AGENDA #8
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Report on the Proposed Temporary Weaver Dairy Road Sidewalk
DATE: April 10, 2000
The following report discusses a temporary sidewalk proposed for construction along the south side of Weaver Dairy Road. Please see the attached map.
In late 1997, Mr. Art Dodd presented a petition to the Council requesting installation of a sidewalk along Weaver Dairy Road. The request was referred to the Manager for evaluation relative to other Town-wide sidewalk needs, and in the context of developing recommended sidewalk projects for the Council’s consideration as part of the Town’s annual Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Plan.
In June 1998, the Council adopted the 1998-99 Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Plan which directed that design work begin on a Weaver Dairy Road sidewalk improvement project between Kingston Drive and Cedar Fork Trail.
In July 1999, the Council adopted the 1999-2000 Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities Plan which included funding for construction of the Weaver Dairy Road sidewalk.
During its March 6, 2000 meeting, the Council received and discussed a verbal petition from Ms. Catherine Riley, which questioned construction of the proposed temporary sidewalk along one side of Weaver Dairy Road intended to serve pedestrians until a permanent sidewalk is installed as part of the Weaver Dairy Improvement Project now being developed by the State. Following discussion of Ms. Riley’s petition, the Council adopted a resolution directing the Manager to prepare this report regarding the proposed temporary sidewalk.
The project plans and specifications have been completed and we are awaiting final State approval to proceed with solicitation of bids, since the proposed sidewalk would be on State right-of-way.
DISCUSSION
The proposed temporary, meandering, asphalt sidewalk would be approximately 4,500 feet long and would cost an estimated $180,000. The Council authorized the use of 1999-2000 Capital Improvements Program funds and 1996 Bond funds for construction of this project by private contractor.
The petitioner questions whether it is a prudent use of public funds to construct the temporary sidewalk now, since it would need to be removed and replaced as part of the proposed State project to widen Weaver Dairy Road.
At the Town’s request, the State is now investigating several alternatives for widening Weaver Dairy Road. Each alternative is to include bicycle lanes and sidewalks along both sides of the road, similar to those recently completed along NC-86 north of Homestead Road.
The schedule for the State roadway project calls for right-of-way acquisitions to begin in 2003, with construction following in phases starting in 2004. Grading and construction work which would require removal of the proposed temporary sidewalk discussed in this report would likely occur in 2005.
Under its current pedestrian policy, the State would pay for 100% of the cost of replacing existing sidewalks disturbed by roadway improvement projects. This policy also provides for new sidewalk construction on a 30% Local/70% State cost-sharing basis. Therefore, if the Town proceeded to construct a sidewalk segment now between Kingston Drive and Cedar Fork Trail, we would expect the State to replace it at no cost to the Town as part of the Weaver Dairy Road widening project. An excerpt from the State policy is attached for reference.
Along those portions of Weaver Dairy Road without existing sidewalks, the cost of new sidewalk construction would be shared by the State and the Town.
We believe it is reasonable to assume that if the Town paid for and constructed the proposed asphalt sidewalk along Weaver Dairy Road, then the State would replace this sidewalk under its pedestrian policy at no cost to the Town as part of the Weaver Dairy Road widening project.
We estimate that a 30% local share for installing new, permanent sidewalk along the segment of Weaver Dairy Road between Kingston Drive and Cedar Fork Trail would be approximately $90,000. Therefore, the net Town cost of sidewalk along this segment of Weaver Dairy Road could be considered as follows:
1.) Do not build a temporary sidewalk now and pay 30% of the cost of a permanent sidewalk when Weaver Dairy Road is widened.
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ESTIMATED NET TOWN SIDEWALK COST: $90,000 |
2.) Build a temporary sidewalk now ($180,000) and State pays full cost of permanent replacement sidewalk.
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ESTIMATED NET TOWN SIDEWALK COST: ($180,000 - $90,000) $90,000 |
We think that the proposed temporary asphalt sidewalk along the south side of Weaver Dairy Road would provide an adequate pedestrian facility for the next several years until it is replaced with permanent sidewalk as part of the pending State road widening project.
The net Town cost at the end of the day for providing permanent sidewalk along this segment of Weaver Dairy Road would be approximately $90,000, whether the interim sidewalk is built or not. Since Town funds have been identified to build this sidewalk, we could proceed to do so this year if that remains the Council’s desire.
1. Map
2. Excerpt from State Pedestrian Policy
3. Uhrich letter and petition 3/28/00