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| Street Department |
One of the largest capital investments any city makes is in its street system, and Rolla is no exception. Our street network is over 111 miles in length and has a total replacement value in excess of $175 million. The two activities of our program are maintenance and improvement.
The following map shows proposed improvements over the next year.
Maintenance applies to streets with existing curb, gutter, and storm sewer, and adequate width. Within this category, conditions can range from good to poor, and maintenance options range from thin overlays to full-depth pavement replacement.
Improvement, on the other hand, applies to those streets that have no curb and gutter or storm sewer, or that require modification to accommodate existing or projected traffic loads. This is much more expensive and time consuming than simple maintenance, so each year of the 8-year plan contains a mix of both activities. This allows us to maintain our better streets in good condition with inexpensive overlays while steadily improving those that are substandard by performing major reconstruction.
The following map shows proposed improvements over the next year. The choice of surface treatment and types of improvements will depend upon available funding and needs:
Over the past 20 years, the sidewalk network in the City of Rolla has more than tripled in size, from just over 20 miles to nearly 76 miles. In addition, 12 miles of shared use paths have been developed primarily along linear parks in the southern portion of the city.
In 2011, the United States Access Board proposed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for Public Right of Way. In 2013, ADA standards for shared use paths were proposed. One of the significant additional modifications to these standards was the imperative that truncated domes were required on ramps entering into a public street. Truncated domes are detectable warning devices that alert visually impaired pedestrians, through tactile and visual means, of approaching hazards. Since that time, we have been systematically going through our system adding these domes, and to date have installed them at 873 of the 1528 ramps the city maintains, leaving 655 ramps still in a state of noncompliance.
In addition, up until 2011, a trip hazard was considered to be a difference of ½ inch between two level surfaces. In 2011, that number was reduced to ¼ inch. ADA guidelines accept grinding and cutting for displacements of between ¼ and ½ inch. If the displacement is over ½ inch, the sidewalk must be removed and replaced, or required. We currently inspect and repair sidewalks on a five year rotating schedule.
In 2017, the City of Rolla adopted a Complete Streets Strategy. In that strategy, the department is tasked with providing safe and efficient transportation that ensures mobility choices for all users and integrates sidewalks, bicycle facilities and safe crossings. In keeping with this strategy, during 2019 the city also applied for recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) through the League of American Bicyclists and received designation as a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community.
The City of Rolla began the process of forming a Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), with the purpose being to make the community more livable by promoting bicycling and walking as an alternative means of transportation while still ensuring we provide the best facilities and are sensitive to the needs of all users. Transportation enhancements such as new construction, rehabilitation or maintenance of streets and sidewalks can be viewed as opportunities to realize these goals. The BPAC will assist in program oversight and planning and will consist of a volunteers from a variety of backgrounds. Input from a variety of individuals is one of the cornerstones of an effective program. Each person will bring a unique set of qualities and interests to the group and serve as an advocate for the program.
In 2015 the City, Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), and UTW Rolla (a private development firm) joint-funded a high-level major transportation study culminating in the Move Rolla Transportation Plan.; That Study ultimately led to the formation of the Move Rolla Transportation Development District and proposed a 1 cent transportation sales tax to address many critical transportation needs. Formation of the District has been actively underway since spring 2016 and was approved by voters in January 2017.; The Plan evaluated a variety of possible transportation improvements over the next 20 years (estimated at $58 – 60 million). It is projected that the bonding capacity over a 30-year term is estimated to provide capital improvement funding of $32 million.
Move RollaTDD focuses on developing a transportation system to meet the needs of all people and promotes a safe, healthy and vibrant community for the next 20 years. The Move Rolla Transportation Development District (TDD) Program is focused on implementing the projects identified in the Move Rolla Strategy (2015) and presented to voters in the Transportation Development District tax that was approved by district voters in January 2017. The purpose of the improvements are to develop a transportation system that meets the needs of all people and modes and promotes a safe, healthy community and economic opportunities for the next 20 years.
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