The City Commission recently approved a rezoning request for the Oman tract, which is located on the east side of Franklin Road directly opposite the entrance to the Fountainhead subdivision. During consideration of this rezoning request, there was much discussion concerning the need for a traffic signal at the intersection of Franklin Road and Fountainhead Drive, which would become a four-way intersection with completion of the proposed development. Since the traffic generated by the new development would have minimal impact on a traffic signal justification study, the City decided to conduct a traffic study independent of the new development and contracted with Neel-Schaffer, Inc. The results of the study, copy attached, do recommend a signal at this intersection.
The study analyzed a number of factors related to installation of a traffic signal at this intersection including the attraction of drivers from other subdivisions that would have access to the signal that would choose to access Franklin Road at the new signal if one were installed. Additionally, the study considered the potential for a future multi-use trail connection that would connect the trail under construction at Concord Road and Franklin Road to the existing trail at Murray Lane and Franklin Road. Should it be necessary to cross Franklin Road due to topographic or other challenges, the new signal at Fountainhead would provide a safe place for pedestrians and bikers to make that crossing.
Since Franklin Road is a state route, staff has already submitted the Neel-Schaffer study to TDOT for its concurrence. In order to move forward with the design and preparation of bid documents for a traffic signal, staff contacted Sullivan Engineering, Inc. (SEI) and requested a fee proposal for the necessary engineering services, to include surveying the entire Franklin Road corridor between Concord Road and Murray Lane to allow for a preliminary evaluation of a north-south trail connection referenced above.
SEI is familiar with this roadway and Brentwood's requirements, and has also successfully designed many other traffic signal, road, and trail projects in Brentwood. Staff asked that SEI enlist the assistance of Neel-Schaffer, the City's traffic consultant, to aid in the design of the signal and development of timing plans. These two firms can provide a complete design that will yield bid documents for advertising the project to include evaluation of bids from contractors as well as recommendations related to the trail connection that will be utilized by staff for future master planning of the trail system.
The total cost of the design effort, as outlined in the attached agreement, is $74,862. This fee includes over $19,000 in surveying related costs for the extended survey work along the Franklin Road corridor, $25,500 in roadway and right-of-way related costs, and $26,680 in signal design and installation related engineering costs.
Staff expects the design will take approximately 90 days to complete. Once complete, staff will advertise for construction bids. The goal is to have a construction firm under contract by spring of 2019. However, due to the long lead time on delivery of signal poles, the signal is not expected to be in operation until sometime in fall of 2019.
While specific funding for this project is not currently included in the FY 2019 Capital Projects Fund budget, staff projects that sufficient excess revenue will be available in the current fiscal year to allow for a year-end budget amendment to transfer sufficient funds to the Capital Projects Fund. Also note that the Oman property developer has agreed to provide $75,000 in funding toward the signal installation project.
Please direct any questions to the Engineering Director, Mike Harris. |