Title
143rd Street & LaGrange Road Intersection Improvement Project - Aesthetic Enhancements - Brief Presentation
History
During the design work undertaken as a part of the 143rd Street and LaGrange Road Intersection Improvement Project, the Village was in the process of finalizing a Master Plan for the LaGrange Road Corridor and the streets that intersect with it. Included in that Master Plan are elements that provide multiple forms of mobility and build upon a “Complete Street” concept wherein vehicular and mass transportation, as well as pedestrian and bicycle mobility requirements are designed integrally into the project. It is Staff’s desire that the roadway design undertaken for this business corridor include prime aesthetic elements that the Village has adopted as a part of the corridor Master Plan. As such, the final design proposed will include intersection enhancements, lighting, color and surface texture treatments, and median and parkway plantings that will tie the corridor together from the Triangle south to approximately 159th Street.
As concepts and visions for the corridor were discussed over the past few months, Staff further directed that the concepts being developed for Board review and acceptance include signature elements that tie the LaGrange Road corridor to existing signature elements that have been incorporated into past projects at the Village Triangle. V3 Companies of Illinois was directed by Staff to coordinate efforts to develop and provide concept renderings and cost estimates to Staff for consideration for Aesthetic Enhancements that may be proposed and included in the final plans that are developed for the current 142nd/143rd Street and LaGrange Road intersection improvement project. It is extremely good timing and very fortunate that the Village is afforded an opportunity to work with IDOT to include all or a portion of the Village’s Aesthetic Enhancements in the plans being developed for the LaGrange Road Corridor. Phase II Engineering work is currently underway for the corridor from 131st Street south to 179th Street.
During the month of February 2010, V3 and Norris Engineering reviewed concept renderings and cost estimates for the proposed Aesthetic Enhancements and presented two concepts to Staff for review and comment, whereupon Norris was directed to develop Option “C” representing select optimum elements from Options “A” and “B.”
Staff is requesting that the Committee and Board review the three Aesthetic Enhancement concepts that have been developed: Options “A,” “B,” and ”C.” Staff’s recommendation is Option “C,” a select blend of “A” and “B” as previously discussed. Option “C” captures signature elements of the Triangle, as well as providing a visual link throughout the corridor through the use of color and texture in materials selected. Crosswalk treatments are designed to encourage pedestrian appeal and use and add connective elements throughout the corridor. It is estimated that the inclusion of Option “C” elements will add approximately $1.5 million dollars to the 143rd Street and LaGrange Road Intersection Improvement Project cost, currently estimated at approximately $12 million dollars. No estimate has been made regarding added Aesthetic Enhancement costs for the balance of the LaGrange Road Corridor work being designed.
It is understood that the limits for the Aesthetic Enhancement Option “C” elements being approved for inclusion in the final plans being developed are generally:
On LaGrange Road from south of the Metra-LaGrange Road overpass, south to approximately 400 feet south of 143rd Street Intersection;
At the final fully improved and signalized 142nd Street and LaGrange Road Intersection;
At the final fully improved and signalized 143rd Street and LaGrange Road Intersection;
On 143rd Street between the Metra tracks east of Southwest Highway, east to approximately John Humphrey Drive.
Upon adoption of a corridor Aesthetic Enhancement Plan, the design details will be conveyed to IDOT with a request that they be included, wholly or in part, in the Phase II plans being developed for the LaGrange Road Corridor. The added cost related to construction to the Village for adding these enhancements to the balance (or partial section) of the corridor will be the difference between the standard IDOT line-item cost within IDOT plans and the line-item cost for the enhanced item desired by the Village.
On April 5, 2010, this item was reviewed and approved by the Public Works and Engineering Committee and referred to the Board for approval.
Financial Impact
Funding for this sub-consultant design engineering effort is included in the V3 Supplement #2 that has been recommended for Board approval, and is included within the Capital Budget for the 143rd Street and LaGrange Road Intersection Improvement Project.
Funding and approval for construction costs associated with Aesthetic Enhancements that may be requested by the Village to be included in the final IDOT LaGrange Road Corridor construction project will be brought to the Committee and Board when plans have been developed and costs estimated. It is anticipated that the Phase II work for the corridor may be substantially complete in mid to late 2011. While funding for the corridor work has not yet been secured by IDOT, plans are moving forward in anticipation that funding will be secured so construction may be able to be completed by 2014.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve including Option “C” Aesthetic Enhancements as presented by Norris Engineering for the 143rd Street and LaGrange Road Intersection Improvement Project in the final plans that will be developed within the project limits.