Bulloch County, City of Statesboro 2035 long range transportation plan : technical memorandum

BULLOCH COUNTY / CITY OF STATESBORO
2035 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Long Range Transportation Plan Technical Memorandum
c
Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan
Technical Memorandum

Prepared for: Georgia Department of Transportation One Georgia Center 600 West Peachtree St, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Prepared by: HNTB Team
HNTB Corporation MPH & Associates, Inc.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................1 A. General Description .....................................................................................................1 B. Purpose .......................................................................................................................2 C. Study Area...................................................................................................................2 D. Study Process .............................................................................................................5

DEMOGRAPHICS ......................................................................................................................6 A. Demographic Overview ...............................................................................................6 B. Urban Versus Rural Population Totals.........................................................................8 C. Historic Population Growth ..........................................................................................8 D. Future Population ......................................................................................................10 E. Environmental Justice................................................................................................11 F. Employment Data ......................................................................................................16

EXISTING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS........................................................................................19

A. Land Use and Development ......................................................................................19

B. Previous Studies and Programs ................................................................................22

C. Public Transportation.................................................................................................30

D. Commuter Patterns and Transportation Options........................................................35

E. Freight Movement......................................................................................................40

F. Rail Crossings ...........................................................................................................43

G. Intercity and Commuter Rail ......................................................................................48

H. Airport Facilities .........................................................................................................49

I.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities ...............................................................................50

J.

Bridges ......................................................................................................................58

K. Safety ........................................................................................................................64

L.

Roadway Characteristics ...........................................................................................67

M. Roadway Operating Conditions .................................................................................75

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES ......................................................................................82 A. Citizen and Stakeholder Input....................................................................................82 B. Study Advisory Committee.........................................................................................82 C. Public Notification ......................................................................................................83 D. Public Workshops......................................................................................................84 E. Bulloch County Citizen & Stakeholder Input...............................................................85

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................89 A. Background ...............................................................................................................89 B. Methodology..............................................................................................................90 C. Goals and Objectives.................................................................................................92

FUTURE IMPROVEMENT NEEDS...........................................................................................94 A. Future Conditions Evaluation.....................................................................................94 B. Transit Future Conditions ..........................................................................................95 C. Commuter Transportation Options...........................................................................102

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

D. Intercity and Commuter Rail Future Conditions........................................................104

E. Rail Crossing Future Conditions ..............................................................................104

F. Aviation Future Conditions.......................................................................................115

G. Bicycle and Pedestrian Future Conditions ...............................................................117

H. Future Bridge Conditions .........................................................................................127

I.

Future Roadway Conditions.....................................................................................127

J.

Suggested Improvements ........................................................................................130

K. Recommended Improvements.................................................................................137

PRIORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................143 A. Project Prioritization Overview .................................................................................143 B. Estimated Costs ......................................................................................................143 C. Project Prioritization Criteria ....................................................................................144 D. Logical Termini and Environmental Considerations .................................................158 E. Summary of Recommended Improvements.............................................................162

FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION.......................................................................................165 A. Funding Sources .....................................................................................................165 B. Effective Use of the Plan .........................................................................................170

CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS ......................................................................................171

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

List of Tables

Table 2.A Table 2.B Table 2.C Table 2.D.1 Table 2.D.2 Table 2.F.1 Table 2.F.2 Table 2.F.3 Table 3.A Table 3.B.1 Table 3.B.2 Table 3.C.1 Table 3.D.1 Table 3.D.2 Table 3.D.3 Table 3.F.1 Table 3.F.2
Table 3.F.3
Table 3.F.4
Table 3.F.5 Table 3.I
Table 3.J Table 3.K Table 3.L.1 Table 3.M.1 Table 3.M.2 Table 3.M.3

Bulloch County General Demographic Characteristics.........................................7 Area Population ...................................................................................................8 Historical Population Profile .................................................................................8 Projected Population Growth 2000 2030.........................................................10 Estimated County Population Change 2000 2007 ...........................................10 Major Employers in Bulloch County ...................................................................16 Existing Industry Jobs ........................................................................................17 Existing Work Commute Patterns ......................................................................18 Development of Regional Impact Studies ..........................................................20 Bulloch County 2008 2011 STIP / 2008 2013 CWP .....................................23 Summary of Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan (2009-2029).........................25 FY08 Bulloch County DHR Coordinated Transportation System Trips ..............33 Bulloch County Residents Workplace Locations .............................................37 Commute Times for Bulloch County and Statesboro Workers............................38 Bulloch County Workforce County of Residence .............................................38 Bulloch County Rail Crossings with Highest AADT ............................................43 Bulloch County FRA Railroad Crossing Accident Data, 2000 to 2007, Latest Available Data (Crashes Involving Trains) .........................................................44 Bulloch County Railroad Crossing Crash Data, 2004 to 2007 (Crashes Not Involving Trains) ................................................................................................45 FRA Web Accident Prediction System Bulloch County Crossings with the Highest Predicted Collision Values ....................................................................46 Bulloch County Construction Work Program Railroad Improvement Projects.....47 GDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Planned and Programmed Projects-2008-2011 STIP and 2008-2013 CWP.................................................................................55 Bridge Inventory Bulloch County .....................................................................59 Active Crash Intersections Bulloch County.....................................................64 Existing Mileage and Vehicle Miles Traveled .....................................................68 Existing (2007) Deficient Segments ...................................................................76 Mid-Range (2020) Deficient Segments ..............................................................78 Long-Range (2035) Deficient Segments ............................................................80

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 4.B.1
Table 4.B.2
Table 4.D Table 4.E Table 5.B Table 6.B.1 Table 6.B.2 Table 6.B.3 Table 6.F Table 6.I Table 6.J.1 Table 6.J.2 Table 6.K.1 Table 6.K.2 Table 6.K.3 Table 7.C.1 Table 7.C.2 Table 7.C.3 Table 7.C.4 Table 7.C.5 Table 7.C.6 Table 7.C.7 Table 7.C.8 Table 7.E.1 Table 7.E.2 Table 8.A.1 Table 8.A.2

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP Study Advisory Committee Members ............................................................................................................ 82 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP Study Advisory Committee Meetings ............................................................................................................83 Public Workshops ..............................................................................................85 Bulloch County Citizen and Stakeholder Input ..................................................85 Applying the SAFETEA-LU Planning Factors.....................................................90 Bulloch County Population Projections 2000 to 2030 .........................................95 Statesboro Population Projections 2000 to 2030................................................96 Summary of Transit Dependent Population Future Needs .................................98 Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport Five-Year Capital Improvement Program...116 Comparison of Signal, Stop Control and Roundabout Improvements...............129 Suggested Improvements ................................................................................131 Improvement Changes in Response to Comments ..........................................136 Recommended Roadway Improvements .........................................................138 Recommended Bridge and Rail Crossing Improvements .................................139 Recommended Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements ....................................141 Qualitative Criteria and Scoring........................................................................145 Quantitative Criteria and Scoring .....................................................................147 Roadway Capacity Improvement Prioritization .................................................149 Operational Improvements Prioritization ..........................................................151 Intersection Scoring Criteria .............................................................................152 Intersection Prioritization..................................................................................153 Bicycle & Pedestrian Scoring Criteria...............................................................155 Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Prioritization...........................................157 Bulloch County Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Crossing Prioritized Improvements163 Bulloch County Bicycle and Pedestrian Prioritized Improvements....................164 Own Source Revenues ....................................................................................168 STIP Fund Allocations (2008 2011)...............................................................169

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

List of Figures

Figure 1.C Bulloch County Study Area ..................................................................................4 Figure 1.D Study Process......................................................................................................5 Figure 2.C Bulloch County Block Group Population Distribution in 2000 ...............................9 Figure 2.E.1 Bulloch County Minority Population Distribution in 2000.....................................12 Figure 2.E.2 Bulloch County Low-Income Population Distribution in 2000..............................14 Figure 2.E.3 Bulloch County Environmental Justice Overlay Analysis ....................................15 Figure 3.A Bulloch County Existing Land Use .....................................................................21 Figure 3.B Bulloch County Planned & Programmed Projects ..............................................24 Figure 3.C Georgia Southern University Current Southern Express Transit Route ...........32 Figure 3.E.1 Bulloch County Freight Transportation Facilities ................................................41 Figure 3.E.2 Atlanta Western Transportation Railroads - Georgia Midland Railroad and Heart
of Georgia Railroad............................................................................................42 Figure 3.H Statesboro/Bulloch County Airport .....................................................................50 Figure 3.I.1 Georgia State Bicycle Route Network ................................................................52 Figure 3.I.2 Bulloch County Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Locations ...............................54 Figure 3.J Bulloch County Bridges for Potential Maintenance and Rehabilitation................63 Figure 3.K Bulloch County Active Crash Intersections & Fatality Locations .........................66 Figure 3.L.1 Bulloch County Functional Classification............................................................69 Figure 3.L.2 Bulloch County Roadway Lanes ........................................................................71 Figure 3.L.3 Bulloch County Roadway Shoulders ..................................................................72 Figure 3.L.4 Bulloch County Roadway Surface Type .............................................................74 Figure 3.M.1 Bulloch County Existing (2007) Daily Deficient Segments..................................77 Figure 3.M.2 Bulloch County 2020 Daily Deficient Segments .................................................79 Figure 3.M.3 Bulloch County 2035 Daily Deficient Segments .................................................81 Figure 4.E Bulloch County Citizen & Stakeholder Input .......................................................88 Figure 6.A Transportation Improvement Development Process...........................................94 Figure 6.E.1 Clito Road Rail Crossing ..................................................................................109 Figure 6.E.2 US 301 / SR 67 / Rackley Road / Brannen Street Rail Crossing ......................110 Figure 6.E.3 E. Jones Avenue Rail Crossing........................................................................111

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Figure 6.E.4 East Grady Street Rail Crossing ......................................................................112 Figure 6.G.1 Bike / Ped Shared Lane Markings....................................................................117 Figure 6.G.2 Pedestrian Crossing Island ..............................................................................119 Figure 6.G.3 Flangeway Filler...............................................................................................120 Figure 6.G.3 Potential Bike Lane Designs at Intersections ...................................................122 Figure 6.G.4 Hawk Signal.....................................................................................................123 Figure 6.K.1 Recommended Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Crossing Improvements................140 Figure 6.K.2 Recommended Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements ....................................142 Figure 7.D.1 Environmental Justice Evaluation Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Improvements160 Figure 7.D.2 Environmental Justice Evaluation - Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements ......161

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

1 CHAPTER

INTRODUCTION

A. General Description

Bulloch County has experienced considerable growth over the last several decades, increasing population by more than 50% between 1980 and 2000 and exceeding the statewide growth rate. This has resulted in increased travel demand in the County. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Office of Planning, in conjunction with Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, and the Towns of Brooklet, Register, and Portal, initiated the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan to assess needs and identify multi-modal transportation improvement opportunities to help the County address transportation issues through the plans horizon year of 2035. The transportation plan developed as part of this study builds upon previous plans and studies conducted in Bulloch County.
The purpose of this document is to identify existing and future (2035) transportation challenges for the multi-modal transportation system (roadways, bridges, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, freight, rail, and airports) within the County, and to utilize that information to identify improvements and prioritize projects for implementation. As part of this effort, a travel demand model was developed for the County to represent the transportation network of the study area and to assist with the analysis of future operating conditions. Additionally, a comprehensive and interactive public involvement program was conducted to establish plan goals and objectives, identify issues and opportunities, and to identify potential improvements to the Bulloch County transportation network. This process ensured that transportation improvements were not only coordinated with the leadership of Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, and the Towns of Brooklet, Register, and Portal but afforded individual citizens and interested groups the opportunity to provide their input. Goals and objectives were coordinated with local comprehensive planning efforts in the County and City, to ensure consistency between planning efforts and to best represent the long term vision for the community.
Ultimately, study efforts have produced a comprehensive transportation planning document that, if implemented, will help to guide the efficient movement of people and goods within and through the study area through the study horizon year (2035). Successful implementation depends upon local efforts to move forward with plan recommendations by pursuing projects, policies, and funding sources that will help to achieve the goals and objectives identified as a part of the plan development process. Implementation is discussed in further detail in Chapter

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

8 of this document. The plan is intended as a tool for guiding local transportation decisionmaking as development pressures increase throughout the County.

B. Purpose
The purpose of the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is to identify existing and future transportation needs, to provide a framework of recommendations that address identified transportation needs, and to determine what resources may be necessary and available to successfully implement those recommendations.
Though it is not currently part of a federally designated Urbanized Area, it is expected that a portion of Bulloch County may become designated as urbanized following the 2010 Census, based on current US Census population estimates. This anticipated designation would trigger the need for the formation of a Metropolitan Planning Organization, or MPO. A MPO would be responsible for transportation planning and the allocation of federal dollars for transportation projects within the urbanized area. To that end, this plan incorporates requirements and guidelines consistent with the expectations for an MPO transportation plan. Attention to the MPO planning process will establish a strong framework for transportation planning and decision-making within Bulloch County if and when it makes the transition to an urbanized transportation service area.
The format of the LRTP, and the process by which it was developed, is prescribed by federal legislation known as the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). LRTPs are required to have a planning horizon of 20 or more years. This time frame provides a basic structure and overall goal for meeting the long-term transportation needs for the community. Since many factors influencing the development of the LRTP, such as demographics, forecasted revenue, and project costs, change over time, it is recommended that LRTPs are updated at least every five years.

C. Study Area
Bulloch Countys boundaries comprise the study area for this plan. The County is located along the I-16 corridor in Southeastern Georgia, about 45 miles northwest of Savannah. Bulloch County is comprised of approximately 683 square miles.
The area features employment opportunities and points of interest that attract new residents and visitors each year. It is perhaps best known as the home to Georgia Southern University (GSU), the largest university in South Georgia with the 6th largest student enrollment in the Georgia University System, with approximately 17,748 students enrolled in the fall of 2008. These features create unique impacts on the transportation system.
Though many residents work within Bulloch County, there has been an increase in residents for whom Bulloch is a bedroom community for the City of Savannah and other surrounding counties. Population and economic growth in the County is also due to surging enrollment at Georgia Southern University in recent years. According to the U.S. Census, the population of Bulloch County increased 18.2 percent from the year 2000 to 2007, (55,983 residents in 2000 to 66,176 residents in 2007). Enrollment at GSU increased nearly 24 percent from the fall 2001 semester to the fall 2008 semester.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County is part of the Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia (CRC). The CRC is the designated regional planning agency for 10 counties along the Coast of Georgia and the South Carolina border including Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Screven. The CRC provides comprehensive planning services for the area and partners with member counties on issues including transportation, water resources, historic preservation, and economic development. There are four major urban centers within the CRC region. The City of Statesboro is one of these urban centers. Previous studies completed in partnership with the CRC were considered in the development of the plan. In addition, the CRC is considered a potential resource for the County in future implementation efforts.
The study area is displayed on page 4 in Figure 1.C.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Study Area

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 1.C

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

D. Study Process

Figure 1.D below outlines the process of developing a long-range transportation plan for Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro.

Figure 1.D

Study Process

Identify all Current and Future Transportation Deficiencies

Establish Goals and Objectives Utilizing Current County Comprehensive Plans

Identify and Screen Transportation Improvement Strategies for Identified Deficiencies

Link Transportation Improvement Strategies to Identified Deficiencies

Establish Ranking Criteria Based on Local Input and Prioritized Proposed Improvements

Identify Recommended Improvement Projects

Develop Improvement Costs

Finalize Recommended Plan

Detailed information for all analysis elements is provided in the following sections. It is within this framework that the existing and future conditions data was identified for collection, analyzed, and established as baseline conditions for the transportation system within the study area. Data collection sources are documented in Appendix A, page 172.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

2 CHAPTER
DEMOGRAPHICS
A. Demographic Overview
The demographic overview of Bulloch County documents the historic population growth, future population projections, environmental justice population, and existing employment base.
A review of the 2000 U.S. Census, the most recent data available, shows that Bulloch County has experienced population growth comparable to state population growth during recent decades. Between 1990 and 2000, the Bulloch County population grew at an average annual rate of 2.6 percent, slightly higher than the average increase for Georgia (2.4 percent). Since 2000, the annual increase has been 2.0 percent, slightly less than Georgias growth rate (2.3 percent). Table 2.A on page 7 presents 2000 and 2007 U.S. Census demographic data to illustrate the characteristics of the population, households and other socio-economic factors in Bulloch County. Note that the 2007 estimates are based on data collected over a 3-year time period (2005-2007), which represent the average characteristics of population and housing in Bulloch County.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 2.A Bulloch County General Demographic Characteristics

Demographic
Total Population Median Age Total Population in Occupied Housing Units Average Household Size Total Housing Units Occupied Housing Units
Owner-Occupied Housing Units
Renter-Occupied Housing Units
School Enrollment (Age 3+) Percent High School Graduate or Higher Total Disabled Population (Age 5+) Percent of Population in Same House in 1995
Source: 2000 US Census / 2007 US Census Estimates

2000
55,983
26.1
53,393
2.53
22,742 20,743 (91.2% of total) 12,052 (58.1% of total) 8,691 (41.9% of total) 23,132 (41.3% of total) 77.9% of total
9,112 44.7%

2007 Estimate
64,837
26.4
58,540
2.52
26,166 23,229 (88.8% of total) 13,531 (58.3% of total) 9,698 (41.7% of total) 26,938 (40.7% of total) 82.6% of total
7,422 N/A

According to the 2000 U.S. Census Occupied Housing Units and Employment figures, the most current data available, a jobs-to-housing ratio was calculated for the county. The employment figures are the sum of the 2000 Census industry numbers. The ratio of the number of jobs (26,367) to number of housing units (22,742) is greater than one (1.16), based on the 2000 U.S. Census information. This places increased demand on the transportation system linking Bulloch County residents to jobs in Chatham County, Effingham County, and other nearby employment centers.
The 2000 U.S. Census demographic data captures the number of disabled individuals in Bulloch County as 16 percent of the total population, which is slightly lower than the statewide average of 18 percent. The U.S. Census Bureau defines disability as:
"A long-lasting physical, mental, or emotional condition. This condition can make it difficult for a person to do activities such as walking, climbing stairs, dressing, bathing, learning, or remembering. This condition can also impede a person from being able to go outside the home alone or to work at a job or business."

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

B. Urban Versus Rural Population Totals
Approximately 56 percent of Bulloch County residents (31,411) live outside of incorporated cities based on 2000 U.S. Census data. The data in Table 2.B below represents the rural and urban population breakdown for each City for the year 2000.
Table 2.B Area Population

County

City

Population

Statesboro

22,698

Brooklet

1,113

Bulloch Register

164

Portal

597

Unincorporated 31,411

Total
Source: 2000 US Census

55,983

C. Historic Population Growth

Compared to State historic population growth, Bulloch County has received substantial growth over the past 20 years, with a 56 percent increase in total population from 1980 to 2000, which is higher than the State of Georgia, which had a significant increase of 50 percent in total population. Table 2.C below illustrates the growth trends from 1970 to 2000.

Table 2.C Historical Population Profile

County

1970

Bulloch

31,585

Georgia 4,589,575
Source: 2000 US Census

1980
35,785 5,462,989

1990
43,125 6,478,216

2000
55,983 8,186,453

Percent Change
1980 - 2000
56%
50%

Figure 2.C (on page 9) displays the block group population distribution in 2000, according to the 2000 U.S. Census, the most recent data available. While decennial census counts allow for block group level analysis, current year population estimates are limited to county-level statistics; therefore, changes in population at the block group level are not available to display. For illustrative purposes, the 2000 U.S. Census, population distribution at the block group level is provided.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Block Group Population Distribution in 2000

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 2.C

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

D. Future Population
Compared to Statewide future population projections, population growth in Bulloch County is expected to continue at a moderate rate through the study horizon year of 2035. Bulloch County experienced steady population growth between 1990 and 2000, with a 2.6 percent average annual increase in total population, which is slightly faster than the State of Georgia, which had a 2.4 percent average annual increase in total population over the same period. A study from CRC, titled: Georgia Coast 2030: Population Projections for the 10-County Coastal Region, estimated the annual population increase since 2000 to 2006 has been 2.0 percent, slightly lower than the rate of growth for the State of Georgia over the same period (2.3 percent).
Table 2.D.1 below displays the projected population growth as estimated in the CRC study using 2000 U.S. Census Data. Based on the studys growth estimates, Bulloch Countys population is projected to increase by 29 percent, from 55,983 residents in 2000 to 72,338 by 2015. By 2030, the population is expected to reach 82,111 individuals according to the CRC, an increase of 47 percent over 2000 population. It is important to recognize the increased demand on the transportation system that accompanies the population increase.

Table 2.D.1 Projected Population Growth 2000 2030

County

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2025

2030

Bulloch

55,983

65,445

68,618 72,388

75,507

79,475

82,111

Sources: 2000 US Census and CRC Study entitled, "Georgia Coast 2030: Population Projections for the 10-County Coastal Region"

Table 2.D.2 below shows the 2000 U.S. Census, the 2007 U.S. Census population estimates, and the percentage change of the county population.

Table 2.D.2 Estimated County Population Change 2000 2007

County

2000

2007 Percent Estimate Change

Bulloch

55,983

64,837

15.8%

Source: 2000 US Census and 2007 US Census Estimates

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

E. Environmental Justice
The Environmental Justice Executive Order 12898, signed February 11, 1994 defines Environmental Justice populations as persons belonging to any of the following groups:
Black Hispanic Asian American American Indian or Alaskan Native Low-Income a person whose household income (or in the case of a community or
group, whose median household income) is at or below the US Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines
President Bill Clinton signed the Environmental Justice (EJ) Executive Order to ensure that groups historically underrepresented in the transportation planning process are not disproportionately impacted as a result of transportation improvement recommendations. As a result of the executive order, transportation agencies have integrated special efforts into transportation planning efforts to identify the groups identified above and to appropriately engage them throughout the development of transportation improvement recommendations.
As part of the LRTP development process, an EJ analysis was conducted to locate EJ populations. The studys public involvement program incorporated activities to involve these populations early and continuously through the transportation decision making process (see Chapter 4, Public Involvement Activities, page 82 for details). Data was also used to analytically assess if there would be a disproportionate impact on these traditionally underrepresented communities. The following sections document the location of EJ populations in Bulloch County.
Minority Population
The minority populations for Bulloch County were identified and analyzed using 2000 U.S. Census data, the most recent data available. This census data was reviewed by census block group and shows dense concentrations of minorities located in and near the City of Statesboro. The average minority population in Bulloch County is 35.2 percent, which is slightly higher than the statewide average of 34.9 percent.
The minority census block groups as a percentage of the county population are displayed in Figure 2.E.1 on page 12.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Minority Population Distribution in 2000

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 2.E.1

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Low-Income Population
The second component of EJ, poverty level, was also analyzed using the 2000 Census data. This census data was reviewed by census block group. Similar to the minority population, there are concentrations of low-income residents located near the City of Statesboro. The average number of residents below the poverty line in Bulloch County is 24.5 percent, while the statewide average is 13 percent. The low-income census blocks are displayed in Figure 2.E.2 on page 14.
Outreach and Analysis Efforts
It is helpful to analyze the low-income population areas with respect to the location of minority population areas. Figure 2.E.3 on page 15 combines the minority and low-income population data and presents the EJ Overlay Analysis. Extra efforts were made to include the populations identified as part of this analysis in the planning process to ensure that transportation needs in these areas were identified and addressed and to avoid disproportionate impacts to these communities. Representation from these groups was actively sought out for inclusion in the study advisory group and public meetings were advertised in venues likely to reach these groups, including newspaper advertisements and flyer drop off at public locations. Areas in the Towns of Portal, Brooklet and Register and areas throughout Statesboro were included in the analysis in an effort to enhance the likelihood that transportation improvements would benefit and not disproportionately impact these areas in a negative manner. The following specific tasks were conducted in these areas:
Coordinated through local staff and the Study Advisory Committee by asking them to identify leaders within EJ communities and invited their participation in the Committee;
Posted notice for workshops in these communities; Considered potential impacts of recommended projects to ensure that
disproportionate impacts did not accrue to these communities; and, Made special efforts to include projects that provided benefit and enhancement to
these communities. For more information on outreach efforts, see Chapter 4, Public Involvement
Activities, page 82.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Low-Income Population Distribution in 2000

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 2.E.2

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Environmental Justice Overlay Analysis

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 2.E.3

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

F. Employment Data
In Bulloch County, public administration is the largest employment sector, accounting for approximately 26 percent of the total jobs. This is primarily due to the presence of Georgia Southern University (GSU). Other important sectors are retail trade, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food service, education, health and social services. Using the Georgia Department of Labor 2007 annual average employment data (latest available), the major employers for Bulloch County are listed in Table 2.F.1 below.
Table 2.F.1 Major Employers in Bulloch County

Category

Employer

Industry

Public Employers

Georgia Southern University Bulloch County Board of Education
Bulloch County Board of Commissioners
City of Statesboro
Briggs & Stratton Corp.

Education
Education
General Government
General Government
Manufacturing

Private Employers

Wal-Mart East Georgia Regional Medical
Center Viracon H.A. Sack Company

Distribution Medical
Manufacturing Construction

Source: Georgia Department of Labor, 2007

The number, industry type, and location of jobs have a direct implication on the types of transportation facilities needed by business operators and employees in an area. Table 2.F.2 located on page 17 shows the major categories of jobs and industries located within Bulloch County.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 2.F.2 Existing Industry Jobs

Industry Type Public Administration

Bulloch County Employment
6,182

Retail Trade

3,314

Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services

2,894

Education, Health, and Social Services

2,435

Manufacturing

2,085

Construction

1,681

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, and Rental and Leasing

1,091

Professional, Scientific, Management, Administrative, and Waste Management Services

1,049

Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities

976

Wholesale Trade

577

Other Services

442

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Hunting, and Mining

380

Information

315

TOTAL

23,505

The numbers of employees in Utilities and Management of Companies and Enterprises are confidential. Source: Georgia Department of Labor, 2007

Per Capita Income
According to the 2000 US Census, the most recent data available, Bulloch Countys per capita income of $16,080 in 1999 was lower than Georgias statewide average of $21,154 and the national average of $21,587.
Journey to Work Data
Transportation mobility for workers commuting to and from Bulloch County is an important component in the 2035 LRTP. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the most recent data available, most workers (92.7 percent) rely on roadway-based transportation for commute trips, either by driving alone (78.3 percent) or carpooling (14.4 percent). About seven percent (7.3 percent) of workers in Bulloch County bike or walk, commute by other means (Transit/Taxi, Motorcycle or other), or work at home. Table 2.F.3 on page 18 illustrates the breakdown in commuting patterns by modes for Bulloch County residents.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan
Table 2.F.3 Existing Work Commute Patterns

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Work Commute

Bulloch County Percentage

Statewide Total Percentage

Total Workers (Age 16+) Drove Alone Carpooled Transit/Taxi
Biked or Walked Motorcycle or Other Means
Worked at Home Mean Travel Time to Work (min.)
Source: 2000 US Census

24,248 18,980 3,501
95 835 304 533 22.7

100% 78.3% 14.4% 0.4% 3.4% 1.3% 2.2%
NA

3,832,803 2,968,910 557,062
90,030 65,776 42,039 108,986
27.7

100% 78% 15% 2% 2% 1% 3% NA

The Bulloch County journey to work data, from the 2000 U.S. Census, the most recent data available, corresponds closely to the statewide averages for the various modes of travel (See Table 2.F.3 Above) The percentage of bike or walked commuters in Bulloch County (3.4 percent) is slightly higher than the statewide percentage (2 percent). The transit/taxi mode percentage in the County (0.2 percent) is lower than the statewide number (2 percent) due to the lack of a publicly accessible transit system in Bulloch County.
The mean travel time to work in Bulloch County (22.7 percent) is lower than the statewide average (27 percent). The shorter average commute time to work associated with Bulloch County commuters can be attributed to the proportion of workers commuting within or close to the County. According to 2007 US Census estimates, about 77.5 percent of employed Bulloch County residents traveled to work within Bulloch County and about 10.2 percent traveled to Chatham County for work. The remaining percentage traveled to other counties in the region.

18

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

3 CHAPTER
EXISTING CONDITIONS ANALYSIS

A. Land Use and Development
The existing land use patterns for Bulloch County illustrated in the 2006 land use plan demonstrate a substantial percentage of land devoted to residential and agricultural land uses. Additionally, growth in multi-family developments immediately south of Georgia Southern University is anticipated in the coming years to serve the ever expanding student population. Growth is also anticipated through the studys horizon year of 2035 along the I-16 corridor in southern Bulloch County as growth from Chatham and Bryan Counties pushes westward. New commercial development is anticipated to occur mainly in the eastern and southern portions of the City of Statesboro. Industrial development is also anticipated to continue within Bulloch Countys current industrial parks. Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro have identified targeted growth areas for new development as a part of their comprehensive plans, and efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority focus on attracting new employers and businesses who may be interested in locating in these areas. Development in all of these areas depends upon transportation projects that adequately service increasing future travel demand on nearby facilities.
Existing Land Use Characteristics
To inventory the relationship between existing land use and the transportation system, the following area types were identified for Bulloch County: major residential areas, key activity centers, key employment centers, and primary travel corridors. The 2006 land use map for Bulloch County is presented in Figure 3.A on page 21.
Major Residential Areas Cities of Statesboro and Brooklet South of Georgia Southern University East of Statesboro City Limits Southeastern Bulloch along I-16
Key Activity Centers City of Statesboro Along US 301 between SR 46 and the Statesboro City Limits Downtown business districts in Brooklet, Portal and Register
Key Employment Centers Georgia Southern University US 80 corridor between Downtown Statesboro and the Bypass

19

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

SR 67 corridor near the Medical Center US 301 corridor between Statesboro and I-16 Northeast of Statesboro near the Bulloch County airport Smaller centers located at Brooklet, Portal and Register

Primary Travel Corridors I-16 US 301/US 25 US 80 / SR 26 SR 73 SR 67 (North from Statesboro City Limits to the County Line) US 25 / SR 67 / US 301 / SR 73 Bypass
(Primary travel corridors are those roadway classified as urban/rural major arterials.)

Developments of Regional Impact

Five Development of Regional Impact (DRI) studies have been submitted or completed in Bulloch County since 2005 as shown below in Table 3.A. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) concluded that four projects (No.2038, No.2040, No. 1404 and No. 1081) were "in the best interest of the region and therefore of the State". The CRC determined that one project (No.1969) warrants a regional review, and two projects (No.956 and No.927) did not warrant a regional review.

Table 3.A Development of Regional Impact Studies

DRI ID # Project Name

2040

Bird Lane

Development Type
Housing

2038 1969

Warnell Solid Waste Management Facility
Deloach Family Annexation

Waste Management Facilities
Housing

1404 Flying J Truck Stop

Truck Stops

1081 956 927

Transfer Station

Public Works

Wastewater Pretreatment Facility
Southern Disposal Service

Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Disposal Services

County/ City
Statesboro
Statesboro
Statesboro
Bulloch (Unincorporated)
Bulloch (Unincorporated)
Bulloch (Unincorporated)
Bulloch (Unincorporated)

Initial Form Submitted
05/28/2009 05/07/2009 10/27/2008 4/12/2007
3/27/2006
11/14/2005
10/4/2005

Current Status
Complete Complete Complete Complete
Complete
Complete
Complete

20

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Existing Land Use

21

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 3.A

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

B. Previous Studies and Programs
An effective transportation plan accounts for previous planning efforts to ensure continuity between planning documents and to ensure that goals, objectives, and related projects recommended for the transportation system are consistent with the established community vision. Previous studies and planning documents have contributed to the established community vision and existing work program for Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro. To that end, the following planning studies and programs were considered as part of the LRTP development process:
GDOT 2008-2011 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) & 2008-2013 Construction Work Program (CWP)
GDOT Statewide Interstate System Plan (2004) Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan 2009-2029 (2009) City of Statesboro Comprehensive Master Plan 2009-2029 (2009) Bulloch Countys Land Use Plan (2006) Coastal Georgia Population Study (2006) Bulloch County Transportation Plan (2000) Coastal Georgia Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (2005) Bulloch County Transit Development Plan (2008)

GDOT's 2008 -2011 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) & 20082013 Construction Work Program (CWP)
Bulloch County has several planned and programmed improvements currently listed in the 2008-2011 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) & 2008-2013 Six-Year Construction Work Program (CWP). The following list highlights the general types of planned and programmed improvements for the County:
Bridge rehabilitation / replacement Bicycle and pedestrian enhancements Roadway widening New roadways Intersection improvements Railroad crossing warning improvements
The STIP was reviewed for specific projects impacting Bulloch County and its municipalities through 2035 and these projects are displayed in Table 3.B.1 on page 23. Additionally, these projects were given a study ID number and are mapped in Figure 3.B on page 24.

22

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 3.B.1 Bulloch County 2008 2011 STIP / 2008 2013 CWP

Project ID
0002842 0005829 0006077 0006091 0006631 0006632 0007027 0008076 0008078 0008298 0008397 0008424 0008618 521800
521970 522460 522830

Prime Work Type
BRIDGES
WIDENING INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT RRX WARNING
TE- BIKE/PED FACILITY
TE- BIKE/PED FACILITY BRIDGES
TE- BIKE/PED FACILITY

Description
CR 223/PORTAL HWY @ BIG BRANCH @ LOTTS CREEK SR 26/US 80 FM 5LN @ CR 491 TO CR 423/OLD LEE FIELD RD SR 46 @ SR 67/METTER ROAD @ SR 67 CS 656/EAST JONES AVE @ NS #620196H STATESBORO DOWNTOWN STREESCAPE ENHANCEMENT PHASE I
S & S GREENWAY
SR 119 @ OGEECHEE RIVER O/F CAMPUS GREENWAY MULTIUSE TRAIL - PHASE I

TE-LANDSCAPE/ CR 576 FM SR 67/N MAIN ST TO

BEAUTIFY

CS 619/COLLEGE ST - PHASE II

BRIDGES
OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT
WIDENING
WIDENING
WIDENING
ROADWAY PROJECT

CR 116/DELOACH CHURCH RD @ LOTTS CREEK SR 26/US 80 @ CR 340/BEASLEY ROAD/CAWANA RD
SR 73/US 301 @ SR 46
SR 67 BYPASS @ CR 142/PULASKI RD SR 73/US 301 FM PACKING HOUSE RD TO NORTH OF CR 445 &BRIDGE SR 26/STATESBORO FM SR 67/73/US 301 TO CS 802/LOVETT ST SR 67 FM 1-16 TO STATESBORO BYPASS STATESBORO N. BYPASS FROM SR26/US 80 EAST TO SR 73/US 301

Program
STIP, CWP STIP
STIP, CWP STIP, CWP STIP, CWP STIP, CWP
STIP STIP, CWP
STIP, CWP STIP, LR
STIP, CWP STIP, CWP STIP, CWP
LR
LR STIP, CWP
LR

Construction Date
2009 LR LUMP LUMP 2008 LUMP LR LUMP
LUMP LR
LUMP LUMP LUMP
LR
LR 2012 LR

23

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Planned & Programmed Projects

24

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 3.B

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

GDOT Statewide Interstate System Plan (2004)
Sponsored by GDOT, the Statewide Interstate System Plan was designed to comprehensively evaluate Georgias Interstate System, identifying necessary improvements and ultimately producing a prioritized program of projects to meet increasing traffic demands in order to ensure future statewide mobility. The study, completed in the summer of 2004, is organized into three phases and focuses primarily on the interstates outside of the metro Atlanta area. The study included analysis of I-16 in Bulloch County using the statewide travel demand model. The Interstate System Plan found that the performance of I-16 is adequate through the year 2035. Therefore no necessary improvements on I-16 have been identified at this time.
Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan 2009-2029 (2009)
The Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan provides a comprehensive review of the issues and opportunities that will affect the future growth of the community over the next 20 years. This analysis is based on a review and inventory of existing conditions, land use patterns, public policies, planned improvements, and an extensive community outreach process to establish and incorporate the desires of local citizens. This report is intended to meet the Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning as established by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) on May 1, 2005. Preparation of a Comprehensive Plan in accordance with these standards is an essential requirement in maintaining the Countys status as a Qualified Local Government. Table 3.B.2 below presents a summary of the Comprehensive Plan.

Table 3.B.2 Summary of Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan (2009-2029)

Key Data/Trends
Population
Commute Patterns
Employment by Sector

Description
US Bureau of Census 1980: 35,785 1990: 43,125 2000: 55,983 2005: 65,445 2010: 68,618 2015: 72,338

Bulloch County is a regional job center for many surrounding counties, while Chatham County is a regional job center for some Bulloch County residents. Of the 24, 238 employed residents of Bulloch County, 77.4% work in Bulloch County, 10.2% work in Chatham County and the remaining 12.4% work in other counties. 78.7% of the jobs in Bulloch County are filled by Bulloch County residents, 3.9% by residents of Screven County, 2.7% by residents of Candler County. Bulloch County sends more workers to Effingham and Chatham counties than it receives from those counties and receives more workers from all other counties than it sends.

Government

Goods Producing Services
29%

1990 25% 46%
27%

2006 17% 57%

25

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Key Data/Trends
Growth Areas in the County

Description
Residential
Single-family residences are located throughout Bulloch County, scattered along both major and minor roads.
Outside of the immediate surroundings of Georgia Southern University, unincorporated Bulloch County contains very few multi-family residences. There are a significant number of manufactured homes.
There has been growth in Bulloch County of small-scale residential developments. Smaller subdivision development is taking place in areas outside of the Statesboro bypass and in areas south of Brooklet, within reach of I-16.
Commercial
Commercial areas are concentrated in the Statesboro region. Outside of the City of Statesboro, significant commercial areas are located along U.S. 301, U.S. 80, SR 24 and SR 25.
The most recent major commercial development in Bulloch County has occurred near the U.S. 301 Bypass and Northside Drive at the eastern edge of the Statesboro City Limits. The U.S. 301 corridor between SR 46 and the Statesboro City Limits is an intensely developed commercial strip.
Industrial
The largest amount of industrial land use in Bulloch County is located along U.S. 301, both north and south of Statesboro.
Industries south of Statesboro, including a major Wal-Mart distribution facility, benefit from the proximity to I-16 while those on the north, such as Briggs and Stratton, are located near the airport.

TransportationRelated Issues and
Opportunities
Land Use Issues and Opportunities

High intensity uses are not concentrated along major corridors or activity centers that might facilitate public transportation.
Transportation corridors are congested. People lack transportation choices for access to daily goods and services. Streets are designed in ways that discourage pedestrian and bike activity. Streets in new developments are not connected to those in neighboring parts
of the community. On-street parking is inadequate.
Existing commercial strip development along major corridors lack character and discourages walking.
There are many undeveloped vacant sites in each town. There is no clear boundary where the town stops and the countryside
begins. A sufficient mix of uses is lacking within neighborhoods. There are not enough neighborhood centers to serve adjacent
neighborhoods.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

City of Statesboro Comprehensive Master Plan 2009-2029 (2009)
The City of Statesboro Comprehensive Master Plan provides a comprehensive review of the issues and opportunities that will affect the future growth of the City of Statesboro over the next 20 years. Like the County Comprehensive Plan, the analysis is based on a review and inventory of existing conditions, land use patterns, public policies, planned improvements, and an extensive community outreach process to establish and incorporate the desires of local citizens. This report is intended to meet the Standards and Procedures for Local Comprehensive Planning as established by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) on May 1, 2005. Preparation of a Comprehensive Plan in accordance with these standards is an essential requirement in maintaining the Citys status as a Qualified Local Government.
The following transportation related issues and opportunities relevant to the LRTP were identified by the Citys Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and members of the community during the plans outreach process:
Need for more bicycle and pedestrian enhancements including sidewalks, crosswalks, more pedestrian signage, landscaping along sidewalks.
Desire for bicycle and pedestrian access to businesses and sidewalk improvements to accommodate bicycle, stroller, and wheelchair access.
Need to alleviate congestion along Fair Road through cooperation between the City and Georgia Southern University (GSU).
Planted medians in turn lanes will improve the aesthetics of the City and calm traffic.
Neighborhoods need to be connected with safe bicycle and pedestrian routes along major roads and to all City schools.
A direct route is needed from the shopping mall to the college without having to drive through residential neighborhoods.
The transition from single family homes to student housing causes significant parking issues in these neighborhoods and needs to be addressed.
Public transportation is desired. GSU operates a bus system for faculty, students and staff which could provide a foundation for a public system throughout the community. The city should conduct a feasibility study to determine how the existing system could serve the general public.
New developments along arterial and collector streets require sidewalks and an expansion of that requirement would be beneficial throughout the transportation network.
Extending the McTell trail throughout the City and to the proposed County greenway would provide greater connectivity throughout the community.

27

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Land Use Plan (2006)

The Bulloch County Land Use Plan, updated in 2006, emphasizes preservation and enhancement of existing land uses along with growth. The plan builds upon the previous land use update for the County, completed in 1993. The land use plan stresses the importance of thinking about how development decisions impact the roadway transportation network, and references the recommendations established in the 2000 Bulloch County Transportation Plan. In addition to a functional classification system and recommendations for paving roadways throughout Bulloch County, it discusses opportunities that exist to improve the appearance and function of roadway corridors for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Designating scenic corridors is identified as a potential opportunity to exhibit aesthetic improvements of county-wide significance. Other transportation related suggestions include control of access points, and establishment of development permitting limits for non-residential uses along certain corridor types.

Coastal Georgia Population Study (2006)

As part of the 2006 Coastal Georgia Population Study, the Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia (CRC), in cooperation with Georgia Techs Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development (CQGRD), developed revised 2030 population projections for the 10-county coastal Georgia area that includes Bulloch County. The counties included in the study are: Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Screven. Motivation for this study came from a common perception between CRC and CQGRD that typical methods for population projections did not adjust for the unique context and recent growth trends of coastal Georgia.

According to the study, population growth in Bulloch County is projected to increase by 29% between 2000 (55,983) and 2015 (72,388). By 2030, the population is projected to reach 82,111 a 47% increase from the year 2000 population. This significant increase in population is attributed to the Countys high quality of life, location, quality school system, and continued business attraction and retention due to the student population of Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. The East Georgia Regional Medical Center is also spurring growth in business sectors and attracting a growing population of medical staff to the area. The addition of a proposed cultural and performing arts center in downtown Statesboro may continue to attract people to Bulloch County with additional entertainment offerings.

Bulloch County Transportation Plan (2000)

The previous transportation plan for Bulloch County was completed in 2000 with a study horizon year of 2025. The primary purpose of the study was to prepare a transportation plan for Bulloch County to ensure that the transportation infrastructure will be developed to sufficiently serve future mobility needs. Current and anticipated land use patterns were reviewed and used to determine future travel patterns. Public and intercity transportation, air service, rail service, over-the-road freight movement, and bicycle/pedestrian facilities were reviewed within Bulloch County.

The five following facilities were projected to experience an unacceptable degree of congestion by 2025:

SR 67 between Statesboro and 1-16 US 301 between Statesboro and SR 46

28

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

SR 24 east of Statesboro US 80 between Statesboro and Brooklet I-16 east of Arcola Road
Recommendations were developed to ensure a consistent approach to addressing current and future deficiencies. Recommendations were also made for traffic impact analysis and for requirements in the development permitting process. Intersection and roadway upgrades were recommended to accommodate specific developments or to improve general deterioration. Traffic signage improvements were recommended along with rumble strip replacement. Specific projects recommended for Bulloch County included:
Paving all arterial and collector facilities Installing a flashing beacon at the intersection of Sinkhole Rd and Union Church Rd Make safety improvements in the Southeast Bulloch High School and Portal High
School areas Construct passing lanes on US 80 between Statesboro and Brooklet Upgrade the railroad crossing in Register Widen SR 67 from Burkhalter Rd to I-16 Upgrade the intersection of SR 119 and SR 119C

Additional Studies
Additional studies, including the Bulloch County Transit Development Plan, the Coastal Georgia Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and the Bulloch County Greenways Plan, are reviewed in Section C Public Transportation beginning on page 30, and Section I Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities beginning on page 50.

29

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

C. Public Transportation
The Coastal CRC Regional Commission (CRC) of Georgia conducted two studies, in recent years, which pertain to transit in Bulloch County and the 10-county coastal Georgia region; the Regional Plan for Rural and Public Transportation in 2005, and the Bulloch County Transit Development Plan in 2008. These studies examined current and future projected transit need in the region, in the City of Statesboro, and in Bulloch County and evaluated ways to possibly integrate and coordinate existing transportation services. The section below presents existing transportation services and conditions in Bulloch County. It also presents the CRCs new Regional Rural and Coordinated Public Transportation System (proposed by the 2005 Regional Plan, mentioned above) as well as findings from the CRCs 2008 Bulloch County Transit Development Plan. Transit issues and opportunities expressed by the Bulloch County Study Advisory Committee, the public, the CRC, the Department of Human Resources Transportation Services, and Georgia Southern University are also summarized in this section.
Existing Transit Services
Bulloch County does not currently participate in the 5311 Rural Transit Program the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Program which provides funding assistance for public transit in rural areas to enhance access to health care, shopping, education, employment, public services, and recreation. Independent transit services, however, are available in the county and include the GSU Southern Express Transit System and the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Coordinated Transportation System, which serves county residents who are clients of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Each of these systems is described below.
Georgia Southern University Southern Express
Georgia Southern University operates Southern Express, a fixed-route, fixed-schedule transit service which transports students between the GSU campus and designated parking facilities, with limited connectivity to apartment buildings near the campus. The system consists of eight buses which operate on one circulating route consisting of seven stops, as shown in Figure 3.C on page 32. The route originates at Paulson Stadium, where the parking lot serves as a "park and ride" lot for students commuting to campus. From there, the route continues left onto Lanier Drive, making two stops for Cambridge, College Park, University Pines, and Eagle Village Apartments. The route continues left onto Georgia Avenue stopping at the University Book Store/Russell Student Union, and then proceeds left onto Forest Drive with a stop near Plant Drive. The bus then heads to the circular driveway area in front of the College of Education and the Chemistry/Nursing Buildings. From there, the route continues down Akins Boulevard, stopping at the Recreation Activities Center (RAC) before returning to Paulson Stadium via Malecki Drive.
Southern Express buses depart from Paulson Stadium every three to four minutes between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and every 15 minutes between 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Service ends on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and no weekend service is currently available. All Southern Express buses run on compressed natural gas (CNG), a clean alternative fuel. CNG buses cost more to operate, but they generate less exhaust and greenhouse gases than gasoline and diesel buses.

30

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

The GSU Southern Express transit system currently provides 1.3 to 1.5 million passenger trips per year. Specific figures for the number of students served are difficult to estimate as most students use the service several times per day. The transit system is funded by the $90 annual student transportation fee charged to students taking more than 4 hours of coursework.
GSU has a shortage of parking facilities, particularly for students who live off-campus and must commute to school. Based on the 2009 parking data, the University estimates that there is a daily demand for 12,000 parking spaces, but there are only 8,000 spaces available in the campus core. The Southern Express system does help to ease this shortage. All students are allowed to park at Paulson Stadium free of charge (no permit required) and use the shuttle to get to the center of campus. The University allocates four to five-hundred parking spaces at Paulson Stadium for transit parking.
In July 2008, GSU completed a Campus Transit Master Plan which addresses vehicular circulation, parking, and transit needs to the year 2024. The Plan proposes expanding the current transit service to include SR67/Fair Road between Herty Drive and Tillman Road, Tillman Road to GSUs "Sweetheart Circle" on Southern Drive, Forest Drive to Old Register Road, and Old Register Road to Malecki Drive via the Recreation Activity Center. This expanded route will provide students with increased access to the GSU Administrative offices, the student recreation facilities and ball fields, and to apartments and commercial establishments on SR67 and Tillman Road.

31

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Figure 3.C

Georgia Southern University Current Southern Express Transit Route

Source: Georgia Southern University www.georgiasouthern.edu.

32

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

The Department of Human Resources Coordinated Transportation System
The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Coordinated Transportation System provides transit to eligible recipients or "clients" of DHR services. Individuals qualify for DHR transportation services if they meet specific eligibility criteria and if space is available in DHR programs provided by their county service centers (which vary across counties and service centers, depending on funding). The Coastal Regional Commission (CRC) serves as the administrator for the regional system which serves Bulloch, Screven, Effingham, Bryan, Chatham, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden Counties. In Bulloch County specifically, the system provides clients of the Area Agency on Aging and the Division of Family and Childrens Services with trips to a variety of destinations within the 10-county service area. These transportation services are available only to eligible clients and are limited to specific trip purposes (i.e. trips to the senior center, medical appointments, job training, etc.).
The DHR Coordinated System operates as a demand-response service, that is, the particular DHR agency schedules trips in advance with a third party transportation provider. In FY 08 (July 2007 to June 2008) two third-party providers operated in Bulloch County. Concerted Services, Inc. served as the Area Agency on Aging provider for trips primarily to and from the senior center for meals and socialization, and for a limited number of trips to medical appointments and shopping destinations. Concerted Services also provided Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) clients with trips associated with job searches and with trips to child care. The second third-party provider, Pineland Community Services Board, also provided services for DFCS clients, primarily those who are clients in DHR residential treatment centers. The total number of trips provided to Bulloch County residents by the DHR Coordinated Transportation System in FY08 is shown below in Table 3.C.1:

Table 3.C.1 FY'08 Bulloch County DHR Coordinated Transportation System Trips

DHR Agency
Area Agency on Aging
DFCS
DFCS-Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Total Trips Source: CRC, Coordinated Transportation Trip Usage by County, FY'08 (July 1, 2007 June 30, 2008)

Number of Trips
9,385 11,474 16,500 37,359

TF & S Transport is the new third-party provider for Bulloch County DHR Aging and DFCS clients for Fiscal Year 09 (July 2008 to June 2009). TF & S Transport also provides transportation for Bulloch County Medicaid clients as well as transportation to employment for a small number (approximately 200) of permanently disabled workers under the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) Rehabilitative Service Program. This program provides limited transportation services to Georgia DOL clients who by definition have a permanent disability, an impediment to employment, and a desire to work.

33

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Existing Opportunities for Transit
The New Regional Rural and Coordinated Public Transportation System
In FY'09, the CRC implemented the Regional Rural and Coordinated Public Transportation Program in its 10-county region. The program is the third pilot project of such initiated by the GDOT Office of Intermodal Programs and is designed to provide a demand-response, advance reservation service that coordinates human services transportation (DHR) and rural, public transportation (5311) into one seamless, coordinated system that offers rural, public transportation for all residents, for any purpose, to any destination within the coastal region. The rural public system is designed to be a "feeder" system into the urbanized areas of the region, connecting to urban systems in Hinesville, Savannah, and Brunswick. Thus, for example, residents living in one county can reserve a trip to Savannah for a medical appointment or a cultural event, and so forth. The State of Georgia's budget shortfall delayed the expected start of the rural transit service in early 2009, however, its amended budget mid-year 2009 has allowed GDOT funding to be released to the CRC, with rural transit service expected to begin in July 2010 (FY'10).
The Program is structured to consolidate multiple funding resources which will reduce its overall costs. Funding will come from state and federal grants (FTA Section 5311 funds and DHR Purchase of Service funds), city and county match dollars, and the public transit ridership fares. Each county's share of total cost is based on the respective county's percentage of non-urban population within the entire 10-county region. Since the program is a rural transportation program, only non-urban areas can participate.
The Regional Rural and Coordinated Public Transportation Program is a voluntary initiative. Each county and/or city decides, via commission or council vote, whether or not to participate, and there is an annual renewal process which allows localities to opt out of the program if needed. The CRC is providing a financial incentive for counties to participate during the program's 5-year phase-in by funding participating counties' capital costs (vans, lift equipment, computers, etc), thus providing a low-cost transit start-up opportunity for the local governments. GDOT funds a portion of these capital costs, with the CRC paying the match with funds allocated from its transportation budget.
Bulloch County elected not to participate in the Program for FY'09 due to funding constraints. Bulloch's share of local match, for FY'09, would have been $58,700, comprised of $48,000 local share plus $10,700 local farebox (which the county is obligated to subsidize if ridership fares are insufficient) (Source: CRC, October 2008).
Bulloch County still has the option to operate the 5311 Rural Transit Program independent of the Regional Rural and Coordinated Public Transportation Program. The local match required by Bulloch County, under this scenario, is $241,077 comprised of a $197,245 local share plus $43,832 local farebox, which the county is obligated to subsidize if ridership fares are insufficient. These figures do not include capital expenses for vans, lifts, equipment, computers, etc. (Source: CRC, October 2008)

34

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County 2008 Transit Development Plan
Statesboro and its surrounding area are expected to reach a population of greater than 50,000 in the 2010 U.S. Census. This means that the greater Statesboro area will be classified as an urbanized area and may be required to designate a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to be responsible for overall transportation planning. If this occurs, Statesboro will be eligible for transportation funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 Program of assistance for small urban areas while any portion of Bulloch County outside of the MPO area will continue to qualify for FTA Section 5311 Rural Transit funding. In light of this, the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center, working with KFH Group Inc., completed the Bulloch County Transit Development Plan in June 2008 to examine transit alternatives for Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, and Georgia Southern University which would accommodate all transportation needs versus those that could be met by the typical rural transit system. This study focused on fixed-route options for the greater Statesboro area that could be interconnected with any rural transit services in the county and with the existing GSU transit system. The established goals for the study were thus to develop a service plan that would address:
University needs; General public needs in Statesboro; General public needs in the rural county areas; Human services transportation needs (DHR); and Ways to integrate these services with the new 10-county Regional Rural and
Coordinated Transportation System.
The Study examined the transit needs in the county from a variety of angles. First, it looked at population segments (from the 2000 US Census) most likely to require alternative mobility options. Second, the study identified major trip generators, origins and destinations, which both transit dependent persons and "by choice" riders might frequent. These included locations of high density housing, major employers, medical facilities, educational facilities, human services agencies, local and state services, daycares, shopping districts, restaurants, and the airport. Third, the study conducted a random telephone survey of 279 Bulloch County households (out of 20,743 households in the county) which probed travel patterns and needs, the availability of drivers' licenses and vehicles, pertinent demographic data, areas of traffic congestion, and desired public transit service characteristics. Based on the findings from these three components, the Transit Development Study established a number of key findings that indicate future opportunities for a transit system within the County.
Transit-Related Issues and Opportunities
A number of transit-related issues and opportunities were captured from the Bulloch County Study Advisory Committee, the public, and stakeholders including the CRC, DHR Transportation Services, and Georgia Southern University during the Study's existing conditions collection and data analysis process. These points are summarized below and will be further examined throughout the course of the Study.
The City and County has expressed the desire for an additional demand assessment as funding becomes available to further ascertain that a rural transit system is justified and that ridership would support the local government farebox obligation.

35

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Any public transportation services offered in Bulloch County should be open to the general public, and be attractive, high-quality service that anyone in the county would see as a potential option if they needed a ride.
The CRC and the DHR Region 12 Transportation Services Office and additional analysis conducted as part of the LRTP effort find that, despite the services provided by the DHR Coordinated System, there is still unmet transportation need in Bulloch County. The lack of 5311 Rural Transit further compounds this need. Specifically: o Persons who need client transportation programs to reach training or employment under DHR programs lose these benefits when they leave the program for employment, and there is no public transportation to allow them to continue to work on their own.
o Clients who do have transportation under these programs likely also need transportation for daily life activities such as shopping, work, personal business, medical trips, etc.
o Funding for the Area Agency on Aging is limited and only able to provide trips to the senior center and, on a limited basis, to medical appointments and to shopping. Transportation to shopping and doctors appointment was the need most citied by senior citizens throughout the coastal region at a series of public meetings conducted by the Area Agency on Aging in early 2006.
o There is need for transportation to medical trips (not just by the elderly and not just those eligible for Medicaid) including both local and out-ofcounty trips.
o There is a need for other employment trips to link low-income areas with new employment in outlying areas.
According to the CRC, Bulloch County can realize significant cost savings by participating in the Regional Rural and Coordinated Public Transportation System during its five-year phase-in period as the CRC and GDOT will fund the capital costs of the program.
If the County becomes classified as an urbanized area in the 2010 U.S. Census as expected, it will become eligible for transportation funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307 Program of assistance for small urban areas. This change will create new opportunities and challenges for transit solutions which address fixed-route needs in the urbanized area along with rural transit demand in the county.
The growth of Georgia Southern University continues to exert pressure on its existing transit and parking facilities. Specifically: o The GSU student population is expected to continue growing in future years. The University increased by 1,000 students this year to an enrollment of 17,600, with only 3,500 students living on campus. This growth will spawn new apartment developments in the Statesboro area and an increased need for parking and transit facilities.
o To accommodate growth, the University has had to close some parking facilities for new building development, increasing the need for expanded

36

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

transit facilities. Currently, there is a daily need for 12,000 parking spaces but only 8,000 spaces are available in the campus core.
o Students without cars have trouble getting to off-campus activities, such as the shopping district, the mall, the Savannah or Atlanta Airports, or to the Atlanta area. The University is interested in expanding transit services off campus to circulate into the community and in identifying potential ridership for this type of service. GSU is also interested in possible City/County partnerships to better accommodate transit needs.
o GSU is currently hampered in expanding transit and parking facilities simultaneously. Expanding one makes funding for the other smaller. The University is looking for funding sources to finance new parking facilities and decks recommended in the recently completed Campus Master Plan.

D. Commuter Patterns and Transportation Options

Bulloch County Workflows and Commute Times

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, seventy-seven percent (77%) of Bulloch County residents who worked did so in Bulloch County, exceeding the statewide average of 58% and the U.S. average of 73%. Table 3.D.1 below shows workplace flows for Bulloch County residents in 2000.

Table 3.D.1 Bulloch County Residents Workplace Locations

Workplace Location
Bulloch County Chatham County Effingham County Evans County Screven County Emanuel County Bryan County Candler County Jenkins County 57 remaining counties
Total
Source: 2000 U.S. Census.

Number of Workers
18,778 2,474 328 286 273 218 188 170 148 1,385 24,248

Percent
77.4% 10.2% 1.4% 1.2% 1.1% 0.9% 0.8% 0.7% 0.6% 5.7% 100%

The majority of Bulloch County workers experience minimal commute times to work. In Statesboro, commute times are even more favorable, as shown on in Table 3.D.2 below:

37

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 3.D.2 Commute Times for Bulloch County and Statesboro Workers

Commute Times to Work

Percentage of Workers

Bulloch County

Statesboro

Traveled less than 15 minutes to work Traveled 15 to 29 minutes to work Traveled 30 minutes or more to work Total
Source: 2000 U.S. Census.

43% 31% 26% 100%

66% 18% 16% 100%

The majority of Bulloch County residents traveled to work in their personal vehicles. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 73% traveled alone in their cars, 15% carpooled, 6% walked, 3% worked at home, and the remaining 3% used alternative modes (bus, taxi, etc.).

The entire Bulloch County workforce is comprised of the 18,778 residents from Bulloch County as well as 5,069 workers from 94 other counties to total 23,847 workers in all. Table 3.D.3 below shows the county of residence for this group of 5,069 people who commute into Bulloch County to work each day.

Table 3.D.3 Bulloch County Workforce County of Residence

County of Residence
Screven County Candler County Jenkins County Evans County Tattnall County Emanuel County Chatham County Bryan County Effingham County 91 remaining counties Total Bulloch County workers from other counties
Source: 2000 U.S. Census.

Number of Workers
923 653 401 352 336 304 262 236 177 1,425 5,069

Percent
18.2% 12.9% 8.0% 6.9% 6.6% 6.0% 5.2% 4.6% 3.5% 28.1% 100%

38

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Commuter Transportation Options
The Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center implemented a regional vanpool service in FY09 for its 10-county region, using FTA Section 5316 Job Access Reverse Commute funds which help to provide transportation to employment opportunities particularly for, but not limited to, low-income households and welfare recipients. The vanpool program will be available to every resident who lives or works in the 10-county coastal region whose employer participates in/contributes to the program. As of June 2009, the CRC has received funding from GDOT for the program and is in the process of contracting with VPSI Inc., a national vanpool company, to provide vans for the program, with the expectation that the program will be operational by July 2010. The CRC is also working with GDOT to establish "park and ride" rideshare locations to accommodate parking needs. Under the program, five to 15 employees of a participating employer who live near each other can organize into a vanpool. The employees decide the vanpool hours, where to meet, and designate two to three drivers who rotate driving duties. The cost of ridership is spread over the number of employees in a van, so a van with 15 riders will realize lower ridership cost than a van with 5 riders. The program also guarantees riders a trip home if a situation arises during the workday which necessitates needing to get home, such as a child getting sick.
The vanpool program will help to address workplace commute needs of county residents which cannot be satisfactorily met under the typical 5311-Rural Transportation Program. The vanpool program will provide convenient, reliable, low-cost transportation to and from work for those with participating employers that does not have to be scheduled a day in advance or within restricted hours as under the 5311 Program. The vanpool program will also allow commute to work transportation that crosses county lines, so that, for example, a group of people living in Bulloch County who work for a company in Chatham County can form a vanpool to share the cost of ridership.
The program will also provide economic development advantages. Employers who participate will benefit from having a consistent, reliable workforce and a larger labor pool from which to hire employees. They will also receive tax incentives for their financial contributions, on behalf of their employees, to the program. The region as a whole will benefit from the program as well. A larger, more accessible labor pool will likely attract new business and industry to the region. The program will also lower the number of vehicles on the roads, reducing wear and tear on the roads, and will help to reduce local traffic congestion in the region.

39

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

E. Freight Movement
The identification of freight generators, freight corridors and preservation of freight mobility is a key component of the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP. In Bulloch County, the Gateway Regional Industrial Park, located three miles south of the City of Statesboro, is the major manufacturing and warehousing center, which contributes to high volumes of truck traffic on US 301 and I-16. According to the travel demand model analysis conducted as part of this study, about 20 percent of the traffic volume on US 301 is trucks. The US 301 corridor was designated as a route for oversized trucks by the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA), a federal highway program currently administrated by GDOT. This corridor is also part of the National Highway System (NHS). Other NHS corridors include I-16, US 25 Bypass, US 301 Bypass and SR 73. A map of the major roadway freight facilities in Bulloch County can be found in Figure 3.E.1 on page 41.
Freight Rail
The Georgia Midland Railroad was formed in 2004 with the acquisition of Ogeechee Railway Company by Atlantic Western Transportation (AWT) of Americus, Georgia. Georgia Midland operates two to four trains per day through Bulloch County on a 32-mile route which runs between Metter (in Candler County), Statesboro (Bulloch County), and Dover (in Screven County). In Dover, Georgia Midland connects to the Norfolk Southern Railroad network which serves the Eastern US and, specifically, the Port of Savannah, Macon, and Atlanta rail hubs. In addition to its Metter to Dover line, Georgia Midland operates lines between Roberta and Perry, and Sylvania and Ardmore. These lines, along with that of its AWT-owned sister railroad, Heart of Georgia Railroad (HOG), are shown in Figure 3.E.2 on page 42.
Georgia Midland Railroad is a shortline railroad that operates over a relatively short distance and exists to link industries together that require freight rail. The Georgia Midland Metter to Dover line through Bulloch County transports between 1,800 to 2,000 carloads and 190,000 to 220,000 tons of cargo per year. The freight consists primarily of rock and aggregate (70%), dimensional lumber (12%), grain (8%), fertilizers and farm products (8%), and other products (2%). Georgia Midland serves a number of customers in Bulloch County, including Reeves Construction, Claude Howard Lumber, Bulloch Fertilizer, Kennedy Concrete, Statesboro Grain, Stubbs Recycling, Southern States COOP, Southeast Aggregate, and Tillman and Deal.
Georgia Midland Railroad had anticipated significant increases in rail freight movement in Bulloch County in 2009 when A-1 Action, a new scrap metal business located in Metter, was expected to begin carrying an estimated 600 to 1,200 carloads through the County per year. A1 Actions activity alone was expected to increase the number of trains through the County by two to four per week. The economic climate in 2009, however, has slowed scrap metal markets resulting in A-1 Action transporting approximately five carloads of material per month through Bulloch County versus the over 50 to 100 carloads the Railroad had anticipated.
The Statesboro Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce actively works to attract rail customers to Bulloch County. Future growth in rail is expected to be modest over the next two to five years, with the hope that one or two good rail shippers will locate in Bulloch County.

40

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Freight Transportation Facilities

41

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 3.E.1

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Figure 3.E.2

Atlanta Western Transportation Railroads - Georgia Midland Railroad and Heart of Georgia Railroad

Source: Georgia Midland Railroad www.gmrail.com, 2008

42

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

F. Rail Crossings
Bulloch County has 73 railroad crossings, all of which are at-grade. There are 49 public railroad crossings, while 24 are private railroad crossings. All of the crossings in the County meet minimum safety standards. The railroad has an east-west spur line off of its north-south main line in downtown Statesboro at US301 and SR67. The east-west spur extends from Williams Street southeast to Zetterower Avenue and currently serves Bulloch Fertilizer.
Multiple crossings along the Georgia Midland line experience heavy vehicle traffic volume. Table 3.F.1 below presents Bulloch County rail crossings with the highest Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT).
Table 3.F.1 Bulloch County Rail Crossings with Highest AADT

Rail Crossing and Location

AADT

Crossing # 620179P on the rail spur at SR 67/Fair Road

20,250

Crossing # 620182A on the rail spur at SR 67/Fair Road

20,250

Crossing # 620181T on the rail spur at Zetterower Avenue

11,943

Crossing # 620176W on the rail spur at Zetterower Avenue

11,943

Crossing # 620198W on the main rail line at Main and Brannen Street

9,500

Source: Federal Railroad Administration, 2008; GDOT State and Traffic Report System (STARS), 2008.

Rail Crash Data
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Safety Analysis, reports 11 accidents which involved trains at rail crossings in Bulloch County, based on the latest data available for the 22 year period between 1975 and 2007. Since 2003, 3 crashes have occurred at the crossing locations highlighted in Table 3.F.2 on page 44.

43

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 3.F.2 Bulloch County FRA Railroad Crossing Accident Data, 2000 to 2007, Latest Available Data (Crashes Involving Trains)

Crossing ID
620204X

Location

City or

Date of

Community Incident

Lakeside Drive Statesboro 01/17/05

Highway User
Involved

Position of
Highway User

Injuries

Auto

Moving over
Crossing

None

620155D

Clito Road

Clito

06/07/04

Pick-up Truck

Moving over
Crossing

620202J

US 301/US 25 Bypass

Statesboro

10/28/03

Auto

Moving over
Crossing

Source: Federal Railroad Administration Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Report, 2008

None None

The GDOT Office of Safety and Design maintains crash data as reported by local law enforcement. This data does not include the incidences involving trains as reported in Table 3.F.2 above. Based on the latest available data for the period from 2004 to 2007, 13 vehicular crashes have been reported at rail crossings in Bulloch County, none involving injuries or fatalities, which are shown in the Table 3.F.3 on page 45.

44

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 3.F.3 Bulloch County Railroad Crossing Crash Data, 2004 to 2007 (Crashes Not Involving Trains)

Crossing ID

Location

City or Community

Date of Incident(s)

Manner of Collision Injuries

620197P

SR 67/Fair Rd.

620173B

East Grady St.

Statesboro Statesboro

08/31/07
10/10/06 05/19/05 06/03/04 01/08/04
05/04/06

Motor Vehicle in Motion/Angle

None

Motor Vehicle in Motion/Angle

None

Collision with a deer

None

620182A

SR 67/Fair Rd

Statesboro

02/03/05

02/05/04

620176W

Zetterower Ave.

Statesboro

03/03/06

620165J

SR 26

Statesboro

10/31/05

620202J 620181T

US 301 Bypass
Zetterower Ave.

Statesboro Statesboro

04/27/04 12/06/04

620155D

Clito Rd.

Clito

06/07/04

Source: Georgia DOT Office of Traffic Safety and Design, October 2008

Collision with a utility pole None

Motor Vehicle in Motion/Angle
Motor Vehicle in Motion/Rear End
Collision with a Fixed Object
Motor Vehicle in Motion/Rear End
Motor Vehicle in Motion/Rear End
Motor Vehicle in Motion/Angle

None None None None None None

45

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Rail Accident Prediction

The Federal Railroad Administration Web Accident Prediction System (WBAPS) is a computer model which provides an analytical tool, which when combined with other site-specific information, can assist state and local rail and highway officials in selecting particular public, atgrade crossings which may require physical safety improvements or enhancements. The WBAPS computes a rail crossing collision value, based upon two independent factors (obtained from the FRAs inventory and accident/incident files) which include: 1) basic data about a crossings physical and operating characteristics; and 2) five years of accident history data at the crossing. This predicted collision value is the probability that a collision between a train and a highway vehicle will occur at the crossing in a year. The information produced by the WBAPS does not state that specific crossings are the most dangerous, but rather provides an indication that conditions are such that one crossing may possibly be more hazardous than another based on the specific data in the program. It should be noted that there are certain characteristics which are not included in the WBAPS database. These include sight-distance, highway congestion, bus or hazardous material traffic, local topography, and passenger exposure (train or vehicle). It should also be noted that, according to the FRA, the WBAPS is subject to data errors which might result in erroneous, inaccurate, and non-current data which can alter predicted collision values. The WBAPS is not the sole indicator of the condition of a specific public highway-rail intersection, but is designed to nominate crossings for further evaluation.

Bulloch County railroad crossings with the highest WBAPS computed predicted collision values are shown in Table 3.F.4 below. These crossings are further examined for potential needed safety improvements in Chapter 6, Section E.

Table 3.F.4 FRA Web Accident Prediction System Bulloch County Crossings with the Highest Predicted Collision Values

Crossing ID
620155D

Location
Clito Rd.

City or Community
Clito

Rank
1

Predicted Collision Value
4.3%

620204X

Lakeside Dr.

Unincorporated Statesboro

2

4.3%

620202J US 301 Bypass Statesboro

3

4.1%

620181T Zetterower Rd. Statesboro

4

3.3%

620176W Zetterower Rd. Statesboro

5

2.7%

Source: Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Analysis Web Accident Prediction System, 2008

AADT
150 60 80 11,943 11,943

46

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Planned Rail Improvements
Two railroad improvement projects are listed for Bulloch County in GDOTs 2008-2013 Construction Work Program. A description of these improvements and their current status is listed in Table 3.F.5 below:
Table 3.F.5 Bulloch County Construction Work Program Railroad Improvement Projects

CWP Project
ID

Work Type

Work Description Location

Phase

Status

0006091

Railroad Crossing Warning Device

Upgrade crossbucks to gates, lights, and
bell with a cantilevered light unit
on one approach

Crossing #620196H
at East Jones Avenue

Construction

On Hold operating shortline railroad
changed ownership from Ogeechee RR to
Georgia Midland RR

571390

Railroad Crossing Warning Device

Upgrade crossbucks to gates, lights and
bell

Crossing

#620214D at Main

Construction

Street

On Hold operating shortline railroad
changed ownership from Ogeechee RR to
Georgia Midland RR

Source: Georgia Department of Transportation, Construction Work Program, 2008 - 2013

Local Rail Concerns
The Study Advisory Committee noted the crossings in Bulloch County, as identified below:
The rail crossings on the Georgia Midland Railroad main line and on the spur line which cross in downtown at the junction of US301 and SR67 (Crossing #620198W and #620197P) are dangerous from a geometry perspective. Vehicles maneuvering turns in the intersection can become stopped on the rail line. Additionally, the warning device hardware is currently placed so that the train has to slow down or stop and wait for the gates to drop down before entering the intersection. The hardware needs to be extended further away from the intersection to allow the warning gates to drop well before the train gets near the intersection.
The rail crossings on the spur line facing Rackley Street are in possible need of safety upgrades (lights, gates).
These railroad crossing issues along with rail crossings identified above with crash and safety incidence will be further examined for possible improvement recommendations.

47

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

G. Intercity and Commuter Rail
The Georgia Rail Passenger Program (GRPP), a joint initiative between GDOT, Georgia Passenger Rail Authority (GRPA), and Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) has proposed future intercity rail between Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah. Intercity rail service is defined as high-speed train service between major cities with two to three trains per day and few stops to minimize travel time. The 2006 Program calls for three daily express intercity trains to operate each way on an initial route between Atlanta and Macon, with a stop in Griffin, by the year 2015. Capital costs are estimated at $58 million on this initial route which is expected to carry 275,000 passengers.
The Macon to Savannah route is projected to open two years after the Atlanta to Macon route becomes operational. This route would utilize either the existing Norfolk Southern line to Jesup and the CSX line from Jesup to Savannah, or the existing Georgia Central Railroad line between Macon and Savannah. Initial capital costs are estimated at $302 million, with 551,000 passengers expected to use the service. High speed passenger rail service between Savannah and Jacksonville is also proposed as part of the Vision for High-Speed Rail in America, developed as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. No detailed study has been performed to date on this connection. These services, if implemented, would provide Bulloch County residents and GSU students with the option of traveling to Jesup or Savannah to board a passenger train to transport them to the Atlanta, Macon, or Jacksonville areas. At this point in time, the GRPP does not propose active commuter rail directly to Bulloch County.
Passenger rail in the coastal region is currently limited to Amtraks Silver Service/Palmetto route which serves the Savannah and Jesup areas with routes between New York, Washington DC, Columbia, Charleston, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.

48

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

H. Airport Facilities
Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport is the primary airport within Bulloch County. The StatesboroBulloch County Airport is jointly owned by Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro and is operated by the county. The Airport is located on 935 acres approximately four miles northeast of Statesboro on US Highway 301 / Georgia Highway 73. Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport is classified as a Level III Business Airport of Regional Impact by the State of Georgia Aviation System Plan, which classifies airports on the basis of runway length and width, lighting systems, visual aids, approach systems, and general aviation facilities and services. Other private airstrips in Bulloch County are located off Womack Road near Portal, between Harville Road and SR67 south of Statesboro, and off Rushing Road west of Brooklet.
Commercial airport needs in Bulloch County are met by the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, located approximately 50 miles southeast of Statesboro. Savannah/Hilton Head International offers commercial jet service, corporate/business jet use, and military aviation. Its facilities include a 275,000 square foot commercial terminal building, a 16,883 square foot general aviation terminal building with fuel concessions, and an international customs service.
The Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport accommodates a variety of aviation-related activities including general aviation/recreational flying (70%), corporate/business jet aviation (20%), and forestry, police/law enforcement, experimental aircraft, and aerial photography and surveying aviation (five to 10%). There were 19,120 takeoffs and landings in 2006. The Airport opened a corporate hangar in January 2008 with two hangar spaces, both immediately occupied. Citation and Lear jet aircraft utilize the facility along with King Air Turbo Prop planes. The Airport expects corporate and business travel to become a significant component of its aviation activity in coming years.
Statesboro-Bulloch has two runways. Runway 14/32 is 6,001 feet long and 100 feet wide with high intensity runway lighting, precision approach path indicator lights, and a full parallel taxiway with medium intensity lighting. The secondary runway, Runway 5/23 is 4,381 feet long by 100 feet wide. The Airport has a 4,200 square foot terminal/administrative building, a maintenance facility, and a 24-hour self-service AvGas and jet fuel facility. There are 49 hangar spaces, 30 apron parking spaces, and 30 auto parking spaces. Figure 3.H on page 50 shows a schematic layout of Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport.
Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport completed an update to its Airport Layout Plan (ALP) in December 2008. The ALP provides a "blueprint" for the airport for the next ten years. With input from the Airport, Bulloch County, as part of its 2008-2009 Comprehensive Land Use Planning initiatives, will be assessing appropriate zoning and land use controls for the airport vicinity that are consistent with the business and commercial development opportunities anticipated in light of the airports expected future growth.
The Airport updated its Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan in late 2008. Focus is given to accommodating the growing corporate business aviation activity, improving existing facilities, and in further developing new charter jet services. Specific improvements planned for 2009 include installing security fencing and completing pavement rejuvenation of the airports ramps (runway pavement rejuvenation was completed in 2008).

49

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Figure 3.H

Statesboro/Bulloch County Airport

Source: Georgia Department of Transportation-Aviation, 2008

I. Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities are an important part of a multimodal transportation system designed to efficiently move people. It is important to consider that everyone is a pedestrian at one point in almost every trip, even if the primary mode of travel for a trip involves a personal vehicle or transit. Sidewalks are an important element along roadways near local activity centers such as schools, libraries, commercial centers, and public recreation areas which attract significant pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Crosswalks at roadway intersections in areas with pedestrian activity should be utilized to minimize conflicts between motor vehicles and pedestrians. This section provides a summary of previous bicycle and pedestrian planning efforts and an outline of issues to consider during the development of future transportation system alternatives.

50

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

To help reduce the overall costs of infrastructure development for a bicycle and pedestrian network, new local facilities should be implemented concurrent with subdivision development and local policy standards. Recommendations for development of a county wide system for bicyclists and pedestrians will focus on connectivity with the existing designated bicycle routes, system of sidewalks, neighborhood streets, and pathway connections.
Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Network
The City of Statesboro maintains a partially developed sidewalk network in the downtown and residential areas of the City as determined by field review of these areas. The three smaller communities of Brooklet, Portal, and Register also have core sidewalk networks. The networks in these four areas could be expanded to better connect residents to activity centers within these communities. There are very few sidewalks outside of these incorporated communities.
A greenway trail called the McTell Trail has been constructed in the City of Statesboro. The trail begins at Fair Road Park and runs north to North Main Street linking Georgia Southern University to downtown. The University also has a well-developed internal system of facilities for walking and biking.
The Georgia Department of Transportation has designated a State Bicycle Route network consisting of fourteen routes throughout the state. Figure 3.I.1 on page 52 displays the Georgia State Bicycle Route Network. Two of those identified routes, March to the Sea and TransGeorgia, traverse Bulloch County. The March to the Sea route begins in Rossville in Dade County in the far northwest corner of the state and terminates in Savannah. This route enters northwest Bulloch County following Rocky Ford Road, Old River Road, and Lakeview Road into downtown Statesboro. It then travels south to SR 67 and continues along SR 67 until it converges with the TransGeorgia Route at the intersection of SR 46 near Denmark. The Bulloch County portion of the March to the Sea Route is approximately 44 miles long. The second State Bicycle Route located in Bulloch County, the TransGeorgia Route, begins in Lee County just north of Columbus and terminates in Savannah. This route runs along SR 46 across southern Bulloch County for approximately 29 miles. As part of the implementation strategy of the State Bicycle Routes Network Plan, GDOT has been signing the routes as State Bicycle Routes, while also adding paved shoulders or bike lanes to these routes during regularly scheduled road widening or major reconstruction. The two identified routes in Bulloch have not been signed by GDOT to date.

51

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Figure 3.I.1

Georgia State Bicycle Route Network

Source: GDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 1997

52

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bicycle and Pedestrian Crash Data
The most recent statistics for bicycle and pedestrian crashes (2005-2008) were examined to offer insight into safety concerns for bicyclists and pedestrians traveling in Bulloch County. During this period, there were 16 bicycle or pedestrian crashes with no injuries, 56 crashes with injuries, and 2 crashes resulting in fatalities. The majority of the injuries (89 percent) were concentrated in the City of Statesboro and the two fatalities occurred at the intersections of US 301 and SR 46 and on I-16 respectively. The locations of bicycle and pedestrian crashes are shown in Figure 3.I.2 on page 54. These crash locations will be examined in the field to identify any changes that can be implemented to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.
.

53

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Locations

54

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 3.I.2

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Programmed Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
Planned improvements for roadway widening, resurfacing, and intersection improvements in Bulloch County included in GDOTs 2008-2011 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and 2008 2013 Construction Work Program (CWP) were evaluated to identify existing and potential opportunities for the inclusion of bicycle or pedestrian improvements in the concept design. Programmed projects that are specifically designated in the CWP as bicycle or pedestrian facilities are listed in Table 3.I below.
Table 3.I GDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Planned and Programmed Projects2008-2011 STIP and 2008-2013 CWP

Project Primary ID # Work Type

Description

PE

0006631

TE-Bike/Ped Facility

Statesboro Downtown Streetscape Enhancement Phase I This streetscape project extends along East and West Main Streets, between Oak Street on the east and College Street on the West. The streetscaping includes sidewalks with curbs, street trees, lighting, benches, trash receptacles, and improved crosswalks.

Local

0006632

TE-Bike/Ped Facility

S&S Greenway Phase II of the S&S Greenway will include 1.75 miles of paved multi-use trail heads with restrooms at each end. Project will begin at Cawana Road and end at Pretoria Rushing/Burkhalter Intersection.

Local

0008076

TE-Bike/Ped Facility

Campus Greenway Multi-use Trail Phase I Campus Multi-Use Trail linking City to Campus. Trail will be 14 feet wide and include signage, lighting, picnic facilities, and bike racks. Begins Tillman & Fair Road and ends at Southwest end of campus academic corridor.

Local

TE0008078 Landscape/
Beautify

CR 576 from SR 67/North Main to CS 619/College Street Phase II Along West Main from North/South Main to College Street to include sidewalks, curbs, crosswalks with ADA access, lighting, benches, and trash receptacles.

Source: Georgia Department of Transportation

Local

ROW CST
Local 2008 Local Lump Local Lump Local Lump

Potential Destinations for Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Connections

Bulloch County has many destinations that inspire the need for connectivity by non-motorized forms of transportation. Several key destinations will be considered when evaluating locations for new bicycle or pedestrian facilities. These include existing schools (elementary, middle, high schools and institutes of higher learning), city centers, medical facilities, parks and natural facilities, libraries, and community centers.
These destinations plus any others identified during the study process will be considered when developing recommendations for additional facilities to foster bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.

55

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Studies
Several relevant studies and plans are underway or have been completed for Statesboro and Bulloch County. A summary of the bicycle and pedestrian elements of each of the plans is included below. Please note that these studies are considered an input to the development of the long range transportation plan recommendations, but this plan does not endorse all recommendations included in these studies. Bicycle and pedestrian policy and facility recommendations identified for the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan will be based on transportation system data and field evaluation, in addition to relevant policy and facility recommendations outlined in the plans below.
Bulloch County Transportation Plan (2000)
The Bulloch County Transportation Plan, prepared in 2000, indicated that there were no facilities constructed exclusively for the use of bicycle and pedestrians in unincorporated Bulloch County. No recommendations for location-specific bicycle or pedestrian facilities were made. Sidewalks were indicated to be present in the incorporated communities of Brooklet and Register in a few isolated locations immediately outside of Statesboro. The presence of the two statewide bicycle routes was noted and a recommendation to consider them when planning any roadway improvements was made. A recommendation was made to require additional space along roadway shoulders for separation of automobiles and bicycles. The County was encouraged to adopt internal policies and coordinate with GDOT on state-financed projects to ensure that bicycle and pedestrian needs are accommodated as a routine matter in project development.
Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan (2006)
The Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan update was completed in June 2009. A review of the Land Use Plan created in March of 2006 was conducted to gain insight into the bicycle and pedestrian elements. The plan recommends development of a pedestrian and bicycle circulation system that links municipalities and communities in the county along key destination corridors specifically linking schools. The plan recommends consideration of adoption of a level of service measure for bicyclists and pedestrians.
A bicycle and pedestrian system separate from the major roads in the county is recommended with specific mention of the abandoned rail line between Statesboro and Brooklet. Several corridors considered as candidates for scenic corridor designation are recommended for potential bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The specific corridors mentioned include US 80; SR 24, 46, and 67; Old River Road; and Brooklet Denmark Road. Also, roadways classified as Arterials are recommended for inclusion of generous and protected walkways and bike paths, as well as signalized crosswalks. Finally, local roads are recommended to accommodate the greatest mix of users with an emphasis for bicycle and pedestrian facilities and amenities.
City of Statesboro 2009-2029 Comprehensive Master Plan Community Assessment (2009)
The City of Statesboro updated their Comprehensive Master Plan in June 2009. The Draft Community Assessment, prepared in August 2008, was reviewed to identify elements related to bicycle and pedestrian needs in Statesboro. The study referenced year 2000 data from the US Census Bureau related to means of transportation to work.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

According to the Census Bureau, 6.23% of Statesboro residents walk to work while 1.43% ride a bicycle to work. The Community Assessment indicates that sidewalks in new developments are only required along arterial and collector streets.
As a part of the Community Assessment, a list of issues and opportunities was developed using stakeholder feedback gathered at several public workshops held during the spring of 2008. Several issues and opportunities related to bicycling and walking were identified as follows:
Link bicycle paths in the city and county with GSU campus Provide more sidewalks and pedestrian facilities throughout the city Provide more bicycle lanes and facilities throughout the city More bicycle lanes (wide roads = opportunity) Enhance pedestrian connectivity More sidewalks More crosswalks More pedestrian signage Install sidewalks on Gentilly Road Bicycle trail not felt to be safe Install more curb cuts to accommodate bicycle, stroller, and wheelchair access to
sidewalks [NOTE: it is illegal to ride bicycles on sidewalks] Improve landscape maintenance along sidewalks (i.e. trim schrubs) Connect neighborhoods with bicycle paths along major roads. Ensure safe routes pedestrian and bicycle to all city schools Better enforcement of crosswalk laws and pedestrian rights-of-way More bicycle storage facilities More bicycle access to local business (e.g. GSU and residential neighborhoods)
In the analysis of existing development patterns, a strategy to enhance existing pedestrian connectivity by repairing/replacing sidewalks and adding new ones where necessary was recommended in the following development areas: traditional neighborhood, in-town neighborhood, and in-town corridors. A strategy to promote walking and bicycling as an alternative means of transportation was recommended in the existing and developing suburban areas. In the areas transitioning to multi-family rental areas, bicycle and pedestrian facilities were recommended for students commuting to and from GSU. In declining suburban areas where housing units are predominantly rental units, adequate bicycle and pedestrian facilities to link neighborhoods with adjacent areas was recommended.
Greenspace areas were recommended for use to connect new development with existing and proposed networks of bicycle paths and multiuse trails. Statesboro High School was specifically mentioned for enhancement of pedestrian and bicycle connectivity with surrounding streets and neighborhoods. Finally, designated gateways at the intersections of the bypass and SR 67 and US 301 South and at the city limits where US 301 North and US 80 North and South intersect are recommended for the addition of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

57

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Coastal Georgia Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (2005)
The Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center, with funding support from the Georgia Department of Transportation in conjunction with a Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee completed the Coastal Georgia Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan in 2005. Although the plan does not outline any specific recommendations for facilities in Bulloch County, the following goals were established for the 10-County region:
Goal 1: Increase number and quality of bike lanes, bike paths, and dedicated trails Goal 2: Increase bicycle and pedestrian safety Goal 3: Provide bike routes for casual rider, moderate rider, and advanced cyclists Goal 4: Prepare bicycle and pedestrian plans for each county and city in the region Goal 5: Research and educate the public on Georgia laws pertaining to
bicycle/pedestrian safety, rights and responsibilities. Goal 6: Establish bicycle and pedestrian retrofit strategy for existing roadways and
intersections Goal 7: Establish ongoing public education on bicycle and pedestrian transportation
and safety
Comprehensive Recreation Master Plan (2000)
A Comprehensive Recreation Master Plan was developed in 2000. The Master Plan outlines existing and proposed recreational facilities in Bulloch County and its incorporated municipalities. These facilities have been noted in the Potential Destinations for Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Connection section above and will be examined for possible benefit for connection with a bicycle or pedestrian facility. The plan also recommended the development of a Greenway Master Plan to connect parks, schools, and neighborhoods. This plan has been completed as described below.
Bulloch Greenways System Plan (Ongoing)
The Bulloch Greenways Partnership was established to develop a plan for building a greenway system in Bulloch County. The Local Partnership, comprised of the Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department, the Bulloch Greenways Steering Committee, Georgia Southern University, and local government agencies and businesses, was formed in 2002. The Partnership is dedicated to planning and developing a network of greenways and trails that provides non-motorized recreation opportunities such as walking, biking, and jogging convenient to all residents of Bulloch County. The goals and objectives of the study were considered in development of this plan.

J. Bridges

Another critical transportation area of emphasis in Bulloch County is bridge conditions. Bridges were evaluated to determine the need for potential improvement. Deficient bridges can pose a major obstacle to a fully functional road network due to load limits or other restrictions. The study area was reviewed to identify all bridges and assess the need for potential improvements.

To facilitate this analysis, GDOT provided bridge condition reports for each bridge within the study area. Sufficiency rating is the general measure of the condition of each bridge. The sufficiency rating is used to determine the structural and geometric condition of the bridge, and represents the structural safety, adequacy, serviceability, and necessity of public use. This

58

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

measure is used to identify need for maintenance, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a bridge structure. Bridges are rated on a point system from 1 to 100 (the maximum rating). Bridges with ratings below 50 are still able to safely accommodate traffic; however, upgrading these bridges to modern design and load standards will improve the operation and safety of the bridge as well as the capacity of the roadway. All bridges with a sufficiency rating of 50 or lower were identified as deficient for purposes of the study. These bridges are candidates for federal bridge replacement funds.
141 bridges within Bulloch County were identified and documented with a sufficiency rating. Table 3.J below displays the collected information. Italics font indicates that the bridge is on the state system.
Table 3.J Bridge Inventory Bulloch County

Road

Feature

Sufficiency Rating

Portal Hwy Deloach Church Road Akins Pond Road Cypress Lake Road Cypress Lake Road Old River Road Stilson-Leefield Rd Nevils-Daisy Road Pulaski Road Pulaski Road Pulaski Road SR 24 SR 24 Rocky Ford Road Mud Road Lakeview Road US 301 US 25 (NB / SB Lane) SR 119 Old River Road Spring Creek Road Adabelle Road Clito Road Arcola Road Mp Martin Road Burkhalter Road US 25 Cypress Lake Road US 80 Sinkhole Road Lakeview Road Mud Road Deloach Church Rd.

Big Branch & Lotts Creek Lotts Creek Mill Creek Dry Branch Wateringhole Branch Ogeechee River Overflow Mill Creek Lotts Creek Crossway Branch Lotts Creek Lotts Creek Overflow Ogeechee River Ogeechee River Overflow Bay Gall Creek Lower Black Creek Ogeechee River Overflow Ogeechee River Lotts Creek Trib. Ogeechee River Overflow Ogeechee River Spring Creek Scott Creek Mill Creek Upper Black Creek Cross Branch Little Lotts Creek Little Lotts Creek Lotts Creek Lotts Creek Lotts Creek Ogeechee River Upper Black Creek Lotts Creek Overflow

16 &24* N/A* 25.66 26.74 27.03 39.45 54.02 55.01 57.57 57.57 57.57 59.91 60.93 64.22 64.30 65.38 65.58 66.92 67.00* 67.35 68.42 69.27 69.41 69.50 70.08 70.59 71.21 71.30 71.45 73.17 74.14 74.29 75.71

59

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Road
FAS 577 US 301 Stilson-Leefield Rd US 25 Malard Pond Bridge Arcola Road Gov-Treutlen Hwy Bulkhalter Road Sinkhole Road Sinkhole Road Kennedy Bridge Rd Old River Road SR 24 Old River Road Lakeview Road Nevils-Groveland SR 24 US 25 US 25 SR 67 SR 67 SR 67 US 25 US 25 Red Hill Church Rd US 80 Zetterower Street US 80 Gentilly Road Nevil Denmark Rd US 25 Pulaski Road Nevils-Daisy Road Nevils-Daisy Road US 80 US 80 Pulaski Road Rocky Ford Road Pleasant Hill Road Lakeview Road FAS 577 Langston Chapel Rd US 80 Clito Road Arcola Road Kennedy Br Road Westside Road Stilson-Leefield

Feature
Ash Branch Mill Creek Spring Creek Lotts Creek Trib. Nevils Creek Lower Black Creek Sweeten Water Branch Mill Creek I-16 EB Lane (SR 404) I-16 WB Lane (SR 404) I-16 (SR 404) Mill Creek Floyd Branch Nevil's Creek Mill Creek I-16 (SR 404) Spring Creek Banks Creek Banks Creek Trib. College Canal Lower Black Creek Trib. Little Lotts Creek Bay Gall Creek Trib. Wyatts Branch I-16 (SR 404) Panther Branch Little Lotts Creek Caney Branch Little Lotts Creek Mann Branch Lotts Creek Dry Branch Reedy Branch Reedy Branch Trib. Upper Black Creek Trib. Iric Creek Wateringhole Branch Wyatts Branch Lotts Creek Coleman Creek Trib. Boggy Branch Little Lotts Creek Cross Branch Mill Creek Overflow Boggy Branch Tenmile Creek Trib. Dry Branch Sand Hill Branch

Sufficiency Rating
76.58 76.86 77.78 79.27 80.18 80.27 80.36 80.57 81.54 81.54 81.74 82.57 82.67 82.83 83.00 85.96 88.00 88.22 88.22 88.26 88.58 88.61 88.64 89.01 89.35 89.87 89.90 90.22 90.39 90.54 90.57 91.20 91.47 91.47 91.54 91.60 91.72 91.86 91.87 91.91 91.94 91.95 91.99 92.00 92.01 92.08 92.11 92.36

60

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Road

Feature

Westside Road

Big Branch

Nevils-Groveland

Mill Branch

Old River Road

Buck Creek

G .W. Oliver Road

Little Lotts Cr

Jim Water Road

Little Lotts Creek

SR 46

Lotts Creek

US 25

Scott Creek

SR 67

I-16 (SR 404)

SR 24

Mill Creek

Gov-Treutlen Hwy

I-16 (SR 404)

Ash Branch Ch Rd

I-16 (SR 404)

SR 67

Little Lotts Creek

SR 67

Woodcock Branch

Rocky Ford Road

Ogeechee River

US301 / US 25 (NB/SB)

I-16 (SR 404)

FAS 2766

Lotts Creek Overflow

US 25 (SB Lane)

Mill Creek

US 25 (NB Lane)

Mill Creek

SR 67

Zetterower Branch

FAS 577

Mann Branch

SR 67

Mann Branch

Gov-Treutlen Hwy

Black Creek

FAS 577

Luke Swamp Branch

SR 67

Zilks Bay Branch

SR 46

Little Lotts Creek

US 301 Bypass

Lotts Creek Trib.

SR 67

Luke Swamp Branch

SR 67

Reed Branch

Westside Road

Wateringhole Branch

SR 119 Connector

Pole Branch

Lakeview Road

Belcher Branch

Old River Road

Sand Hill Branch

Country Club Road

Wateringhole Branch

Lawrence Ch Road

Ash Branch

Old River Road

Coleman Creek

Emit Grove Road

Lower Black Creek

Mud Road

Cross Branch

Mud Road

Iric Creek

Hagan Mill Pond Rd

Spring Creek

Aden Lanier Road

Little Lotts Creek

Brooklet Road

Upper Black Creek Trib.

Source: GDOT. * Included in GDOT's current work program. Italic font indicates that the bridge is on the state system

Sufficiency Rating
92.36 92.41 92.43 92.48 92.49 93.28 93.35 94.52 94.63 96.00 96.20 96.99 96.99 97.42 97.45 97.57 97.59 97.65 98.02 98.10 98.14 98.39 98.48 98.72 98.74 98.81 99.36 99.36 99.53 99.55 99.65 99.66 99.67 99.72 99.76 99.77 99.84 99.92 99.98 99.99 100.00

Based on the sufficiency rating, the majority of bridges are in good condition and not in need of any major maintenance or upgrade activities. There are seven bridges that have a sufficiency rating below 50 and are potentially in need of maintenance and rehabilitation in the next 10-15 years. The following bridges have a sufficiency rating below 50:

61

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Portal Hwy at Big Brach & Lotts Creek (currently in GDOT work program) Deloach Church Road at Lotts Creek (currently in GDOT work program) Akins Pond Road at Mill Creek Cypress Lake Road at Dry Branch Cypress Lake Road at Wateringhole Branch Old River Road at Ogeechee River Overflow
Additionally, there are twenty-seven bridges that have a sufficiency rating between 50 and 75 and should be considered candidates for maintenance and rehabilitation within the horizon year of the plan (2035). The candidate bridges in the Bulloch County Region for maintenance and rehabilitation are mapped in Figure 3.J on page 63.

62

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Bridges for Potential Maintenance and Rehabilitation Figure 3.J

63

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

K. Safety
The most recent vehicular crash data from GDOT (2003 - 2007) was collected and analyzed for Bulloch County. The crash data was analyzed using the Critical Analysis Reporting Environment (CARE) software developed by the University of Alabama with supporting crash data from GDOTs Office of Traffic Safety and Design. Crash data was used to determine roadway locations with potential safety deficiencies throughout the study area. Bulloch County experienced a total of 9,336 crashes with 2,786 non-fatal injured crashes and 66 fatal crashes during the five-year analysis period. During same analysis period, the State of Georgia experienced a total of 1,702,654 crashes with 440,949 non-fatal injured crashes and 7,590 fatalcrashes.
Based on the statistical analysis of the crash data as well as engineering judgment, a threshold of 50 crashes over the five-year period (10 crashes per year on average) was determined to identify "active crash" intersection locations.
Bulloch County Crash Data Summary
Five years of crash data (2003 - 2007) were collected and analyzed for Bulloch County. Table 3.K below lists the active crash intersections between 2003 and 2007.
Table 3.K Active Crash Intersections Bulloch County

Intersection
Fair Rd at Veterans Memorial Pkwy Northside Dr. at Lester Rd Veterans Memorial Pkwy at Lanier Dr. Northside Dr. W at N. Main St Fair Rd at W Brannen St. Northside Dr. E at Veterans Memorial Pkwy S. Main St. at Fair Rd Fair Rd at Chandler Rd Chandler Rd at Lanier Dr. Northside Dr. at Brannen St S Main St. at Mikell St. Northside Dr. at Cone Crescent Veterans Memorial Pkwy at Old Register Rd SR 46 at US 25/SR 73 Brannen St. at Gentilly Rd E. Main St. at Northside Dr. E. Main St at N. Main St.

Crashes
144 107 106 98 93 87 87 86 71 62 62 59 56 55 53 51 50

Fatalities Injuries

0

33

0

26

0

24

0

27

0

15

0

16

0

8

0

15

0

6

0

14

0

11

0

12

1

18

2

34

0

9

0

17

0

7

64

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

In addition to the active crash locations, an area of focus and concern was the location of fatal crashes. The locations listed below experienced at least two (2) fatality crashes during the fiveyear analysis period.
SR 46 near Clifton Rd Brooklet Leefield Rd near Old Leefield Rd

Figure 3.K on page 66 represents intersections with more than 50 crashes over the five-year analysis period (2003 - 2007) as well as fatality and bicycle and pedestrian related crash locations.

65

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Active Crash Intersections & Fatality Locations

66

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 3.K

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

L. Roadway Characteristics

This section presents the characteristics of the roadways in Bulloch County. The data is collected from the latest GDOT Roadway Characteristics (RC) Database and GDOT Highway System Status maps. The following data was reviewed as part of the study process:

Functional Classification Road Lanes Roadway Shoulders Roadway Surface Type
Functional Classification

Roadways are grouped into functional classes according to the character of traffic they are intended to serve. GDOT determined the functional classifications by utilizing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Functional Classification Guidelines and the design standards developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Additional information specific to GDOT policies related to functional classification of roadways is also available in the GDOT Plan Development Process (PDP) at
http://www.dot.ga.gov/doingbusiness/PoliciesManuals/roads/Pages/OtherResources.aspx

The FHWA defines the hierarchy of the highway functional classification system including principal arterials, minor arterial roads, collector roads, and local roads for rural areas, urbanized areas and small urban areas. The functional system for rural areas, currently applicable to Bulloch County, is defined as:

Principal Arterial 1) serve corridor movements having trip length and travel density characteristics indicative of substantial statewide or interstate travel; 2) serve all urban areas of 50,000 and over population and a large majority of those with population of 25,000 and over; and 3) provide an integrated network without stub connections except where unusual geographic or traffic flow conditions dictate otherwise. The principal arterial system is stratified into Interstate system and other principal arterials.
Minor Arterial 1) link cities and larger towns and form an integrated network providing interstate and intercounty service; 2) be spaced at such intervals, consistent with population density, so that all developed areas of the State are within a reasonable distance of an arterial highway; and 3) provide service to corridors with trip lengths and travel density greater than those predominantly served by rural collector or local systems. Minor arterials therefore constitute routes whose design should be expected to provide for relatively high overall travel speeds, with minimum interference to through movement.
Collector Road generally serve travel of primarily intracounty rather than statewide importance and constitute those routes on which predominant travel distances are shorter than on arterial routes. Consequently, more moderate speeds may be typical, on the average. Collectors are typically classified as major collector and minor collector.
Local Road 1) serve primarily to provide access to adjacent land; and 2) provide service to travel over relatively short distances as compared to collectors or other higher systems. Local road constitute the rural mileage not classified as part of the principal arterial, minor arterials, or collector systems.

67

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

The Bulloch County study area has approximately 104 lane miles of interstate, comprised by I16. There are also approximately 345 lane miles of arterial facilities in the study area, 651 lane miles of collectors and 1,989 lane miles of local streets. Figure 3.L.1 on page 68 displays the functional classification of roadways in Bulloch County and in City of Statesboro. This map was obtained from GDOT Division of Planning, Data and Intermodal Development and dated as of 05/30/2007. It is the most current functional classifications on Bullochs public road system and reflects the current State Highway and US Route System designations. If a local government disagrees with a proposed system and classification, the local government should write to GDOT including GDOT Commissioner, GDOT District Engineer and the Administrator of the GDOTs Office of Transportation Data, explaining the concern. The System and Classification Branch of GDOT Office of Transportation Data will review the correspondence from the local government and research other alternatives with the coordination of with Commissioner and District Engineer.
Table 3.L.1 below displays the mileage and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) for the different roadway classifications in Bulloch County. The Bulloch County study area is served by multiple state roads (approximately 16 percent of the lane miles), which handle a majority of the traffic (63 percent). This is the same as the Georgia statewide averages. To ensure future mobility for Statesboro and Bulloch County, it is important to evaluate and identify needed improvements to the state road system through the development of this LRTP.
Table 3.L.1 Existing Mileage and Vehicle Miles Traveled

State Roads County
Miles VMT

County Roads Miles VMT

Local Roads Miles VMT

Total

Miles

VMT

Bulloch

179 1,495,140 1,205 698,297

100 185,376 1,483 2,378,813

State 18,095 193,224,561 84,559 88,759,173 14,584 23,343,808 117,238 305,327,543
Source: GDOT Office of Transportation Data-Mileage by Route Type and Road System Date: 12/31/07

68

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

E

Bulloch County Functional Classification

69

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 3.L.1

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Roadway Lanes
Another important attribute reviewed from GDOTs RC Database is the number of lanes provided on each roadway facility. The roads in Bulloch County predominately serve bidirectional traffic flows; however there are a few roads serving one-way traffic circulation in downtown Statesboro. Additionally, the majority of the roads in the study area are 2-lane facilities. The dependency on a largely 2-lane roadway network may become strained in the future as traffic levels increase.
Figure 3.L.2 on page 71 displays the number of lanes on the roads in Bulloch County and in the City of Statesboro.
Roadway Shoulders
GDOTs RC Database also provides information on roadway shoulders. For this analysis, both the shoulder type and shoulder width were reviewed to determine segments of roadways in need of potential shoulder upgrades or operational widening. A wide variety of shoulder widths and types are present throughout Bulloch County. Insufficient shoulder width can contribute to travel speed reductions, potentially impact safety, and influence bicycle and pedestrian usage of facilities. The following guidelines are used to determine potential shoulder deficiencies:
No shoulder or an unidentifiable shoulder Grass shoulder less than 4 feet Paved shoulder less than 2 feet
Figure 3.L.3 on page 72 displays the roadway shoulder types and widths according to GDOTs RC Database for Bulloch County. Roadway segments with potential deficient shoulders will become candidates for recommended upgrades.

70

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Roadway Lanes

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 3.L.2

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Roadway Shoulders

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Figure 3.L.3

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Roadway Surface Type
The final attribute reviewed from GDOTs RC Database is roadway surface type. Roadway surface dramatically affects the capacity, useful life, and safety of a particular facility. The list below details the surface types present in the study area.
Paved Roads
High Rigid - Portland cement concrete pavements with or without bituminous surface if less than one inch.
High Flexible - Mixed bituminous penetration road on a rigid or flexible base with a combined (surface and base) thickness of seven inches or more. Includes any bituminous concrete, sheet asphalt, or rock asphalt.
Mixed Bituminous Penetration - Low type (less than seven inches combined thickness surface and base). Surface is one inch or more.
Mixed Bituminous Pavement - A road, the surface course of which is one inch or more in compacted thickness composed of gravel, stone, sand, or similar material, mixed with bituminous material under partial control as to grading and proportions.
Bituminous Surfaced Treated - An earth road, a soil-surfaced road, or a gravel or stone road to which has been added by any process a bituminous surface course with or without a seal coat, the total compacted thickness which is less than one inch. Seal coats include those known as chip seals, drag seals, plant mix seals, and rock asphalt seals.
Unpaved Roads
Gravel or Stone Road - A road, the surface of which consists of gravel or stone. Surfaces may be stabilized.
Soil-Surfaced Road - A road, the surface of which consists of mixed or stabilized soil.
Graded and Drained - A road of natural earth aligned and graded to permit reasonable convenient use by motor vehicles and drained by longitudinal and transverse drainage systems (natural and artificial) sufficient to prevent serious impairment of the road by normal surface water, with or without dust palliative treatment or a continuous course of special borrow material to protect the new roadbed temporarily and to facilitate immediate traffic service.

Approximately 685 miles of roadways in Bulloch County are dirt or gravel. This constitutes approximately 46% of the total roadway mileage of Bulloch County. Most of these unpaved roads are concentrated in rural areas outside the City of Statesboro and are minor collectors or local roads. It may be appropriate to upgrade and pave some of these facilities to provide better connectivity throughout the study area. Figure 3.L.4 on page 74 displays the roadway surface types according to GDOTs RC Database for Bulloch County.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Roadway Surface Type

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 3.L.4

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

M. Roadway Operating Conditions
A travel demand model was developed to assist in the evaluation of existing and future travel conditions throughout Bulloch County. More detailed information regarding the model and model development process is presented in the Bulloch County Model Documentation Technical Memorandum, May 2009. The key output from the travel demand model is the daily volume to capacity ratio for each roadway segment. Each volume to capacity ratio corresponds to a level of service (LOS) based on accepted methodologies from the 2000 Highway Capacity Manual. Existing (2007) and future (2020 & 2035) operating conditions for the study are summarized in the following sections.
Prior to documenting operating conditions it is useful to summarize level of service. Level of service (LOS) is a qualitative measure of traffic flow describing operating conditions. Six levels of service are defined by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the Highway Capacity Manual for use in evaluating roadway operating conditions. They are given letter designations from A to F, with LOS A representing the best operating conditions and F the worst. A facility may operate at a range of levels of service depending upon time of day, day of week or period of the year. A qualitative description of the different levels of service is provided below.
LOS A Drivers perceive little or no delay and easily progress along a corridor.
LOS B Drivers experience some delay but generally driving conditions are favorable.
LOS C Travel speeds are slightly lower than the posted speed with noticeable delay in intersection areas.
LOS D Travel speeds are well below the posted speed with few opportunities to pass and considerable intersection delay.
LOS E The facility is operating at capacity and there are virtually no useable gaps in the traffic.
LOS F More traffic desires to use a particular facility than it is designed to handle resulting in extreme delays.
The recommended approach used to identify deficient segments in Bulloch County was to analyze the volume of traffic on the roadway segments compared to the capacity of those segments, also known as the volume to capacity (V/C) ratio. For daily operating conditions, any segment identified as LOS D or worse was considered deficient.
The following thresholds were used to assign a level of service to the V/C ratios for rural facilities based on GDOT standards:
V/C < 0.70 = LOS C or better;
0.70 > V/C < 0.85 = LOS D;
0.85 > V/C < 1.00 = LOS E; and,
V/C > 1.00 = LOS F.

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Existing Operating Conditions
The existing conditions results derived from traffic counts and the calibrated travel demand model were used to determine deficient roadway segments in Bulloch County. Deficient segments were determined by analyzing the volume of traffic on the roadway segments compared to the capacity of those segments. The corresponding V/C ratios were related to LOS. For the planning purposes of this study, GDOT strives for a LOS C.
The existing (2007) daily operating conditions analysis shows that seven segments currently operate at or below LOS D. Table 3.M.1 below displays the deficient roadway segments with the corresponding V/C ratio and LOS for daily operating conditions. Figure 3.M.1 on page 77 illustrates these segments graphically.
Table 3.M.1 Existing (2007) Deficient Segments

Roadway
US 80 SR 67 Gentilly Rd S Main St N Main St S Zetterower Ave Savannah Ave
(1) - Two-way volumes

From
Amanda Rd S of Burkhalter Rd
Fair Rd Fair Rd E Main St Fair Rd Northside Dr

To
Brooklet Denmark Rd I-16
Brannen St E Main St E Parrish St E Jones Ave Gentilly Rd

Volume(1)
9,576 9,962 9,500 14,163 11,559 9,266 8,329

V/C
0.78 0.75 0.71 0.94 0.79 0.83 0.72

LOS
D D D E D
D D

The majority of roadways in Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro currently operate at an acceptable LOS C during daily conditions. Analysis shows that as traffic volumes continue to increase, some of these roadways will degrade to an unacceptable LOS.

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County Existing (2007) Daily Deficient Segments

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Figure 3.M.1

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Future Operating Conditions
Future operating conditions were evaluated for 2020 and 2035. The existing roadway network was used to determine how well the roadway network will serve the 2020 and 2035 population and employment projections in Bulloch County with no additional roadway improvements. The projects identified in GDOTs 2008-2013 Construction Work Program were considered longrange and thus were not added to the model network.
It is useful to point out that the long-term projections for population and employment can be unreliable. This is not due to specific inaccuracies or projection techniques but simply because it requires the judgment of stakeholders to assign population and employment throughout the study area based on recent trends and anticipated growth. This in turn impacts estimates of trip production and traffic demand. These long term results should be considered preliminary, and when the transportation plan is updated every 3 to 5 years, these projections should be updated, and recommended projects should be reexamined and amended as necessary.
The mid-range (2020) analysis shows that ten segments can be expected to operate at or below LOS D under daily conditions. Table 3.M.2 below and Figure 3.M.2 on page 79 display the 2020 roadway segments operating at an unacceptable LOS.

Table 3.M.2 Mid-Range (2020) Deficient Segments

Roadway
US 80 US 80 SR 67 SR 67 SR 46 Gentilly Rd S Main St N Main St S Zetterower
Ave Lanier Rd
(1) - Two-way volumes

From
Amanda Rd Old Leefield Rd US 301 Bypass Burkhalter Rd
US 301 Fair Rd Fair Rd E Main St Fair Rd US 301 Bypass

To

Volume(1)

Old Leefield Rd SR 119 Conn Burkhalter Rd
I-16 Kennedy Bridge Rd
Brannen St E Main St E Parrish St

11,337 9,436 21,303 10,696 7,988 8,966 12,986 10,881

E Grady St

9,927

Chandler Rd

7,611

V/C
0.89 0.74 0.71 0.80 0.77 0.72 0.83 0.72 0.93 0.73

LOS
E D D D D D D D E D

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County 2020 Daily Deficient Segments

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Figure 3.M.2

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

The future (2035) analysis shows that 15 segments can be expected to operate at or below LOS D. Table 3.M.3 below displays the 2035 roadway segments operating at an unacceptable LOS. Generally, deficiencies identified in the 2007 and 2020 analysis continue to degrade over time. However, in some cases, the travel demand model reflects an improvement in LOS compared to 2020 previous years due to a shift in the distribution of population and employment growth that is expected in the future. This is illustrated in the S. Zetterower Avenue segment that improves from E to D between 2020 and 2035.

Table 3.M.3 Long-Range (2035) Deficient Segments

Roadway
US 80 US 80 SR 67 SR 67 US 301 SR 46 Gentilly Rd S Main St S Main St N Main St S Zetterower Ave Lanier Rd Northside Dr Burkhalter Rd Savannah Ave
(1) - Two-way volumes

From
Amanda Rd Old Leefield Rd US 301 Bypass Burkhalter Rd US 25 Bypass
US 301 Fair Rd Rucker Ln Fair Rd E Main St Fair Rd US 301 Bypass US 301 Bypass SR 67 Northside Dr

To
Old Leefield Rd SR 119 Conn Burkhalter Rd
I-16 SR 46 Kennedy Bridge Rd Brannen St Fair Rd E Main St E Parrish St E Grady St Chandler Rd Lovett Rd Harville Rd Gentilly Rd

Volume(1)
12,287 11,021 25,627 12,113 26,873 9,111 9,445 19,910 12,992 11,796 9,277 8,687 24,781 9,141 9,529

V/C
0.97 0.81 0.86 0.80 0.77 0.86 0.77 0.76 0.92 0.79 0.82 0.82 0.72 0.81 0.83

LOS
E D E D D E D D E D D D D D D

Figure 3.M.3 on page 81 presents the 2035 daily deficient segments along the existing roadway network.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Bulloch County 2035 Daily Deficient Segments

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Figure 3.M.3

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

4 CHAPTER

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES

A. Citizen and Stakeholder Input
It is important to understand transportation issues, opportunities, and needs as perceived by citizens and key stakeholders in addition to those identified through technical analysis. As part of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) process, GDOT participated in ongoing coordination with Bulloch County and City of Statesboro staff representatives. An initial meeting was held in September of 2008 to kickoff the study process. Representatives from GDOT, CRC, Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, and the Towns of Brooklet, Register, and Portal participated in the meeting and provided input to the overall public involvement approach for the study. Subsequently, the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP Public Involvement Plan was reviewed and approved by GDOT. The public involvement approach outlined in the plan included the formation of a Study Advisory Committee that convened at key milestones during the planning process. A series of two public meetings was also planned to solicit feedback from residents living and working in the County.
B. Study Advisory Committee
A Study Advisory Committee was formed and convened at key milestones during the LRTP development process. Committee members were identified with assistance from County and City staff and represented different perspectives from state and regional agencies, Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, and the Towns of Brooklet, Register, and Portal. Members of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee are listed in Table 4.B.1 below.
Table 4.B.1 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP Study Advisory Committee Members

Name Tom Couch Andy Welch Kirk Tatum Shane Hayes Christian Lentz Jason Boyles Rick Weatherford Michelle Canon Tricia ReynoldsHuffman

Agency / Job Title Bulloch County- County Manager Bulloch County- County Planner Bulloch County- County Engineer City of Statesboro- City Manager City of Statesboro- Planning Director City of Statesboro- Interim Director of Public Works City of Statesboro- Planner CRC - Planner II
CRC Director of Planning & Government Services

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Name
Larry Motes Mandi Pilz Randy Newman Paul Webb Rebecca Boston Mike Rollins Jamey Cartee Paul Roesel Robert Chambers Chuck Taylor Pearl Brown Jonathan LeFevers Brad Saxon Radney Simpson C.R. Jackson Dave Cox Teresa Scott

Agency / Job Title
Town of Portal - Mayor Town of Register Town Administrator Town of Brooklet City Council Bulloch County Board of Education Transportation Director Georgia DHR Bulloch County - Parks and Recreation Director Statesboro Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce Bulloch County Development Authority Georgia Southern University Transportation Georgia Southern University Campus Landscape Architect Bulloch County NAACP - President Georgia Midland Railroad GDOT- District 5 Assistant District Construction Engineer GDOT- Office of Planning GDOT- District 5 GDOT- Office of Planning GDOT-District 5 Planning and Programming Engineer

The Study Advisory Committee met at three key milestones (dates and locations shown below in Table 4.B.2) during the plan development effort. The first meeting took place early in the study process to discuss issues and opportunities, establish priorities, and finalize study goals and objectives. The second meeting provided an opportunity to gather feedback on preliminary project recommendations. The third meeting focused discussion on the studys prioritized recommendations and project costs. The meetings also provided an opportunity to vet material that would be presented at the public workshops.

Table 4.B.2 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP Study Advisory Committee Meetings

Purpose Meeting #1 Meeting #2 Meeting #3

Location
Bulloch County Board of Commissioners North Annex Community Room
Bulloch County Board of Commissioners North Annex Community Room
Bulloch County Board of Commissioners North Annex Community Room

Date / Time 10/23/2008 / 10:30AM
3/19/2009 / 2:00PM 5/28/2009 / 2:00PM

Documentation of each Study Advisory Committee meeting can be found in Appendix B, page 178.

C. Public Notification
Public meetings were held to obtain feedback from citizens in Bulloch County and to discuss their transportation issues and concerns. The Study Team utilized several methods to inform the public of study activities and to solicit public input for the identification of potential improvements. The following notification techniques were employed during this study:

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Press Releases, Advertisements and Flyers
A press release was issued by GDOT prior to each public meeting to promote and encourage public participation. The press releases were used to generate media interest in attending the meetings and writing related news articles.
A paid advertisement was placed in the Statesboro Herald approximately two Sundays before each public meeting.
Flyers promoting the public meetings were distributed at key public locations within the study area and circulated electronically to Study Advisory Committee members two - three weeks prior to each public meeting. The flyer was also made available for download from the study website.
Meeting notification materials and a list of specific distribution locations is included in Appendix B, page 178.
Study Website
A study webpage was developed as part of GDOTs website, located at:
http://www.dot.ga.gov/bullochstudy
The Study website provides study information, including a calendar of upcoming meetings and all public meeting materials were made available for download from the project website.

D. Public Workshops
Public workshops were held to provide an open forum for citizens to voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas related to the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP. These workshops ensured that ample opportunity was provided for both public input and education on the planning process. Comments received at public workshops were considered in the plans evaluation process and recommendations. In addition, transportation issues and concerns were related to other active studies for consideration through dialogue with County Staff. Each public workshop encouraged interaction between local citizens and GDOT, County, and City Officials in the identification of potential transportation improvements for the area.
Each workshop was conducted in an open house format that provided opportunity for the informal review of display materials with the public and included a brief presentation to educate attendees on the purpose of the study and on the LRTP process. A question and answer session was also held as part of the presentation. Materials presented at each meeting included maps and graphics designed to convey technical information to non-technical audiences. Representatives from the study team were available for one-on-one discussions at all of the workshops. In addition, public comment forms were provided for citizens to officially record their comments and submit them to the study team.
Two public workshops took place at key milestones in the study process. These milestones mirrored those identified for the Study Advisory Committee meetings. Public workshops dates and locations are provided in Table 4.D below.

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Table 4.D Public Workshops

Purpose Workshop #1
Workshop #2

Location Bulloch County Board of Commissioners North Annex
Community Room Bulloch County Board of Commissioners North Annex
Community Room

Date / Time 3/19/2009 / 5:00PM 7:00PM
5/28/2009 / 5:00PM 7:00PM

The first public workshop included an overview of the study process, a presentation of the existing and future conditions of the transportation network, and presented initial project recommendations to address transportation needs. This workshop included a presentation followed by an open house period to facilitate informal discussion of the materials on display.

The second workshop presented prioritized improvement recommendations and project costs. A presentation of these recommendations was followed by an open house period to solicit public input on the study recommendations.

E. Bulloch County Citizen & Stakeholder Input
Table 4.E below summarizes general themes expressed by citizens and stakeholders relative to transportation issues, opportunities, and needs in Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro. These themes and suggestions were considered alongside technical analysis during the identification of potential transportation solutions to address future transportation needs in the County.
Table 4.E Bulloch County Citizen and Stakeholder Input
Transportation & Growth Address Georgia Southern Universitys (GSU) lack of enough parking for
commuters. Consider the extents of the sewer system when identifying locations in
Bulloch County that are equipped to accommodate future growth . Relieve congestion in vicinity of GSU and the mall. Explore coordination of services between City, County, schools, GSU, and
hospital.. Roadway and Operational Improvements
Make State Route 67 a four-lane facility to I-16. There is a desire to complete the Statesboro Bypass. There is a desire for left turn arrows and turn lanes on East-West streets in
Statesboro. Relieve traffic congestion on State Highway 67. Add or coordinate traffic signals, turn lanes, and other features to improve
traffic flow at the intersection of State Route 46 and US 301. Improve traffic flow on Fair Road. Add traffic calming devices in city center and surrounding neighborhoods. Improve congestion on Lanier Drive and on Georgia Avenue. Add turn lane on Hwy 80 between Zettertower Road to the end of Savannah

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Avenue. Mitigate vehicle and pedestrian conflict issues on GSUs campus. Cars drive
too fast through campus and pedestrians are crossing at inappropriate points. Mitigate "personal taxi service" issues on campus students are being dropped off at inappropriate locations traffic then backs up. Possible need for a left-hand turn lane on Lanier Drive. Eliminate the raised median on US 80, from the high school to US 301. Widen US 80 to Brooklet. Improve collector roads. Address impacts on traffic due to reduction of vehicular access to GSU campus impacting Savannah Avenue much cut-through traffic. Address US 80 in Brooklet and around Southeast Bulloch High School on Brooklet-Denmark Road has a lot of traffic volume cut through traffic is an issue. Extend Lanier Drive to connect to the perimeter of GSU campus. Signal timing needs to be coordinated in the vicinity of the mall. Provide more direct routes around the city and / or more direct access to the interstate.
Intersection Improvements
Addition of stop signs for cars crossing the McTell Trail in Statesboro. Re-align Burkhalter Road at intersection with Pretoria Rushing. Address the high traffic crossing US 80 at Burkhalter Road. Address issue of red light at US 80 and Parker Street it is a concern as
there has been much development at that corner. Improve operational conditions / add a traffic signal at SR 46 and US 301
(currently has a caution light). Address operational / signage / sight distance issues with the intersection of
Ivanhoe Drive / Mud Road and SR 119.
Bicycle and Pedestrian
Improve bike / ped amenities and facilities around educational facilities, the hospital, downtown Statesboro and surrounding neighborhoods, and the mall area.
Desire for GSU students, especially those without cars, to have pedestrian access to surrounding community and access to shopping areas add sidewalks, pedestrian islands in wide streets, etc.
Add golf cart trails. Addition of dedicated bike paths, as opposed to share the road facilities. Addition of dedicated bike lanes on Gentilly Road. Addition of dedicated bike lanes on S. College Street. Continue sidewalks north on N. Main St to Debbie Drive. Desire for pedestrian and bike improvements from city to Mill Creek Park;
Addition of sidewalk and pedestrian facilities east of downtown Statesboro, around Mill Creek Park and towards Brooklet. Addition of sidewalk and pedestrian facilities around the Proctor Street area connect to Luetta Moore Park, existing school, housing project, new school and small athletic fields. Extend shared use path along East Main St between Lee Street and Savannah Avenue. Addition of biking, horseback riding trail along the river in portions of the

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county. Address desire for pedestrian amenities on Gentilly Road between GSU and
the mall. Connect park and school, and provide pedestrian improvements in general,
in environmental justice community on the west side of town, along Martin Luther King Jr Drive Add new sidewalks in Register and update existing sidewalks (Main Street from Cypress Lake Road to State Road 46, Church Street and part of Railroad Street). Add new sidewalks in Register on State Road 46 connecting residential and commercial development. Add sidewalks to Foster Street in Register to connect the town hall, the public playground and the future library. Streetscaping and lighting are desired in Register to encourage walking. In Brooklet, add more sidewalks, a trail for golf carts, and explore the possibility of walking or biking to Southeast Bulloch High School. Desire for safer and nicer bike and pedestrian facilities in vicinity of schools in Bulloch County (lighting and crossing guards may be needed in some areas). Do something about safety issues with regards to existing bike lane near the hospital. Desire for a bikeway connection between Gentilly Road and Fair Park Road. Connect Phase I and Phase II greenway to Mill Creek Park via a multi-use path. Further the Greenway initiative - needs to maximize the non-motorized connectors in the community.
Public Transportation
Desire for public transportation growing elderly population needs form of transportation.
Desire for reliable, dedicated transportation service to Savannah. Desire to expand GSU transit service to points off campus as students
without cars have trouble accessing off-campus services. Look to Athens-Clarke County for transit model model for transfer between
campus buses and city buses. City of Statesboro and Bulloch County should work together in transit.
Freight & Rail Address truck traffic on SR 46, which is a concern in Register. Address issue of trucks cutting through on Old Highway 46. Address possibility of trucks using alternative routes to bypass scales on I-
16. Address railroad crossing on US 301 just south of downtown - dangerous
from a geometry perspective (also, train warning hardware needs to be extended further away from the intersection so warning gates drop well before train arrives at intersection). Identify funding sources to implement warning lights and gates at RR crossing at Rackley St.

Figure 4.E on page 88 graphically displays the citizen and stakeholder input received throughout the course of the study.

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Bulloch County Citizen and Stakeholder Input

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Figure 4.E

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

5 CHAPTER
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Background
Goals and objectives are the foundation of the long range planning process. They guide the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) by providing a basis for evaluating transportation plan improvements reflecting the intentions that the Plan is meant to achieve. It is necessary to establish long range goals and objectives to guide the transportation plan development process for Bulloch County. The goals represent the general themes and overall direction that Bulloch County and its residents envision for the future of the County. The objectives provide additional specificity and focus for each associated goal. Combined, they provide the policy framework for development and implementation of the transportation plan.
Goals and objectives should be consistent with relevant federal, state, and local plans and legislation. The Safe, Affordable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA LU) includes eight factors that must be considered when a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) develops an LRTP. It is understood that Bulloch County is not currently within an MPO service area; however, the guidelines for MPO's were followed to provide a strong framework for transportation decisions. Specifically, the LRTP must be designed to:
Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency;
Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;
Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users;
Increase the accessibility and mobility of people and for freight; Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the
quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns; Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight; Promote efficient system management and operation; and, Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system.

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B. Methodology
Consistency with Other Planning Documents
The Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP goals and objectives were developed to reflect the communitys long-term vision based on input from the Study Advisory Committee and a review of relevant planning documents including the Bulloch County and City of Statesboro Comprehensive Plans, and the GDOT Statewide Transportation Plan, and other studies listed in Chapter 3, Section B: Previous Studies and Programs. In particular, emphasis was placed on the ongoing Comprehensive Plan Updates for Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro.
SAFETEA LU Planning Considerations
Table 5.B below, excerpted from the "SAFETEA-LU Users Guide," shows how LRTP policies and evaluation criteria are related. Included are planning factors, long range considerations, sample program and project types, as well as evaluation criteria. These will vary based on the specific needs and characteristics of the community. Specific considerations, criteria, and projects were identified for the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro LRTP based on the goals and objectives of the study.
Table 5.B Applying the SAFETEA-LU Planning Factors

Factor
1. Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency
2. Increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
3.Increase the security of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
4. Increase the accessibility and

Long Range Considerations Intermodal facilities Rail and port access Public/private
partnerships
Land use policies Economic
development
Energy consumption
Community access Social equity System upgrades
Accessibility Reliability
Multi-modal
considerations

Project Selection Criteria
Community integration Long-term, meaningful
employment opportunities
Accessibility Modal connectivity Infrastructure impacts
Number of crashes Number of rail grade
crashes
Bicycle and pedestrian
crashes
Crashes Potential for security
hazard
Access to critical
infrastructure
Access to power sources Access to reservoirs Access to population
centers
Prevention of
bottlenecks

Sample Projects
Demand
management
System
preservation
Planned community
development
Transit-oriented
design
Sidewalks Rail crossing
upgrades
Traffic calming Dedicated right-of-
way for different modes
System access and
security
System
maintenance

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Factor
mobility of people and for freight

Long Range Considerations Transit accessibility
and level of service

Project Selection
Criteria Segmentation prevented Intermodal connectivity Community-based
economic development

5. Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns
6. Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight
7. Promote efficient system management and operation

Air and water quality Energy consumption Livability of
communities --social cohesion, physical connection, urban design, and potential for growth
Intermodal transfer
facilities
Rail access roads Container policies Freight policies/needs
Life cycle costs Development of
intermodal congestion strategies
Deferral of capacity
increases

Environmental impact Emissions reductions Waterway preservation Preservation and
conservation of resources
Intermodal connectivity Accessibility for people
and freight
Congestion relief
Use of existing system Congestion impacts Community and natural
impacts
Maintenance of existing
facilities

8. Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system

Maintenance priorities Demand reduction
strategies
Reasonable growth
assumptions
Alternative modes

Maintenance vs. new
capacity
Reallocates use among
modes
Reflects planning
strategies

Source: SAFETEA-LU Users Guide

Sample Projects
Intermodal facilities Planned
Communities
Mixed use zoning Transit-oriented
development
Land use controls
Demand
management
Scenic and historic
preservation
Planned community
development
Transit services Transit-oriented
development
Intermodal facilities Modal coordination
with social services
Traffic, incident and
congestion management programs
Management
System development
Maintenance of
roads, bridges, highways, rail
Traffic calming Take-a-lane HOV Enhancement of
alternative modes

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C. Goals and Objectives

Based on input from County and City officials and local stakeholders, the following goals and objectives were established for the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan to guide the transportation decision-making process:
Goal 1: Provide access to a safe, efficient, and well-maintained transportation system.
Objectives:
1.1 Improve the safety of the existing roadway network by identifying high-crash locations and identifying safety-related funding sources to implement improvements at these locations.
1.2 Identify potential projects that improve and enhance access to employment and activity centers.
1.3 Explore transportation solutions that accommodate growth in travel demand while enhancing quality of life.
1.4 Focus on system preservation by maintaining and enhancing the existing transportation network.
Goal 2: Improve mobility through enhanced connectivity and reduced congestion.
Objectives:
2.1 Identify potential projects that provide key linkages between existing roadway facilities and/or improve linkages by upgrading existing facilities on a grid-like system.
2.2 Address congested corridors with solutions that enhance and connect existing roadways.
2.3 Enhance north-south and east-west connectivity in the County by improving existing connections between I-16 and the City of Statesboro and creating new connections in potential development areas.
2.4 Connect residential and commercial activity centers, including Georgia Southern University, through roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements along major transportation corridors.
Goal 3: Improve access to jobs, homes, and services through a multi-modal transportation system.
Objectives:
3.1 Enhance bicycle and pedestrian amenities so they provide a viable transportation alternative within the City and County.

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3.2 Explore projects that improve access to and from neighboring Counties.
3.3 Work with Georgia Southern University and the Coastal Regional Commission of Georgia (CRC) to explore the potential for future local transit connections.
3.4 Coordinate with Planning Partners including the Georgia Department of Transportation, the CRC, the Department of Human Resources, Georgia Southern University and neighboring Counties regarding regional plans and opportunities for partnership.
Goal 4: Create a sustainable environment through the coordination of land use and transportation plans.
Objectives:
4.1 Analyze the future land use element of the Bulloch County and City of Statesboro Comprehensive Plans to identify development areas and assess potential impacts to the transportation system.
4.2 Encourage potential transportation improvements compatible with area development types.
4.3 As development is permitted, review the impact to the transportation system to ensure mobility is protected as parcel- level development occurs.
4.4 Coordinate decision-making to encourage viability of alternative modes.
Goal 5: Maintain a reliable transportation system which will sustain economic activity and promote economic development.
Objectives:
5.1 Identify potential projects that improve and enhance access to employment and activity centers serving Bulloch County residents.
5.2 Ensure mobility for freight within the County.
5.3 Explore transportation solutions that accommodate growth in travel demand while enhancing quality of life in order to attract more residents and businesses.
5.4 Coordinate with the Bulloch County City of Statesboro Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority regarding future initiatives and opportunities.

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6 CHAPTER

FUTURE IMPROVEMENT NEEDS

A. Future Conditions Evaluation

Based on the activities summarized in Chapters 1 5 of this document, the study team conducted an assessment of future conditions and identified a series of potential improvements to address Bulloch Countys future transportation needs. Potential improvements were identified in various areas of transportation, including roadway, bridges, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian. Aviation and transit were also considered in the evaluation and several recommendations to enhance these modes are also included in the document. These potential improvements were developed in consultation with the Study Advisory Committee and Bulloch County citizens as outlined in Chapter 4: Public Involvement Activities. Figure 6.A below illustrates the overall approach to the future improvement development process:

Figure 6.A

Transportation Improvement Development Process

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B. Transit Future Conditions
There are a number of factors which must be examined when considering a transit strategy for Bulloch County. These include:
The future population of Bulloch County; The future population density of Bulloch County; The population growth projected for the greater Statesboro area; The Countys projected number of transit dependent individuals; The future land use map for both the County and Statesboro; and The anticipated enrollment growth at Georgia Southern University.
While some of these factors have been quantified in the County and City comprehensive planning efforts for the 2009 to 2029 horizon, there are several for which concrete data is not currently available or will not become available until completion of the 2010 U.S. Census. Despite this, each of these factors has the potential to drive both the need and demand for future transit alternatives for the Countys rural and urban populations.
Population Projections for Bulloch County
According to the Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan 2009 2029, completed in June 2009, Bulloch County experienced population growth of almost 17% from 2000 to 2005, increasing from 55,983 persons in the year 2000 to an estimated 65,435 in 2005. The majority of this growth has occurred in the unincorporated area (in the form of single family residences) and in Statesboro (multi-family residences and student housing). Population growth to the year 2030, however, is not projected to maintain this rate of increase but is still expected to exceed the overall rate of growth for the State of Georgia (2.3%). This projected population growth will likely translate into greater need for transportation services to meet a variety of needs. Population projections for Bulloch County from the year 2000 to 2030 are shown in Table 6.B.1 below.
Table 6.B.1 Bulloch County Population Projections 2000 to 2030

Year 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Population 55,983 65,435 68,615 72,389 75,508

5-year % Increase

-

16.9% 4.9% 5.5% 4.3%

Source: Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan 2009-2029, June 2009

2025 79,474
5.2%

2030 82,111
3.3%

Population Projections for Statesboro
According to the City of Statesboro Comprehensive Plan 2009 2029, completed in June 2009, the City of Statesboro is projected to increase in population by nearly 50% from the year 2000 to 2030, from 22,698 persons in 2000 to 33,291 in 2030, as shown in Table 6.B.2 on page 96. According to the City of Statesboro Comprehensive Master Plan 2009 2029, this growth will be largely attributable to the growing GSU student population.

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Table 6.B.2 Statesboro Population Projections 2000 to 2030

Year 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025

Population 22,698 26,534 27,821 29,349 30,614 32,223

5-year % Increase

-

16.9% 4.9% 5.5% 4.3% 5.2%

Source: City of Statesboro Comprehensive Master Plan 2009 2029, June 2009

2030 33,291
3.3%

In addition to growth within the city limits, Bulloch County may become classified as an urbanized area after the 2010 Census and may become designated as all or part of an MPO that would become responsible for overall transportation planning in the County. The urbanized area will then be eligible for transportation funding from the FTA Section 5307 Program which provides Federal resources for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas with a population of 50,000 or more (with a possible two-year window between the urban designation and the availability of 5307 funding). Any remaining, nonurbanized areas of Bulloch County will continue to qualify for FTA Section 5311 Rural Transit funding which provides Federal resources for public transportation systems to nonurbanized areas with a population of less than 50,000. The increased population in the County and in Statesboro will affect the need for transit services, and will also potentially create opportunity for multiple funding sources for transit solutions in the near future.

Transit Dependent Population Projections

The June 2008 Bulloch County Transit Development Plan (compiled by KFH Group, Inc. on behalf of the CRC) identified segments of the population most likely to require alternative mobility options, such as transit. Overall, the Plan estimated demand for general public transportation trips in Bulloch County to be 88,768 trips per year, exclusive of demand generated by GSU. While difficult to quantify given the elapsed time since the 2000 U.S. Census data, the most recent data available, future estimations/projections for these transit dependent populations must also be analyzed when considering a transit strategy.

Young Adults (between 18 and 24): Persons aged 18-24 account for a major percentage of the Bulloch County population due largely to the presence of students attending Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. In 2000, this group comprised approximately 20% of the County population and as much as 48% of the Statesboro population. This trend is expected to continue. According to the City of Statesboro Comprehensive Master Plan 2009 2029, completed in June 2009, the college age population will comprise 25% to 30% of the County population by 2030. The growing young adult population will continue to stress the GSU transit system and parking facilities as well as increase the need for transportation to multifamily housing off campus, to downtown Statesboro, and to the mall area.

The Elderly: The percentage of elderly (age 65+) in Bulloch County comprised 9.3% (5,207 persons) of the total Bulloch County population in the year 2000. While this percentage is expected to remain fairly constant through the year 2030, the actual number of elderly persons is expected to increase from the 5,207 in 2000 to 6,682 persons by 2015, and to 7,600 persons by 2030, an overall 46% increase. The Bulloch County Transit Development Plan found that the highest concentration of elderly (based on 2000 Census block group data) was located in the eastern and western sections of Statesboro with the percentage of seniors relative to the total population in the City of Statesboro projected to actually decrease in coming years.

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According to the Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan 2009 2029, Bulloch County has seen an increase in the number of requests and plans for subdivisions geared towards retirees. The Plan anticipates that this trend will continue in the future as baby boomers begin to retire.
According to the Georgia DHR Region 12 Transportation Service Office, there is currently unmet need for transportation for seniors to medical, shopping, and public services destinations. Currently, human services transportation services for seniors are geared primarily for trips to the senior center. The growing population of seniors will further generate public transportation needs both in Statesboro and in the outlying County areas.
The Disabled: According to the 2000 Census, there were 9,112 persons age five years and up with disabilities, representing 16.3% of the Countys total population (slightly lower than the percentage in the rest of the region, 18% and up) . This included 6,321 who were of working age (16 to 64) of whom 3,229 (51.1%) were employed. The CRC, Area Agency on Aging, reports in its FY2009 Area Plan that there are 1,570 persons age 65+ in Bulloch County, (included in the 9,122 persons identified above), with limited mobility who are unable to drive a vehicle and are reliant on family members, friends, or public transportation services.
According to the Bulloch County Transit Development Plan, the highest concentration of disabled persons (based on 2000 Census block group data) is located in the northeastern part of Statesboro. The 2010 U.S. Census will provide more definitive data and insight into the number and location of the disabled population, and their need for transit services.
The Poor: Census figures show that 11.9% or 1,486 of Bulloch Countys 12,441 families had incomes which fell below the poverty level in 1999. The Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan, 2009-2029, states that 0% of these families were in Register, 6.9% in Brooklet, 8.2% in Portal, 9.0% in the unincorporated areas of Bulloch County, and 20.5% in Statesboro. Moreover, according to the CRC Area Agency on Aging FY2009 Area Plan, 18.6% of Bulloch County seniors age 65 and over were living below the poverty level in 2000. While updated figures for families living in poverty will not become available until the 2010 Census is completed and compiled, the 2009 2029 Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan reports that residents receiving certain kinds of public assistance is on the rise, providing a present-day indicator of the increased number cost-burdened households.
Autoless Households: According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 1,436 out of 20,743 (or seven percent) of Bulloch County households were without an automobile. Of renter-occupied households, 12% were autoless compared to just 3% of owneroccupied households. The Bulloch County Transit Development Plan showed that the highest concentration of autoless households was in Statesboro, likely attributed largely to the GSU student population. Once again, the percentage of autoless households is difficult to gauge at present pending the 2010 Census. The current economic downturn and surging fuel prices in late 2008 likely resulted in an increase in the number of households unable to afford a vehicle. Autoless households are a primary indicator of potential transit need within a community.
Transit Dependent Population - A Summary:

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The future conditions for transit dependent populations, which includes young adults, the elderly, the disabled, the poor, and autoless households, described above, indicates that all groups will experience increased need for transit services in Bulloch County in future years. These conditions and needs are summarized in Table 6.B.3 below.

Table 6.B.3 Summary of Transit Dependent Population Future Needs

Transit Dependent Population Young Adults, age 18-24
Elderly, age 65+
Disabled, age 5+
Poor
Autoless Households

2000 U.S. Census Population 27% of County Population
48% of Statesboro Population
5,207 elderly population
9,112 persons of which 3,229 were employed
16.3% of County Population
11.9% of families with incomes under the poverty level
18.6% of elderly with incomes below poverty level
7% of total households autoless
12% of total renter occupied households autoless

Future Projections
25% to 30% of the County Population by 2030
7,600 elderly population by 2030
Overall increase expected but specific projections not known
Future projections not specifically known although County is seeing increased demand for public assistance during current economic downturn
Specifically unknown but dependent on duration of economic downturn and fuel prices

Future Transit Services Planning Implications
Increased demand on GSU transit
Increased need for transportation within the City of Statesboro
Increased need for transit services in downtown Statesboro
Increased need for transit services in outlying areas where new retiree housing development is anticipated
Increased need for transit services in northeastern part of Statesboro and in downtown Statesboro
Need for transit services where poor are concentrated (in the unincorporated areas and in Statesboro)
Need for transit services in Statesboro
Need for transit services in future multifamily housing development areas

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Future Land Use Projections
The future land use of Bulloch County and Statesboro will drive the origins and destinations of residents who are potential transit riders. According to the Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan 2009 2029, the County has experienced significant residential and commercial growth in the past fifteen years, and will continue this trend in the future. In recent years, heavy growth has occurred between Statesboro and Brooklet along US 80 and south of Statesboro along SR 67. At present, there are a number of new, large multi-family housing developments being built along the bypass south of GSU which will primarily serve the growing GSU student population.
The Bulloch County Comprehensive Plan 2009 2029 recommends future character areas which will drive preferred development patterns in the County and that will be significant to any transit strategy. Recommended character areas which will affect the need and potential demand for transit alternative are:
The location of existing and future employment centers, located primarily within the greater Statesboro area, along the I-16 corridor, and in the industrial parks (along US 301);
The developing commercial corridors, located along SR 67 and SR 25/301 south of Statesboro; and
The crossroad communities targeted primarily along the I-16 corridor in the southern part of the County.
The City of Statesboro Comprehensive Land Use Plan, 2009 - 2029 also pinpoints various character areas, the following of which would be significant to any transit strategy:
The citys urban core or downtown; The activity center in the mall area along the U.S. 80 corridor; and The activity center located along the SR64 corridor adjacent to the GSU campus.
These character areas warrant priority attention when analyzing various transportation alternatives.
Projected Enrollment Growth at Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University (GSU) is expected to continue to grow in student population in future years. The University increased by 1,000 students in the 2008-2009 school year to an enrollment of 17,700+ students, with only 3,500 living in on-campus housing. According to the GSU Enrollment Projections, Fall 2008 to Fall 2018, the student population is projected to be at or exceeding 20,000 by the year 2018 (GSU Office of Strategic Research and Analysis, January 2009). This growth has already and will continue to spur new multifamily developments in the Statesboro area and an increased need for transportation facilities which extend beyond campus boundaries.
GSUs existing transit system is primarily a park and ride service versus a true circulation service. The system is designed to provide stops on the campus core that provide access to various points on the campus within a five minute walk. With the growth of multifamily housing adjacent to the campus, the system has been able to incorporate a few additional stops to pick students up and deliver them to campus, precluding a drive to the park and ride facility at Paulson Stadium. Although funding constraints and the emphasis on solving

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parking shortages on campus prevent expanding the transit system currently, a long-range vision for the transit system is to develop it into a full circulation system that could make numerous stops in the campus core, transport more students in from off-campus housing residential areas, and extend service into the downtown and mall areas.
GSU will be conducting a Transit Operations Analysis during 2009 to examine its operations and to identify capacity issues. Results from this analysis will be used to tailor the transit provider contract during its renewal process but will also recommend improvements to strengthen operational efficiencies and to address any capacity issues found.
As part of the LRTP and other transit planning activities undertaken by the CRC, a transit strategy that involves partnerships between GSU, Bulloch County, and Statesboro has been suggested. Major issues that would need to be specifically addressed are the public and student ridership demand, branding/marketing issues with GSU transit buses, and the financial commitment from each participating entity. GSU will be bringing in a new university president in 2009 that will be responsible for setting direction for any type of university partnership strategy in the future.
Transit Recommendations
Rural transit is a quality of life amenity that some local governments have the option to offer to their citizens as funding allows. It can provide needed transportation to work, to medical appointments, to education, to recreational facilities, and to commercial/shopping districts. It can serve workers and their employers, the elderly, the disabled, the underprivileged, or anyone who chooses to use an alternative mode of transportation to reach a desired destination. A decision to implement a transit system must compare the community benefits and the program revenues with the cost to the local government, with the upfront knowledge that such programs usually do have to emphasize the intangible community benefits to make them feasible.
Given the existing and future conditions and factors discussed above, a transit strategy for Bulloch County and Statesboro should consider relying on the following:
Definitive proof of a local desire for transit; and County and City established initiatives to formally evaluate and plan a transit
strategy; and Working partnerships between Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, and GSU to
develop viable options within timeframes conducive to funding opportunities.
Recommendations predicated on these requirements outlined directly above include:
1. The establishment of an action item to evaluate transit.
Current economic conditions and budgeting constraints necessitate that any transit strategy be carefully considered and planned in advance. Before this can happen, however, both Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro must establish intention to consider such a strategy. The recommendation is that Bulloch County and Statesboro each designate a transit evaluation and planning initiative that can be included as part of the Short Term Work Program, five-year financial plan, and budget process.

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2. The completion of a Detailed Transit Demand Analysis.
Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, and Georgia Southern University have all expressed that completion of a detailed transit demand analysis is a requirement for work on a transit strategy to proceed. While the existing and future conditions and factors discussed above confirm the need for transit, hard numbers which document location-specific demand have not yet been produced. The recommendation is that a detailed transit demand analysis be completed to examine/provide:
a) Demand-response and fixedroute transit demand in both the rural and incorporated areas of Bulloch County;
b) Ridership demand from all population groups, including the elderly, the disabled, low-income individuals, students, and the non-transit dependent populations;
c) Testimonials from other Georgia counties which operate both demand-response and fixed-route systems; and
d) Recommendations for further study of transit alternative that should be explored in more detail based on the demand findings.
Bulloch County, Statesboro, and GSU should co-sponsor the study to ensure that the findings accurately reflect demand relevant to each.
3. The establishment of a County, City, and GSU transit planning partnership/entity to develop financially and logistically viable transit solutions. A Bulloch County, City of Statesboro, and GSU transit planning partnership/entity would ensure that each partys interests, demands, and needs are met. The partnership/entity would be able to decide the scope of services, the financial obligations, the populations each wishes to best serve, and the implementation timeframe.
Several transit partnership opportunities and timing issues must be considered. The recommendation is that:
a) Bulloch County gauge transit planning and decision-making activities in order to take advantage of the CRCs Regional Rural and Coordinated Public Transportation Program five-year phase-in period incentive. During the programs first five years, (January, 2009 to 2014), the CRC will fund participating counties capital costs (ADA compliant vehicles with wheelchair lifts, dispatching equipment, software, computer hardware, and two-way radios). Thus, if Bulloch County elects to participate in the Regional Coordinated Program in 2012, for example, it will receive the remaining two years worth of capital costs provided by the incentive.
b) The City of Statesboro gauge transit planning and decision-making activities to coincide with the outcome of the 2010 U.S. Census and its subsequent requirements. If the greater Statesboro area becomes designated as an urban area, it will be required to establish an MPO to be responsible for overall transportation planning. The urbanized areas would then be eligible for transportation funding from the FTA 5307 Program. Under this scenario, it is estimated that Section 5307 funding would be available to Statesboro in the 2012 to 2013 timeframe.

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At present, there are a variety of potential future scenarios which have been discussed and may be worthy of further consideration. Some of these include:
a) A City of Statesboro and GSU sponsored pilot fixed-route/shuttle service to downtown and/or mall area combined with Bulloch County-sponsored demandresponse rural transit outside the greater Statesboro area which could link to the shuttle service in addition to providing transportation within the entire Coastal region.
b) A Bulloch County/City of Statesboro sponsored demand-response service serving the entire County and providing transportation services within the Coastal Georgia region.
c) A Bulloch County/City of Statesboro/GSU sponsored demand-response service extending service both in the county and to the Coastal Georgia region combined with a fixed route component serving downtown Statesboro.
d) A City of Statesboro/GSU sponsored fixed-route option serving the GSU campus and the greater Statesboro area.
e) Expansion of the GSU Southern Express service to off-campus student housing developments and destinations frequented by students.
The recommendation is that any strategy be reevaluated with updated U.S. Census data, with definitive transit demand data, and with the full participation and cooperation by Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, and Georgia Southern University.

C. Commuter Transportation Options

Bulloch County has a GDOT Park and Ride facility with 30 parking spaces located on SR 26 north of Statesboro. This facility appears to be underutilized by Bulloch County commuters. Bulloch County has expressed that the I-16 corridor in the southeastern part of the County would be a more appropriate location for a park and ride facility to accommodate commuters to Fort Stewart and to metropolitan Savannah.
If employers in the Coastal region elect to sign-on to the new CRC vanpool program, described in Chapter 3, Section D, Commuter Transportation Options on page 39, the need for new formal park and ride facilities will become evident. The CRC did field a number of inquiries from employers about the vanpool program when fuel prices spiked during the summer of 2008. Current economic conditions which have resulted in cut-backs and layoffs, however, have shifted employer focus to merely retaining their employees. Despite this, the CRC feels that the current economic conditions could actually increase worker interest in the vanpool program as unemployed workers seek employment outside their county of residence.
The CRC plans to work with GDOT and its counties to try to accommodate the park and ride needs as part of establishing and growing the vanpool program. The CRC will also have an on-site vanpool coordinator once the program starts in 2009. The coordinator will be

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working with local chambers of commerce and development authorities to publicize and market the program to existing and potential employers.

Recommendations
The Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority of Bulloch County should actively work with the CRC Vanpool Coordinator to examine ways to market and publicize the vanpool program to existing and potential employers. The vanpool program is a potential economic generator that can attract employers to Bulloch County as well as attract workers from outside Bulloch County to employment centers in Bulloch County. (Vans are provided to the participating employee and it is up to the participant to organize and find riders to desired destinations.)
Bulloch County should work with GDOT and the CRC Vanpool Coordinator to identify possible locations for a park and ride facility along the southeastern I-16 corridor to serve commuters to Fort Stewart and Savannah, and for future park and ride facilities as need dictates.
Contact Barbara Hurst, CRC Vanpool Coordinator, (912) 262-2830 to begin coordination efforts.

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D. Intercity and Commuter Rail Future Conditions
The Georgia Rail Passenger Program (GRPP) proposes long-range intercity rail between Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah. Phase one will implement a route between Atlanta and Macon; phase two will extend the line from Macon to Savannah. If implemented, this service would allow Bulloch County residents to travel approximately 50 miles to Savannah or 125 miles to Macon to board an express train to Atlanta. The current proposal is to use either the Norfolk Southern freight line to Jesup and CSX line to Savannah, or the Georgia Central line with a stop in Vidalia (as discussed in Chapter 3, Section G, Intercity and Commuter Rail on Page 48) The intercity rail service would potentially create demand in Bulloch County for public transportation or shuttle services to the designated rail station facility in Savannah.
Recommendations
Incorporate the intercity rail program between Atlanta to Macon to Savannah into County and City transit planning initiatives. Provide methods to facilitate transportation (via the Regional Coordinated Transportation System, buses, shuttles, etc.) between points of origin in Bulloch County with the designated rail station in Savannah, when/if the program is implemented.

E. Rail Crossing Future Conditions
Georgia Midland Railroad currently transports 1,800 to 2,000 carloads of cargo per year through Bulloch County on a 32-mile route which runs between Metter and Dover, Georgia. Prior to the economic downturn in 2009, the Railroad projected that 3,000 carloads of cargo would be shipped through Bulloch County in 2009. A-1 Action, a scrap metal business located in Metter, was projected to increase rail movement by 50 to 100 carloads per month in 2009, with scrap metal then accounting for 30% of all products transported through the County. As of July 2009, however, a drop in scrap metal prices coupled with the economic downturn has resulted in A-1 Action carrying approximately five carloads per month. The Railroad anticipates that an increase in the scrap metal market will increase carloads in the late 2009 to 2010 timeframe. The Statesboro Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce actively works to attract rail customers to Bulloch Countys Gateway Industrial Park. Future growth in rail is expected to be modest over the next two to five years, with hope that one or two good rail shippers will locate in Bulloch County.
Since Georgia Midland Railroad acquired the Ogeechee Railway Company in 2004, there have been some improvements and upgrades made to rail crossings on the line. The track, however, has not had any program work done for several years and is in need of new wooden railroad crossties and track/railroad bed resurfacing. Business activity on the line as it stands now does not support the expense outlay for any significant work. Georgia Midland maintains the safety of the railroad by monitoring train speeds as needed to allow for safe operations.
Georgia Midland seeks to build carload activity on the line in order to generate revenue which would allow for track upgrades to be made. The Railroad looks to Bulloch County,

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Statesboro, and GDOT to support improvements to rail crossings so that the County and City can continue to benefit from the presence of the railroad as an industrial development tool to attract good business to the area and to enhance safety. The Statesboro Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce does aggressively work to draw industry to the area. The Railroad has expressed that a funding mechanism to be used for construction of rail facilities needed by new industry interested in locating in the area is warranted and would help to prevent new industry from deciding to locate elsewhere.

Rail Crossing Safety
The GDOT Office of Traffic Safety and Design, maintains an inventory of the States railroad crossings and a priority list for those requiring improvements. Local governments are encouraged to report crossings within their jurisdictions which appear to be unsafe, deficient in their currently traffic control devices, candidates for closure, or in need of an upgrade. GDOT will schedule a field review to conduct a Highway Rail Engineering Analysis of any crossings in question, evaluating a number of criteria, including:
The maximum number of passenger trains per day; Maximum number of freight trains per day; Distance to alternate crossings; Accident history of the crossing for the immediately preceding five year period; Type of warning device present at the crossing; The horizontal and vertical alignment of the roadway; The average daily traffic volume in proportion to the population of the jurisdiction; The posted road and train speed limits at the crossing; The effect of closing/altering the crossing for persons utilizing it (hospitals and
medical facilities; federal state and local government services such as court, postal, library, sanitation, and park facilities; commercial, industrial and other areas of public commerce); Any use of the crossing by trucks carrying hazardous material, vehicles carrying passengers for hire, school buses, emergency vehicles, public or private utility vehicles; Other relevant factors such as clearing sight distance, traversing the crossing, high profile or "hump" crossings, land locked property, at-grade crossing signalized with bells, lights, and proximity to other crossings.

Upon review, if traffic control devices are found to be deficient, GDOT will assign a priority and program an improvement project to correct the deficiency.
Crossing Traffic Control Devices
Bulloch County has 73 railroad crossings, all of which are "at-grade", that is, the railroad track directly intersects the road at roadway level and not over or under the roadway via a bridge or tunnel. "At-grade" highway-rail crossings pose risks because the train always has the right of way. These crossings require traffic control devices (passive and active) to permit reasonably safe and efficient operation of both the rail and traffic. Passive devices are signs and pavement markings that are not activated by trains. Types of passive devices include:

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Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Crossbuck Signs - the white crisscrossed sign
with RAILROAD CROSSING in black lettering. These are required in each highway approach to every highway-rail grade crossing, either alone or in combination with other traffic control devices.
Stop Signs - formerly recommended with crossbucks only where
two or more trains operate daily. GDOT and FHWA now recommend that stop signs be placed with crossbucks at all crossings, particularly those where an engineering study deems conditions necessary for a vehicle to make full stop. Factors to be considered include:
o The line of sight from an approaching highway vehicle to an approaching train;
o Characteristics of the highway, such as the functional classification, geometric conditions, and traffic volumes and speed;
o Characteristics of the railroad including frequency, type and speed of trains, and number of tracks;
o Crossing crash history, and o Need for active control devices.
Pavement markings - used to supplement the regulatory and warning
messages of crossing signs and signals. They consist of an "X" and the letters "RR" and stop bars painted on the roadway on each approach lane of all paved approaches to crossings where:
o Crossing signals or automatic gates are located; o The prevailing speed of highway traffic is 40 mph or greater; and/or o Engineering studies indicate there is a significant potential conflict
between vehicles and trains.
Pavement markings have limitations in that they may be obliterated by snow, may not be clearly visible at night or when wet, and may not be very durable when subjected to heavy traffic. Pavement markings are to be retroreflectorized by mixing glass beads in wet paint or using thermoplastic material. Thermoplastics are polymers that turn to a liquid when heated and freeze to a very glassy state when cooled. Thermoplastics do not contain solvents and provide extended service life, generally outperforming spray materials. Reapplication over existing markings may be accomplished with little surface preparation. Thermoplastics are preferred as they provide a long service life, good visibility, and good retroreflectivity.
Raised pavement markers can be used to supplement pavement markings in advance of crossings. The "X" lane lines and the stop bar line can be delineated by raised retroreflective markers to provide improved guidance at night and during periods of rain and fog.

Railroad Advance Warning Signs - intended for approach roadways that
parallel the railroad to warn turning drivers

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that they will encounter a highway/rail crossing soon after making the turn.
Active traffic control devices are controlled by the train operator and give warning of the approach or presence of a train. Types of active traffic control devices include:
Flashing-Light Signals - two red lights in a horizontal line flashing alternately at approaching highway traffic.

Cantilever Flashing Light Signals - additional one or two sets of lights mounted over the roadway on a cantilever arm and directed at approaching highway traffic. Supplemental to the standard flashing light, used frequently on multi-lane approaches, high speed, two lane highways, roads with a high percentage of trucks or where obstacles obstruct visibility of standard flashing lights.

Automatic Gates - consisting of a drive unit and gate arm. Supplemental to flashing and cantilever lights.

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Additional Flashing Light Signals - used for additional approaches to active highway rail grade crossings. These lights can be mounted on existing flashing light masts, extension arms, additional traffic signal masts, cantilever supports, and in medians or other locations on the left side of the road.

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Active Advance Warning Signs with Flashers - a train activated advance warning sign, considered at locations where sight distance is restricted on the approach to a crossing and the flashing light signals can not be seen until an approaching driver has passed the decision point. Two amber lights can be placed on the sign to warn drivers in advance of a crossing where the control devices are activated. The continuously flashing amber caution lights can influence driver speed and provide warning for stopped vehicles ahead.

Active Turn Restriction Signs - display ,,No Right Turn or ,,No Left Turn on a parallel street within 50 feet of the tracks, at a signalized highway intersection.
Barrier devices - median separation devices to prohibit crossing gate violations.

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Forty-nine of Bulloch Countys 73 railroad crossings are public crossings and 29 cross private roads. The Federal Railroad Administration - Office of Safety Analysis reports that, of the 49 public crossings:

One has no type of highway warning; Forty-two are equipped with crossbucks; and Six are equipped with gates.
Rail Recommendations

Bulloch County rail crossings identified in Chapter 3, Section F, page 43 were further evaluated to determine deficiencies in safety control devices, described above. This analysis was combined with input provided by the Study Advisory Committee (Chapter 4, Section B, page 82) and from Georgia Midland Railroad to produce specific rail recommendations provided below.

Clito

1) Clito Road (Crossing 620155D) This crossing had an accident involving a train and a pick-up truck in 2004 (no injuries) and has the highest predicted collision value on the FRA Web Accident Prediction System, as described in Chapter 3, Section F, page 46. The crossing has crossbucks and yield signs, but poor sight distance in both directions and no advance warning signs.

Recommendation: Review crossing with the GDOT Railroad Crossing Manager to incorporate additional thermoplastic pavement markings and signage. Place advance warning signs on both approaches. Add pavement markings on both sides of crossing. Cutting trees back along the track near Clito Road could also improve sight distance.

Figure 6.E.1

Clito Road Rail Crossing

Statesboro
2) Coley Boyd Road (Crossing 620204X) The Coley Boyd Road crossing had an accident between an automobile and a train in 2005 (no injuries) and has the second highest predicted collision value on the FRA Web Accident Prediction System. The crossing is equipped with crossbucks.

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Recommendation: Review crossing with the GDOT Railroad Crossing Manager to add a stop sign, where none currently exists, on the westbound direction. Replace the eastbound stop sign as well.

3) The intersection of US 301, SR 67, Rackley Road, and Brannen Street While none of the crossings in this intersection have identification plates, FRA GIS data indicates that it includes Crossing 620197P, 620182A, and 620198W. The intersection experiences high AADT, exceeding 20,000 vehicles per day. With the exception of Rackley Road, the intersection rail crossings are equipped with crossbucks, gates, and flashing lights. Several automobile crashes have occurred in the intersections between 2004 and 2007. The Study Advisory Committee (Chapter 4, Section B) and Georgia Midland Railroad have noted that these crossings are dangerous from a geometric perspective as vehicles maneuvering turns in the intersection can become stopped on the rail line. The warning device hardware is currently placed so that the train has to slow down or stop and wait for the gates to drop down before entering the intersection.

Recommendation: Review all legs of this 5-point intersection with the GDOT Railroad Program Crossing Manager and with Georgia Midland Railroad. Consider recommendations to:

Equip the Rackley Road leg with gates and lights; Improve/relocate track circuitry to activate gates and lights sooner on
the train approach; and Examine alternatives to re-route/realign the intersection to reduce the
number of approaches and rail crossings and / or re-signalize to allow railroad signal preemption.

Figure 6.E.2

US 301 / SR 67 / Rackley Road / Brannen Street Rail Crossing

4) Zetterower Avenue, on the rail spur (Crossings 620176W, 620181T) Crossings experience high AADT of 11,943 and are ranked fourth and fifth in predicted collision value on the Web Accident Prediction System. Crossings are equipped with crossbucks; some approaches have advance warning signs and pavement markings.

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Recommendation: Review crossings on Zetterower Avenue with GDOT Railroad Program Manager to incorporate stop signs, thermoplastic pavement markings, and advance warning signage.

5) E. Jones Avenue (Crossing 620196H) This crossing was listed with the sixth highest predicted collision value on the FRA Web Accident Prediction System. The crossing is also listed on the GDOT Construction Work Program as a safety project to upgrade crossbucks to gates, and to add lights and a bell with a cantilevered light unit on one approach. The project is currently on hold. The crossing currently does not have stop signs or pavement markings but does have crossbucks.

Recommendation: Review crossing with GDOT Railroad Crossing Manager to update status of the safety improvement project on the Construction Work Program. Minimally, incorporate stop signs and thermoplastic pavement markings on both approaches.

Figure 6.E.3

E. Jones Avenue Rail Crossing

6) East Grady Street (labeled as Crossing 620172U and Crossing 620173B) This crossing is labeled at the rail site as both Crossing 620172U and 620173B and experienced four GDOT reported crashes between 2004 and 2006, none with injuries. The crossings are both listed on the Web Accident Predication System and ranked number nine and seven in predicted collision value, respectively. The crossing is equipped with crossbucks and advance warning signs.

Recommendation:

Review crossing with GDOT Railroad Crossing Manager

and with Georgia Midland Railroad to determine/correct rail crossing number. Add

stop signs and thermoplastic pavement markings on both approaches.

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Figure 6.E.4

East Grady Street Rail Crossing

7) Johnson Street (Crossing 620189X) - This crossing is ranked number 10 on the FRA Web Accident Prediction Systems predicted collision value. The northbound approach has pavement markings, advance warning sign, and crossbucks in advance of the crossing. The southbound approach has no crossbucks, no pavement markings, and no advance warning sign.
Recommendation: Review crossing with the GDOT Rail Crossing Manager to incorporate the following:
Relocate northbound crossbucks to the crossing location; Add southbound crossbucks; Add southbound advance warning sign and thermoplastic pavemen
markings; and Add yield or stop signs on both approaches.
8) SR26 (Crossing 620165J) This crossing experienced a vehicle crash with no injuries in 2005. The crossing is currently equipped with gates and lights.
Recommendation: Review crossing with GDOT Rail Crossing Manager to repaint faded eastbound pavement markings.
9) Georgia Midland Railroad seeks to build carload activity on the line in order to generate revenue which would allow for track upgrades to be made. The Railroad looks to the County, City, and GDOT to support improvements to rail crossings so that the local governments can continue to benefit from the presence of the railroad as an industrial development tool to attract good business to the area.
Recommendation: Address funding needs through a collaborative effort between Bulloch County, Statesboro, the Statesboro Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce, GDOT, and Georgia Midland Railroad to look for mechanisms/alternatives to provide timely funding incentives for rail improvements that are needed by potential rail customers who are evaluating locating their business in Bulloch County.

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Other Rail Recommendations
Report crossings described above to the GDOT Railroad Crossing Program Manager:
James Key Phillips Railroad Crossing Program Manager Georgia Department of Transportation
Office of Utilities, 10th FL One Georgia Center
600 West Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30308
Office: 404-631-1376 FAX: 404-631-1934 Cell: 404-694-6622
The Crossing Program Manager will schedule a field review to conduct a Highway Rail Engineering Analysis of each crossing in question.

Report train standing problems to the Federal Railroad Administration at:
61 Forsyth Street, SW Suite 16T20 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3104 Phone 404-562-3800 Hot Line 1-800-724-5993 www.fra.dot.gov
Increased coordination between local officials, GDOT, and Railroad should occur to maximize safety and operational conditions on any new proposed at-grade railroad crossings within Bulloch County.
Install Stop or Yield Signs along with crossbucks at "at-grade" crossings. A Yield sign should be the default choice with a STOP sign required when a Highway Rail Engineering Analysis deems conditions necessary for vehicles to make a full stop.
When painting pavement markings, use thermoplastic versus paint. Thermoplastic will provide greater visibility at night and during inclement weather. Thermoplastic also provides a long service life, thus reducing maintenance costs.
GDOT offers local government incentive payments for at-grade rail-highway crossing closures, a provision of U.S. Code 23, section 130 (SAFETEA-LU section 1401(d)). The amount of the incentive grant may be up to $7,500 to local governments for the permanent closure of public-at-grade crossings if matched by the railroad involved, for a total incentive of $15,000. The local government receiving the incentive payment must use the portion received from the State for transportation safety improvements. Types of potential safety improvements include: Grading, paving and drainage improvements associated with crossing removal; Guardrail, barricades and barrier wall; Traffic signals; Highway signs; Turn lanes; Pavement markings; Sidewalks;

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Emergency vehicles primarily responding to highway incidents; Emergency equipment (i.e. "Jaws of Life); Sirens and flashing lights for emergency response vehicles; Radar guns; Sponsorship of a community drivers education class.
Contact the Railroad Crossing Program Manager, above, for additional information.
Utilize available programs to address crossings with safety concerns and crossing violations.
Coordinate with GDOT Railroad Crossing Program Manager and FRA to create potential Quiet Zones within downtown Statesboro. FRAs Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossing can be found at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/Content/1318. This rule provides an opportunity for local governments to mitigate the effects of train horn noise by establishing new "quiet zones". Guidance on the quiet zones creation process is also available on the website mentioned above.
The Georgia Operation Lifesaver Program is a national, non-profit education and awareness program dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossing and on railroad rights of way. The organization promotes safety through: Education for drivers and pedestrians to make safe decisions at crossings and around railroad tracks; Active enforcement of traffic laws relating to crossing signs and signals; and Continued engineering research and innovation to improve the safety of railroad crossings.
Free programs are presented to schools, businesses, civic organizations, school bus drivers, professional drivers, law enforcement and emergency.
Georgia Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Jennie Glasgow, State Coordinator
P.O. Box 76526 Atlanta, Ga 30358
(770) 393-2711 Fax (770) 393-3751 www.georgiaol.org

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F. Aviation Future Conditions

Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport (SBCA) completed an update to its Airport Layout Plan (ALP) in December 2008. The ALP provides a "blueprint" for the airport for the next ten years. In 2008, there were nearly 20,000 takeoffs and landings at Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport. According to the Airport Manager, future airport operations are projected to increase at a rate of 10% to 15% per year. Current economic conditions, however, have resulted in a drop in corporate/business jet activity despite stable general aviation business (specific figures were not available at the time this document was prepared). Given this, the Airport projects take-offs and landing operations to remain at the 20,000 figure until the recovery of corporate aviation activity occurs. The Airport currently has a pilot/aviator contact waitlist for 10 to 17 additional T-hangers for small aircraft. While four or so of the waitlisted aviators currently park their aircraft on site, the remaining do not, therefore, the addition of T-hangar space would generate additional revenues, aviation fuel sales, and increased operations for the Airport. The Airport is reliant on non-FAA funding sources, such as SPLOST funds, if allocated, to build this additional small aircraft storage space.
The SBCA Airport hopes to launch charter jet service in 2010. The service will be provided by a private third-party operator. The charter jet service will complement the existing corporate/business aviation activity as well as provide air transportation for individuals who do not have access to a private jet. The Airport expects corporate/business travel to become a significant component of its aviation activity in coming years.
Improvements planned for the Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport in 2009 include the installation of security fencing and pavement rejuvenation of the airport ramps. The Airport must now replace its AWOS weather information system which will require rescheduling the pavement rejuvenation project to 2010. The installation of the security fencing is expected to be completed as planned by the end of 2009. Other capital improvements planned for the 2010 to 2014 timeframe are shown in Table 6.F on page 116.

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Table 6.F Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport Five-Year Capital Improvement Program

Fiscal Year

Description

Federal Cost State Cost

T-Hangar Taxi-

lanes (excluding

2010 hangar) and

$237,500

$6,250

Taxi-lane

Reconstruction

Construct

Vehicle Access

2011

Road to East Hangars and

$142,500

$3,750

Future

Development

Development of

2012 Additional

$475,000

$12,500

Aircraft Apron

2013

Access Road Relocation

$237,500

$6,250

2014

Rehabilitate Runway 14/32

$760,000

$20,000

Grand Total:

$1,852,500

$48,750

Source: Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport, Airport Layout Plan, December, 2008

Local Cost $6,250
$3,750
$12,500 $6,250
$20,000 $48,750

Total Cost $250,000
$150,000
$500,000 $250,000 $800,000 $1,950,000

Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport does not have future plans for land expansion as its existing land area provides a sufficient buffer from neighboring land uses and room for expansion. The Airport has been actively working with Bulloch County to develop a noise ordinance and zoning provisions to ensure compatible land uses around the airport property in the future.

Vehicular access in and out of Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport is hampered somewhat by traffic on US 301. Exiting the Airport requires making a left-hand turn into high-speed traffic on US 301 in order to drive into Statesboro.

Airport users sometimes experience difficulty finding the facility, usually as a result of missing the right hand turn onto the US 301 split north of Statesboro. Additional signage to complement existing airport symbol signage in this area may alleviate the problem.

Recommendations

Bulloch County, working with GDOT District Office, should review access in and out of the Airport to determine if additional signage and/or a traffic signal are warranted. Any future plans to widen US 301 should include provisions for access safety improvements for the Airport.
Bulloch County, working with GDOT District Office, should review airport signage and its placement to determine if additional signage is warranted. Consider locating signage at the US 301 split north of Statesboro.

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G. Bicycle and Pedestrian Future Conditions
The evaluation of existing bicycle and pedestrian systems in the study area revealed a fairly well developed sidewalk network within the City of Statesboro and a basic network in the smaller towns of Brooklet, Register and Portal. There are existing sidewalks adjacent to or in the vicinity of most of the schools and community facilities in Bulloch County. However, the examination found that often there are gaps in sidewalks, or that sidewalks are only present on one side of the road, requiring pedestrians to enter or cross the street in order to continue along the sidewalk.
Outside of Statesboro there are no bicycle facilities. There are two designated State Bicycle Routes that traverse Bulloch County, the TransGeorgia Route (SR46) and the March to the Sea Route (SR 67 to Lakeview Rd and Old River Rd), but neither have bikeable shoulders or signage. Throughout the county, shoulders are non-existent, very narrow, or are filled with rumble strips, rendering the shoulders unusable by bikes. However, the low traffic volumes, good sight distance and scenic surroundings make the county an attractive destination for bicycle tourists as well as residents riding for transportation or recreation.
The City of Statesboro does have the beginnings of a bicycle network, which includes some on-street bike lanes and shoulders, and the McTell Multi-use Trail that runs on a former railroad bed from Memorial Park to E. Main Street and Savannah Avenue. There are also various other multi-use path projects that are funded and programmed for construction.
The study recommendations were based on the following:
Review of existing land use, transportation, and recreation plans
Analysis of bicycle and pedestrian crash data Examination of existing facilities Review of current and proposed projects Site visits Input from Study Advisory Committee and the
Public

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Figure 6.G.1

Bike

/ Ped Shared Lane

Markings

Shared lane markings or "sharrows" are used when there is not enough room for a bicycle lane, but there is a desire to indicate to motorists that bicycles are present, and to indicate to bicyclists where they should be positioned on the roadway. They have been used throughout the country. Currently they are approved by FHWA for experimental use and will be included in the next edition of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

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It is important to note that the scope of this plan does not include an examination of every local street in the county for bike or pedestrian facilities. This plan is intended to evaluate safety problems and identify major bicycle and pedestrian needs and network deficiencies, and to propose potential projects to address those needs. Once the top priorities have been implemented, the plan should be updated to assess the current conditions, new challenges and opportunities and possible solutions. The development of a more detailed bicycle and pedestrian plan for the county or the City of Statesboro is necessary in order to identify an appropriate community-wide network.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Recommendations
Town of Register:
Foster Street and Cross Street: Construct sidewalks on one side of Foster Street from City Hall to Cross Street, along Cross Street to Main Street. This will connect Main Street to community facilities.
SR 46 @ Main Street: Install crosswalks and pedestrian signage at intersection (connects gas station and sidewalks on both ends of Main Street).
Town of Portal:
US-80: Pave shoulders from 1st Avenue to Bonnet Street (at least 4 in width). Rocky Ford Rd: Construct sidewalks on one side from US-80 to Johnson Street
(connects residents to town and school). US-80 @ Rocky Ford Road: Add crosswalks and curb ramp (there is an existing
flashing beacon). US-80 @ Woods Avenue / 1st Street: Re-paint crosswalk.

Town of Brooklet:
West Lane Street: Construct sidewalk on one side of street from end of street to the elementary school (where it connects to existing sidewalks). The S&S Greenway is proposed to connect to West Lane Street. (The S&S Greenway is a planned shareduse path that will run along Railroad Bed Road and Josh Hagin Road between Statesboro and Brooklet.)
East Lane Street: Construct sidewalk on one side of street from Parker Avenue to US80.
Cromley Road: Construct sidewalk on one side of street from Brooklet-Denmark Road to just south of Spence Road (approximately 519 N. Cromley Road) to connect neighborhoods to elementary school and Roebuck Park.
West Lee Street: Construct sidewalk on one side of street from Cromley Road to western city limits.
US-80 at N. Cromley Road: Install pedestrian crossing advance warning signs and flashing beacon. If warrants cannot be met on flashing beacon, install in-street pedestrian crosswalk sign. The intersection currently has faded crosswalk and school crossing signs.

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City of Statesboro:

US-301/South Main Street/North Main Street:

Paint shared lane markings, or "sharrows"

(see Figure 6.G.1: Bike / Ped Shared Lane

Markings, p. 117), construct pedestrian

crossing islands ( see Figure 6.G.2 to the

Right) and implement access management

from Tillman Road to E. Parrish Street. See

inset below. Small pedestrian crossing

islands should be placed in the existing

center turn lane where driveway and

intersection interference are minimized.

Driveways should be consolidated where

possible (see access management

recommendations under System-wide

Infrastructure

and

Policy

Recommendations). This corridor has a

history of bicycle and pedestrian crashes,

and a high level of bicycle and pedestrian

activity and demand.

Restripe South Main Street to narrow traffic lanes from Tillman Road to Veterans Memorial Parkway and add bike lanes.

Construct sidewalks on the east side (i.e. campus side) of South Main Street from Southern Drive to Old Register Road (across from Ruckner Lane). This connects apartments on Ruckner Lane to campus.

Install a traffic signal at South Main Street and Old Register Road.

Construct raised medians on S. Main Street from Old Register Road to just south of Tillman Road (in particular at the GSU driveway at Parrish Drive across from a retail development). There are few driveways or intersections that would interfere with the median; the median could also serve as a gateway to Statesboro with landscaping and signage, and will improve pedestrian safety and discourage speeding.

Technical Memorandum August 2009
Figure 6.G.2 Pedestrian Crossing Island Courtesy of GDOT Local Technical Assistance Program Developing Pedestrian Safety Action Plans Course Material. A Pedestrian Crossing Island provides a safe refuge for pedestrians crossing streets or highways. Notice that the pedestrian cut in the median is angled so pedestrians are facing oncoming traffic. The cut is ADA compatible and the curb edge aligns with the crosswalk edge to aid the visually impaired.

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Intersection of US301/SR67/Brannen Rd & 2 RRs: Install pedestrian crossing improvements. The particular types of facilities will depend on planned intersection redesign. At a minimum, crosswalks and signage should be installed. Retrofit the existing skewed railroad tracks to create a safe crossing for bicycles. Apply rubber or flangeway fillers to gaps in tracks, and add warning sign for skewed tracks. A flangeway filler is a rubber or plastic composite material used to fill the gap between the rail and the pavement (See Figure 6.G.3 below).

Figure 6.G.3

Flangeway Filler

Public Library (corner of S. Main Street & E. Grady Street): Construct sidewalks adjacent to library on E. Grady Street and S. Mulberry Street. Construct sidewalks on S. Mulberry Street from Savannah Avenue to E. Jones Avenue.
Fair Rd: Restripe Fair Road narrowing traffic lanes to include bike lanes from S. Main Street/US-301 to Bermuda Run Road (where it connects to existing bike lanes). Add bicycle lane signage along these proposed and existing bicycle facilities. Construct landscaped raised medians in the center turn lane between intersections and major driveways, and allow for U-turns. There have been multiple bicycle crashes on Fair Road and there is a need for both bicycle facilities and traffic calming.
Savannah Avenue: Stripe bike lanes on Savannah Avenue from E. Main St. to Northside Drive.
Zetterower Avenue: Paint shared lane markings, or "sharrows" (see Figure 6.G.1: Bike / Ped Shared Lane Markings, p. 117) on Zetterower Avenue from Fair Road to E. Parrish Street.
Possible Alternative to consider in future LRTP updates: Restripe Zetterower Avenue from Fair Road to E. Parrish Street to reduce the number of traffic lanes from 3-lanes to 2-lanes, paint bike lanes, and preserve left turn lanes at intersections where necessary. The section of Zetterower Avenue from Savannah Avenue to Hill Street is an existing two-lane section with striped shoulders: tie these into the proposed bike lanes and add bicycle signage.

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Jones Mill Road: Construct sidewalks along Jones Mill Road from Lester Road to US 301 Bypass. There is evidence of walkers in this area (worn paths). Sidewalks are proposed for Lester Road as well (see Statesboro High School recommendations).
N. Main Street: Construct sidewalks on both sides of N. Main Street from Jef Road to Pinewood Drive to connect to existing sidewalks, and from Miller Road to just north of E. Parrish Street which will complete sidewalks along South/North Main Street.
S. College Street: Install bicycle signage along existing shoulder on S. College Street from W. Parrish Street to W. Brannen Street.
East and West Jones Avenue:
Stripe bike lanes on East/West Jones Avenue from Johnson Street to Gentilly Road. Jones Avenue connects to the S. College Street and Johnson Street bike lanes, the McTell Trail and provides an important east-west connection.
Construct sidewalks on W. Jones Avenue from Institute Street to existing sidewalk near Broad Street. The worn paths along the side of the road are evidence of high pedestrian activity along W. Jones Avenue.
East and West Main Street: Paint sharrows on East/West Main Street from Savannah Avenue to S. College
Street.
Stripe bike lanes on West Main Street from S. College Street to Johnson Street to Denmark Street to city limits (just west of W. Altman Street). These bike lanes will connect to existing bike lanes/shoulders on Johnson Street from Denmark Street to West Jones Avenue. (See Figure 6.G.3: Potential Bike Lane Designs at Intersections, p. 122)
Install "share the road" signage on Pulaski Road from end of Denmark Street bike lanes to the West Bypass.
Stripe bike lanes on East Main Street from Savannah Ave to Mill Creek Park Entrance east of Beasley Road.
Extend existing multi-use trail from Oakcrest Drive to US 301 Bypass.
Construct sidewalks on both sides from Northside Parkway to US 301 Bypass.
Statesboro High School: Construct sidewalks on Lester Road from Northside Drive to E. Main Street.
Enhance pedestrian crossing at the signalized intersection of Lester Rd. and Northside Drive/US-80 by adding a raised median, pedestrian countdown timers and signage ("right turn yield to pedestrians", and pedestrian crossing signs).

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Mattie Lively School: While new school is being constructed, construct a short trail link from back of school property to Jef Road along the driveway at Well # 6 (25 Jef Road).

Figure 6.G.3

Potential Bike Lane Designs at Intersections

The diagram above shows three design alternatives for handling bike lanes at intersections. Choosing the most appropriate facility type for a specific location depends on traffic volumes, intersection geometry and other factors. For more guidance, see the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 1999. Design "B" is typically preferred, but "A" or "C" can be used if right-of-way or alignment constraints are present.
Source: http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pedbike/pubs/05085/chapt15.htm.

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GSU Campus Connections: GSU to Statesboro Mall Connection:

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Gentilly Road: Paint sharrows (see Figure

6.G.1: Bike / Ped Shared Lane Markings,

p. 117), on Gentilly Road from Fair Road

to Savannah Avenue.

Construct

sidewalks on both sides of the road from

Fair Road to Brannen Street.

Possible Alternative to consider in future LRTP updates: Restripe Gentilly Road from a 3lane road to a 2-lane road, while preserving left-turn pockets at intersections where warranted, and add bike lanes from Fair Road to Savannah Avenue.

Brannen Road: Stripe bike lanes on Brannen Street from S. Zetterower Avenue to Veterans Memorial Parkway, which will connect campus, via Gentilly Road to the back entrance of Mall.

Chandler Road: Construct sidewalk segments to fill existing gaps in sidewalks. Add bicycle lanes from Fair Road to Lanier Drive.

Construct raised medians and pedestrian crossing islands (see Figure 6.G.2 on page 119) at bus stop locations and where driveways permit.

At every intersection and pedestrian crossing, add crosswalks, pedestrian warning signs, and in-street pedestrian crossing signs.

Figure 6.G.4 Signal

Hawk

HAWK Signal, Tucson, AZ. Courtesy of The National Center for Safe Routes To School (www.saferoutesinfo.org).
A HAWK signal is a pedestrianactivated crossing device that has less delay time than a traditional signal because it allows traffic to flow when the pedestrian has completed the crossing. The AADT and pedestrian traffic volume warrants to install a HAWK are less than that of a traditional signal. HAWK signal will be in the upcoming edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and are currently used in other parts of the country.

This corridor is a city street within the Georgia Southern University campus. With extremely high pedestrian and bicycle activity largely due to the campus bus stops and student housing along the corridor, this corridor has the potential for even more bicycle and pedestrian traffic. There have also been eight recent pedestrian crashes while pedestrians were attempting to cross the street and one bicycle crash (GDOT Crash Database, 2004 2007).
Possible Alternative to consider in future LRTP updates: Re-stripe Chandler Road from a 3-lane road to a 2-lane road, while preserving left-turn pockets at intersections where warranted, and add bike lanes from Fair Road to Lanier Drive.

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Terrell Drive: Construct sidewalks on one side of Terrell Drive from Fair Road to Gentilly Road (this is a high pedestrian traffic areas with many student apartments).
Herty Drive: Construct sidewalks on one side and install sharrows from Fair Road to Gentilly Road. Herty Drive provides a direct connection to campus.
Lanier Drive: Restripe Lanier Drive from 3-lanes to 2-lanes and add bike lanes, preserving left turn lanes at intersections as warranted, from Veterans Memorial Parkway to Georgia Avenue.

Parks and Paths:
Mill Creek Regional Park to McTell Trail Connection: Stripe bike lanes on E. Main Street from Northside Drive to Mill Creek Park
(connecting to proposed bike lanes on E. Main Street east of Northside Parkway).
Stripe bike lanes along Lee Street from E. Main Street to Savannah Avenue.
Install HAWK signal (see Figure 6.G.4, HAWK signal, p. 123) or flashing beacon, signage, and crosswalks at intersection of Lee Street and Northside Drive.
Bike lanes have been proposed along Savannah Avenue previously in this section, which will then complete the bicycle connection from Mill Creek Regional Park to the McTell Trail.
Construct sidewalks on Savannah Ave. from E. Main St. to S. Zetterower Avenue (approximately 0.1 mile gap in existing sidewalk).
Memorial Park: Construct sidewalk along west side (park-side) of Zetterower Avenue from Fair Road to Brannen Street. A sidewalk is needed to connect to the McTell Trail, Memorial Park, and other destinations.
Northwest Statesboro / Luetta Moore Park Area:
Construct shared-use path along abandoned railway and/or parallel city-owned property between Williams Road (just west of Floyd Street) and Proctor Street. There is evidence of people accessing the property from the end of James Street (worn paths leading to former railroad).
Construct sidewalks on both sides of W. Main Street from Proctor St. to Ivory St.
Construct sidewalks on north side of W. Main Street/Proctor Street from N. Foss St. to Morris Street.
Construct sidewalks on east side of Stockyard Road and bike lanes on both sides from Williams Road to West Main Street.
Construct sidewalks on Williams Street from Bryant School entrance to Stockyard Road (gap closure).

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Install bike lanes on Blitch Street and Martin Luther King Drivefrom W. Main Street to Northside Drive.
Stripe bike lanes on Williams Road from Northside Drive to Stockyard Road.

S & S Greenway: Phase I: This project is programmed and funded by the Transportation Enhancement
and Recreational Trails Programs. Construct shared use path along Railroad Bed Road from Gentilly Road to Veterans Memorial Parkway . Phase II: Construct shared use path from Veterans Memorial Parkway to Railroad Bed Road. This phase was also awarded TE and RTP funds. Tunnel under Veterans Memorial Parkway is already constructed.
Phase III: Construct a shared use path along Railroad Bed Road and Josh Hagin Road to Brooklet, connecting to West Lane Street in Brooklet. Vehicular access to residential driveways along Railroad Bed Road and Josh Hagin Road needs to be maintained or alternate access provided. This segment is not yet funded.
Connect S & S Greenway from its terminus at Gentilly Road to the McTell Trail. Alignment to be determined.

System-wide Infrastructure and Policy Recommendations
Appropriate bicycle and pedestrian facilities should be included in all roadway improvement projects. The type of facility and level of accommodation will vary depending on need, land use and other factors.
Where bike lanes are recommended or planned, and it is later determined during the project development process that bike lanes cannot be accommodated for any reason, then shared lane markings (sharrows) should be used in its place rather than just signage or no facility at all.
For roads with a rural-typical section (i.e. open drainage, no curb and gutter), construct minimum 6.5 paved shoulders as part of GDOT widening, reconstruction or resurfacing projects, and minimum 4 shoulders on county roads (increase to 6.5 if rumble strips are used).
Construct and maintain sidewalks on both sides of the road within a -mile radius of all schools, as recommended by GDOT's Pedestrian and Streetscape Guide and supported by GDOT's Safe Routes to School Program. These could be implemented as part of roadway construction projects, developments or subdivisions, in order to help with implementation.
Construct 6.5 paved shoulders and install bike route signage along the two State Bicycle Routes (SBR) in Bulloch County - TransGeorgia (SBR 40) and March to the Sea (SBR 35).

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Install fluorescent green-yellow pedestrian crossing warning signs at all trail crossings to warn motorists of bicycle and pedestrian crossings. In addition, install advance warning signage where sight distance is poor.
Develop and adopt access management policies in the City of Statesboro. Roads such as S. Main Street, with multiple commercial driveways per business and a lack of inter-parcel access, create many conflict points and potential safety hazards for bicycles and pedestrians. Additionally, fewer driveways allow for continuous sidewalks which create a more pedestrian-friendly and ADA compatible environment.
Upgrade intersections for pedestrian and bicycle safety anytime a roadway is improved. Intersection treatments may include, but are not limited to: traffic signals, raised medians or crossing islands, crosswalks, advance crosswalk bars, curb ramps (as required by ADA in all roadway alteration projects), pedestrian countdown signal heads, pedestrian or trail crossing signage, "no turn on red" or other restrictive signage, and signal time adjustments. FHWAs PEDSAFE tool and FHWAs "How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan" are helpful aides in choosing the right facility:
o FHWA PEDSAFE tool: http://www.walkinginfo.org/pedsafe/
o FHWAs "How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan": http://www.walkinginfo.org/library/details.cfm?id=229.

Subdivision and Zoning Codes: Update subdivision and zoning regulations to require that developers do the following:
o Construct sidewalks on both sides of the road within subdivisions and along the main street frontage of a subdivision, commercial, office or retail development.
o Provide bicycle parking at large commercial, office, and retail developments
o Construct a path, bike lanes or suitable bicycle facility as part of any new development.
o Provide inter-development or inter-parcel walkways and pedestrian connections not otherwise located parallel to street rights-of-way, and where warranted to improve non-motorized access to major facilities or other activity centers

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

H. Future Bridge Conditions
Based on the sufficiency ratings identified in Chapter 3, Section J, Bridges, on page 59, bridges were identified for mid-term and long-term improvement recommendations. Bridges with a sufficiency rating 50 or below are recommended for improvements by 2020. Bridges with a sufficiency rating between 50 and 75 are recommended for improvement by 2035. Several bridges with a sufficiency rating of 50 or below were determined to have improvements completed or underway during the course of this study, and were therefore not included in this list. The four bridges with sufficiency ratings below 50 recommended for improvement by 2020 include:
Portal Highway at Big Branch & Lofts Creek Akins Pond Road at Mill Creek Cypress Lake Road at Dry Branch GA Highway 119 at Ogeechee River Overflow
Twenty-seven bridges were identified with sufficiency ratings between 50 and 75 and recommended for improvement by 2035. See Table 6.K.2 on page 139 for a complete list of bridges recommended for improvement.
I. Future Roadway Conditions
The transportation network in Bulloch County was analyzed for three different types of potential roadway improvements: capacity improvements (including new roadways), operational improvements, and intersection improvements. Needs were evaluated through the analysis of safety data, discussed in Chapter 3, Section K on page 64, roadway characteristics, discussed in Chapter 3, Section L on page 67 and current and future levels of service revealed by the Bulloch County Travel Demand Model, discussed in Chapter 3, Section M on page 75. Study Advisory input was also considered in the identification of improvements consistent with the goals and objectives of the study, discussed in Chapter 5, Goals and Objectives on page 89.
Capacity Improvements
Based on the existing and future deficiencies identified in Chapter 3, Section M, the following capacity improvements are recommended:
Widening of SR 26 / US 80 from 2-lanes to 4-lanes from Amanda Ct to Highway 119 Connector
Widening of SR 67 from 2-lanes to 4-lanes from I-16 to just south of Burkhalter Road Statesboro North Bypass 2-lane connection from SR 26 / US 80 East to SR 73 / US
301 North Extension of Lanier Drive from Georgia Ave to Fair Rd / SR 67 Extension of Country Club Drive from Cypress Lake Road to US 301
The first two capacity recommendations include capacity widening of existing facilities. The remaining three are new roadways that connect existing facilities. For a detailed description of each project, see Table 6.K.1 on page 138.

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Operational Improvements
Operational improvements address geometric concerns and other issues that impact the flow of traffic on an existing roadway facility. Operational improvements may include the addition of turn lanes or passing lanes, signage improvements, signal timing improvements, shoulder widening or upgrades, introduction of traffic calming elements, improved curve or turning radii, and / or paving projects. Operational upgrades of facilities can provide relief to adjacent facilities experiencing capacity problems by providing for viable movement of increased traffic flows without the major investment associated with a capacity enhancement or new roadway facility.
Recommendations for operational improvements are developed based on safety data, roadway characteristics, and Study Advisory input received during the LRTP development process and should be regarded as planning-level. Detailed location-specific traffic analysis by a professional engineer, Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro, and / or further review by GDOT District 5 are necessary in order to make specific improvement recommendations. For a list of corridors recommended for operational improvements, see Table 6.K.1 on page 138.
Intersection Improvements
Intersection improvements are proposed to address needs identified based on safety analysis, existing and future traffic volumes, as well as safety concerns raised by the Study Advisory Committee (Chapter 4, Section B, page 82). Improvements may include an adjustment in intersection controls and /or geometric realignment of an intersection. Recommendations for intersection improvements as part of the LRTP process are based on planning-level data, and require detailed location-specific analysis by a professional engineer, Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro, and / or further review by GDOT District 5 to refine specific project improvement recommendations. Considerations include available right-of-way, traffic volumes, safety, driver expectancy, and the context of the area. Roundabouts are warranted for intersections with single lane approaches, ADT under 16,000 and circulating traffic under 1,800 vehicles per hour. Table 6.I on page 129 compares three common types of intersection controls frequently considered for intersection improvements: signalization, stop control, and roundabouts.
As part of the LRTP process, a sub-area analysis was conducted for a more in-depth look at a County-identified growth area. As part of this analysis, traffic counts and turning movement counts were collected at key intersections located along the Langston Chapel Road / Burkhalter Road corridor south of the Statesboro city limits between US 301 and US 80. HCS, a microsimulation analysis tool, was applied to analyze levels of service at these intersections. Therefore, in the case of these intersections, more specific improvement recommendations have been identified. For more information on the sub-area analysis, see the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Sub-Area Analysis Technical Memorandum.
Details associated with near-term intersection improvements identified in the GDOT 2008-2013 CWP, are included based on the latest information available from the GDOT District 5 Preconstruction Engineer. For a complete list of corridors recommended for operational improvements, see Table 6.K.1 on page 138.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 6.I Comparison of Signal, Stop Control and Roundabout Improvements

Signal

Stop Control

Roundabout

Safet y

Traffic Operations

Crash Frequency Crash Severity

High
Higher due to higher speeds and higher speed differential

Traffic Calming Not effective

Capacity

Constrained by green time in cycle length

Operational Benefits Traffic Signing

Greater delays to all vehicles. Typical Intersection Signing.

Traffic Speed

Not limited by geometrics.

User Familiarity
Overall Right-ofWay Requirements

Drivers are very familiar with using signalized intersections. Requires less space on the approaches than roundabouts if no exclusive left turn lanes; more space if exclusive left turns constructed.

Medium
Medium
Effective at All-Way Stop Controlled Intersections. Not effective for through traffic at Two-Way Stop Controlled intersections. Higher capacity than signalized intersections due to the omission of lost time (red and yellow) at signalized intersections.
Delays at off-peak periods. Typical Intersection Signing
Lower speed on side roads than signalized intersections.
Drivers are very familiar with using stop-controlled intersections.
Requires less space than roundabouts.

Low
Lower due to lower speeds and lower speed differential. Elimination of high-speed T-bone or rear end collisions. Entering and circulating geometry ensure lower speeds (18-30mph).
Higher capacity than stop control at lower proportions of major street traffic, same capacity as stop control when major and minor street volumes are equal. Higher capacity than signalized intersection due to omission of lost time (red and yellow) at signalized intersections. Less delays.
Typical Intersection Signing with YIELD signs for the traffic entering the roundabout. Geometric features ensure slow entering and circulating speeds (18-30 mph). Drivers are less familiar with roundabouts.
Typically requires more space at the conjunctions but less space on the approaches than stopcontrolled and signalized intersections.

ROW Impacts

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Community Impacts

Cost

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Signal

Stop Control

Technical Memorandum August 2009
Roundabout

Community Enhancements
Environmental Benefits Maintenance

Community enhancement is available on the perimeter of the intersection.
More fuel consumption and emissions due to idling vehicles during red time phases. Routine signal maintenance required.

Community enhancement is available on the perimeter of the intersection.
More fuel consumption and emissions due to idling vehicles.
Less cost than signals and minimum maintenance costs.

Community enhancements are available on the perimeter of the intersection. Allows additional landscaping, monuments, and other aesthetic uses within the central island. Overall less fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.
Pavement markings and landscaping costs required. Minimum maintenance costs.

J. Suggested Improvements
Over the course of the study, public input was collected regarding transportation issues and opportunities for consideration during the needs assessment and improvement development process (See Chapter 4, Public Involvement Activities for more information on the Public Involvement Process). Table 6.J.1 on page 131 includes the improvement suggestions collected at these activities throughout the course of the study. Each suggested improvement was considered alongside technical data in order to determine if a need for the improvement in fact exists. If a need did exist, potential environmental impacts were identified and the project was recommended for inclusion in the plan recommendations. The associated project number is included in the table, and can be used to reference project details in Table 6.K.1, 6.K.2, and 6.K.3 on pages 138, 139, and 141 respectively. Policy recommendations that are not specific to a project are noted as such.
Similarly, stakeholders and the public had several opportunities to comment on each potential improvement recommendation developed throughout the course of the study. Chapter 4, Public Involvement Activities, provides more information on the dates and times of stakeholder and public meetings. Table 6.J.2 on page 136 illustrates the changes to improvement recommendations incorporated into the plan in response to public comments.

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 6.J.1 Suggested Improvements

#

Suggested Improvement

Source

1

There is a desire for a northern leg of the Study Advisory

Statesboro by-pass

Committee

2

Provide public transportation growing elderly population needs form of transportation

Study Advisory Committee / Public Comment

3

There is a desire for left turn arrows and Public turn lanes on E-W streets in Statesboro Comment

4 Relieve traffic congestion on Hwy 67

Add or coordinate traffic signals, turn

5

lanes, and other features to improve traffic flow at the intersection of SR 46

and US 301

6 Pedestrian access for GSU students

7

Desire for reliable, dedicated transportation service to Savannah

8 Improve traffic flow on Fair Rd

Public Comment
Public Comment
Public Comment Public Comment Public Comment

9

Add traffic calming devices in city center and surrounding neighborhoods

Public Comment

10

Improve congestion on Lanier and Georgia Ave

11 Add golf cart trails

Study Advisory Committee
Study Advisory Committee

Need Identified? Yes
Yes Location driven Yes
Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes
Yes No

Possible Environmental
Impacts? Yes- Wetland
No
Location Driven Yes - Wetland
No
Location driven No No
No
No No

Status
2-lane connection is recommended from US 80 East to US 301 N.
Recommendation included for locals to formalize transit action plan.
Projects included to address east-west operational issues where needed. Widening is recommended on SR 67 from S. of Burkhalter Rd to I-16.
Yes- safety improvements recommended.
Pedestrian
Recommended for further local study in the plan Recommended for further local study in the plan. Suggested traffic calming on Savannah Rd. Most bike/ped projects within the city also provide traffic calming opportunities. Suggested roadway connections between Lanier Rd and Fair Rd.
No need identified.

Recommended for Inclusion in Plan?
Yes - B11, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes - Policy Recommendation
Yes - Policy Recommendation
Yes - B16, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes - B7, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes - B12,B97, See project reference # on Page 138 Yes - Policy Recommendation Yes - Policy Recommendation
Yes - B60, B96, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes - Policy Recommendation
No No need identified

12

Addition of stop signs for cars crossing the McTell Trail

Study Advisory Committee

No

13 Addition of dedicated bike paths

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

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No Location driven

Bike and ped volumes at this location do not warrant stop signs.
Bicycle paths recommended in specific locations where need

No No need identified
Yes - Policy Recommendation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

#

Suggested Improvement

Source

14

Addition of dedicated bike lanes on Gentilly Rd

Study Advisory Committee

15

Addition of dedicated bike lanes on S. College St

Study Advisory Committee

16

Continue sidewalks north on N. Main St to Debbie Dr

Study Advisory Committee

Desire for pedestrian and bike

improvements from city to Mill Creek

17

Park; Addition of sidewalk and pedestrian facilities east of downtown Statesboro,

Kickoff Meeting

around Mill Creek Park and towards

Brooklet

Addition of sidewalk and pedestrian

facilities around the Proctor St area 18 connect to Luetta Moore Park, existing
school, housing project, new school and

Study Advisory Committee

small athletic fields

19

Extend shared use path along E Main St between Lee St and Savannah Ave

Study Advisory Committee

Add turn lane on Hwy 80 between 20 Zettertower Rd to the end of Savannah
Ave

Study Advisory Committee

21

Addition of biking, horseback riding trail along the river in portions of the county

Public Comment

22

Use of different travel modes should be encouraged at GSU

Kickoff Meeting

Desire to expand GSU transit service to

23

points off campus as students without cars have trouble accessing off-campus

Kickoff Meeting

services

Mitigate vehicle and pedestrian conflict

24

issues on GSUs campus. Cars drive too fast through campus and pedestrians are

Kickoff Meeting

crossing at inappropriate points

25

Possible need for a left-hand turn lane on Lanier Dr

Kickoff Meeting

Need Identified?
Yes Yes Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes No No Yes Yes
Yes Yes

Possible Environmental
Impacts?
Location driven No No
Location driven
No
No No Location driven No No
No No

Status

Recommended for Inclusion in Plan?

exists. Sharrows (bike route pavement markings on roadway . Picture on page 113 Figure 6.G.1) included in plan recommendations. Bicycle signage included in plan recommendations Recommendation included in the plan.

Yes - B106, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes - Signage Improvements Yes - Policy Recommendation

Recommendation included in the plan.

Yes - B176, See project reference # on Page 138

Recommendation for multi-use path and sidewalk included in the plan.

Yes - B160,B171, See project reference # on Page 138

Recommended.
No need identified in the plan.
Recreational trail needs are addressed by the Countys recreation master plan. Bike facilities and sidewalk are recommended within campus.

Yes - B105, See project reference # on Page 138
No No need identified
No See Parks and Recreation Master Plan Yes- Policy Recommendation

Recommended for further study Yes-Policy

in the plan.

Recommendation

Recommended bike/ped projects (bike facilities, sidewalk and crosswalks) include a traffic calming approach. Recommended intersection improvements on Lanier and

YesB104,B161,B177. See project reference # on Page 138 Yes- B109, See project reference # on

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

#

Suggested Improvement

Source

26

Address GSUs lack of enough parking for commuters

Kickoff Meeting

27

Eliminate raised median on US 80, from the high school to US 301

Kickoff Meeting

28 Widen US 80 to Brooklet

Kickoff Meeting

Address issue of sewer line and its 29 extension as it relates to the growth the of Kickoff Meeting
the county

30 Improve collector roads

Kickoff Meeting

Address impacts on traffic due to

31

reduction of vehicular access to GSU campus impacting Savannah Ave

much cut-through traffic

Kickoff Meeting

32

Address desire for pedestrian amenities on Gentilly between GSU and the mall

Kickoff Meeting

33

Re-align Burkhalter "Six Points" intersection

Kickoff Meeting

34

Address the high traffic crossing US 80 at Burkhalter Rd.

Kickoff Meeting

35

Address issues at Cawana Rd, an area of interest

Kickoff Meeting

Connect park and school, and provide

36

pedestrian improvements in general, in environmental justice community on the

west side of town, along MLK

Kickoff Meeting

Need Identified?
No No Yes No Yes Yes
Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes

Possible Environmental
Impacts? NA NA No NA Location driven No
No
No No No
No

Status
Burkhalter. Multi-modal recommendations in plan help to mitigate parking. Campus parking addressed by GSU. Proposed widening of US 80 in the plan will address the current typical section. Recommended widening from Old Leefield Rd to SR 119 Connector.
Sewer improvements are addressed by Bulloch County.
Operational improvements recommended as appropriate.
Plan includes a recommendation for speed humps along Savannah Ave.
Plan includes recommendations for both sharrows (bike route pavement markings on roadway . Picture on page 113 Figure 6.G.1) and sidewalks along Gentilly Rd from Fair Rd to Savannah Ave Plan includes a recommendation for future study and improvement.
Plan includes a recommendation for a signal at this location.
Plan includes recommended intersection improvements in the vicinity of Cawana Rd
Plan includes recommendations for bike facilities along MLK, connecting a proposed multi-use path and bike facilities on Donnie Simmons Rd .

Recommended for Inclusion in Plan?
Page 138
No See GSU Master Plan.
No future improvement will address the issue. Yes-B17, See project reference # on Page 138
No Outside of scope of study.
Yes-Policy Recommendation
Yes- B60, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes-B178, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes-B48, See project reference # on Page 138 Yes-B49, See project reference # on Page 138 Yes-B6, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes-B160,B171, See project reference # on Page 138

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

#

Suggested Improvement

Source

37

Address truck traffic on SR 46, which is a concern in Register

Kickoff Meeting

Address US 80 in Brooklet and around 38 SE Bulloch HS has a lot of traffic
volume and cut through traffic

Kickoff Meeting

Address issue of signalization at US 80 39 and Parker it is a concern as there has
been much development at that corner

Kickoff Meeting

40

Address issue of trucks cutting through on Old SR 46

Kickoff Meeting

Address possibility of trucks using

41 alternative routes to bypass scales on I- Kickoff Meeting

16

Add new sidewalks in Register and

42

update existing sidewalks (Main St from Cypress Lake Rd to SR 46, Church St

Study Advisory Committee

and part of Railroad St)

43

Add new sidewalks in Register on SR 46 connecting residential and commercial development

Study Advisory Committee

44

Add sidewalks to Foster St in Register to connect the town hall, the public playground and the future library.

Study Advisory Committee

45

Streetscaping and lighting are desired in Register to encourage walking

Study Advisory Committee

In Brooklet, add more sidewalks, a trail 46 for golf carts, and explore the possibility
of walking or biking to SE Bulloch HS

Study Advisory Committee

Need Identified? Yes Yes
Yes
Yes No Yes Yes Yes No
Partial

Possible Environmental
Impacts? No No
No
No No Yes - Wetland No Yes -Wetland Yes
No

Status

Recommended for Inclusion in Plan?

Plan includes recommendations for operational improvements on SR 46. Plan includes recommendation for capacity improvements on US 80 in Brooklet. Plan includes recommendation for intersection improvement at this location. Appropriate improvement will be determined in conjunction with GDOT District 5. Plan includes improvements to SR 46 that help to deter cut through traffic.
Additional enforcement may help deter trucks.

Yes-B99, See project reference # on Page 138 Yes-B17, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes-B50, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes-B4, See project reference # on Page 138 No Enforcement is outside of the studys scope.

Plan includes recommendation for sidewalk.

Yes- B93,B132, See project reference # on Page 138

Plan includes recommendations for crosswalks and pedestrian signage.
Plan includes recommendation for sidewalk.
Recommended in system-wide infrastructure and policy recommendations
Plan includes recommendations for sidewalks in downtown Brooklet and near the high school.

Yes- Signage Improvements
Yes-B92, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes-Policy Recommendation
YesB91,B93,B95,B157 , See project reference # on Page 138

47

Extend Lanier Rd to connect to the perimeter of GSU campus

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

48

Relieve congestion in vicinity of GSU and the mall

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

No Location Driven

Plan includes recommended extension of Lanier Rd from Georgia Ave to Fair Rd. Multi-modal improvements and capacity enhancements to area facilities included in the plan.

Yes-B59, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes-Policy Recommendation

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#

Suggested Improvement

Source

Need Identified?

Possible Environmental
Impacts?

Status

Recommended for Inclusion in Plan?

49

Look to UGA -Athens-Clarke County for transit model

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

No

Plan includes recommendation for further local study.

Yes-Policy Recommendation

Safer and nicer bike and pedestrian 50 facilities in vicinity of schools in Bulloch
County

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

51

Address railroad crossing on US 301 just south of downtown - dangerous from a geometry perspective

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

Identify funding sources to implement 52 warning lights and gates at RR crossing
at Rackley St

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

Do something about safety issues with 53 regards to existing bike lane near the
hospital

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

54

Improve safety / add a traffic signal at SR 46 and US 301 (currently has a caution light)

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

55

Desire for a bikeway connection between Gentilly and Fair Rd

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

56

Connect Phase I and Phase II greenway to Mill Creek Park via a multi-use path

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

Further the Greenway initiative - need to 57 maximize the non-motorized connectors
in the community

Study Advisory Committee

Yes

58

Signal timing needs to be coordinated in the vicinity of the mall

Study Advisory Committee

NA

Provide more direct routes around the 59 city and / or more direct access to the
interstate

Public Comment

No

Address operational / signage / sight 60 distance issues with the intersection of
Ivanhoe Dr / Mud Rd and SR 119

Public Comment

No

Location Driven No No No No No No Location driven
NA
NA NA

Plan includes recommendations in the vicinity of schools.
Plan includes recommended railroad and crossing improvements. Plan includes recommendation for improvement and GDOT contact for funding information. Recommended in system-wide infrastructure and policy recommendations. Recommended in plan and soon to be implemented by GDOT District 5.
Plan includes recommendation for bike lane at this location..
Plan includes recommendations to eventually connect to the park through bike lanes and sidewalks Non-motorized recommendations and enhancements are included in the plan. Congestion is noted in the vicinity of the mall. A local signal timing study is necessary to determine if this improvement is warranted.
Analysis revealed that existing routes can be upgraded and enhanced.
Location did not emerge as an area of need based on technical analysis.

Yes-B56, See project reference # on Page 138 Yes-B122, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes-Policy Recommendation
Yes-Policy Recommendation
Yes-B7, See project reference # on Page 138 Yes-B106,B168, See project reference # on Page 138
Yes - Policy Recommendation
Yes-Policy Recommendation
No Further study is necessary.
No Need is addressed through other study recommendations
No No need identified.

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Project Ref. No. Facility Bicycle & Pedestrian Facility Improvements

B12 B106

US 301 Gentilly Road

B106

Gentilly Road

Table 6.J.2 Improvement Changes in Response to Comments

From
US 301 Bypass Fair Road Fair Road

Segment Limits To
Tillman Road Savannah Avenue Brannen Street

Recommendation Prior to Stakeholder & Public Comments

Recommendation After Incorporating Comments from Stakeholders & Public

Final Recommendation After Incorporating Comments from Stakeholders & Public

No Recommendation No Recommendation
Shared Use Path on one side

Bicycle lanes Restripe 3 lanes to 2, add Bicycle lanes

Bicycle lanes Sharrows

Restripe 3 lanes to 2, add Bicycle lanes to Savannah Avenue Sidewalks on both sides

B146 B148 B153

Brannen Street Jones Mill Road E./W. Jones Avenue

US 301 Bypass Lester Road Johnson Street

B163

S & S Greenway Connection to McTell Trail

Gentilly Road

B170 B175 B176

E./W. Main Street E. Main Street E. Main Street

B177

Chandler Road

Bicycle & Pedestrian Signage & Crossing Improvements

Statesboro

Chandler Road

S. College Street Northside Parkway US 301 Bypass Fair Road
Fair Road

S. Zetterower Avenue

Bicycle signage from US 310 Bypass to Gentilly

Bicycle lanes

Bicycle lanes

US 301 Bypass S. Zetterower Avenue

Sidewalk on one side Lester to Willingway Hospital
Bicycle shoulder and bicycle signage Institute Street to Simmons Road

Sidewalk on one side Lester to Willingway Hospital
Bicycle lanes, project limit extended from Johnson St to Gentilly Road

Sidewalk on one side
Bicycle lanes, project limit extended from Johnson St to Gentilly Road

McTell Trail

Multi-use trail

Mill Creek Park Entrance (just east of

Beasley Road)

No Recommendation

US 301 Bypass

No Recommendation

Multi-use trail - alignment TBD
Sharrows from South College Street to Savannah Avenue (.3 mile) , Bicycle lanes from Savannah Avenue to Beasley Road (2.1 miles)
No recommendation

Original recommendation was revised based on comments from citizens and elected officials, alignment will ensure no impacts to citizens on Wendwood Dr or adjacent roads or properties.
Sharrows from South College Street to Savannah Avenue (.3 mile) , Bicycle lanes from Savannah Avenue to Beasley Road (2.1 miles)
Sidewalks on both sides

Near Oakcrest Drive (to existing Multi-usMulti-use trail extension on south side of road

Lanier Drive

No Recommendation

No recommendation
Sidewalks (construct approximately 0.25 mile of sidewalk to fill gaps).

Multi-use trail extension on south side of road
Sidewalks (construct approximately 0.25 mile of sidewalk to fill gaps).

Lanier Drive

Raised medians and pedestrian crossing islands, crosswalks and pedestrian signage

Raised medians and pedestrian crossing islands, crosswalks and Raised medians and pedestrian crossing islands, crosswalks and

pedestrian signage

pedestrian signage

136 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

K. Recommended Improvements
As part of the LRTP process, specific future improvement projects have been identified for roadways, bridges, rail, and the bicycle and pedestrian network. A complete listing of recommended roadway projects is provided in Table 6.K.1 on page 138. A complete listing of recommended bridge and rail crossing projects is provided in Table 6.K.2 on page 139. A corresponding map of roadway, bridge, and rail crossing project locations can be found in Figure 6.K.1 on page 140. A complete listing of recommended bicycle and pedestrian projects is provided in Table 6.K.3 on page 141. A corresponding map of project locations can be found in Figure 6.K.2 on page 142.
Project costs and prioritization are discussed in Chapter 7: Prioritized Recommendations, page 143.

137

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Table 6.K.1 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Recommended Roadway Improvements

Project Ref. No.

Facility

Capacity Improvements and New Roadways

B11

Statesboro North Bypass

B16

SR 67

B17

SR 26/US 80

B59

Extension of Lanier Rd

B132

Country Club Drive

Segment Limits

From

To

SR 16/US 80 East I-16 Amanda Ct Georgia Ave Cypress Lake Rd

SR 73/US 301 N S of US 301 Bypass SR 119 Connector Fair Rd US 301

Existing Configuration
N/A 2-Lanes 2-Lanes N/A N/A

Improved Configuration
2-Lanes 4-Lanes 4-Lanes 2-Lanes 2-Lanes

Notes/Comments
3.90 miles 10.85 miles 13.10 miles 0.20 miles 0.78 miles

Operational Improvements

B14

SR 73/US 301

B51

Bohler Rimes Rd

B52

Elmer Phillips Rd

B54

Clifton Rd

B55

Brannen Pond Rd

B56

Cawana Rd

B60

Savannah Ave

B99

SR 46

B108

Langston Chapel Rd

B109

Lanier Rd

B110

Old Register Rd / Sinkhole Rd

B113

Sea Born Proctor Rd

B114

Bethel Church Rd

B115

Josh Smith Rd

B116

Hightower Rd

B158

Grimshaw Rd

SR 46

US 301 Bypass

US 301

Burkhalter Rd

SR 67

Harville Rd

SR 67 / Emit Grove Rd SR 46

Brooklet Denmark Rd US 80

Burkhalter Rd

US 80

E Main St

Northside Dr

SR 73/US 301

Kennedy Bridge Rd

Old Register Road

SR 67

US 301 Bypass

Langston Chapel Rd

US 301 Bypass

SR 46

Langston Chapel Rd Langston Chapel Rd

Langston Chapel Rd

Harville Rd

Hightower Rd

Burkhalter Rd

South of Josh Smith Rd

US 80

Rushing Rd

4-lane divided highway . Grass shoulder. unpaved unpaved unpaved unpaved 2-lane. Grass shoulder. 2-lane. No shoulder. 2-lane. Grass shoulder 2-lane. Grass shoulder. 2-lane. Grass shoulder. A few turning lanes. 2-lane. Grass shoulder. unpaved unpaved unpaved unpaved unpaved

upgrade shoulders / further study paved paved paved paved add turn lanes traffic calming add turn lanes add turn lanes add one turn lane upgrade shoulders / further study paved paved paved paved paved

5.50 miles 1.50 miles 1.33 miles 4.00 miles 2.36 miles 2.11 miles 1.00 miles 1.40 miles 2.80 miles 0.85 miles 6.00 miles 0.95 miles 0.34 miles 0.62 miles 0.84 miles 1.70 miles

Intersection Improvements

B4

SR 46 @ SR 67

B6

SR 26/US 80 @ Cawana Rd

two-way stop control, caution signalization one-way stop control

B7 B8 B46 B47 B48 B49 B50 B61 B62 B63 B64 B65 B66 B67 B68 B69 B70 B71 B76 B77 B133 B134

SR 73/US 301 @ SR 46 US 25 Bypass @ Pulaski Road Cypress Lake Rd @ US 25 Bypass Chandler Rd @ Lanier Dr Pretoria Rushing Rd @ Burkhalter Rd Burkhalter Rd @ US 80 US 80 @ Parker St Old Register Rd @ US 301 Bypass Lanier Rd @ US 301 Bypass Chandler Rd @ Fair Rd SR 67 @ US 301 Bypass US 301 Bypass @ Northside Dr Northside Dr @ Lovett Rd Lester Rd @ Northside Dr Northside Dr @ Cone Rd Northside Dr @ Main St Fair Rd @ Main St Brannen St @ Gentilly Rd US 301 @ Newsome Rd Langston Chapel Rd @ Lanier Rd Old Register Rd @ Langston Chapel Rd Burkhalter Rd @ Langston Chapel Rd

two-way stop control, caution signalization two-way stop control two-way stop control, caution signalization signalized four-way stop control two-way stop control two-way stop control, caution signalization two-way stop control signalized signalized signalized signalized signalized signalized one-way stop control signalized one-way stop control signalized two-way stop control one-way stop control four way stop control one-way stop control

B135 B136 B159

Burkhalter Rd @ SR 67

signalized

Rucker Ln @ US 301

two-way control

Cypress Lake Rd @ Coley Boyd Rd

one-way control

*Operational and intersection improvements recommendations are planning level and require further study for specific solutions.

signalization

27 crashes / 1 fatality

further study

N/A

signalization, right turn lane, median

upgrade.

55 crashes / 2 fatalities

signalization

N/A

further study

N/A

further study

71 crashes

roundabout

N/A

signalization

N/A

further study

N/A

further study

56 crashes / 1 fatality

further study

106 crashes

further study

86 crashes

further study

144 crashes

further study

87 crashes

further study

62 crashes

further study

107 crashes

further study

59 crashes

further study

51 crashes

further study

87 crashes

further study

53 crashes

further study

Airport access

signalization

N/A

signalization

N/A

roundabout

N/A

signal timing modification, add left turn lane

and right turn lane on SR 67 WB

N/A

signalization

N/A

roundabout

N/A

Source
Analysis Analysis Analysis Comments Comments
Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Comments Comments Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Comments
Analysis Analysis
Analysis Analysis Comments Analysis Comments Comments Comments Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis
Analysis Comments Comments

Improvement Type
New Road Minor Arterial Widening Minor Arterial Widening New Road New Road
Operational Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Paving Improvements Paving and Operational Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements
Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements
Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements
Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements

Need
Connectivity Capacity Deficiency Capacity Deficiency Capacity Deficiency Capacity Deficiency
Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues
Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues
Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues
Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues

Anticipated Benefit
Increased Capacity & Improved Safety Increased Capacity & Improved Safety Increased Capacity & Improved Safety Increased Capacity & Improved Safety Increased Capacity & Improved Safety
Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety
Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity
Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity
Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity

138 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Georgia Department of Transportation

Table 6.K.2 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Recommended Bridge and Rail Crossing Improvements

Segment Limits

Project Ref. No.

Facility

From

To

Bridge Improvements

B1

Portal Hwy @ Big Branch & Lofts Creek, 8 mi north of Metter

B2

SR 119 @ Ogeechee River Overflow

B3

Deloach Church Rd @ Lotts Creek

B20

Pulaski Rd @ Lotts Creek Overflow

B21

Pulaski Rd @ Lotts Creek

B22

Pulaski Rd @ Crossway Branch @ Lotts Creek

B23

Cypress Lake Rd @ Lotts Creek

B24

Adabelle Rd @ Scott Creek

B25

Sinkhole Rd @ Lotts Creek

B26

Nevils Daisy Rd @ Lotts Creek

B27

Burkhalter Rd @ Little Lotts Creek

B28

Mud Rd @ Lower Black Creek

B29

Mud Rd @ Upper Black Creek

B30

Arcola Rd @ Upper Black Creek

B31

M.P. Martin Rd @ Cross Branch

B32

US 80 @ Lotts Creek

B33

Clito Rd @ Mill Creek

B34

Stilson Leefiled Rd @ Mill Creek

B35

Spring Creek Rd @ Spring Creek

B36

SR 24 @ Ogeechee River Overflow

B37

SR 24 @ Ogeechee River

B38

Lakeview Rd @ Ogeechee River Overflow

B39

Lakeview Rd @ Ogeechee River

B40

Rocky Ford Rd @ Bay Gall Creek

B43

GA Hwy 119 @ Ogeechee River Overflow

B44

GA Hwy 119 @ Ogeechee River

B45

Akins Pond Rd @ Mill Creek

B72

US 25 @ Lotts Creek Trib.

B73

US 25 @ Little Lotts Creek

B74

Cypress Lake Rd @ Dry Branch

B75

US 301 @ Ogeechee River

Railroad Crossing Improvements

B5 Near Term East Jones Avenue Crossing

B5 Mid Term East Jones Avenue Crossing

B10

Main St, Register

B120

Clito Rd

B122

US 301/SR67, Rackley Road and Brannen St

B123

Zetterower Ave

B124

East Grady Street

B125

Johnson Street

B126

SR 26

NS # 620196H NS # 620196H NS # 620214D NS #620155D NS # 620197P, 620182A, 6201998W NS # 620176W, 620181T NS # 620172U, 620173B NS # 620189X NS # 620165J

Existing Configuration
0.79 miles 0.4 miles 0.4 miles
2,160 sq ft 4,320 sq ft 2,160 sq ft 5,152 sq ft 1,440 sq ft 5,520 sq ft 9,600 sq ft 1,440 sq ft 3,712 sq ft 4,640 sq ft 2,760 sq ft 1,080 sq ft 5,040 sq ft 5,130 sq ft 5,544 sq ft 1,440 sq ft 5,200 sq ft 10,400 sq ft 6,696 sq ft 14,160 sq ft 3,885 sq ft 10,395 sq ft 17,758 sq ft 3,000 sq ft 1,428 sq ft 1,445 sq ft 2,520 sq ft 49,920 sq ft

Improved Configuration

Notes/Comments

Source

24 & 16 sufficiency rating 67 sufficiency rating 75.71 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 71.3 sufficiency rating 69.27 sufficiency rating 73.17 sufficiency rating 55.01 sufficiency rating 70.59 sufficiency rating 64.3 sufficiency rating 74.29 sufficiency rating 69.50 sufficiency rating 70.08 sufficiency rating 71.45 sufficiency rating 69.41 sufficiency rating 54.02 sufficiency rating 68.42 sufficiency rating 60.93 sufficiency rating 59.91 sufficiency rating 65.38 sufficiency rating 74.14 sufficiency rating 64.22 sufficiency rating 39.45 sufficiency rating 67.35 sufficiency rating 25.66 sufficiency rating 66.92 sufficiency rating 71.21 sufficiency rating 27.03 sufficiency rating 65.58 sufficiency rating

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Improvement Type
Replacement Replacement Replacement Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge

Warning Device

0.2 miles

Warning Device

0.2 miles

Stop Sign

Warning Device

Stop Sign, Pavement Markings

Stop Sign, Pavement Markings, Crossbucks

Repaint Pavement Markings

Warning Device, Pavement Markings

Warning Device

0.2 miles

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing

Need
Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance
Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues

Anticipated Benefit
Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations
Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations

139 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Recommended Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Crossing Improvements Figure 6.K.1
140 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Project Ref. No.

Facility Improvements

B9

CR 576

B12

US 301

B13

S & S Greenway

B81

US 301

B82

US 301

B83

Savannah Ave

Facility

B84
B86 B89 B91 B92
B93 B94 B95 B96
B97 B98 B104 B105 B106 B107 B127 B128 B129 B130 B131 B132 B142 B146

Fair Rd
US 80 (in Portal) Mulberry St Cromley Rd (in Brooklet) Foster St (in Register)
East Lane St (in Brooklet) Rocky Ford Rd (in Portal) West Lane St (in Brooklet) Savannah Ave
US 301 Zetterower Chandler Rd Lee St Gentilly Rd Jef Rd Lanier Dr Langston Chapel Rd Langston Chapel Rd Old Register Rd Old Register Rd Cross St (Register) E Grady St (Statesboro Library) Brannen St

Segment Limits
SR 67/N Main St US 301 Bypass Gentilly Rd Tillman Rd Tillman Rd Northside Dr
US 301 Bypass
1st Ave E Jones Ave Brooklet-Denmark Rd City Hall
Parker Ave HWY 80 Brooklet Elementary School E Main St
Southern Dr Fair Rd Fair Rd E Main St Fair Rd Jef Rd US 301 Bypass Old Register Rd Old Register Rd US 301 Bypass US 301 Bypass Foster Street S Main St E Bypass

B147 B148 B149 B150 B153 B154 B156 B157
B160 B161
B162 B163 B164 B165
B166 B167 B168 B169

Zetterower Ave Jones Mill Rd Lester Rd N Main St E/W Jones St W Jones St W Main St/Denmark St West Lee St (Brooklet)
Luetta Moore Park Path Lanier Dr
Stockyard Rd S & S Greenway Connection to McTell Trail W.Main St W.Main St/Proctor St
Williams St Williams Rd Herty Dr Terrell Dr

B170 B171 B175

E/W Main St Blitch St and MLK Dr E. Main St

B176

E. Main St

B177 B178

Chandler Rd Gentilly Rd.

Signage Improvements Statesboro South Main St

Statesboro US 301/SR 67/Brannen Rd & 2 RRs Statesboro US 301 @ Old Register Rd/Rucker Ln

Statesboro Chandler Rd

Statesboro Statesboro Statesboro Statesboro
Portal Portal Register

Lester Rd S College St Lee St Pulaski Rd US 80 US 80 SR 46

Brooklet US 80

Fair Rd Lester Rd Entire length Jef Rd Johnson St Institute St W Main St Cromley Rd
Williams Rd US 301 Bypass
Williams Rd Gentilly Rd Proctor St N Foss St
Bryant School entrance Northside Dr Fair Rd Fair Rd
Savannah Ave W Main St Northside Parkway
US 301 Bypass
Fair Rd Fair Rd
Old Register Rd
Fair Rd
Northside Dr/US 80 W Parrish St Northside Dr West Bypass Rocky Ford Rd Woods Ave/1st St Main St
N Cromley Rd

Table 6.K.3 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Recommended Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements

Existing Configuration

Improved Configuration

Notes/Comments

Source

Improvement Type

College St Tillman Rd West Lane St in Brooklet E Parrish St E Parrish St E Main St

None None None None None None

Bermuda Run Rd
Bonnet St Savannah Ave Spence Rd Cross St
US 80 Johnson St S&S Greenway S Zetterower Ave
Old Register Rd. Brannen St Lanier Dr Savannah Ave Savannah Ave Mattie Lively School Langston Chapel Rd SR 67 SR 67 Burkhalter Rd Burkhalter Rd Main St S Mulberry St S Zetterower Ave

None
None None None None
None None None None
None None None None None None None None None None None None None None

E Parrish St Hospital
E.Parrish St Gentilly Rd SW near Broad St Denmark St @ city limits Western city limits

None None None None None None None None

Proctor St Georgia Ave

None None

W. Main St McTell Trail Ivory St Morris St

None None None None

Stockyard Rd Stockyard Rd Gentilly Rd Gentilly Rd

None None None None

S College St Northside Dr US 301 Bypass Near Oakcrest Dr (to existing Multi-Use trails)

None None None
None

Lanier Dr Brannen St

None None

TE Landscape/Beautify

0.1 miles

Bike Lane restriping

1.4 miles

Multi-Use Trail

6.1 miles

Sharrows

1.8 miles

Raised Pedestrian Crossing Island

1.8 miles

Bike Lanes

0.9 miles

Bike lanes & signage, raised medians in

the center turn lane between intersections

and major driveways

1.7 miles

Paved shoulders (both sides of road) Sidewalks on one side Sidewalks on one side Sidewalks on one side

0.6 miles 0.5 miles 1.1 miles 0.1 miles

Sidewalks on one side Sidewalks on one side Sidewalks on one side Construct sidewalk segment to fill gaps

0.3 miles 0.3 miles 0.8 miles 0.1 miles

Sidewalks on east side

0.5 miles

Sidewalk on west side

0.4 miles

Road Diet (3 lanes to 2), bike lanes

1.1 miles

Bike lanes

0.5 miles

Road Diet (3 to 2), bike lanes

1.3 miles

Short Trail Link

0.1 miles

Bike Shoulder

0.9 miles

Bike Shoulder

2.8 miles

Sidewalks on at least one side

2.8 miles

Bike Shoulder

3.3 miles

Sidewalks on at least one side

3.3 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.2 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.2 miles

Bike lanes

1.5 miles

Restripe 3 lanes to 2, add bike lanes

(excludes section between Savannah Ave

and Hill Street -- already 2 lanes with

shoulders)

1.7 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.05 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.8 miles

Sidewalks on both sides

0.7 miles

Bike lanes

1.8 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.5 miles

Bike lanes

0.9 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.9 miles

Shared use path along abandoned

railway and/or city-owned property

0.5 miles

Road Diet (3 to 2), bike lanes

1.0 miles

Bike lanes and construct sidewalks on

one side

0.5 miles

Shared use path

1.0 miles

Sidewalks on both sides

0.2 miles

Sidewalks on one side (460feet)

0.08 miles

Construct sidewalk segment to fill gap

(250 feet)

0.05 miles

Bike Lanes

0.5 miles

Sharrows and sidewalk on one side

0.3 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.2 miles

Sharrows from S. College St. to Savannah

Ave (.3 mi) , bike lanes from Savannah to

Beasely Road (2.1 mi.)

Bike lanes

0.5 miles

Sidewalks on both sides

1.1 miles

Multi-use trail extension on south side of

road

0.3 miles

Sidewalks (Construct approximately 0.25

mile of sidewalk to fill gaps).

1.1 miles

Sidewalks on both sides

0.9 miles

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

TE Landscape/Beautify Multi-Use Trail Multi-Use Trail Bike Shoulder Pedestrian Crossing Island Bike Lane

Analysis Bike Shoulder

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Paved Shoulders Sidewalk Sidewalks Sidewalks

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Sidewalks Sidewalks Bike Lane Bike Shoulder Multi-Use Trail Multi-Use Trail Bike Shoulder Bike Shoulder Sidewalks Bike Shoulder Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks Bike lanes

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Bike lane striping Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks Bike lanes Sidewalks Bike lanes Sidewalks

Analysis Multi-Use Trail Analysis Bike Shoulder

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Bike lanes Multi-Use Trail Sidewalks Sidewalks

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Sidewalks Bike lanes Sharrows and Sidewalks Sidewalks

Analysis Sharrows Analysis Bike lanes Analysis Sidewalks
Analysis Multi-Use Trail
Analysis Sidewalks Analysis Sidewalks

Tillman Rd
Lanier Dr W Brannen St Statesboro city limits

None
None None
None
None None None None None None None
None

Raised Median Ped crossing improvements & flangeway filler to railroad tracks Traffic signal with ped countdown timer Raised medians and Pedestrian crossing islands
Raised Median, Ped timers and signage Bike signage HAWK signal, crosswalks, signage Share the Road Signage Crosswalks, curb ramps Repaint crosswalk Crosswalks and Ped Signage Ped xing advance warning signs and flashing beacon.

Analysis Raised Median

Analysis Crosswalks and Signage Analysis Traffic Signal

Analysis Raised medians and Ped Crossing islands

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Raised Median, Ped timers and signage Bike signage HAWK signal Bike signage Crosswalks and Curb Ramp Repaint crosswalk Crosswalks and Ped Signage

Analysis Pedestrian crossing signs

Need

Anticipated Benefit

Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System

141 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Recommended Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
142 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 6.K.2

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

7 CHAPTER
PRIORITIZED RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Project Prioritization Overview
Potential improvement projects identified by the study team to address future transportation needs in Bulloch County were vetted with local stakeholders, elected officials, and members of the public and prioritized based on established criteria consistent with the study goals and objectives identified in Chapter 5, Goals and Objectives, page 89. This section will present the recommended improvements, the estimated costs and benefits associated with these improvements, and the final list of prioritized projects for each improvement category including roadway, bridge, rail crossing, bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

B. Estimated Costs
The GDOT Office of Planning recently developed a Right of Way and Utilities Cost Estimation Tool (RUCEST) and a Construction Cost Estimation Tool (CES) that was used in the development of planning-level cost estimates for the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP. These tools include area-specific values and the most up-to-date data available for construction lettings in the State of Georgia. Please note that all planning level costs are current-year dollars, based on the best assumptions and information available at the time this study was completed. All planning level project costs will be further refined as specific improvements and engineering concepts evolve. Actual project costs could be higher or lower depending on a number of factors including the results of more detailed environmental and engineering studies, fluctuations in the cost of land and materials, and the year of expenditure. All planning level cost estimates should be considered preliminary in nature and taken with appropriate care. More detailed engineering studies are required to identify highly accurate cost estimates based on specific project characteristics and concepts.
Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Cost Estimates
Roadway assumptions include the planning level cost averages of pavement based on GDOTs recommended typical section for the facility type. Bridge improvements are calculated based on the appropriate typical section and square footage of the improved bridge structure.
In the case of intersection and operational improvement recommendations, a micro-level analysis and review by GDOT District 5 and/or a professional engineer is required to make specific project recommendations. Specific recommendations may include improvements such as turn lanes at each approach of an intersection, or, two right turn lanes off of a major arterial. For purposes of the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro study, the planning-level cost estimate used for operational improvements is a placeholder of $270,000. This planning level estimate

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represents a reasonable average for intersection improvements, but it is important to note that actual costs could be higher or lower depending on the specifics of the improvement identified (for example, addition of a left-hand turn lane vs. geometric modifications). In cases where a specific improvement item is identified, such as a traffic signal or a roundabout, a unit cost for the item is used if available. Planning level construction cost estimates for these types of improvements should be revisited when a more detailed analysis is conducted. Rail crossing improvement costs were developed based on unit costs provided by the GDOT Office of Railroad Crossing Safety.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Cost Estimates
Bicycle and pedestrian improvement costs assume 5 sidewalks and 6.5 paved shoulders (each direction) in rural sections, both of which are desirable, typical rules of thumb for sidewalk and shoulder widths for these types of improvements nationwide. Bike lane costs assume only striping - they do not include widening or additional pavement. Bike lanes in urban sections are assumed 5' wide on each side of the road. These could potentially be reduced to 4', however, any narrower than that would not meet AASHTO standards. In cases of tight right-of way, sharrows are proposed as an alternative improvement. Cost estimates for the bike lanes were based on a 4" traffic grade paint stripe.
Right-of-way (ROW) costs were factored into sidewalk and paved shoulder projects, and applicable trail projects. Bike lanes, signage and crossing treatments were assumed to occur within existing ROW. In the case of some trail projects, ROW has already been acquired or the project is within the public ROW. Land values for ROW were based on $200,000/acre for commercial, $40,000/acre for residential, $15,000/acre for agriculture and $20,000/acre for industrial based on current Bulloch County land values. There are 26,400 square feet per mile (SF/Mi) of sidewalk (5' width), 34,320 SF/mi of paved shoulder (6.5') and 52,800 (SF/Mi) per path/trail. The square footage was doubled if sidewalks or shoulders were placed on both sides of the street.
Project costs are included in Table 7.E.1: Prioritized Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Recommendations on page 163 and 7.E.2: Prioritized Bicycle and Pedestrian Recommendations on page 164.

C. Project Prioritization Criteria
In order to aid GDOT and County staff, potential improvements were ranked by mode based on evaluation factors developed with input from the Study Advisory Committee discussed in Chapter 4 on page 82. In addition, a benefitcost (B/C) ratio was calculated for each applicable project type for purposes of identifying projects providing the most benefit as compared to the level of investment in the project. The following sections document the prioritization of recommended improvements for Bulloch County.
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation factors were established and applied to potential improvements. The evaluation methodology produces a score for each potential projects, resulting in a prioritization of improvement options to meet the Countys transportation needs. Prioritization criteria were developed for the following types of projects roadway capacity, roadway operations, intersections, bridges, and bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

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Corridor Prioritization Roadway Capacity Improvements
Qualitative Criteria
Qualitative criteria were established to evaluate the deficient corridors based on various conditions or standards established through the study process. These criteria were vetted with the Study Advisory Committee discussed in Chapter 4, Public Involvement Activities. The following list documents the qualitative criteria established for the roadway network improvement evaluation. These correspond to the goals and objectives documented in Chapter 5, Goals and Objectives.
Continuation of Existing Road Widening Project Governors Road Improvement Program (GRIP) / National Highway System Right of Way Protection Corridor Connectivity Construction Designs in Progress Parallel Relief Protection of Downtown Ideal Typical Section Development Conditions Community Preservation Transportation Land Use Linkages

Potential projects were considered alongside the established criteria and associated scoring presented in Table 7.C.1 below. Based on the resulting scores, an initial prioritization list was established. The highest score based on qualitative criteria is 33 points. The qualitative score is combined with the quantitative score documented on the following pages for the ultimate prioritization score.
Table 7.C.1 Qualitative Criteria and Scoring

Corridor Prioritization Criteria
Continuation of Existing Road Widening Project Is the proposed project a continuation of any previously completed or current project providing added lanes to the specific transportation corridor?
Governor's Road Improvement Program/National Highway System Is the project identified as a GRIP Corridor or part of the National Highway System?
Right of Way Protection Corridor Is the proposed project located in a developing area where right of way protection or early acquisition is needed?
Connectivity Does the proposed project improve access between activity centers or link existing or proposed projects or provide regional connectivity?

Possible Points

No

0

Yes

4

No

0

Yes

2

No

0

Yes

3

No

0

Yes

3

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Corridor Prioritization Criteria
Construction Designs in Progress Are the design plans for the proposed project already complete or in the process of being completed?
Parallel Relief Does the proposed project provide relief to parallel congested/ deficient corridors? Protection of Downtown Does the proposed project enhance the quality of life in downtown areas? Ideal Typical Section Does the proposed project address upgrading sub standard roadway segments?
Development Conditions Is the proposed project located within a development area, or, is the specific project part of an approved plan for the redevelopment of revitalization of a developed area, or does the specific project provide access infrastructure to a mixed-use project area?
Community Preservation Does the proposed project preserve or enhance the character of existing communities in the County?
Transportation Land Use Linkage Has the proposed project coordinated with, or support, land use decisions in the area?
Sub-Total Possible Points

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Possible Points

No

0

Yes

3

No

0

Yes

4

No

0

Yes

4

No

0

Yes

4

No

0

Yes

2

No

0

Yes

2

No

0

Yes

2

33

Quantitative Criteria
Quantitative criteria were identified to evaluate deficient corridors based on various measurable conditions. Each measure was vetted with the Study Advisory Committee identified in Chapter 4, Public Involvement Activities. The following list documents the quantitative criteria established for the roadway network improvement evaluation:
Volume to Capacity Ratio Ratio of Corridor Crash Rate (Number of Crashes per 100 Million Vehicle Miles
Traveled) to Statewide Crash Rate Average Number of Fatalities Benefit / Cost Ratio Calculation
Table 7.C.2 on page 147 displays the quantitative criteria and the associated scoring. The total points established by the Quantitative Criteria range from 0 to 30 points.

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Table 7.C.2 Quantitative Criteria and Scoring

Corridor Prioritization Criteria
Volume to Capacity Ratio 0.00 - 0.349 0.350 - 0.399 0.400 - 0.449 0.450 - 0.499 0.500 - 0.549 0.550 - 0.599 0.600 - 0.649 0.650 - 0.699 0.700 - 0.749 0.750 - 0.799 0.800 - 0.849 0.850 - 0.899 0.900 - 0.949 0.950 - 1.049 1.050 - 1.149 1.150 - 1.249 1.250 - 1.349 1.350 - 1.449 1.450 - 1.549 1.550 - 1.649 1.650 -
Ratio of Corridor Crash Rate to Statewide Crash Rate 0.01-0.49 0.50-0.99 1.00 -1.99 2.00-2.49 2.50-2.99 3.00-3.99 4.00-5.99 6.00 Number of Fatalities 1 2 or more Benefit / Cost Ratio Ranking
Sub-Total Possible Points

Possible Points
0.00 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.00 6.50 7.00 7.50 8.00 9.00 10.00 11.00 12.00 14.00 16.00 18.00
0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
1 3
1-5 30

The total points that a facility can receive for both the qualitative and quantitative criteria is 63 points. Based upon the identified improvements and the evaluations made during the quantitative and qualitative evaluation, a prioritized list of recommendations was established. The scoring for the deficient corridors is displayed in Table 7.C.3 on page 138.

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Benefit Cost Ratio Calculations
GDOT recently implemented an approach to benefit cost ratio calculations as part of the Project Prioritization Process. As part of the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP development process, the benefit cost ratio methodology established in the GDOT Office of Plannings "Transportation Study Guidelines for PrPP Input" was applied to all roadway capacity adding projects. In the case of Bulloch County, five capacity projects were recommended and benefit cost ratios were developed for each of these projects. The projects then received a ranking of 1-5 based on the relative benefit cost score that was ultimately incorporated into the quantitative criteria scoring described in the previous section. Benefit / cost rankings are included in Table 7.C.3 on page 149. Details of the benefit cost ratio calculations are included in Appendix C, page 268.

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Table 7.C.3 Roadway Capacity Improvement Prioritization

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Qualitative Criteria
Continuation of Existing Road Widening Project Governor's Road Improvement Program / National Highway System Right of Way Protection Corridor Connectivity Construction Designs in Progress Parallel Relief Protection of Downtown Ideal Typical Section Development Conditions Community Preservation Transportation Land Use Linkage
Sub-Total Qualitative Criteria
Quantitative Criteria
Volume/Capacity Ratio Ratio of 100 Million VMT to Statewide Average Number of Fatalities Benefit Cost Ratio
Sub-Total Quantitative Criteria
Total Score for Project

Project Ref. No.

Facility

From

To

B16 B17 B11 B59 B132

SR 67 SR 26/US 80 Statesboro North Bypass Extension of Lanier Rd Country Club Drive

I-16 Amanda Ct SR 16/US 80 East Georgia Ave Cypress Lane Rd

South of Burkhalter Rd SR 119 Connector SR 73/US 301 N Fair Rd US 301

0-4 0-2 0-3 0-4 0-2 0-4 0-4 0-4 0-2 0-2 0-2

3

333

3

33

3

333

3333

3

33333

33

3

33

33

3

33

33

21.00 23.00 25.00 15.00 15.00

0.75 0.67 0.68 0.56 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1 2.26 12.50 33.50 1 0.69 10.00 33.00 0 0.02 1.50 26.50 0 1.74 4.50 19.50 0 0.03 2.50 17.50

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The prioritization resulted in the following ranking of top roadway capacity improvements:
SR 67 Widening from I-16 to South of Burkhalter Road (current 4-Lane Section) US 80 Widening from Statesboro to Hwy 119 Connector Statesboro North Bypass Lanier Drive connection to Gentilly Road Country Club Drive connection from Cypress Lake Road to US 301

Priority rankings are based on the qualitative and quantitative criteria discussed previously in this chapter. The points are not meant to be the final decision on whether a project should be implemented or not. Instead these rankings should be employed in conjunction with input from key technical staff from the City, County and GDOT; input from political decision makers; and, public comment.
Operational Improvement Prioritization
Operational improvements were prioritized based on the quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria described in the previous section. Benefit cost ratios were not calculated for operational improvements, as system benefits for operational projects are difficult to quantify at this level of analysis due to the need for further improvement definition and for the application of microsimulation tools beyond the scope of an LRTP study. Therefore, the total possible score for an operational improvement is 58.

Table 7.C.4 on page 151 displays the qualitative and quantitative criteria and the associated scoring. The prioritization resulted in the following ranking of top tier operational improvements:
Non-Capacity Widening Sinkhole Rd / Old Register Road from SR 46 to US 301 Bypass
Operational Improvements along US 301 from SR 46 to US 301 Bypass Operational Improvements along SR 46 from Kennedy Bridge Road to US 301 Operational Improvements along Lanier Drive from Langston Chapel Road to US 301
Bypass

The remaining operational improvements scored lower and, at this time, should be considered a lower priority.

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Table 7.C.4 Operational Improvement Prioritization

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Qualitative Criteria
Continuation of Existing Road Widening Project Governor's Road Improvement Program / National Highway System Right of Way Protection Corridor Connectivity Construction Designs in Progress Parallel Relief Protection of Downtown Ideal Typical Section Development Conditions Community Preservation Transportation Land Use Linkage
Sub-Total Qualitative Criteria
Quantitative Criteria
Volume/Capacity Ratio Ratio of Crashes per 100 Million VMT to Statewide Average Number of Fatalities
Sub-Total Quantitative Criteria
Total Score for Project

Project Ref. No.

Facility

From

To

B110 B14 B99 B109 B108 B54 B55 B56 B51 B52 B115 B116 B60 B113 B114 B158

Old Register Rd / Sinkhole Rd SR 73/US 301 SR 46 Lanier Rd Langston Chapel Rd Clifton Rd Brannen Pond Rd Cawana Rd Bohler Rimes Rd Elmer Phillips Rd Josh Smith Rd Hightower Rd Savannah Ave Sea Born Proctor Rd Bethel Church Rd Grimshaw Rd

US 301 Bypass SR 46 SR 73/US 301 US 301 Bypass Old Register Road SR 67 / Elm Grove Rd Brooklet Denmark Rd Burkhalter Rd US 301 SR 67 Harville Rd Burkhalter Rd E Main St Langston Chapel Rd Langston Chapel Rd US 80

SR 46 US 301 Bypass Kennedy Bridge Rd Langston Chapel Rd SR 67 SR 46 US 80 US 80 Burkhalter Rd Harville Rd Hightower Rd South of Josh Smith Rd Northside Dr Langston Chapel Rd
Rushing Rd

0-4 0-2 0-3 0-4
3 333
33 3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3

0-2 0-4 0-4 0-4 0-2 0-2 0-2

3

3 3 3 3 17.00

3

3

14.00

3

3

12.00

333

3 15.00

3 3 3 3 13.00

3

3 3 3 13.00

3

3 3 3 13.00

333

10.00

3 3 3 9.00

3 3 3 9.00

3 3 3 9.00

3 3 3 9.00

3

3

6.00

3 3 3 6.00

3 3 3 6.00

3

5.00

0.59 1.09 0.77 1.35 0.86 2.36 0.45 8.21 0.40 0.94 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.30 1.07 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.23 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.00

2 8.50 25.50 4 10.50 24.50 1 10.00 22.00 0 7.00 22.00 0 3.50 16.50 0 0.50 13.50 0 0.50 13.50 0 1.50 11.50 0 0.50 9.50 0 0.50 9.50 0 0.50 9.50 0 0.50 9.50 0 2.00 8.00 0 0.50 6.50 0 0.50 6.50 0 0.50 5.50

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Intersection Prioritization
Criteria were established to evaluate the potential intersection improvements based on various standards established through the study process. The following list documents the criteria established for the intersection evaluation.
What is the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) on the facility? How many crashes occurred at the intersection between 2003 and 2007? Did a fatality occur at the intersection? Is the intersection currently identified by the County/City? Can operational issues be addressed without installing a traffic signal?
By comparing potential projects to these established criteria, it was possible to determine which projects scored highest against these critical measures. This information was used to prioritize projects. Table 7.C.5 below documents the scoring used for the intersection prioritization and Table 7.C.6 on page 153 displays the scoring applied to the proposed intersection improvements.

Table 7.C.5 Intersection Scoring Criteria

Corridor Prioritization Criteria
AADT What is the Average AADT at the intersection?
Crashes How many crashes occurred at the intersection between 2003 and
2007?
Fatality Did a fatality occur at the intersection?
Previously Identified Improvement Is the intersection currently identified by the County/City?
Improvement Opportunities Can operational issues be addressed without installing a traffic signal?
Sub-Total Possible Points

Possible Points
> 6,000 = 5 6,000 - 4,000 = 4 4,000 - 2,000 = 2
< 2,000 = 0 > 25 = 10
25 - 20 = 5 20 - 15 = 2
<15 = 0 No = 0 Yes = 10 No = 0 Yes = 5 No = 0 Yes = 5
35

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Project Ref. No.

Road

B6 B4 B8 B7 B61 B46 B62 B63 B64 B65 B66 B67 B69 B70 B47 B68 B71 B77 B135 B136 B49 B50 B76 B48 B133 B159 B134

SR26 / US 80 SR 46 US 25 Bypass SR 73 / US 301 Old Register Rd Cypress Lake Rd Lanier Rd Chadler Rd SR 67 US 301 Bypass Northside Dr Lester Rd Northside Dr Fair Rd Chandler Rd Northside Dr Brannen St Langston Chapel Rd Burkhalter Rd Rucker Ln Burkhalter Rd US 80 US 301 Pretoria Rushing Rd Old Register Rd Cypress Lake Rd Burkhalter Rd

Table 7.C.6 Intersection Improvement Prioritization

Intersection
Cawana Rd SR 67 Pulaski Rd SR 46 US 301 Bypass US 25 Bypass US 301 Bypass Fair Rd US 301 Bypass Northside Dr Lovett Rd Northside Dr Main St Main St Lanier Dr Cone Rd Gentilly Rd Lanier Dr SR 67 US 301 US 80 Parker St Newsome Rd Burkhalter Rd Langston Chapel Rd Coley Boyd Rd Langston Chapel Rd

AADT
2,423 3,562 5,847 1,711 2,810 3,153 757 3,223 2,754 2,493 2,837 5,236 5,026 5,132 6,244 5,518 3,320 4,318 6,188 3,867 2,607 1,701 1,876 1,300 4,396 6,224 559

Crashes
39 27 31 55 56 39 106 86 144 87 62 107 51 87 71 59 53 17 17 3 2 0 1 5 11 0 0

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Fatalities
1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

County/City List X X X
X X
X X X X X X X

Score
29 27 27 25 22 19 19 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 14 14 14 12 10 10 9 9 9 7 7 5 2

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The prioritization scoring resulted in the following top tier intersection improvements:
US 80 at Cawana Road SR 46 at SR 67 US 25 Bypass at Pulaski Road US 301 at SR 46 Old Register Road at US 301 Bypass Lanier Road at US 301 Bypass

The remaining intersections scored lower, and at this time, should be considered a lower priority.

Bridge Prioritization
Bridges with a sufficiency rating of 50 or lower were recommended for improvements by 2020, and those with a rating of 75 to 50 were recommended for improvements by 2035. These ratings are discussed in detail (see Chapter 6, Section H: Future Bridge Conditions). The four bridges with sufficiency ratings below 50 recommended for improvement by 2020 include:
Portal Highway at Big Branch & Lofts Creek Akins Pond Road at Mill Creek Cypress Lake Road at Dry Branch GA Highway 119 at Ogeechee River Overflow
Complete prioritization results for bridge improvements are also included in Table 7.E.1 on page 163.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Prioritization
The prioritization criteria used to evaluate potential bicycle and pedestrian improvements were based on GDOTs Guidebook for Pedestrian Planning project prioritization framework, as well as on the goals and objectives established in this study (see Chapter 5: Goals and Objectives, page 89). In addition to project recommendations, policy recommendations were also made which will have the effect of improving the bicycle and pedestrian network system-wide over the long term.
The evaluation criteria account for both system deficiencies (e.g. where there are no bicycle or pedestrian facilities) as well as pedestrian and bicycle potential factors (i.e. do the land uses and demographics create a need or demand for facilities?). The following table lists the criteria and the associated weights for each factor in the prioritization. Table 7.C.7 on page 155 documents the scoring used for the bicycle and pedestrian prioritization and Table 7.C.8 on page 157 displays the scoring applied to the proposed bicycle and pedestrian improvements.

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Table 7.C.7 Bicycle & Pedestrian Scoring Criteria

Project Prioritization Criteria

Scoring

Bicycle and Pedestrian Deficiency Factors

No more than one crash along this

1 corridor (but not the project

location) in past 3 years

Bicycle/Pedestrian Crashes:

2

No more than one crash at the project location within last 3 years

2 or more crashes on the corridor,

3 but not at the project location in the

Have there been bicycle or pedestrian crashes at this

past 3 years

location, along this corridor, how many, and what severity?

4

2 or more crashes at the project location in the past 3 years

1 or more injuries or fatalities at

5 the project location or along the

corridor in the past 3 years

1

If purely a cosmetic upgrade of existing facility

2

Existing bike/ped facilities but in poor condition

Existing Facilities:
Is this project replacing an existing facility or do none

3

Existing bike/ped facilities but many gaps or discontinuous

currently exist?

4

No facilities currently on one side of road

No facilities currently exist on

5 either side of the road, or no street

crossing facilities

Project location is on a quiet, 2-

Traffic Factors:

1 lane residential street with low
speeds and low traffic volumes.

Project location is on a street with

Does the project location have high motor vehicle speeds,

moderate traffic volumes and

high traffic volumes, multiple lanes to cross, or complicated intersections? Some roads due to their traffic and design

3

speeds, no more than 3 lanes of traffic (not including on-street

characteristics are more difficult to cross and less attractive, and sometimes less safe, to walk or bike along. These roads often warrant improvements more so than quiet residential streets that are already bike and pedestrian friendly.

5

parking). Project location is on a major street with high speeds, high traffic volumes, multiple traffic lanes, wide intersections, and few

crossing locations.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Potential Factors

Need:
Is there evidence of existing demand (bike/pedestrian counts, worn paths along roadside), current or forecasted population densities that rely more heavily on walking and biking (i.e.

1 5

On a scale of 1-to-5, with 1 being the least demand and 5 being the highest demand for bicycle and pedestrian

young, elderly, low-income populations), or existing or future

facilities.

land uses that support biking and walking.

Bike/Ped Priority Area:

0,

Is the project within a bicycle or pedestrian priority area, i.e. for bicycles, within 1 mile radius of schools, parks, libraries or

3,

0 = No 3 = Partially 5 = Yes

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Project Prioritization Criteria

Scoring

community facilities (such as senior center, YMCA, community or health clinic, etc); for pedestrians, within mile radius of 5
schools, parks, libraries or community facilities (such as senior center, YMCA, community health clinic, etc).
Connectivity
Does the proposed project provide a direct connection to:
Major employment or activity centers

0 = No connectivity

Downtown Commercial Business Districts
Existing or proposed transportation projects or major real estate developments
Other modes of transportation (such as public transit or a shared path access point)

0 5

On a scale of 1-to-5, with 1 providing very little connectivity and 5 providing the greatest

connectivity to multiple

destinations.

Does the project close a gap in a sidewalk or bike facility?

Previously Identified Improvement

0

Was the proposed project previously identified in a community plan (STIP, CRC Bike/Ped Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Plan, Recreation Plan, etc)?

or 3

0 = No 3 = Yes

Rank on a scale of 1-to-5:

Funding/implementation:

1 = No political or community support, requires ROW

Does the project have funding dedicated already (such as

purchase and no funding

Transportation Enhancement funds)? Does the project have 1 - identified

political and community support to move forward? Does the 5
project require purchase of Right-of-Way?

5 = Funding secured, no ROW

required

(or

already

purchased),

has

support/approval

from

governmental entities and

community.

TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS

38

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Table 7.C.8 Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Prioritization

Project Length Crashes Existing Facilities Traffic Factors Need Priority Area Connectivity Previously Identified Implementation Total Score for Project

Project Ref. No.

Facility

From

To

Type of Improvement

B12 B81 B82 B97
B84
B104 B177
B150
B153 B154
B170
B156 B83 B106 B96 B98
B161 B146 B147 B162 B166 B149 B164 B178 B13 B167 B168 B89
B105 B160 B171 B165 B169 B148 B94 B163
B95 B91 B107 B175 B93 B157
B142 B176 B86 B92 B132
Signals & Signage

US 301
Fair Rd
Chandler Rd
N. Main St
East/West Jones St
East/West Main St
W. Main St/Denmark St Savannah Ave Gentilly Rd Savannah Ave S. Zetterower Ave
Lanier Drive Brannen St Zetterower Ave Stockyard Rd Williams St Lester Rd W. Main St Gentilly Rd S & S Greenway Phase I Williams Rd SH.eMrtyuDlbreivrrey St (Statesboro Public Library)
Lee St Luetta Moore Park Path Blitch St W. Main St/Proctor St Terrell Drive Jones Mill Rd (Willing Way Hospital) Rocky Ford Rd (Portal) Trail
West Lane St (Brooklet) Cromley Rd (Brooklet) Jef Rd/Mattie Lively School E Main St East Lane St (Brooklet) West Lee St (Brooklet)

miles 1 - 5 1,3 or 5 1,3 or 5 1 - 5 0,3 or 5 0 - 5 0 or 3 1 - 5

E Parrish St

US 301 Bypass

Sharrows and raised ped crossing islands

from E. Parrish St to Tillman Road; Bicycle

lanes from Tillman to Veteran's Memorial

Pkwy; Raised medians from Tillman to Old

Register Rd., Sidewalks on one side from

Southern Dr to Old Register; Traffic signal

w/ped countdown timer @ Old Register; Ped

crossing improvements & flangeway filler on

RR tracks at intersection of

US301/SR67/Brannen St.

3.2 5

5 55

5 5 3 3 36

US 301

Bermuda Run

Fair Rd

Lanier Dr

Jef Rd

E. Parrish St

Johnson St

S. Zetterower Ave

Savannah Ave W. Main St @ S. College St E. Main St Fair Rd E. Main St Fair Rd Veteran's Memorial Parkway E. Bypass Fair Rd

S College St
Denmark St @ city limits Northside Drive Savannah Ave S. Zetterower Ave Brannen St
Georgia Ave S. Zetterower Ave E. Parrish St

Bicycle lanes & signage, raised medians in

the center turn lane between intersections

and major driveways

1.7 5

Construct sidewalk segments to fill gaps,

Bicycle lanes, raised medians, ped crossing

islands, crosswalks, ped warning signs, and

in-street crosswalk signs at unsignalized

intersections.

1.1 5

Sidewalks on both sides (excludes one block

between Pinewood Drive and Miller Road -

already has sidewalks)

0.7 5

Bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides

from Institute to existing sidewalks near

Broad St.

1.1 3

Sharrows from S. College St. to Savannah

Ave, Bicycle lanes from Savannah to Beasely

Road

2.4 5

Bicycle lanes Bicycle lanes Sharrows Construct sidewalk segment to fill gap Sidewalks on one side

0.9 1 0.9 3 1.3 2 0.1 3 0.4 3

Road Diet (3 to 2), Bicycle lanes Bicycle lanes Sharrows

13 1.5 1 1.7 4

5 55
5 35
5 34
5 34
5 34 5 34 5 33 5 34 3 33 5 34 5 33 5 53 5 33

3 5 3 4 35
5 5 3 4 35
5 4 3 2 31
5 4 3 4 31
3 5 3 3 31 5 5 3 4 30 5 3 3 4 29 3 5 3 4 29 5 4 3 4 28 5 5 0 3 28 5 3 3 3 28 5 4 3 2 28 5 4 0 4 28

Williams Rd
Bryant School entrance E. Main St Proctor St Fair Rd Gentilly Rd Northside Drive Fair Rd

W. Main St
Stockyard Rd Northside Drive Ivory St Brannen St West Lane St (Brooklet) Stockyard Rd Gentilly Rd

CBiocnysctlerulcatnseisdeawnadlksisdeegwmaleknstoton foilnl egaspid(e250 0.5 2

feet)

0.05 1

Sidewalks on one side

0.8 1

Sidewalks on both sides

0.2 1

Sidewalks on both sides

0.9 2

Multi-Use trail

6.1 1

Bicycle lanes

0.5 1

Sharrows and sidewalk on one side

0.3 1

5 34
3 33 5 33 5 33 5 33 5 13 5 34 5 33

5 3 3 3 28
5 4 3 4 26 5 3 3 2 25 5 3 3 2 25 3 4 3 1 24 3 3 3 5 24 5 3 0 3 24 3 3 3 3 24

Savannah Ave

E. Jones Ave

Sidewalks on one side

0.5 2

5 33

5 3 0 2 23

E. Main St Williams Rd W. Main St N. Foss St Fair Rd Lester Rd US-80 Gentilly Rd Brooklet Elementary School Brooklet-Denmark Rd Jef Rd Northside Parkway Parker Ave Cromley Rd

Bicycle lanes and HAWK signal &

Savannah Ave

crosswalks at Lee @ Northside intersection 0.5 3

Proctor St

Multi-Use trail along abandoned railway

0.5 1

Northside Drive

Bicycle lanes

0.5 1

Morris St

Sidewalks on one side (460 feet)

0.08 1

Gentilly Rd

Sidewalks on one side

0.2 1

Hospital (311 Jones Mill Rd) Sidewalks on one side (285 feet)

0.05 1

Johnson St

Sidewalks on one side

0.3 1

McTell Trail

Multi-Use Trail (specific alignment TBD)

11

S&S Greenway Spence Rd Mattie Lively School US 301 Bypass US-80 Western city limits

Sidewalks on one side Sidewalks on one side Multi-Use Trail (i.e. a short trail link) Sidewalks on both sides Sidewalks on one side Sidewalks on one side

0.8 1 1.1 1 0.1 1 1.1 0 0.3 1 0.9 1

5 33 5 12 5 13 3 33 5 33 5 12 5 12 5 13
5 11 5 12 5 12 5 33 5 12 5 12

3 3 0 3 23 5 5 3 1 23 5 4 0 4 23 5 3 3 2 23 3 3 3 2 23 5 3 3 2 22 5 3 3 1 21 5 3 3 0 21
5 3 3 1 20 3 3 3 1 19 5 3 0 2 19 3 2 0 2 18 3 2 3 1 18 3 2 3 1 18

E. Grady St (Statesboro Public Library) S. Main St

E Main St

Oakcrest Drive

US - 80 (Portal)

1st Ave

Foster St (Register)

City Hall

Cross St (Register)

Foster St

S. Mulberry St US 301 Bypass Bonnet St Cross St Main St

Sidewalks on one side Multi-use trail extension on south side of Paved shoulders Sidewalks on one side Sidewalks on one side

0.2 1 0.3 0 0.6 1 0.1 1 0.2 1

5 12 5 32 3 31 5 11 5 11

5 2 0 2 18 3 1 0 2 16 3 3 0 1 15 3 1 0 1 13 3 1 0 1 13

Lester Rd @ Northside Dr./US-80 (@ Statesboro High School) S. College St Pulaski Rd US-80 @ Rocky Ford Rd (Portal) US-80 @ Woods Ave./1st St (Portal) SR 46 @ Main St (Register)

W. Parrish St Statesboro city limits

US-80 @ N. Cromley Rd (Brooklet)

W. Brannen St West Bypass

Raised median/crossing island, pedestrian

countdown signal head, pedestrian signage

5

Bicycle signage

1.2 2

Share the Road signage

11

Crosswalks, curb ramps

1

Repaint crosswalk

1

Crosswalk & ped signage

1

Ped xing advance warning signs and

flashing beacon.

1

3 55 3 31 5 32 3 32 3 32 3 31
3 32

5 5 0 5 33 5 3 3 4 24 3 2 3 2 21 5 3 0 3 20 5 3 0 3 20 3 2 0 3 16
0 2 0 2 13

157 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

D. Logical Termini and Environmental Considerations
For roadway capacity improvements, logical termini were determined to help link the long range planning process with National Environmental Policy 2003 and 2007 (NEPA) regulations. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) includes three general principles at 23 CFR 771.111(f) that should be used to frame a highway project:
In order to ensure meaningful evaluation of alternatives and to avoid commitments to transportation improvements before they are fully evaluated, the action evaluated in each environmental impact statement (EIS) or finding of no significant impact (FONSI) shall:
o Connect logical termini and be of sufficient length to address environmental matters on a broad scope;
o Have independent utility or independent significance, i.e., be usable and be a reasonable expenditure even if no additional transportation improvements in the area are made; and
o Not restrict consideration of alternatives for other reasonably foreseeable transportation improvements.
Transportation projects that receive federal funds must follow NEPA requirements in order to receive approval from the Federal Highway Administration. Among other environmental studies conducted during the NEPA process, a survey is conducted to assess historic resources under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Identified historic resources that are National Register eligible properties are given special consideration during the NEPA process and transportation projects must receive State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) concurrence before receiving approval. These requirements are in place to identify historic resources, assess impacts, and determine appropriate measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to historic resources.
These principles were factored into the project development process in several capacities. First, all projects were considered alongside data including wetlands and historic resources for potential environmental impacts. Second, logical termini for each capacity improvement were examined and revised based on the analysis conducted to date. Logical termini for roadway improvements are included in Table 7.E.1 on page 163.
Environmental Justice Considerations
As a result of the executive order, transportation agencies have integrated special efforts into transportation planning efforts to identify the groups identified above and to appropriately engage them throughout the development of transportation improvement recommendations.
As discussed in Chapter 2, Section E: Environmental Justice on page 11, Executive Order 12898 signed into law by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1994 requires that groups historically underrepresented in the transportation planning process are not disproportionately impacted as a result of transportation improvements. The environmental justice analysis conducted as part of this study and discussed in Chapter 2 identified areas with high concentrations of low-income and minority populations. As a result it was confirmed that improvements recommended as part of this study will improve safety, mobility, and access for all users on a county-wide basis. Positive benefits will accrue to EJ communities through

158

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

bicycle and pedestrian enhancements and roadway safety and capacity improvements. Figures 7.D.1 on page 160 and 7.D.2 on page 161 overlay recommended improvements and environmental justice areas to demonstrate projects and illustrate that there are no disproportionate negative impacts in these locations.

159

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Environmental Justice Evaluation Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Crossing Improvements
160 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Figure 7.D.1

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

Environmental Justice Evaluation Bicycle & Pedestrian Facility

Improvements

Figure 7.D.2

161 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

E. Summary of Recommended Improvements
Based on the analysis completed as part of this study, a prioritized listing of recommended projects was created for Bulloch County. This information is presented in Tables 7.E.1 and 7.E.2 on pages 163 and 164 respectively. Table 7.E.1 includes:
Capacity Improvements and New Roadways Operational Improvements (increasing travel lane widths and/or shoulders) Intersection Improvements Bridge Improvements Rail Crossing Improvements
Bicycle and Pedestrian prioritized recommendations are included on page 164 in Table 7.E.2.
For each recommendation, several informational elements were produced including: facility; limits; existing and improved configuration; comments; source; improvement type; need; anticipated benefit; cost and prioritization score. For successful implementation of these projects, additional detailed engineering studies and environmental analysis are required to determine the most appropriate alignment, design, cost and prioritization score of each project. Additionally, successful project implementation will require identified funding mechanisms, political support, and public recognition of the project need and benefit. The LRTP provides a basis for each of these achievements, but more work is necessary in order to advance and ultimately build each project.
Project sheets were developed for all capacity improvement and new roadway projects, and intersection improvement projects. The project sheets include the project limits including logical termini, distance, priority, and jurisdiction. Project sheets are contained in Appendix D, page 270.

162

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Georgia Department of Transportation

Table 7.E.1 Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Crossing Prioritized Improvments

Project Ref. No.

Facility

Capacity Improvements and New Roadways

B16

SR 67

B17

SR 26/US 80

B11

Statesboro North Bypass

B59

Extension of Lanier Rd

B132

Country Club Drive

Operational Improvements

B110

Old Register Rd / Sinkhole Rd

B14

SR 73/US 301

B99

SR 46

B109

Lanier Rd

B108

Langston Chapel Rd

B54

Clifton Rd

B55

Brannen Pond Rd

B56

Cawana Rd

B51

Bohler Rimes Rd

B52

Elmer Phillips Rd

B115

Josh Smith Rd

B116

Hightower Rd

B60

Savannah Ave

B113

Sea Born Proctor Rd

B114

Bethel Church Rd

B158

Grimshaw Rd

Segment Limits

From

To

I-16 Amanda Ct SR 16/US 80 East Georgia Ave Cypress Lake Rd

US 301 Bypass SR 119 Connector SR 73/US 301 N Fair Rd US 301

2-Lanes 2-Lanes N/A N/A N/A

Existing Configuration

US 301 Bypass

SR 46

SR 46

US 301 Bypass

SR 73/US 301

Kennedy Bridge Rd

US 301 Bypass

Langston Chapel Rd

Old Register Road

SR 67

SR 67 / Emit Grove Rd SR 46

Brooklet Denmark Rd US 80

Burkhalter Rd

US 80

US 301

Burkhalter Rd

SR 67

Harville Rd

Harville Rd

Hightower Rd

Burkhalter Rd

South of Josh Smith Rd

E Main St

Northside Dr

Langston Chapel Rd Langston Chapel Rd

Langston Chapel Rd

US 80

Rushing Rd

2-lane. Grass shoulder. 4-lane divided highway . Grass shoulder. 2-lane. Grass shoulder 2-lane. Grass shoulder. A few turning lanes. 2-lane. Grass shoulder. unpaved unpaved 2-lane. Grass shoulder. unpaved unpaved unpaved unpaved 2-lane. No shoulder. unpaved unpaved unpaved

Improved Configuration
4-Lanes 4-Lanes 2-Lanes 2-Lanes 2-Lanes
upgrade shoulders / further study upgrade shoulders / further study add turn lanes add one turn lane add turn lanes paved paved add turn lanes paved paved paved paved traffic calming paved paved paved

Notes/Comments
10.85 miles 13.10 miles 3.90 miles 0.20 miles 0.78 miles

Source
Analysis Analysis Analysis Comments Comments

6.00 miles 5.50 miles 1.40 miles 0.85 miles 2.80 miles 4.00 miles 2.36 miles 2.11 miles 1.50 miles 1.33 miles 0.62 miles 0.84 miles 1.00 miles 0.95 miles 0.34 miles 1.70 miles

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Comments Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Comments Analysis Analysis Comments

Intersection Improvements

B6

SR 26/US 80 @ Cawana Rd

B4

SR 46 @ SR 67

B8

US 25 Bypass @ Pulaski Road

B7

SR 73/US 301 @ SR 46

B61

Old Register Rd @ US 301 Bypass

B46

Cypress Lake Rd @ US 25 Bypass

B62

Lanier Rd @ US 301 Bypass

B63

Chandler Rd @ Fair Rd

B64

SR 67 @ US 301 Bypass

B65

US 301 Bypass @ Northside Dr

B66

Northside Dr @ Lovett Rd

B67

Lester Rd @ Northside Dr

B69

Northside Dr @ Main St

B70

Fair Rd @ Main St

B47

Chandler Rd @ Lanier Dr

B68

Northside Dr @ Cone Rd

B71

Brannen St @ Gentilly Rd

B77

Langston Chapel Rd @ Lanier Rd

B135 B136 B49 B50 B76 B48 B133 B159 B134

Burkhalter Rd @ SR 67 Rucker Ln @ US 301 Burkhalter Rd @ US 80 US 80 @ Parker St US 301 @ Newsome Rd Pretoria Rushing Rd @ Burkhalter Rd Old Register Rd @ Langston Chapel Rd Cypress Lake Rd @ Coley Boyd Rd Burkhalter Rd @ Langston Chapel Rd

Bridge Improvements

B1

Portal Hwy @ Big Branch & Lotts Creek, 8 mi north of Metter

B45

Akins Pond Rd @ Mill Creek

B74

Cypress Lake Rd @ Dry Branch

B43

GA Hwy 119 @ Ogeechee River Overflow

B34

Stilson Leefiled Rd @ Mill Creek

B26

Nevils Daisy Rd @ Lotts Creek

B20

Pulaski Rd @ Lotts Creek Overflow

B21

Pulaski Rd @ Lotts Creek

B22

Pulaski Rd @ Crossway Branch @ Lotts Creek

B37

SR 24 @ Ogeechee River

B36

SR 24 @ Ogeechee River Overflow

B40

Rocky Ford Rd @ Bay Gall Creek

B28

Mud Rd @ Lower Black Creek

B38

Lakeview Rd @ Ogeechee River Overflow

B75

US 301 @ Ogeechee River

B72

US 25 @ Lotts Creek Trib.

B2

SR 119 @ Ogeechee River Overflow

B44

GA Hwy 119 @ Ogeechee River

B35

Spring Creek Rd @ Spring Creek

B24

Adabelle Rd @ Scott Creek

B33

Clito Rd @ Mill Creek

B30

Arcola Rd @ Upper Black Creek

B31

M.P. Martin Rd @ Cross Branch

B27

Burkhalter Rd @ Little Lotts Creek

B73

US 25 @ Little Lotts Creek

B23

Cypress Lake Rd @ Lotts Creek

B32

US 80 @ Lotts Creek

B25

Sinkhole Rd @ Lotts Creek

B39

Lakeview Rd @ Ogeechee River

B29

Mud Rd @ Upper Black Creek

B3

Deloach Church Rd @ Lotts Creek

one-way stop control two-way stop control, caution signalization two-way stop control
two-way stop control, caution signalization two-way stop control two-way stop control, caution signalization signalized signalized signalized signalized signalized signalized signalized one-way stop control signalized one-way stop control signalized one-way stop control
signalized two-way control two-way stop control two-way stop control, caution signalization two-way stop control four-way stop control four way stop control one-way control one-way stop control

further study signalization signalization signalization, right turn lane, median upgrade. further study further study further study further study further study further study further study further study further study further study further study further study further study signalization signal timing modification, add left turn lane and right turn lane on SR 67 WB signalization signalization further study further study roundabout signalization roundabout roundabout

N/A 27 crashes / 1 fatality N/A
55 crashes / 2 fatalities 56 crashes / 1 fatality N/A 106 crashes 86 crashes 144 crashes 87 crashes 62 crashes 107 crashes 51 crashes 87 crashes 71 crashes 59 crashes 53 crashes N/A
N/A N/A N/A N/A Airport access N/A N/A N/A N/A

Analysis Analysis Analysis
Analysis Analysis Comments Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis
Analysis Comments Comments Comments Analysis Comments Analysis Comments Analysis

0.79 miles 3,000 sq ft 2,520 sq ft 10,395 sq ft 5,544 sq ft 9,600 sq ft 2,160 sq ft 4,320 sq ft 2,160 sq ft 10,400 sq ft 5,200 sq ft 3,885 sq ft 3,712 sq ft 6,696 sq ft 49,920 sq ft 1,428 sq ft
0.4 miles 17,758 sq ft
1,440 sq ft 1,440 sq ft 5,130 sq ft 2,760 sq ft 1,080 sq ft 1,440 sq ft 1,445 sq ft 5,152 sq ft 5,040 sq ft 5,520 sq ft 14,160 sq ft 4,640 sq ft
0.4 miles

24 & 16 sufficiency rating 25.66 sufficiency rating 27.03 sufficiency rating 39.45 sufficiency rating 54.02 sufficiency rating 55.01 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 59.91 sufficiency rating 60.93 sufficiency rating 64.22 sufficiency rating 64.3 sufficiency rating 65.38 sufficiency rating 65.58 sufficiency rating 66.92 sufficiency rating 67 sufficiency rating 67.35 sufficiency rating 68.42 sufficiency rating 69.27 sufficiency rating 69.41 sufficiency rating 69.50 sufficiency rating 70.08 sufficiency rating 70.59 sufficiency rating 71.21 sufficiency rating 71.3 sufficiency rating 71.45 sufficiency rating 73.17 sufficiency rating 74.14 sufficiency rating 74.29 sufficiency rating 75.71 sufficiency rating

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

1. Operational and intersection improvements recommendations are planning level and require further study for specific solutions and refined costs. 2. Intersection costs assume a placeholder cost of $270,000 where further study is required. 3. Cost estimates are in current year dollars (uninflated dollars). 4. Cost estimates are planning-level, based on best available data and assumptions

Improvement Type
Minor Arterial Widening Minor Arterial Widening New Road New Road New Road

Need
Capacity Deficiency Capacity Deficiency Connectivity Capacity Deficiency Capacity Deficiency

Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Operational Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements Operational Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements Paving Improvements Operational Improvements Paving Improvements Paving and Operational Improvements Paving Improvements

Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues

Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements
Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements
Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements Intersection Improvements

Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues
Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues
Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues

Replacement Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Replacement Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Upgrade Bridge Replacement

Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance Rehabilitation or Maintenance

Anticipated Benefit
Increased Capacity & Improved Safety Increased Capacity & Improved Safety Increased Capacity & Improved Safety Increased Capacity & Improved Safety Increased Capacity & Improved Safety
Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety Improved Capacity & Safety
Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity
Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity
Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity Improved Safety & Capacity
Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations

Estimated Cost

$

36,090,160.00

$

144,356,288.69

$

30,226,775.40

$

5,423,745.61

$

17,823,255.02

$

233,920,224.71

$

1,075,640.55

$

991,812.91

$

629,405.14

$

229,247.48

$

711,154.58

$

1,231,407.00

$

752,876.00

$

506,930.00

$

493,398.00

$

441,039.00

$

225,428.00

$

287,328.00

$

-

$

303,064.00

$

123,621.00

$

569,662.00

$

8,572,013.66

$

270,000.00

$

2,181,400.00

$

711,368.00

$

1,215,400.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

405,000.00

$

405,000.00

$

405,000.00

$

405,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

270,000.00

$

873,799.73

$

405,000.00

$

744,587.13

$

873,799.73

$

12,945,354.59

$

4,064,701.00

$

830,250.00

$

697,410.00

$

2,292,097.50

$

1,534,302.00

$

2,656,800.00

$

597,780.00

$

1,195,560.00

$

597,780.00

$

2,293,200.00

$

1,146,600.00

$

1,075,173.75

$

1,027,296.00

$

1,476,468.00

$

11,007,360.00

$

395,199.00

$

910,798.29

$

3,915,639.00

$

398,520.00

$

398,520.00

$

1,419,727.50

$

763,830.00

$

298,890.00

$

398,520.00

$

399,903.75

$

1,425,816.00

$

1,394,820.00

$

1,527,660.00

$

3,122,280.00

$

1,284,120.00

$

1,202,000.00

$

51,749,021.79

Prioritization Scores

Potential Environmental Impacts

34.00 Wetland 33.00 Wetland 26.50 Wetland 19.50 17.50

25.50 Wetland 24.50 Wetland 22.00 22.00 Wetland 16.50 Wetland 13.50 Wetland 13.50 Historic 11.50 Wetland
9.50 Wetland 9.50 9.50 Wetland, Historic 9.50 8.00 Wetland 6.50 6.50 5.50

29.00 27.00 27.00 Wetland
25.00 22.00 19.00 19.00 15.00 15.00 15.00 Wetland 15.00 15.00 15.00 Wetland 15.00 14.00 14.00 14.00 12.00
10.00 Historic 10.00
9.00 9.00 9.00 7.00 7.00 5.00 2.00

24 & 16 sufficiency rating 25.66 sufficiency rating 27.03 sufficiency rating 39.45 sufficiency rating 54.02 sufficiency rating 55.01 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 57.57 sufficiency rating 59.91 sufficiency rating 60.93 sufficiency rating 64.22 sufficiency rating 64.3 sufficiency rating 65.38 sufficiency rating 65.58 sufficiency rating 66.92 sufficiency rating 67 sufficiency rating 67.35 sufficiency rating 68.42 sufficiency rating 69.27 sufficiency rating 69.41 sufficiency rating 69.50 sufficiency rating 70.08 sufficiency rating 70.59 sufficiency rating 71.21 sufficiency rating 71.3 sufficiency rating 71.45 sufficiency rating 73.17 sufficiency rating 74.14 sufficiency rating 74.29 sufficiency rating 75.71 sufficiency rating

163 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Georgia Department of Transportation

Project Ref. No.

Facility

Railroad Crossing Improvements

B5 Near Term B5 Mid Term B10 B120 B122 B123 B124 B125 B126

East Jones Avenue Crossing East Jones Avenue Crossing Main St, Register Clito Rd US 301/SR67, Rackley Road and Brannen St Zetterower Ave East Grady Street Johnson Street SR 26

Segment Limits

From

To

NS # 620196H NS # 620196H NS # 620214D NS #620155D NS # 620197P, 620182A, 6201998W NS # 620176W, 620181T NS # 620172U, 620173B NS # 620189X NS # 620165J

Existing Configuration

Table 7.E.1 Roadway, Bridge, and Rail Crossing Prioritized Improvments

Improved Configuration

Notes/Comments

Warning Device

0.2 miles

Warning Device

0.2 miles

Stop Sign

Warning Device

Stop Sign, Pavement Markings

Stop Sign, Pavement Markings, Crossbucks

Repaint Pavement Markings

Warning Device, Pavement Markings

Warning Device

0.2 miles

Source
Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Improvement Type
Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing Upgrade Crossing

Need
Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues Operational & Safety Issues

Anticipated Benefit

Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations Improved Safety & Operations

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
$ Grand Total $

Estimated Cost

Prioritization Scores

3,000.00 N/A 265,500.00 N/A 187,500.00 N/A
3,000.00 N/A 187,500.00 N/A
4,500.00 N/A 300.00 N/A
3,750.00 N/A 1,000.00 N/A
656,050.00 307,842,664.75

Potential Environmental Impacts
Historic Historic

163 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Georgia Department of Transportation

Table 7.E.2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Recommended Improvments

Project Ref. No.

Facility Improvements

B12

US 301

B81

US 301

B82

US 301

B97

US 301

Facility

B84 B104
B177 B150 B153 B154

Fair Rd. Chandler Rd
Chandler Rd N Main St E/W Jones St W Jones St

B170 B156 B83 B106 B96 B98 B161 B146

E/W Main St W Main St/Denmark St Savannah Ave Gentilly Rd. Savannah Ave Zetterower Lanier Dr Brannen St

Segment Limits
US 301 Bypass Tillman Rd Tillman Rd Southern Dr.
US 301 Bypass Fair Rd
Fair Rd Jef Rd Johnson St Institute St
Savannah Ave W Main S Northside Dr Fair Rd E Main St Fair Rd US 301 Bypass E Bypass

B147

Zetterower Ave

Fair Rd

B162

Stockyard Rd

Williams Rd

B166 B149 B164 B178 B13 B167 B168 B89 B105

Williams St Lester Rd W.Main St Gentilly Rd. S & S Greenway Williams Rd Herty Dr Mulberry St Lee St

Bryant School entrance Entire length Proctor St Fair Rd Gentilly Rd Northside Dr Fair Rd E Jones Ave E Main St

B160 B171 B165 B169 B148 B94 B163 B95 B91 B107 B175 B93 B157 B142

Luetta Moore Park Path Blitch St & MLK Dr. W.Main St/Proctor St Terrell Dr Jones Mill Rd Rocky Ford Rd (in Portal) S & S Greenway Connection to McTell Trail West Lane St (in Brooklet) Cromley Rd (in Brooklet) Jeff Rd E. Main Street East Lane St (in Brooklet) West Lee St (Brooklet) E Grady St (Statesboro Library)

Williams Rd W. Main st N. Foss St Fair Rd Lester Rd HWY 80 Gentilly Rd Brooklet Elementary School Brooklet-Denmark Rd Jeff Rd Northside Parkway Parker Ave Cromley Rd S Main St

B176 B86 B92 B132 B127 B128 B129 B130 B131 B9

E. Main Street US 80 (in Portal) Foster St (in Register) Cross St (Register) Lanier Dr Langston Chapel Rd Langston Chapel Rd Old Register Rd Old Register Rd CR 576

US 301 Bypass 1st Ave City Hall Foster Street US 301 Bypass Old Register Rd Old Register Rd US 301 Bypass US 301 Bypass SR 67/N Main St

Signage Improvements Statesboro South Main St

Old Register Rd

Statesboro US 301/SR 67/Brannen Rd & 2 RRs Statesboro US 301 @ Old Register Rd/Rucker Ln

Statesboro Chandler Rd

Fair Rd

Statesboro Statesboro Statesboro Statesboro
Portal Portal Register

Lester Rd S College St Lee St Pulaski Rd US 80 US 80 SR 46

Northside Dr/US 80 W Parrish St Northside Dr. West Bypass Rocky Ford Rd Woods Ave/1st St Main St

Brooklet

US 80

N Cromley Rd

1. Cost estimates are in current year dollars (uninflated dollars).

2. Cost estimates are planning-level, based on best available data and assumptions

Existing Configuration

Improved Configuration

Notes/Comments

Source

Improvement Type

Tillman Rd E Parrish St E Parrish St Old Register Rd.

None None None None

Bermuda Run Rd. Lanier Dr.
Lanier Drive E.Parrish St Gentilly Rd SW near Broad St

None None
None None None None

S College St Denmark St @ city limits E Main St Savannah Ave S Zetterower Ave Brannen St Georgia Ave S Zetterower Ave

None None None None None None None None

E Parrish St

None

W. Main St

None

Stockyard Rd
Ivory St Brannen St West Lane St in Brooklet Stockyard Rd Gentilly Rd Savannah Ave Savannah Ave

None None None None None None None None None

Proctor St Northside Dr Morris St Gentilly Rd Hospital Johnson St. McTell Trail S&S Greenway Spence Rd Mattie Lively School US 301 Bypass US 80 Western city limits S Mulberry St

None None None None None None None None None None None None None None

Near Oakcrest Drive (to exisNtinogneMulti-Use trails)

Bonnet St

None

Cross St.

None

Main St.

None

Langston Chapel Rd

None

SR 67

None

SR 67

None

Burkhalter Rd

None

Burkhalter Rd

None

College St

None

Bike Lane restriping

1.4 miles

Sharrows

1.8 miles

Raised Pedestrian Crossing Island

1.8 miles

Sidewalks on east side

0.5 miles

Bike lanes & signage, raised medians in

the center turn lane between intersections

and major driveways

1.7 miles

Road Diet (3 lanes to 2), bike lanes

1.1 miles

Sidewalks (Construct approximately 0.25

mile of sidewalk to fill gaps).

1.1 miles

Sidewalks on both sides

0.7 miles

Bike lanes

1.8 miles

Sidwalks on one side

0.5 miles

Sharrows from S. College St. to Savannah

Ave (.3 mi) , bike lanes from Savannah to

Beasely Road (2.1 mi.)

Bike lanes

0.9 miles

Bike Lanes

0.9 miles

Road Diet (3 to 2), bike lanes

1.3 miles

Construct sidewalk segment to fill gaps 0.1 miles

Sidewalk on west side

0.4 miles

Road Diet (3 to 2), bike lanes

1.0 miles

Bike lanes

1.5 miles

Restripe 3 lanes to 2, add bike lanes

(excludes section between Savannah Ave

and Hill Street -- already 2 lanes with

shoulders)

1.7 miles

Bike lanes and construct sidewalks on one

side

0.5 miles

Construct sidewalk segment to fill gap

(250 feet)

0.05 miles

Sidwalks on one side

0.8 miles

Sidewalks on both sides

0.2 miles

Sidewalks on both sides

0.9 miles

Multi-Use Trail

6.1 miles

Bike Lanes

0.5 miles

Sharrows and sidewalk on one side

0.3 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.5 miles

Bike lanes

0.5 miles

Shared use path along abandoned railway

and/or city-owned property

0.5 miles

Bike lanes

0.5 miles

Sidewalks on one side (460feet)

0.08 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.2 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.05 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.3 miles

Alignment TBD

1.0 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.8 miles

Sidewalks on one side

1.1 miles

Short Trail Link

0.1 miles

Sidewalks on both sides

1.1 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.3 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.9 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.2 miles

Multi-use trail extension on south side of

road

0.3 miles

Paved shoulders (both sides of road)

0.6 miles

Sidewalks on one side

0.1 miles

Sidwalks on one side

0.2 miles

Bike Shoulder

0.9 miles

Bike Shoulder

2.8 miles

Sidewalks on at least one side

2.8 miles

Bike Shoulder

3.3 miles

Sidewalks on at least one side

3.3 miles

TE Landscape/Beautify

0.1 miles

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Multi-Use Trail Bike Shoulder Pedestrian Crossing Island Sidewalks

Analysis Bike Shoulder Analysis Bike Lane

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Sidewalks Sidewalks Bike lanes Sidewalks

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Sharrows Bike lanes Bike Lane Multi-Use Trail Sidewalks Sidewalks Bike Shoulder Bike lanes

Analysis Bike lane striping

Analysis Bike lanes

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks Multi-Use Trail Bike lanes Sharrows and Sidewalks Sidewalk Bike Shoulder

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Multi-Use Trail Bike lanes Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks Multi-Use Trail Sidewalks Sidewalks Multi-Use Trail Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks Sidewalks

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Multi-Use Trail Paved Shoulders Sidewalks Sidewalks Bike Shoulder Bike Shoulder Sidewalks Bike Shoulder Sidewalks TE Landscape/Beautify

Tillman Rd
Lanier Dr W Brannen St Statesboro city limits

None
None None
None
None None None None None None None
None

Raised Median Ped crossing improvements & flangeway filler to railroad tracks Traffic signal with ped countdown timeer Raised medians and Pedestrian crossing islands
Raised Median, Ped timers and signage Bike signage HAWK signal, crosswalks, signage Share the Road Signage Crosswalks, curb ramps Repaint crosswalk Crosswalks and Ped Signage Ped xing advance warning signs and flashing beacon.

Analysis Raised Median

Analysis Crosswalks and Signage Analysis Traffic Signal

Analysis Raised medians and Ped Crossing islands

Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis Analysis

Raised Median, Ped timers and signage Bike signage HAWK signal Bike signage Crosswalks and Curb Ramp Repaint crosswalk Crosswalks and Ped Signage

Analysis Pedestrian crossing signs

Need
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities

Anticipated Benefit
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities Bike/Ped Facilities
Bike/Ped Facilities

Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System Enhanced Multi-Modal System
Enhanced Multi-Modal System

Near

Implementation Mid

Long

Estimated Cost
$31,933 $12,247 $162,000 $218,942
$1,008,184 $25,091
$73,313 $477,025
$20,529 $340,732
$49,941 $10,264 $10,264
$8,845 $31,671 $136,293 $14,656 $17,107

Priority

Notes
36 *Assumed as one 36 project in prioritization 36 process. 36
35 35
35 31 31 31
31 30 29 29 28 28 28 28

$11,567

$334,423

$17,037 $272,586 $136,293 $613,699 $2,768,722
$5,702 $199,273 $170,366
$5,702

$378,002 $5,702
$27,258 $68,147 $218,942 $102,220 $688,136 $272,586 $374,804 $115,583 $750,076 $102,220 $306,659 $68,147

Subtotal

$272,611 $682,838
$34,073 $68,147 $783,342 Long Term $2,437,064 Long Term $1,003,313 Long Term $2,760,173 Long Term $1,170,112 Long Term $375,000 N/A $20,249,565

$513,216

$10,800 $136,782

$766,584

$12,010 $4,562
$82,620 $3,802 $9,936 $300 $460

Subtotal Grand Total $

$15,120 $1,556,191 21,805,755.66

28
28
26 25 25 24 24 24 24 23 23
23 23 23 23 22 21 21 20 19 19 18 18 18 18
16 15 13 13
36 *Assumed as one project in prioritization
36 process. 36
35
33 24 23 21 20 20 16
13

150 Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan Georgia Department of Transportation

Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

8 CHAPTER
FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION
A. Funding Sources
Several funding sources will be utilized to implement recommended projects. Eligibility for funds is typically dictated by the agencies responsible for maintaining and operating the transportation facility in question. Most major facilities in Bulloch County are either operated by GDOT or the County. Should the County desire to accelerate projects on state owned and maintained facilities, it is highly likely that overmatching of local funds could accelerate the process.
Funding for most transportation projects in the County has historically come in part through GDOT. To understand the ability of GDOT to continue to provide funds to Bulloch County, it is useful to understand the components of GDOT funding. Key components include:

Federal Title I Apportionments State Motor Fuels Taxes
o Accounts for approximately 98% of the States transportation funding allotted for projects
State License Tag Fees State Title Registrations State Motor Carrier Fuels Tax State Personal Property Tax Tax Allocation Districts
While detailed analysis of these funding sources is beyond the scope of this study, it is useful to point out that all of the revenue streams identified as key components of GDOT funding have positive growth rates historically.
While GDOT funding components have positive growth rates, the Department is experiencing some funding challenges. There are currently more transportation needs in the state than there are dollars to fund projects. In addition, construction costs have fluctuated considerably over the past three years, forcing the Department to continually assess which projects it can reasonably fund. GDOTs Project Prioritization Study, completed in 2008, formulated a prioritization methodology for all projects in the state based upon GDOTs statewide goals and objectives for the performance of the transportation system. Every project eligible for Federal or State funding may be subject to this process, which helps to identify the projects that bring the state the most benefit for the investment. Local funding sources are becoming more significant and will continue to be significant in the future for the successful implementation of projects. A review of project implementation shows that locations with a Special Purpose Local Option

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Sales Tax (SPLOST) have been in the best position to leverage funds and ultimately construct projects.
Federal Funding Sources for Transportation
A substantial portion of GDOT funding comes from the Federal Government through Federal Title I Apportionments. The primary funding source for Title I is the Federal gasoline tax collected at the state level. The US Congress authorizes federal transportation funding to the states and other public entities, generally every six years. The previous authorization was known as the "Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century" or TEA 21. The reauthorization of TEA 21 in August 2005 was SAFETEA-LU which authorizes the Federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety, and transit for the 5-year period of 2005 through 2009. According to the U.S. DOT, funding levels for major highway transportation programs and apportionments allocated to Georgia over the five-year time frame FY 2005-2009 total approximately $6,356,000,000 out of a total of $183,466,000,000. These lump sum funds are apportioned throughout the state.
Federal funding for the majority of highway system improvements (excluding interstate highways) planned in Bulloch County is expected to come from the Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Minimum Guarantee Program. Locally-sponsored projects within the County will generally require a 20 percent local funding commitment to match federal funds. The local government is also generally responsible for completing the planning and design of the projects as well. Federal and state funds are programmed by GDOT for right of way and construction costs. State-sponsored projects generally require a 10-20 percent local funding match.
As part of the federal apportionment and allocation, there are opportunities for local governments to collaborate with GDOT on special transportation projects. These programs include:
Scenic Byway Program - GDOT has initiated a Scenic Byways Program to help communities preserve and promote the cultural and historic resources found along the roadways in Georgia. Once a road becomes designated as a Georgia Scenic Byway, it becomes eligible for federal Scenic Byway funds. Funds can be used to develop corridor management plans to protect the natural and cultural assets along the route.
Transportation Enhancement Program (TE Funds) - Currently, the TE Grant Program provides federal transportation funds through GDOT to local governments through a competitive process for non-highway projects. Eligible projects include bicycle and pedestrian facilities, multi-use trails, the preservation of historic sites related to transportation, etc.
Federal Funds for Public Transportation
The need for better mobility and access to transportation extends far beyond the city limits of Statesboro. In Bulloch County, public transportation services are not currently available for people who cannot or choose not to drive their private autos. As the population grows and demographic trends change with a larger percentage of the population being elderly, the needs for special public transit to serve seniors and disabled people will likely increase.
In addition, as the study area continues to urbanize and possibly become designated as an MPO post-2010 census, urbanized area 5307 funds would then become available to the County

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

for public transportation. Commuter-oriented public transportation services, such as vanpooling programs and express bus services as well as transit facilities, such as park and ride lots can begin to be considered in the area. All of these programs are eligible for federal funding, with the local share ranging from 10 percent for transit vehicle purchases and the construction of park and ride lots up to 50 percent for rural transit operating assistance.
As Bulloch County continues to grow and develop, the County should continue to monitor its needs for local and regional public transportation services and identify potential opportunities to tap into the available federal sources for these programs and programs identified in Chapter 6 provided through the CRC. According to the U.S. DOT, an estimated $22,598,000,000 in lump sum federal transit funds is included in SAFETEA-LU for the period from FY 2005- 2009. The state of Georgia received an estimated $567,000,000 of these funds for the period of FY 20052009. These lump sum funds are apportioned throughout the state. Generally, for public transit projects proposed in Bulloch County, the federal funding programs will be the Non-Urbanized Area Program; the Rural Transit Assistance Program; Transit for Elderly and Disabled Persons, Job Access and Reverse Commute; and SAFETEA-LUs New Freedom Program.
State Funding Sources for Transportation
State funding for transportation projects in Georgia is derived from the following sources:
State tax on motor fuels (7.5 cents per gallon)(provides majority of revenue) State license tag fees State title registrations State motor carrier fuels tax State personal property tax
It is also useful to note that Georgia currently has one of the nations lowest state motor fuels taxes, excluding sales taxes. Even when including the additional 4 percent sales tax, Georgias motor fuel taxes are the third lowest in the US.
Local Funding Sources for Transportation
Local governments (cities and counties) receive revenues from a number of sources to support the public facilities and services they provide to citizens. These sources include federal and state funds, "own source" funds, such as property tax revenues and other monies, and discretionary grant funds from federal and/or state agencies.
Increasingly, counties in Georgia, like Bulloch, have enacted a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, to fund specifically identified capital projects. SPLOST taxes require voter approval and are time-limited. SPLOST funds can be used for transportation projects, including matching federal and/or state transportation funds. A portion of Bulloch Countys SPLOST funding goes to transportation improvements. Cities and counties may also use Local Option Sales Taxes (LOST) for transportation purposes, including providing local matching funds for GDOT projects. Other local sources of transportation funding include impact fees or other exactions paid by developers according to local ordinances and the creation of self-taxing entities, such as Community Improvement Districts. In addition, counties in Georgia may issue general obligation bonds to support transportation capital projects.
County governments typically may elect to use a portion of their own revenues for transportation-related purposes, including capital projects, and operations and maintenance of

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

transportation facilities within their own jurisdiction. A key determinant of the ability to improve an areas transportation facilities is the availability of local funds to match state and/or federal transportation funds. Data on the Countys expenditures for transportation were not available.
According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Countys "own source" revenues, including revenues from property taxes, sales taxes, excise and special use taxes and service charges and fees were $28.3 million in 2004. Own source revenues are relevant because a portion of these funds could be provided as local matching funds for federally and state-funded transportation improvements or for locally-funded projects, depending on the Countys other funding priorities. Table 8.A.1 below illustrates this data. In 2004, Bulloch County had per capita own source amounts of $480, which is slightly less than the statewide revenue per capita of $631.
Table 8.A.1 Own Source Revenues

County

2000 Own Source
Revenues

2004 Own Source
Revenues

% Change from 2000to
2004

2004 Per Capita Amount*

Bulloch County

$24.4 million

* Statewide per capita amount equals $631. Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs

$28.3 million

15.8%

$480

In addition, tax revenues jurisdictions in Georgia also have the ability to implement impact fees for
transportation infrastructure. Impact fees are one time fees applied to new developments that are used to defray some of the costs of providing additional public facilities and infrastructure to these developments. Impact fees serve to generate additional revenue to reduce the gap between the resources needed to build new (or improve existing) public facilities that serve new development and the money available for those purposes through traditional revenue sources. Bulloch County does not currently have impact fee legislation, but is interested in the potential it may have to generate additional funds for transportation projects. For more information on the potential for impact fees in Bulloch County, see "Transportation Impact Fees Exploratory Report", developed as part of the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 LRTP process.

GDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
Each year, GDOT develops its State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), a listing of all projects and project phases anticipated to be funded with federal and state funds within the current three-year period. The STIP also contains "lump sum" projects for transportation activities that benefit more than one county jurisdiction, for example, roadway beautification projects.
In its 2008-2011 STIP, GDOT estimated that nearly $9.5 billion were allocated for various transportation functions throughout Georgia. Table 8.A.2 on page 169 shows the allocation of these funds across major functional areas.

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

Table 8.A.2 STIP Fund Allocations (2008 2011)

Transportation Function
New Construction Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Bridges Safety Maintenance Transportation Enhancement Transit Other Total
Source: Georgia Department of Transportation

Amount Allocated
$1,273,880,000 $3,239,680,000 $969,770,000 $560,049,000 $911,204,000 $495,397,000 $957,176,000 $1,052,411,000 $9,459,567,000

Percent of Total
13.47% 34.25% 10.25% 5.92% 9.63% 5.24% 10.12% 11.13% 100.00%

Additionally, GDOT develops a Construction Work Program, a listing of projects expected to be funded within a six-year period (current year plus five subsequent years). The fifth and sixth years of the CWP are viewed as an expression of GDOTs intention to proceed with the projects as funding becomes available to develop the projects (complete engineering design, acquire right-of-way, if needed, and construct the improvement). These projects are documented in this Plan.

According to GDOTs 2008-2011 STIP, no major capacity projects are currently programmed for Bulloch County. Several projects are currently included in long-range. These projects were reevaluated as part of the LRTP development process and were included amongst the plan recommendations if still warranted based on future needs.

Future Transportation Funding Needs

A combination of federal, state, local, and private funding sources should be pursued for individual projects to improve transportation facilities in the study area. These sources should be pursued based on GDOT (state), regional and local investment priorities that weigh the best investments for anticipated benefits of the projects through the planning horizon year of 2035. A combination of sources will increase the likelihood for project implementation.

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Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan

Technical Memorandum August 2009

B. Effective Use of the Plan
This LRTP Document identifies potential projects for implementation based on local transportation needs and verified by technical analysis. This is an important step towards implementation but additional steps are necessary in order to advance projects into the Georgia Department of Transportations Project Development Process and / or to identify and solidify funding commitments from the state, if desired. The project implementation process for Georgia outside of an MPO area begins with support from local elected officials. Each County should begin with a thorough review of their LRTP priority projects. If funding is desired beyond what is available locally, the following steps are recommended:
Step 1: Gather letters of support from local elected officials highlighting the need for the project(s) and the merits of the project(s).
Step 2: Assess the level of funding support that may be provided by the County as a local match and / or for specific project phases (i.e. PE, ROW, etc.).
Step 3: Contact your GDOT District Office and coordinate with the GDOT District Engineer regarding the project. Depending on project type, the GDOT District may know of state aid resources that could be used for feasibility studies and potentially for additional match funding sources.
Step 4: The GDOT District Office typically serves as the project sponsor and submits a project information package to GDOTs Project Nominating Review Committee (PNRC) for consideration. The information included in the long-range plan and the project sheet, in addition to any supporting information resulting from additional study, is included in this package.
Step 5: Projects approved by the PNRC are programmed into GDOTs Long-Range Program. As funding is identified, the project will move into GDOTs six-year Construction Work Program (CWP).

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Technical Memorandum August 2009

9 CHAPTER

CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS
Bulloch County has experienced sustained growth over the last decade, resulting in increased travel demand in the County. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Office of Planning, in conjunction with Bulloch County and the City of Statesboro, initiated the Bulloch County / City of Statesboro 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan to assess needs and identify multi-modal transportation improvement opportunities to help the County address transportation issues through the plans horizon year of 2035. Recommended projects for Bulloch County were identified through analysis of existing and future transportation deficiencies, and selected and prioritized based on local goals and objectives with the intent of enhancing the quality of life for County residents and visitors. Efforts were taken to ensure that proposed projects negatively impacted the community as little as possible while providing maximum benefits. Analysis was conducted to ensure that the projects benefited and did not disproportionately impact low-income and minority communities. As part of this effort, existing and future operating conditions were documented for the following modes: highways and bridges, bicycle and pedestrian, freight, transit, rail, and airports. Ultimately, the study identified a prioritized list of projects for implementation.
GDOT coordinated with Bulloch County, the City of Statesboro, the Towns of Brooklet, Register, and Portal, Georgia Southern University, area residents and business leaders, and other partners in the planning, development, and review of potential improvements. Additionally, a comprehensive and interactive public involvement program was conducted. This ensured that alternative transportation improvements were not only coordinated with various governments, but afforded individual citizens and interested groups the opportunity to provide their input in developing and evaluating potential improvements to each Countys transportation network.
The end product for this study is this LRTP document. If implemented, its solutions address future needs and provide for the efficient movement of people and goods within and through Bulloch County through the horizon year of this study, 2035. This document should be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure that the planning factors and other assumptions are still relevant and effectively address transportation needs. This document should serve as the foundation for Bulloch Countys transportation planning efforts and a starting point for addressing future transportation needs.

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