Alternative Systems to be Evaluated

Date:  10 April 2002 Revised:  15 April 2002

The following matrix indicates the alternative roadway systems, which will be evaluated by the consultant team, BHJ staff, WVDOT, and ODOT.  Criteria for evaluation was previously presented to the BAC and is dated, 1 March 2002.  Comparative analysis and ranking of the alternatives was also previously presented to the BAC and is dated, 13 March 2002.

A total of twelve (12) model assignments may be made as provided in the approved Scope of Work.  There will be ten initial assignments made with the capability to include two more as appropriate for additional testing.  The additional scenarios would probably include alternative connections to surface roadways and/or corridor improvements.  Scenario 10 was added as a result of a recommendation by the BAC at the 10 April meeting.

Note that it has been concluded that it is not cost effective to make a major investment for rehabilitation of the Market Street or Fort Steuben Bridges.

After the technical analysis and preliminary comparative analysis is completed, the results will be presented to the BAC for discussion.

The attached Memorandum Report provides an early analysis of traffic operations and capacity on existing surface streets related to Bridge connections.

It was concluded at the 10 April 2002 BAC meeting that it was important to convene the BAC again in order to have an intermediate review of traffic model assignments.  The consultant team was authorized to proceed with the Baseline 1 assignment  plus Scenario 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.  The results of those assignments, together with the Evaluation Criteria and Comparative analysis would be presented to the BAC for review and recommendations related to the preferred locations for the Southern Bridge(X4) and the Market Street Bridge(X7).  Then, the consultant team would proceed with the remaining Scenario assignments and analysis.  A date for the BAC meeting was not established.

NOTES:

Memorandum Report
Traffic Operations Related to Capacity and Safety

This Memorandum Report is a continuation of the Phase I Report for the Upper Ohio Valley Bridge System Study completed by Pflum, Klausmeier & Gehrum Consultants in June 2000.  The purpose of that Report was to define, analyze and make preliminary recommendations regarding traffic operations of the three bridges and adjacent roadways. 

On the Ohio side of the Bridges the analysis for this Memorandum Report was completed for the two signalized intersections at University Boulevard and US 22 Ramps/7^th Street and State Route 7. 

The intersections were analyzed to evaluate the capacity under the following scenarios.

• Existing Conditions;
• Fort Steuben Bridge Closed;
• Market Street Bridge Closed;
• Both Bridges Closed;
• Future Traffic.

In each instance it was assumed that the Veterans Memorial Bridge would be open with no additional roadway improvements.

The analysis indicates the above two signalized intersections have sufficient capacity to handle the existing and future additional traffic, if the other two Bridges are closed.  However, some of the movements will see a significant increase in delay.  When better traffic data is available to analyze the future conditions with both the Fort Steuben and Market Street Bridges closed, the intersections will be analyzed and the need for improvements at these intersections will be evaluated to maintain acceptable flow of traffic.

The accident analysis along the US 22 exit ramp to southbound State Route 7 indicated three trucks overturned during the three-year period.  Such an event is a huge disruption of traffic on Veterans Memorial Bridge and often results in closure of the Bridge.  This ramp has a sharp radius coupled with grades that are an obvious cause for such accidents.  Presence of a retaining wall leaves no room for improving the radius along this ramp.   Additional signage with flashing warning signs may help in alerting the drivers of the hazardous condition and could prevent or reduce such accidents.  In addition to additional signage and flashing lights, rumble strips along the approach for this ramp could also be helpful in alerting the drivers.

On the West Virginia side the following two intersections are critical access locations:

• Intersection of US 22 Ramps/WV 2 and Freedom Way; and
• Intersection of Market Street Bridge and WV 2.

Analysis presented in the Phase I report showed significant delays at the intersection of WV 2 and Market Street Bridge.  Also field observations showed a significant back-of-queue along the eastbound approach at this intersection.  It is anticipated that improvements on WV 2 would help to mitigate these delays.

Since the submission of the Phase I Report further evaluation has been made along Veterans Memorial Bridge and its termini in Ohio and West Virginia. Three weaving sections exist along the westbound and eastbound traffic on the bridge:

1. On eastbound US 22 between the entrance ramp from University Blvd. to WV 2 southbound exit ramp;
2. On eastbound US 22 between the ramps from northbound WV 2 to the exit ramp to WV2/Freedom Way; and
3. On westbound US 22 between the entrance ramp from WV 2/Freedom Way Intersection to the exit ramps for southbound on WV 2.

Along the first weaving section, approximately 1700 feet is available for the weaving movements.  Along the other weaving sections indicated above, approximately 800 feet is available for lane changes.  Since construction is going on in the area, specifically along WV 2, no existing counts were recorded to perform the weaving analysis, since these counts may not reflect the actual conditions on an average day.   Based on field observations, the existing conditions do not show a significant drop in Level of Service due to the weaving movements.  However, if the other two bridges are closed and with future traffic, particularly the increased truck traffic diverted from Fort Steuben Bridge, a significant drop in Level of Service is expected along these weaving sections.  Based on availability of traffic data a detailed analysis will be completed to quantify the magnitude of the problem.

At present significant trips between Ohio and the Half Moon Industrial Park in West Virginia are made using the Fort Steuben Bridge.  If the Bridge is closed without providing any other alternative, all such traffic will have to use the intersection of WV 2/US 22 Ramps and Freedom Way.  Under the existing conditions, this is a signalized intersection with additional turn lanes for various movements.  With additional traffic using this intersection, there will be a need to make improvements at this intersection.  Further analysis of this intersection will be completed on availability of the data to determine the extent of improvements that may be required to handle additional traffic.

An alternate solution has been proposed by others to provide direct access from Veterans Memorial Bridge to Freedom Way.  WV 2 can be extended beyond Veterans Memorial Bridge to intersect Freedom Way.  Connection between an extended section of WV 2 and Veterans Memorial Bridge can be made by additional ramps.  However, based on the conditions and layout of existing roads such an alternative will be extremely costly and a benefit/cost analysis should be completed to justify need for such an alternative.