Final  Draft    6-10-05   

 I. Purpose of This Chapter

     The vision of the Town of Waterville Valley to establish and maintain a

pedestrian-oriented community that is dedicated to the safe and efficient movement of people and goods by all modes of transportation throughout the year. Appropriate transportation facilities and services will allow this unique town to grow while maintaining its appealing atmosphere. The integrated transportation system is envisioned to be developed and operated as a joint public-private entity that considers four season mobility, accessibility, economic growth and development, safety and environmental quality. The modes of transportation in the Town incorporated in this Chapter include:

·        Highways and streets

·        Public transit service

·        Pedestrian ways (Trails are covered in Chapter 6.)

·        Bicycle ways

    There are also connections by modes serving the Town that include intercity bus

service, limited taxi service, and freight transportation by truck.

    An integral part of the existing transportation system includes parking within the Town, and access among all modes.

    The existing transportation system serves the Town adequately. As we look to the future our goal is to improve and enhance that system to establish an integrated and accessible network that provides:

·        Safe streets and highways to serve all public needs

·        Transit and pedestrian facilities and services to reduce dependency on the auto

·        Separation of people, bicycles and vehicles wherever possible

·        Safe, extensive and coordinated sidewalks, bike paths and trails

·        Adequate and coordinated short term and long term parking for residents and visitors

·        Integrated facilities and services

·        Clear responsibilities for public and private provision and operation of all modes

·        A short range (5years) and longer range (10 years) transportation capital improvement program

    Of significant interest is our intent to also explore other future developments such as:

·        Examining the possibility of creating a I-93 Corridor  transit initiative

·        Providing bus access to Plymouth as well as to Concord and Manchester

·        Examining the possibility of  night bus service during peak seasons

·        Exploring possibilities for State and Federal funding to supplement Town funds to implement the plan described herein.

    It is also essential that this plan and all future Transportation improvements be fully coordinated with those Town organizations that deal with Public Safety, Environmental Conservation, Recreation and Economic Development.

III. Existing Conditions

     A. Introduction

            The diversity and efficiency of a town’s transportation system can ultimately affect the quality of life and sense of community in that town. The general mobility of the residents and those who visit the community is a function of a town’s roads and transportation service. There is also interdependency between a town’s economy and its transportation system. The development of one will influence the direction in which the other proceeds. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct transportation planning based upon the economic, social and environmental considerations projected to occur and that which is desired. Within that context, the following provides a summary of existing conditions to provide the basis for developing future plans.

    B. Highways and Streets

Existing Facilities

The task of providing and maintaining a road network is a prime governmental function and responsibility. Planning the capital expenditures needed for highway improvements can have a vital influence on the economic well being of a community. It is, therefore, important for the town to carefully assess its needs and establish an orderly and realistic range of expenditures and priorities.

            A circulation system generally contains elements of different capacity, each of which performs a specific role. Since there are different types of movement, a highway system should be composed of roads that serve varying types of traffic and volumes.

Although there are many variations in types of streets and highways, they may be subdivided into four basic categories: limited access, arterial, secondary and local. The characteristics of each type are:

            Limited Access: designed for rapid movement of heavy volumes of traffic; direct access to adjacent property; parking in the right of way is prohibited. State Route 49, to the intersection of Tripoli Road and Valley Road, is the only facility in this category.

            Arterial / Primary Highways: designed for movement of through traffic and heavy local traffic; crossings at grade; construction for reasonable speed and volume; and Town regulated access to adjacent property. The prime example is Valley Road.

            Secondary / Collector Streets: designed to link local streets to arterials; collect traffic from several local streets; bypass traffic around residential neighborhoods. One example is Tecumseh Road.

            Local Streets: serve traffic at generation points; provide access to adjacent property; through traffic is not desirable; parking and loading is allowed in the right of way. This category represents a major proportion of the overall highway system in the Town. At the present time, the following road mileage exists within Town boundaries: 

         TABLE 1

   Town of Waterville Valley, NH Town Roads and Lengths

Valley Road                            1.354 Miles

West Branch Road                0.577 Mile

Stone Tower Lane                 0.133 Mile

Tripoli Road*                          0.750 Mile

Boulder Way                             0.290 Mile

Upper Greeley Hill Rd.            0.435 Mile

Greeley Hill Road                0.289 Mile

Tecumseh Road             0.250 Mile

Snows Brook Rd.                   0.240 Mile

Station Road                            0.050 Mile

Jennings Peak Rd.                   0.150 Mile

Village Road                            0.303 Mile

Elliot Road                            0.123 Mile

Osceola Road                            0.190 Mile

River Road                            0.150 Mile

     Total                           5.284 Miles

* The New Hampshire Department of Transportation owns and maintains Tripoli Road from the intersection at Route 49, to the Ski Access Rd. There on, Tripoli Road is owned by the United States Forest Service and is part of the White Mountain National Forest. However, there is a maintenance agreement between the USFS and the Town of Waterville Valley that the Town is responsible for maintenance of the road from the Ski Access Road intersection to the West Branch Road intersection. This section also provides the only secondary access to and from the Town (in addition to Rt. 49). But, it is open only from May to October, thereby raising possible safety issues for emergency access in the event of the closure of Route 49.

The Booth Creek Corp. owns, maintains and provides access to the ski area on the access road connecting to Tripoli Road.

 The classification map in Figure 1 shows the existing location of each highway type, including those owned by the US Forest Service and the Booth Creek Corp.

Highway and Street Maintenance

    Waterville Valley maintains a total of 5.284 local miles, as shown in Table 1.  All accepted roads in Waterville Valley are given equal priority for continuing maintenance by the Town’s Highway Department.

    The US Forest Service and Booth Creek Corp. provide those maintenance activities for the roads under their jurisdiction. The NH DOT is responsible for Route 49.

    For the construction of roads in subdivisions and other developments, Town specifications exist for road construction and upgrading. Those specifications are based on the State’s “Suggested Design Standards for Rural Subdivision Streets” and provide minimum standards for road construction. The specifications should be reviewed periodically and recommendations made for appropriate amendments. (Reference 1.)

Issues to Address for Highways and Streets

In developing the future vision for the Town, the following issues need to be

addressed:

1.      Complete the mapping required to establish public-private boundaries and ownership. (Expected to be completed by the end of 2004.)

2.      Establish and fund a continuing maintenance and Capital Improvement Program. (CIP). (Completed for CY 2005-2010)

3.      Establish Traffic Calming methods to deter speeding, and enhance safety.

4.      Develop coordinated parking facilities to serve four season activities, to provide short-term and long term parking for residents and visitors.

5.      Examine the alternatives for secondary access to the Town (in addition to the seasonal availability of Tripoli Road.)

C. Public Transit Service in Town

The Existing System

    The Waterville Valley Transit authority (WVTA) was officially established on

May 27, 1998, when the WVTA “Articles of Incorporation” were signed by the Selectmen. However, since December 1994 the combined efforts of the Town, the owners of the Ski Area, and the local businesses have shared the cost to provide the “Schuss Bus” service throughout the Town and to the Ski Area. This partnership continues.

    The WVTA’s transit system operates a fixed route (with designated bus stops), free-fare service with circulation routes within the Town. “Demand” service is also provided, especially in the newly developed sub-divisions. The current fleet provided by the Ski Operator consists of five, 50-person buses for winter and special purpose service. There also exists a 25 person Trolley that operates in the non-ski seasons (spring, summer and fall).

     This excellent existing bus service provides many public benefits. In particular, its significant usage in the winter reduces auto travel between the town and the ski mountain; thereby, reducing congestion and vehicle emissions.

    A detailed report describing the transit system and future plans is contained in “Waterville Valley Transit Plan”, November 2000; prepared for the WVTA by Resource Systems Group and Sno. Engineering. (Reference 2.)

Issues to Address

1.      Expand Schuss Bus service to newly developed areas in Town

2.      Establish fee-based public transit service to the Plymouth area and access to Concord and Manchester.

3.      Establish a continuing maintenance and Capital Improvement Program.

4.      Establish handicapped access facilities.

D.Pedestrian Ways

Existing System

    The Town has built sidewalks and established an overall plan to build additional sidewalks to provide safe access for pedestrians throughout the community.

Issues to Address

1.      There is a general consensus  that the existing sidewalks are helpful but

too narrow to serve multiple needs. They are generally four feet wide, with a curb in most instances. Thus, they do not meet generally accepted national and state design standards.

            2.  There is an urgent need to establish facilities that will provide safe but separate access for people, motor vehicles, and bicycles.

E  Bicycles Ways

Existing System

    There currently are two general types of bicycle uses in place. For those who choose to do mountain and off-road riding there are extensive trails throughout the Town and within the surrounding Forest Service land. (See Chapter 6.)

    However, many residents and visitors use the existing, paved highway and street system for recreational bicycling. There are no marked bike paths in the town. The existing use of narrow shoulders on Valley Road and Route 49, and use of the sidewalks throughout the town is a safety concern to many.

 Issues To Address

1.      There is an urgent need to develop separate and safe bike paths within the

town, to supplement the off-road trails (which now provide adequate facilities).

            2.  The Town should work with the NH DOT to establish wider bikeways along State Route 49.

F. Parking

Existing System

    There are currently no publicly owned parking facilities in the Town. Off-street parking is provided by the Waterville Company and private-sector operators of Inns, Condominium Associations, the Town Square and the Ski area.

The Issues

1.      During peak tourist season there sometimes exists a lack of adequate parking

 in the Town square area. The future plan should evaluate the possibility of establishing additional parking in other locations within the Town that can be served adequately by the WVTA.

2.      Another question to be addressed is that of ownership. Should the Town build

and maintain new, strategically located parking areas, such as in the Snow’s Mountain area? Or, should the private sector be the prime developer? ( To be discussed.)

G. Connections to Modes Outside WV

Existing Systems

    The relative proximity to two major Interstate highways results in automobile

transportation being the predominant mode of travel in the North Country. Interstate 93 (accessing the Boston Metropolitan area), Interstate 91 (accessing the Montreal, Springfield and Hartford Metropolitan areas), and Interstate 89 connect the Town to major metropolitan areas. NH Route 49 serves as the main connector for the Town to these major Interstate highways. (The only other access is the seasonal availability of Tripoli Rd. to Lincoln.)

Air Transportation

    Privately owned, public airports closest to Waterville Valley are the Lake Region Airport in Wolfboro; the Newfound Valley Airport in Bristol; and the Moultonboro Airport in Moultonboro.The Manchester Airport (MHT) provides extensive commercial service to the US and the world. In addition, Helicopter access is available for medical evacuations. 

            Passenger Rail

    In White River Junction Vermont, Amtrak connects passenger rail service to Boston, N.Y. and Montreal, Canada. In the year 2001 Amtrak also launched passenger rail service through eastern NH between Portland, ME. and Boston.  

            Motor Carrier Service

            There are many inter-and intrastate trucking firms serving Waterville Valley. Many have daily schedules that afford immediate service. Waterville Valley is also served on demand by Federal Express, Airborne Express and United Parcel Service. Those services offer next day package delivery.

            Intercity Bus

    Waterville Valley is serviced by Concord Trailways bus service in Plymouth. There is one trip daily going south to Concord, NH and Boston, MA; and one going north to Colebrook. Additional service on Friday and Saturday is offered during the Plymouth State University academic year. Bus service is also available from Littleton, provided by both Concord Trailways and Vermont Transit to Portland Maine, Burlington Vt. and Montreal Quebec.

Taxi

    There are no regular taxi services available in Waterville Valley at this time. The closest taxi service is out of Plymouth, which is available on call.  Taxi services are also available at major airports.

IV. Transportation Gaps and Needs to be Filled

A. Introduction

    An acceptable level of transportation service currently exists within the Town. However, as we look 20 years into the future we need to consider a number of issues that must be addressed in planning for future transportation system improvements. These include:

·        A growing permanent population with the likely demographic shift towards a population possibly desiring increased public transportation services.

·        An inevitable deterioration of existing facilities, requiring continuing maintenance and possibly extensive reconstruction.

·        The need to establish a short range and long range Capital Improvement Program to properly address maintenance and capital needs.

·        Meeting the objective of safely separating people, bicycles and vehicles in order to establish a “pedestrian friendly” village.

·        Maintaining Waterville Valley’s unique and appealing identity

·        Enhancing the economic viability of the community

    As such, the following future “Transportation Gaps and Needs” are summarized. This is followed by a set of recommendations on developing future actions to fill those needs.

B. Highways and Streets

·        Continue the  clearly defined Town Policy that accepts as a primary

responsibility the provision of integrated highway access to all public and private property.

·        Similarly, continue the clearly defined Town Policy that provides continuous

maintenance and up-grading of all local highways and streets.

·        Establish clear Town ownership of the local street system

·        Establish design standards for new developments and clear procedures for

 transferring ownership from private developers to the town.

·        Collect and maintain data for all modes of transportation, including safety

data, and use that data to establish and maintain a more detailed Town Highway Plan.

·        Establish a comprehensive “traffic calming” plan as part of the detailed

highway plan

·        Improve signing to be “user friendly”, and lighting that meets the Town’s lighting ordinances to enhance highway safety

·        Strictly enforce speed limits, without adversely affecting the quality atmosphere of the town.

·        As new highway construction and major maintenance is planned, incorporate conduits for cable and fiber optics.

     The previously referred “Waterville Valley Transit Plan” (Nov. 2000) resulted in a detailed description of the system and a set of recommendations for short-term and longer-term improvements.

The short-term recommendations included:

1.      Develop identity for the WVTA with a Logo, website and promotional materials. The status is as follows:

- Finished: Logo

- To Do:   

·        Website to provide information on bus schedules, ridesharing opportunities and other town-wide information.

·        Expand promotional materials.

2.      Provide Bus shelters at key locations

This has not been accomplished, and should be considered

3.      Establish an Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) system to assist in scheduling.

This has not been accomplished, but should be considered.

4.      Consider a “call-in-service” for locations that do not have a significant or continuing demand. This type of ‘on-call-demand” service does exist on a limited basis, but it should be analyzed for effectiveness.

The longer term recommendations looking at a ten-year horizon are suggested for consideration:

·        Establish WVTA as a “Rural Transit Provider,” a status to possibly allow the town to become eligible for Federal funds.

·        Establish bus connections to Plymouth, Concord and Manchester Airport.

            Establishing safer and more extensive facilities to enhance the safety of Pedestrian travel is one of the critical needs of the Town. This need is directly related to the vision of establishing a “Pedestrian Friendly community”. As such the objective of the plan is to provide:

·        Wider, more extensive and integrated sidewalks throughout the Town.

·        Adequate lighting in all pedestrian areas.

·        More extensive and visible pedestrian crosswalks.

·        Handicapped accessible sidewalks

·        Adopting the principles which include the following concepts (excerpts from the Portland, ME. Master Plan.)

1.      The Pedestrian environment should be safe

2.      The Pedestrian network should be accessible to all.

3.      The Pedestrian network should connect to places where people want to go

4.      The Pedestrian environment should be easy to use.

5.      The Pedestrian environment should provide good places to go.

6.      The Pedestrian environment should be used for many things.

7.      Pedestrian improvements should be economical.

     Similar to the need for  establishing  separate pedestrian ways is the need to establish separate and safe bicycle facilities within the Town. This should be done to minimize interference with vehicles and pedestrians. Those needs include:

·        Separate paved bikeways of adequate width.

·        Separately marked and adequately signed bikeways on existing streets and highways.

·        The development of local design standards for bikeways

·        The preparation and continuing update of a bikeway map for within the Town and outside the Town.

     Data should be collected at all parking sites for the four seasons in order to obtain a better understanding of the needs and corresponding “gaps”. Then, a coordinated Parking Master Plan can be established, with clear responsibilities for maintenance.

    The Town’s representative to the North Country Council Transportation Committee coordinates with the State DOT and the North Country Council. The purpose of this interaction is to develop plans, programs and possible State and Federal funding to assist Waterville Valley in meeting its objectives.

During the year 2004, the Waterville Valley Transportation Committee developed

several drafts of this document, in concert with all Town Departments. A draft was then submitted to the Planning Board and to the Selectmen. Based upon recommendations and discussions by the Planning Board and the Selectmen, a short term plan for “Traffic Calming” was presented to the Town Meeting for approval on March 9, 2004. The Town Meeting approved the short term plan for Traffic Calming at that time. The concept of Traffic Calming was also considered and endorsed by citizens at two public meetings within the context of the overall Master Plan update. Those meetings were conducted by the Planning Board on May 29 and July 3, 2004.

            Further discussion with Town officials and the Planning Board have resulted in the formulation of the Transportation Plan shown in Figures 2 and 3:

                        Figure 2: Vehicle Speed Reduction Plan

                        Figure 3: Off Road Bicycle Routes – Conceptual Plan.

            Following is a summary of each.

A. Vehicle Speed Reduction Plan

The problem being addressed by this plan is the fact that automobiles and trucks traveling on Valley Road often drive at excessive speeds. Although the posted speed limit is 30 mph, vehicles have been clocked at speeds up to double that limit. There have been no reported accidents but there is concern for the safety of pedestrians and vehicles. Therefore, the Transportation Plan recommends using accepted Traffic Calming methods as a pro-active action to avoid accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles.

            The concept of Traffic Calming is used throughout the US and the world as an important traffic safety strategy. Its purpose is to seek harmony between vehicles and people. It provides a combination of aesthetically pleasing physical measures to reduce negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street uses. Figure 2 provides an illustration of a three phased program of Traffic Calming that will begin on 2005.

 Phase One will be implemented in 2005. (This was the concept approved by the Town Meeting on March 9, 2004.) It will begin at the intersection of Route 49 and Tripoli Road and continue to a point just past Snow’s Brook Road and the White Mountain Athletic Club. It will feature:

• A new entrance sign to welcome residents and visitors, and plantings to establish a clear indication to motorists that their vehicle is entering a “Pedestrian Friendly Village”.
• Pavement narrowed to provide two-10 foot travel lanes at key locations, with plantings in the median to provide an aesthetically pleasing environment.
• High visibility cross walks
• Speed enforcement and continuous monitoring

Phase Two will begin in CY 2006, with the planned reconstruction of Snow’s Brook Road starting at Valley Road and proceeding to the intersection with Tecumseh Road. Its features will include:

·        Two ten foot lanes with a landscaped medium separating vehicle from a paved bike path of 8 to 10 feet in width. (See Figure 3 for a “Typical Cross-section”.)

·        High visibility crosswalks.

Phase three will begin on 2007. It will continue the traffic calming methods used in

Phase One of this program. It will feature road narrowing and landscaped medians in at least two locations on Valley Road. The construction of those medians will be carried out in conjunction with the planned development of two new residential areas that will have access to Valley Road.

• B. Off Road Bicycle Routes

 Figure 3 provides a conceptional drawing for this part of the Transportation Plan. It envisions an off-road network that separates vehicles from pedestrians and bicycles. It will provide safe, connected and aesthetically pleasing off-road facilities that are accessible for all uses in both the winter and all other seasons. These trails will also be coordinated with the Town’s Fitness Trail. Its major features will include:

·        Paved facilities, maps and signage to show routings and degrees  of difficulty

·        Paving will be with materials that will not adversely affect the cross-country ski usage

·        Dual use for cross-county skiing in the winter, and bicycles and pedestrians in the spring, summer and fall.

·        Circulation and connections internally at the Town Square and the Inns

·        Access to more advance routes and trails outside the Town Square

·        Access to a widened  highway shoulder on Valley Road

·        As part of this plan the town will also request the NH DOT to add an important improvement to its long range plan for State Route 49. The request will be to widen the paved shoulders to 8 feet in both directions from Tripoli Road southward to Thornton and Campton.  

VI. Program Costs 

            The capital and operating costs for the highway and bicycle programs will be developed as part of the Town’s long range Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Those costs will be updated yearly. 

 APPENDIX

   References

1.      Rules, Regulations and Specifications of the Highway Department, Town of WV,  May 1, 1992

2.      Waterville Valley Transit Plan, November 2000, prepared by Resource    Systems Group and SNO Engineering

Figures

1.      Existing Highway Classification Map

2.      Vehicle Speed Reduction Plan

3.      Off-Road Bicycle Routes, Conceptual Plan

Tables

1.      Street mileage by highway classification