2018-06-27-CEC-ATM-rpt (Combined Report with Updates & Errata)

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2018 ATM (incorporating Updates&Errata) value.) It also reported that the percentage of non-compliant ramps was 63%; a modest improvement from the 67%in 2014, and that the cost of the current backlog of outstanding repairs for sidewalks and ramps is $7,527,990 (an increase of about$500,000 from the 2014 amount). In regard to that backlog,the update says: The backlog has however increased from sidewalks deteriorating into more expensive repair bands. As can be seen from the distribution of SC1 by sidewalk area, the Town is trending in the right direction with the majority of the network in the "Do Nothing" treatment band. The Town should continue to follow the previous budget recommendations of spending $750k annually for its sidewalk and ramp network. The Town should remain diligent when inspecting work that gets done, to ensure both sidewalks and ramps are completed in accordance with MAAB/ADA regulations. In October 2015, the BoS assigned the responsibility of the Sidewalk Committee (now inactive) to the Transportation Safety Group (TSG): The Transportation Safety Group is a Town Manager appointed Working Group which meets monthly to evaluate issues and concerns relative to traffic, transit, pedestrian, bicycle and parking safety. Recommendations are made to the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager. The working group includes citizens and representatives of the Police, Public Works, Planning and School Departments. Liaisons from the Transportation Advisory, Bicycle Advisory, and Safe Routes to School committees as well as the Commission on Disability also participate. (http://www.lexingtonma.gov/transportation-safety-group) With regard to the sidewalk network, including ramps,DPW maintains the primary responsibility for both maintenance and capital projects of the existing sidewalk network while the TSG's focus the need for new sidewalks and pedestrian ramps, and with ensuring safety-related concerns about the existing network are brought to the attention of DPW. Sidewalk replacement and extension are costly initiatives. Imbedded in these costs are sidewalk- construction obstructions, easement issues, and negotiations with residents. The DPW and TSG overall policy has been to develop a prioritized sidewalk-construction plan focusing on the "Safe Routes to School Program", other high-pedestrian-traffic routes, and high—walking-hazard streets. All reconstructed/new sidewalks and their pedestrian ramps are designed and constructed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)." This Committee is pleased that funding requests for center-business-district (CBD) sidewalks are presented separately from those for residential sidewalks and that there are now three sidewalk categories for restoration: residential, CBD, and non-CBD business; and, further, that requests for entirely new or extended sidewalks would be presented separately from requests for restoration. FY2019 request for sidewalk work can be found in Article 16(g). Townwide Signal Improvements Many of the Town signals are outdated, with sometimes failing equipment, and limited ADA accessibility. An Engineering Division study, funded with Traffic Mitigation funds, using signalized level of service (LOS) has identified and prioritized those locations in need of improvement, after assessment of conditions, signal timing, delays, ADA requirements, etc. As recommended, the Town has adopted a Standard Specification that allows for cost and maintenance efficiencies. [Note: The study did not include the signals which are under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, including, but not limited to: Bedford Street at Hartwell Avenue, Lowell Street at Waltham Street, Marrett Road at Spring Street, Marrett Road at Waltham Street, and Hayden Avenue at Route 2.] The FY2019 funding request is in Article 16(i). When Town intersections are improved, new signals are installed with"smart" controls (as applicable), as is the case in the current Massachusetts Avenue at Worthen Road project. These controls provide efficiencies like preventing light changes when there are no cars approaching or waiting, and watching for pedestrians waiting to cross. As of now, four of the Town's ten signalize intersections have been 22