Page 21 - July-Aug2023 Vol41 No2

16 improved WeGo Public Transit stops, bioretention islands capture runoff and were constructed to increase pedestrian
ADA compliant pedestrian facilities, and treat the water by filtration through an safety and help facilitate multimodal
connection to a residential area and two engineered soil medium and infiltrated transportation along the corridor.
major commercial and entertainment into an underdrain. These improvements create safer
districts known as The Gulch and 12 South. These green infrastructure elements are crossings for people walking and using
Before any multimodal elements were part of Metro’s low impact development mobility devices, including signalization
constructed, our team coordinated with initiative to meet post development at intersections and flashing lights at
Metro Water Services to install new water stormwater runoff requirements. Along midblock crossings to alert traffic of
lines along 12th Avenue South, which 12th Avenue South, implementing pedestrians within the crosswalk. The
consisted of 3,000 linear feet of new water urban bioretention and transforming value of pedestrian upgrades is evident
line ranging from 6-inch to 24-inch in impermeable asphalt and concrete throughout the corridor as users can be
diameter. hardscape into a sustainable green seen walking and using mobility devices
The water line installation was infrastructure solution provides a safer, to access schools, religious facilities,
performed within a tight schedule to cleaner environment. residences, workplaces, and commercial
keep the project on track and meet the As Nashville moves towards a and retail establishments lining 12th
schedule for NDOT paving. The team’s more livable city using multimodal Avenue South from The Gulch to 12 South.
responsiveness to address construction transportation, transit becomes At the ribboncutting, District 18
challenges and communication across increasingly important to the community. Council Member Tom Cash described the
all Metro departments was critical to the Providing convenient and safe access to project as “one of the most innovative and
success of this project. transit connects users to an expanded exciting corridors in Nashville.” District
To increase bike safety and comfort, transportation network throughout 19 Council Member Freddie O’Connell
the new bike lane is physically separated Nashville. shared his experience in working with our
vertically and horizontally from vehicular This project includes improvements team on delivering these infrastructure
traffic to provide protection to riders to 16 transit stops comprising dedicated improvements by stating, “It’s how we
along 12th Avenue South. Improving boarding islands and bus stop shelters should do infrastructure. The future of the
bikeway safety provides a more inviting with wayfinding. At the spring city should look and feel more like this. It
facility for bike and scooter users of all ribboncutting, WeGo CEO Steve Bland is the fastest I’ve seen great infrastructure
ages and abilities. estimated that “95 and a half percent get developed.”
Protected bike lanes minimize users’ of our riders walk, roll in a wheelchair, Alarcon added, “It’s a transformational
injuries and fatalities to make Nashville ride on a scooter or a bike to get to or roadway and the first-of-its-kind bikeway
a stronger, happier community. At the from their bus stop. Projects like the that will enhance the quality of life of
spring ribboncutting, NDOT Director 12 Avenue South Complete and Green people in Nashville. We’ve transformed a
Diana Alarcon described this project as “a Streets Project are crucial to making broken roadway grid into a complete and
problem of safety solved for all roadway public transportation more accessible, green street.”
users. Projects like this help us meet more available, and more used in this city. While our team of engineers enjoys
Nashville’s Vison Zero goal of zero fatalities It also enhances transit service reliability, solving problems and designing solutions
on our roadways by prioritizing the safety and safety.” to infrastructure projects like the 12th
of our road’s most vulnerable users.” ADA-compliant pedestrian safety Avenue South Complete and Green
The green stormwater infrastructure improvements were implemented along Streets project, our “WHY” at LDA is the
elements of the project include 50 urban 12th Avenue South to provide accessibility impact these projects have on building
bioretention islands for stormwater for all users, including those with STRONGER, HAPPIER COMMUNITIES
quantity and quality treatment. Urban mobility devices. Pedestrian refuge areas for ALL users.

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