Type *DTP-16

DTP-17

DTP-18

Description

Implementation Phase

at Frank Ln

Roundabout

Long Range

$

2,000,000

6.25

Prestley Mill Rd

at Saddlebrook Way

Roundabout

Long Range

$

2,000,000

6.25

Club Dr

Selman Drive

Redesign the Club Drive streetscape to include narrower travel lanes, a multi-use trail, landscape strips, and on-street parking, space permitting

Short Range

$

3,000,000

5.25

Road

From

Prestley Mill Rd

To

Cost

Prioritization Score

Intersection

Intersection

Active Transportation

Church St

PROJECT LIST – DTP-19

Active Transportation

DTP-20

Active Transportation

DTP-21

Intersection

PAGE 4

Veterans Memorial Hwy

McCarley St RR Xing

Veterans Memorial Hwy

Fairburn Rd

Bright Star Rd

at Wood Rd

Fairburn Rd

SR 92 Relocation

*DTP-22

Active Transportation

Prestley Mill Rd

Hospital Dr

Saddlebrook Way

*DTP-23

Active Transportation

Prestley Mill Rd

Hospital Dr

Slater Mill Rd

Create an alternative streetscape design for W. Broad Street to replace GDOT's plan

Short Range

Construct a 10' shared use path

Mid Range

$

1,850,418

Traffic Study

Short Range

$

50,000

5

Add sidewalk on south side of road

Long Range

$

5,000,000

5

Add multi use path on north side of road

Long Range

$

8,000,000

5

$5,000,000

5.25 5.25

These project costs are based on planning level studies and experience on prior projects and are approximate only. All costs are subject to change due to fluctuations in the construction market as well as further detailed design associated with each project provided.

Project Project Type ID *DTP-24

Active Transportation

Road

From

To

Dorris Rd

Durelee Ln

Fairburn Rd

Description

Implementation Phase

Construct a 10' shared use path

Long Range

Cost

$

3,500,000

Prioritization Score

5

PROJECT LIST – DTP-25

Safety & Operational

Ellis Street

DTP-26

*DTP-28

PAGE 5

Roadway Capacity John West Rd Relocation

SR 92 Relocation

Huey Rd

Mobley Creek

Bright Star Rd

Convert to urban section with curb and gutter and sidewalk.

Long Range

$

1,300,000

4.25

Relocate John West Road to the north to tie in with Bright Star Connector. Close Cherry Lane and limit the existing John West Road to right in/right out.

Long Range

$

10,000,000

3

ITS implementation study

Short Range

$

150,000

Study Citywide

These project costs are based on planning level studies and experience on prior projects and are approximate only. All costs are subject to change due to fluctuations in the construction market as well as further detailed design associated with each project provided.

PLANS • North Side Trail Plan • Dallas Highway LCI Study • Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity Plan • Fairburn Road LCI Plan • North Side Redevelopment Plan

• I-20 @ SR5/Bright Star Road Transportation Study • Prestley Mill Road Corridor Study • Downtown Master Plan and 10-Year Strategic Plan • Downtown Douglasville Public Arts Master Plan • Wayfinding and Gateway Signage Plan

CONTACT

City of Douglasville Community Development Department williamsp@douglasvillega.gov | 678.449.3042