Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study

206 Pages·2014·22.88 MB·English

Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and
Connectivity Study
December 2013

Prepared for:
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada

and
City of North Las Vegas

Prepared by:

319 E. Warm Springs Road, Suite 200
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
[phone]

The preparation of this report has been financed in part through grant[s] from the Federal Highway
Administration and Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, under the Metropolitan
Planning Program, Section 104(f) of Title 23, U.S. Code. The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect
the official views or policy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
Table of Contents
1.  INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ........................................................................ 1-1 
1.1.  Study Scope ................................................................................................................... 1-1 
2.  GENERAL TRAIL DESIGN CRITERIA ......................................................................... 2-1 
3.  OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES ....................................................................... 3-1 
3.1.  Connections ................................................................................................................... 3-1 
3.1.1.  Other Regional Trails ...................................................................................... 3-1 
3.1.2.  Key Land Uses ............................................................................................... 3-5 
3.1.3.  Transit Lines ................................................................................................... 3-6 
3.2.  Other Attractions ............................................................................................................ 3-6 
3.3.  Beltway Overpasses ...................................................................................................... 3-9 
3.4.  Berm ............................................................................................................................. 3-13 
3.5.  Flood Control Facility Maintenance Access Roads ...................................................... 3-15 
3.6.  Potential Trailheads and Trail Nodes ........................................................................... 3-15 
3.7.  Summary of Opportunities and Challenges ................................................................. 3-20 
4.  ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................... 4-1 
4.1.  Alternatives Development .............................................................................................. 4-1 
4.1.1.  Alternative 1 .................................................................................................... 4-2 
4.1.2.  Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-2 
4.1.3.  Alternative 3 .................................................................................................... 4-3 
4.1.4.  Alternative 4 .................................................................................................... 4-4 
4.2.  Alternatives Evaluation ................................................................................................... 4-5 
4.2.1.  Identification of Preferred Alignment .............................................................. 4-7 
5.  PROPOSED TRAIL ....................................................................................................... 5-1 
5.1.  Connections ................................................................................................................... 5-2 
5.2.  Crossings ....................................................................................................................... 5-4 
5.2.1.  Crossings of the Beltway ................................................................................ 5-4 
5.2.2.  Crossings of Streets ....................................................................................... 5-4 
5.2.3.  Trailheads and Trail Nodes ............................................................................ 5-6 
5.3.  Signage .......................................................................................................................... 5-9 
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Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
5.4.  Lighting ......................................................................................................................... 5-10 
5.5.  Landscaping ................................................................................................................. 5-10 
6.  COST ESTIMATES AND RIGHT-OF-WAY ................................................................... 6-1 
6.1.  Planning-Level Order of Magnitude Cost Estimates ...................................................... 6-1 
6.1.1.  Trail Segment 1 .............................................................................................. 6-2 
6.1.2.  Trail Segment 2 .............................................................................................. 6-3 
6.1.3.  Trail Segment 3 .............................................................................................. 6-3 
6.1.4.  Trail Segment 4 .............................................................................................. 6-4 
6.1.5.  Trail Segment 5 .............................................................................................. 6-5 
6.1.6.  Trail Segment 6 .............................................................................................. 6-6 
6.1.7.  Trail Segment 7 .............................................................................................. 6-6 
6.1.8.  Grand Total for the Entire Trail ....................................................................... 6-7 
6.2.  Right-of-Way .................................................................................................................. 6-7 
6.2.1.  Right-of-Way Impacts on Private Party Parcels ............................................. 6-7 
6.2.2.  BLM Parcel Needs .......................................................................................... 6-9 
7.  CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................. 7-1 

List of Figures
Figure 1-1: Study Area and Trail Corridor .................................................................................. 1-3 
Figure 2-1: Standard Path Design ............................................................................................. 2-1 
Figure 3-1: Lower Las Vegas Wash Trail ................................................................................... 3-2 
Figure 3-2: Junction of Lower Las Vegas Wash and Centennial Parkway Trails ...................... 3-3 
Figure 3-3: North 5th Street Street-Side Trail End Point ............................................................. 3-3 
Figure 3-4: Upper Las Vegas Wash Trail End ........................................................................... 3-4 
Figure 3-5: Junction of Upper Las Vegas Wash and North 5th Street ........................................ 3-4 
Figure 3-6: Range Wash Railroad Trail End .............................................................................. 3-5 
Figure 3-7: Attractions – Parks .................................................................................................. 3-7 
Figure 3-8: Attractions – Schools ............................................................................................... 3-8 
Figure 3-9: Attractions – Commercial ........................................................................................ 3-9 
Figure 3-10: Beltway Overpasses Along Trail Corridor ............................................................ 3-10 
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Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
Figure 3-11: North 5th Street .................................................................................................... 3-12 
Figure 3-12: Berm West of Aliante Parkway ............................................................................ 3-14 
Figure 3-13: Flood Control Facility Maintenance Access Road ............................................... 3-15 
Figure 3-14: Potential Trailhead/Trail Node Locations ............................................................. 3-16 
Figure 3-15: Aliante Parkway Potential Trail Node Locations .................................................. 3-17 
Figure 3-16: North 5th Street North and South Potential Trail Node Locations ........................ 3-18 
Figure 3-17: Existing Upper Las Vegas Wash Trail Node ....................................................... 3-19 
Figure 4-1: Alignment Alternatives ............................................................................................. 4-1 
Figure 4-2: Alternative 1 ............................................................................................................. 4-2 
Figure 4-3: Alternative 2 and Secondary Option ........................................................................ 4-3 
Figure 4-4: Alternative 3 and Secondary Option ........................................................................ 4-4 
Figure 4-5: Alternative 4 and Secondary Option ........................................................................ 4-5 
Figure 4-6: Alternative Evaluation Matrix ................................................................................... 4-7 
Figure 4-7: Recommended Alignment ....................................................................................... 4-8 
Figure 5-1: Proposed Trail ......................................................................................................... 5-1 
Figure 5-2: Proposed Trail on the Berm ..................................................................................... 5-2 
Figure 5-3: Street Crossing Locations and Types ...................................................................... 5-5 
Figure 5-4: Grade-separated Crossing at Aviary Way ............................................................... 5-6 
Figure 5-5: Aviary Park .............................................................................................................. 5-7 
Figure 5-6: Nature Discovery Park ............................................................................................. 5-8 
Figure 5-7: Connection of Two Trail Nodes at Deer Springs Way ............................................. 5-9 

List of Tables
Table 3-1: Opportunities and Challenges: Decatur Boulevard to Aliante Parkway .................. 3-20 
Table 3-2: Opportunities and Challenges: Aliante Parkway to North 5th Street ....................... 3-21 
Table 3-3: Opportunities and Challenges: North 5th Street to Lamb Boulevard ....................... 3-21 
Table 6-1: Planning-Level Cost Estimate for Trail Segment 1 (2013 Dollars) ........................... 6-2 
Table 6-2: Planning-Level Cost Estimate for Trail Segment 2 (2013 Dollars) ........................... 6-3 
Table 6-3: Planning-Level Cost Estimate for Trail Segment 3 (2013 Dollars) ........................... 6-4 
Table 6-4: Planning-Level Cost Estimate for Trail Segment 4 (2013 Dollars) ........................... 6-5 
Table 6-5: Planning-Level Cost Estimate for Trail Segment 5 (2013 Dollars) ........................... 6-5 
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Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
Table 6-6: Planning-Level Cost Estimate for Trail Segment 6 (2013 Dollars) ........................... 6-6 
Table 6-7: Planning-Level Cost Estimate for Trail Segment 7 (2013 Dollars) ........................... 6-6 
Table 6-8: Planning-Level Cost Estimate for the Proposed Trail ............................................... 6-7 
Table 6-9: Private Party Parcels ................................................................................................ 6-8 
Table 6-10: BLM Parcels ........................................................................................................... 6-9 

Appendices
Appendix A: Meeting Minutes
Appendix B: Roadway Cross-Section Investigation
Appendix C: Berm Constructability Analysis
Appendix D: Trailhead/Trail Node Location Analysis
Appendix E: Conceptual Design Plans
Appendix F: Cost Estimates
Appendix G: BLM Beltway Right-of-Way Grant

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Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
As the City of North Las Vegas (CNLV) continues to develop, it is necessary to create a safe
network of pedestrian and bicycle facilities within its overall transportation system. The CNLV
Comprehensive Trails and Bikeways Master Plan (CNLV Master Plan), adopted in December
2011, establishes a network of trails and bicycle facilities (CNLV Trail Network) that supports
alternative modes of transportation and outdoor recreation. The CNLV Trail Network is part of
the Southern Nevada Regional Trail System, known as “Neon to Nature.” A key component of
the CNLV Trail Network is the Northern Beltway Trail (Trail), which is the subject of this
Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study (Study).
The proposed Trail is an important step toward completing a network of multiuse trails in CNLV
and the region. Once constructed, this multiuse trail will be the first east-west regional trail in
CNLV. When ultimately connected to the Upper and Lower Las Vegas Wash Trail System, the
Northern Beltway Trail will provide a continuous trail loop (or “trail necklace”) around CNLV,
thereby creating a continuous trail system for residents.
The proposed Trail will provide alternative routes and encourage bicycling and walking trips to
schools and parks, as well as connections to residential and commercial areas. Specifically, the
Trail will be an alternative transportation route to major employment destinations in CNLV,
including the new Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital and Community Living Center (VA
Hospital), the future CNLV campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV North Las
Vegas Campus), and the existing Aliante and the future Park Highlands master-planned
communities.
1.1. Study Scope
This Study identifies a preferred alignment for the proposed Trail. The limits of the proposed
Trail are Decatur Boulevard on the west and the future Range Wash Railroad Trail on the east.
The length of the Trail is approximately eight miles. The Study also identifies connections with
other existing and future regional trails, existing and future transit lines, and key land uses in
CNLV. These connections are:
 Other Regional Trails in CNLV
o City of Las Vegas (CLV) Beltway Trail
o Lower Las Vegas Wash Trail
o Upper Las Vegas Wash Trail
o North 5th Street Street-Side Trail
o Centennial Parkway Trail (future)
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Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
o Range Wash Railroad Trail (future)
 Transit Lines
o Decatur Boulevard Transit Line (RTC Route 103)
o Aliante Parkway Transit Line (RTC Route 119, Simmons/Koval Line)
o North 5th Street Transit Corridor
 Key Land Uses
o UNLV North Las Vegas Campus
o VA Hospital
o Park Highlands
Figure 1-1 illustrates the study area, the proposed Trail corridor, and the connections listed
above. The proposed Trail is shown on the north side of the Beltway. This is for illustration
purposes only; identifying the actual alignment is the main scope of this Study.
Stakeholder coordination and feedback were an important part of this Study. Stakeholders that
were involved are listed below. Meeting minutes for each stakeholder meeting are included in
Appendix A.
 Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
 City of North Las Vegas (City)
 City of Las Vegas (CLV)
 Clark County Public Works (CCPW)
 Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
 Clark County Regional Flood Control District (CCRFCD)
 Outside Las Vegas Foundation
The following chapters provide the methodology, analysis, and findings to identify the preferred
alignment and connections for the proposed Trail. A planning-level cost estimate, broken into
smaller segments for funding/programming purposes, is also included.
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Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
Figure 1-1: Study Area and Trail Corridor

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Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
2. GENERAL TRAIL DESIGN CRITERIA
The following documents are the basis of the design criteria used in this Study:
 CNLV Comprehensive Trails and Bikeways Master Plan, 2011 (CNLV Master Plan)
 AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, 4th Edition, 2012
Figure 2-1 illustrates the desirable cross-section (standard path design) for the proposed Trail.
The goal is to provide this standard path design to the extent possible. The 30-foot trail width is
per the criteria set forth in the CNLV Master Plan and allows space for landscaping on both
sides of the Trail. It consists of a 12-foot1 paved path with 2-foot shoulders (clear zone) on each
side. This provides enough width for bi-directional bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and it allows
maintenance vehicles to use the pathway to access utilities. The surface of the paved path is to
be asphalt.
Figure 2-1: Standard Path Design

Source: City of North Las Vegas Comprehensive Trails and Bikeways Master Plan, 2011

1 Minimum paved path width for multiuse trails is 10 feet in CNLV Master Plan. For the proposed Trail, a wider (12-
foot) paved path is proposed.
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Northern Beltway Trail Alignment and Connectivity Study
A 2-foot shoulder (clear zone) is required when side slopes are smoother than 1V:3H. When the
side slopes are steeper than 1V:3H, a safety rail is required. With a safety rail, a 1-foot shoulder
(clear zone) is acceptable.
The desirable vertical clearance to obstructions is 10 feet, but a minimum 8-foot clearance is
acceptable in constrained conditions.
Trail access would be via trailheads, trail nodes, and at roadway crossings. All access locations
and the Trail itself must be ADA compliant.
Access for maintenance vehicles must be provided the length of the Trail corridor. Collapsible
bollards or a lockable gate must be installed at the vehicle access points to prevent
unauthorized vehicles from entering the Trail.
Other geometric design criteria, such as design speed, minimum radius, cross-slopes, grades,
and stopping sight distance should be identified during final design, consistent with the
AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. Design criteria for access, signage,
crossings, lighting, landscaping, drainage, surface structure, and bridges/underpasses should
also be identified during final design, consistent with the CNLV Master Plan and the AASHTO
Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities.

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