Northridge / GA-400 Bridge Project Update

Hi Friends,

As of today, still no change to the project. Still no bike lanes. I've been talking to anyone I can: State & Local elected officials, press, etc. But here's the latest information for your perusal.

Total Project Budget: $10.5M
Cost Estimate for Bike Lanes on Bridge: $168k (less than 2% of the project)
Cost Estimate for Bike Lanes on Roberts Drive: $13k to $37k (+ utility relocations)
Actual Cost for Sidewalks - $41,933
Actual Cost for “Enhancements” - $500k (details below)

Funding Sources & Amounts

• Amount contributed from the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) - $8,768,235.96
• Amount contributed from Sandy Springs - $500,000
• Other contributed funds (amounts & sources) - $0,100% State and Local funds

Memorandum of Understanding signed by Sandy Springs & GDOT in October, 2012, total project budget is $10.5M. The GDOT-provided numbers total $9.2M, indicating that there appears to be room in the budget to add bike lanes on both the bridge and Roberts Drive within the project area.

“ … SRTA and GDOT will be funding the project for the cost of design, right-of-way, utility, and construction activities up to $10,042,836, and the City will match for enhancement items listed [above] in the amount of $500,000.”

The $500k contribution from Sandy Springs represents enhancement items of:

“Decorative mast arm traffic signal poles, LED street lights, illuminated overhead street name signs, Ethernet high-definition video cameras, wireless magnetometer vehicle sensors, green vinyl chain link fence, and granite cast in place form finishes to walls.”

Project & Budget History

2010: $1.2M -- North Fulton CTP, Project VH208: Provide capacity and operational improvements.

2011: $7M - Sandy Springs T-0037: Northridge Interchange at GA 400 Improvements

2012: $10.5M – GDOT Project #751580: Design/Build. Detailed Concept Report

Public Meetings: Single one held on December 4, 2011.

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I found the following on page 83 of the Concept Report, dated March 12, 2012 by Lisa Myers, Acting Project Review Engineer: IMPLEMENTATION OF VALUE ENGINEERING STUDY ALTERNATIVES

ALT-1 Says

 "The new bridge will include minimum width bike lanes in both directions."

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Where's the Money??

SRTA took in $20M from the GA-400 Tolls in FY 2012.

Sandy Springs FY2012 Revenue was $95M, with a balance of $70M.

Why Build Bike Lanes on the Bridge? Was in the original plan from 2010.

Can’t Afford Not to: Bicycle Accommodations add value to local businesses & homes. Improve Health, Increase local transportation options. All add up to an excellent long-term Return on Investment.

Safe Routes to School: Two Elementary Schools within ¼ mile of the project. Allow parents & children a SAFE transportation option, relieving local motor vehicle rush-hour traffic.

Plan for the Future: Bridges last 50+ years. Gen X/Y are looking for walkable, bikable communities & will relocate their businesses & create new jobs where this infrastructure exists. This trend will increase.

Regional Connectivity:  This bridge is the single point of access between Perimeter CID, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs to cross the Chattahoochee River into Roswell, connecting into their trail & bike network and points beyond.

Supports Existing Plans: Sandy Springs 2008 Transportation Plan identifies Roberts Drive/Northridge as a north-south Bicycle Corridor. Roswell & Sandy Springs have budgeted and are building a Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge acrossthe Chattahoochee at Hwy-9/Roswell Rd (completion: 2016). Dunwoody has built Bike Lanes northward along Roberts Drive to the Sandy Springs border.

Supports Policies & Programs:

GDOT Policy: Required exception to adding Bike Lanes if increased project cost by 20% or more. GDOT Board unanimously adopted a Complete Streets policy in 2012. Bike Lanes are to be built by “default” in projects. Exception remains if 20% or greater extra cost.

Sandy Springs: Pursuing certification as a “Bicycle Friendly Community”; has adopted a “Complete Streets” policy (per Public Works Dir, Kevin Walter– AJC, June 15, 2012); guidance to developers to install bike lanes (S.Sprs. Ord. Art XI, 103-74(k))

 ARC 2007 Bike/Ped Plan:  “Routine Accommodation” Bicyclists and pedestrians provided for when new roadways are constructed and for new and retrofitting existing roadways.

References:

GDOT: Ms. Marlo L. Clowers, P.E. / Project Manager / 404.631.1713/ mclowers@dot.ga.gov

Websites: Cities of Sandy Springs & Dunwoody, Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta Journal Constitution