FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2015
CONTACT: Matt Casey
Engineering Design Manager
Engineering Division
479-575-8206
mcasey@fayetteville-ar.gov
City Invites Public Comment for Sidewalk Improvements
The City of Fayetteville is seeking public comment on an upcoming phase of the “College Avenue Enhancement Project”. Beginning in 2016, the City will be making sidewalk and traffic control improvements on N. College Avenue from Maple Street to North Street. College Avenue is a state highway, therefore any changes to the street or sidewalk must be permitted by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department; public comment will be extremely valuable in assessing changes.
A public meeting was held on Tuesday, August 11 at City Hall with more than 60 individuals attending the “drop-in” style meeting. Residents and business owners viewed plans, asked questions, and solicited ideas with City staff and others in attendance. The City’s Engineering Division has created a webpage (http://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/425) with information on major infrastructure improvements, including the “College Avenue Enhancement Project”. The webpage offers downloadable documents (PDF) of Conceptual Plans, Section Elevations, and Project Information.
Project concepts include (but are not limited to) the following:
• 10-foot wide concrete sidewalks located directly behind the curb line along both sides of the highway. Tree wells and lights will take up a portion of the 10-foot width, making the effective width approximately 6 feet.
• Installation of decorative street lights on both sides of the highway.
• Installation of trees located in 4-foot wide by 8-foot long grated tree wells located every 30 feet on both sides of the highway.
• Modification of the traffic signals at Maple Street and North Street to accommodate 4-way marked pedestrian crossings.
• Reduction in the number and width of driveway curb cuts (where possible).
• Removal of overhead electric lines (where feasible).
• Evaluation of a pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Trenton Boulevard and Rebecca Street.
The City is encouraging the public to submit comments through a survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CollegeAvenueSidewalks_Maple-North); the survey will close at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 20. Citizens can also contact the Engineering Division for additional information by calling 479-575-8206 or by emailing engineering@fayetteville-ar.gov.
The Engineering Division will make a presentation at the City Council Transportation Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 25, at 5:15 p.m. (or immediately following the City Council Agenda meeting). City staff will present the conceptual plans, a synopsis of public comment, and recommended changes. Staff will be requesting a recommendation to proceed with the project from the Transportation Committee. The Committee accepts public comment at the meeting.
This section of College Avenue enhancements is funded by the Transportation Bond Program. After completion of the east side in 2016 and the west side in 2017, additional phases north of North Street will be considered for 2018 and beyond. Future phases are not currently funded, but may be considered by the City Council in future budget years.
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