Forum Boulevard improvement project
Consultation has concluded
There will be a Public Hearing for the approval of the Forum Boulevard improvement project at the City Council meeting Tuesday, April 16, 2024. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 701 E. Broadway. The City Council meeting had originally been planned for April 15 but had to be moved to the following day.
The Forum Boulevard improvement project was initiated following the passage of a quarter-cent sales tax proposition in August 2015 which allocated funds for capital improvement projects. Those projects included several large roadway projects such as Nifong Boulevard (completed in 2021) and upgrades along the Forum Boulevard corridor.
The City hired Engineering Surveys & Services, a Columbia-based engineering consulting firm, to provide planning and design for the Forum Boulevard improvement project. The total project budget for the improvements is approximately $12,300,000, which includes design, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation and construction costs.
The project design includes a new driving lane in both the north and southbound directions, a bike lane and sidewalk along both sides of the roadway and rehabilitation or replacement of the existing bridge over Hinkson Creek. There will also be upgrades to several intersections and entrances to improve traffic safety and operations on the corridor.
The preliminary design of the improvements is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024, with easement acquisition occurring during the winter and spring of 2025. Construction of improvements are projected to be underway by the summer of 2026.
The Public Works department held an informal open house meeting Nov. 30 at the Forum Christian Church. We invite the public to attend the Public Hearing April 16 at the City Council meeting.
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Comments will be reviewed by Public Works staff.
View All Ideas5 months ago
Pedestrian/Bike Options
Forum is generally not a safe passage for those using transportation besides a car, particularly south of the trail access. Please make it safer for all with protected lanes and traffic calming measures.
5 months ago
No additional car lane on Forum Blvd
In the hilly areas of Forum Blvd, an additional car lane will cause more reckless driving over those very steep grade hills with little regard for weather or traffic conditions. This will lead to higher vehicle crash incidences. Wider roads lead to faster driving, as this John’s Hopkins report details: https://narrowlanes.americanhealth.jhu.edu/. If there are existing traffic conditions that are causing congestion at Forum, perhaps we should look into alternative transit options such as viable public transit from this area to downtown. Or a protected bike path to allow for MkT trail access/downtown access. An additional car lane will likely add to problems rather than resolve them.
5 months ago
Protected bike lanes or shared use paths are essential for transportation safety no matter the modality!
I generally like the design and the use of roundabouts here. PLEASE change the bike lanes to either fully protected ones or shift bike traffic on to a wider sidepath. There are guides available from FHWA and NACTO. Especially with the speed of traffic along this stretch and the expansion to four lanes, protected bike lanes that provide full separation from much faster moving traffic are the ONLY truly safe option. The city has an opportunity to create a bike network here, that can safely connect more citizens to the trail access, as well as businesses in the area, but it will only be used that way if it's safe for the average citizen. As a family who lives off forum and regularly bikes, walks, and drives this stretch - traveling on Forum outside of a car is truly terrifying - not that great in the car either! If you're going to expand a roadway, please do so with the safety of all people in mind - especially those using modes of transportation other than the car.
5 months ago
Protected bike lanes to help keep pedestrians safe.
Please include a 10-foot shared-use path on both sides or protected bike lanes with sidewalks on both sides. This area is heavily used by bikes and pedestrians going to and from the MKT trail.
5 months ago
Protected bike lanes needed to create a safe bicycle network for access to the trail
First of all, I generally like the design. The use of roundabouts here is smart and should keep traffic flowing where appropriate while also slowing it down at crossings, keeping everyone safer. Also those combined with ramp cuts onto the sidewalk make traversal by bike much safer for those who may not be comfortable riding with vehicular traffic. But please PLEASE change the bike lanes to either fully protected ones or shift bike traffic on to a wider sidepath. I know the city has always been reluctant to create protected bike lanes, but many other cities have figured it out and there are guides available from FHWA and NACTO. Especially with the speed of traffic along this stretch and the expansion to four lanes, protected bike lanes that provide full separation from much faster moving traffic are the ONLY truly safe option. The city has an opportunity to create a bike network here, that can safely connect more citizens to the trail access, as well as businesses in the area, but it will only be used that way if it's safe for the average citizen. Also sidewalks should be 8 feet instead of what appears to be 5 feet where right-of-way allows (which seems to be the majority of the corridor). This would match the existing sidewalk at Chapel Plaza Ct and the full sidewalk network north of the project corridor on Forum. If the city won't do protected bike lanes, then the sidewalks should be widened to a 10 foot sidepath (shared-use path).
Documents
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Forum Boulevard proposed preliminary design document (9.86 MB) (pdf)
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Proposed Forum Crossing Over Hinkson Creek (926 KB) (pdf)
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Forum Corridor Proposed Preliminary Design Considerations (2.03 MB) (pdf)
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Forum Boulevard interested parties meeting handout (1.74 MB) (pdf)
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Traffic Study PowerPoint Presentation (2.22 MB) (pdf)
Who's Listening
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Phone 573-874-2489 Email Allison.Anderson@CoMo.gov -
Phone 573-874-2489 Email John.Ogan@CoMo.gov
Videos
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This was the short video that played on TV screens on a loop at the interested parties meeting.