Alternative 1
Downtown Gateway
Description
Proposed Alternative 1 creates a new connection between Front Street and Main Street by constructing a new roadway just east of Church Street. This new roadway will feature a roundabout at the intersection with Main Street, and pedestrian sidewalks connecting the community and downtown.
Benefits
- No lowering of Front Street
- No retaining walls required on the north side of Front Street
- Provides a direct pedestrian connection to Main Street
- No need to detour traffic during construction
- Allows unrestricted pedestrian and vehicular access, including emergency responders
Impacts
- One (1) property to be acquired
- One (1) structure demolished
- Minor impact to parking lot near the roundabout location
Alternative 2
Lombard Street Relocation
Description
Proposed Alternative 2 relocates Lombard Street to create a new connection with Front Street just east of Church Street. The relocated Lombard Street will begin near Main Street and travel west along the alley on the north side of Main Street. The roadway will then tie into the new underpass just east of Church Street. A new pedestrian walkway will provide access from Lombard Street to Church Street.
Benefits
- No lowering of Front Street
- No retaining walls required on the north side of Front Street
- Impacts to Lombard Street and adjacent properties minimized
- Front Street remains open during construction
- Allows unrestricted pedestrian and vehicular access, including emergency responders
Impacts
- Restricts ability to develop rear of adjacent Main Street properties
- Two (2) structures demolished
- No direct pedestrian access to Main Street
- Pedestrian access is along relocated Lombard Street
Alternative 3
Lombard Street Extension
Description
Proposed Alternative 3 extends Lombard Street from Main Street to Front Street via a new pedestrian/vehicle underpass. New pedestrian sidewalks will be installed, providing a connection between the community and downtown.
Benefits
- Provides direct access to downtown
- Allows unrestricted pedestrian and vehicular access, including emergency responders
Impacts
- Because Lombard Street must be significantly lowered between Front Street and Main Street, considerable retaining walls will be constructed along Lombard Street
- Requires the lowering of Front Street for a distance of about 600 feet between Cooper Street and a point approximately 250 feet west of Lombard Street; as a result, there will be significant retaining walls on residential properties on the north side of Front Street, and steep driveways for the three (3) properties east of Lombard Street
- Access to the alley at Lombard Street is removed
- Temporary closures of Lombard Street and Front Street are required during construction; alternate access will be provided
- Vehicle speed limit on Lombard Street is reduced to 15 mph
Alternative 4
Church Street
Description
Proposed Alternative 4 places the pedestrian/vehicle underpass on Church Street, just south of Front Street. New pedestrian sidewalks will be installed, providing a connection between the community and downtown.
Benefits
- Pedestrian/vehicle underpass crossing is constructed at the location of the existing crossing on Church Street
- Allows unrestricted pedestrian and vehicular access, including emergency responders
Impacts
- Requires significant lowering of Church Street and Front Street to allow for construction of underpass
- Retaining walls are required along the north side (residential side) of Front Street
- Retaining walls are required on the south side (railroad side) of Front Street
- Retaining walls are required along both sides of Church Street, both north and south of Front Street
- The Church Street connection to First Street is eliminated and a cul-de-sac is constructed on First Street
- Requires temporary closure of Church Street and Front Street during construction; alternate access will be provided
Alternative 5
Smith Street
Description
Proposed Alternative 5 places the pedestrian/vehicle underpass east of the former Smith Street, just south of Front Street. New pedestrian sidewalks will be installed, providing a connection between the community and downtown.
Benefits
- No lowering of Front Street
- No retaining walls required on the north side of Front Street
- Allows unrestricted pedestrian and vehicular access, including emergency responders
Impacts
- Removes direct access to the center of downtown from the community located on the north side of the railroad
- Detour track is required for construction staging and may impact three (3) building structures located within the railroad corridor, including possible removal of the structures
- Retaining walls will be required along the south side of Front Street
- Portion of one (1) property to be acquired
Alternative 6
Crossing Remains the Same - No BUILD
Description
Proposed Alternative 6, the No Build alternative, would result in the existing roadways remaining as they are currently, with no new grade separation being built.
No Build
-
No action is taken and the crossing remains as it is today. As a result, crossings will continue to be blocked while trains pass, restricting vehicular access, including emergency vehicles. Church Street remains as it is today.