DENHAM SPRINGS BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN … · on which the final facility, program, and policy recommendations will be made. Context of Denham Springs in the Capital Region

DENHAM SPRINGS BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN

DRAFT TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM

TASK 2 DELIVERABLE

EXISTING CONDITIONS REPORT

Capital Region Planning Commission

City of Denham Springs, Louisiana

August 2019

Denham Springs Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Existing Conditions Report

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1

2.0 RELATED PLANS, POLICIES, AND STUDIES ....................................................................................... 3

2.1 Local Plans, Policies, and Studies .......................................................................................... 3

2.2 Regional Plans, Policies, and Studies ..................................................................................... 4

2.3 State Plans, Policies, and Studies .......................................................................................... 5

3.0 DEMOGRAPHICS, LAND USE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS................................................. 8

3.1 Demographic Profile ............................................................................................................. 8

3.2 Land Use ............................................................................................................................ 15

3.3 Environmental Features ..................................................................................................... 15

4.0 TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM CONDITIONS ..................................................................................... 19

4.1 Roadway Network .............................................................................................................. 19

4.2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Network ......................................................................................... 22

5.0 SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS .......................................................................................... 30

List of Figures Figure 1-1: Project Location ..................................................................................................................... 2

Figure 2-1: LRBMS Results ....................................................................................................................... 7

Figure 3-1: Low-Income Populations ...................................................................................................... 11

Figure 3-2: Minority Populations ........................................................................................................... 12

Figure 3-3: Elderly Populations .............................................................................................................. 13

Figure 3-4: Households with No Vehicles ............................................................................................... 14

Figure 3-6: Key Destinations for Walking and Bicycling .......................................................................... 17

Figure 3-7: Environmental Features ....................................................................................................... 18

Figure 4-1: Functionally-Classified Road Network .................................................................................. 20

Figure 4-2: Traffic Volumes and Safety ................................................................................................... 21

Figure 4-3: Existing and Planned Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities .......................................................... 24

Figure 4-4: Total Cyclists (Strava Users).................................................................................................. 25

Figure 4-5: Total Cycling Trips (Strava Users).......................................................................................... 26

Figure 4-6: Trip Origin Density ............................................................................................................... 27

Figure 4-7: Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Demand............................................................................... 28

Figure 4-8: Public Input (Interactive Mapping) ....................................................................................... 29


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List of Tables Table 2-1: TIP Projects in Denham Springs ............................................................................................... 4

Table 3-1: Population Trends (1990 – 2017) ............................................................................................. 8

Table 3-2: Low-Income Populations ......................................................................................................... 9

Table 3-3: Minority (Non-White) Populations .......................................................................................... 9

Table 3-4: Elderly Populations (65 Years and Over) .................................................................................. 9

Table 3-5: Disabled Population ................................................................................................................ 9

Table 3-6: Households with No Vehicles ................................................................................................ 10


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1.0 Introduction

The purpose of the Denham Springs Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is to define a clear vision for walking and bicycling in Denham Springs and transform the city into a place where people of all ages and abilities will have access to safe, comfortable and convenient walking and biking routes, resulting in true mobility choice, improved economic opportunity, and healthier lifestyles. To this end, this technical memorandum summarizes the findings of the plan’s existing conditions analysis, which will form the basis on which the final facility, program, and policy recommendations will be made. Context of Denham Springs in the Capital Region As shown in Figure 1-1, Denham Springs is located on the western edge of Livingston Parish, approximately 14 miles to the east of downtown Baton Rouge. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city’s population at just over 10,000 residents in 2017. The city is strategically located at the western edge of the rapidly-growing Livingston Parish, providing residents easy access to the City of Baton Rouge. As Denham Springs continues to grow as both an employment center and a bedroom community in the Capital Region, offering meaningful transportation choices to residents and visitors will provide the city with a competitive edge for attracting new residents and jobs. Project Purpose, History, and Relationship to the Recovery Plan In August 2016, the City of Denham Springs suffered a devastating flood event. Nearly three quarters of the city’s residential structures – a significant portion of the tax base – were directly affected by the flood. Many homes were destroyed outright. In the wake of this tragic event, the community undertook the Community Recovery Strategic Plan to identify projects and strategies for flood recovery, disaster resilience, and community development, all informed by the community’s vision of the future: “Denham Springs is a family-focused, well connected, clean, safe, active and resilient community.” During the preparation of the Community Recovery Strategic Plan, residents identified projects and strategies that generated a great deal of community support. As part of the Community Development suite of solutions, “Improve Street Safety and Mobility” emerged as the highest priority project of the eight identified in the Community Development category. Specifically, the project description states: “Develop a plan to increase road safety for people traveling by car, foot or bike.” The Denham Springs Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is one of five action steps identified in service of the larger project. The City of Denham Springs, in partnership with the Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC), is developing the plan to satisfy this high priority initiative as the city continues to recover. Purpose of Technical Memorandum within Plan Development This technical memorandum documents the analytical work to date, which includes an in-depth analysis of existing conditions and public and stakeholder feedback. The purpose of this document is to develop the analytical foundation upon which policy, program, and strategy recommendations will be made to improve the bicycle and pedestrian environment in the City of Denham Springs. To that end, this document will summarize findings with respect to related plans, policies, and studies; demographic, land use, and environmental conditions; and transportation system conditions.


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Figure 1-1. Project Location


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2.0 Related Plans, Policies, and Studies

Transportation facilities, including bicycle and pedestrian facilities, do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a dynamic system, such that changes in projects or policies by one agency or in one topical area can and do impact other projects or policies. As such, it is important to understand the other plans, policies, and studies that may affect or influence the range or scope or project, policy, and strategy recommendations for the Denham Springs Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. 2.1 Local Plans, Policies, and Studies Denham Strong – Community Recovery Strategic Plan (2017) The Denham Springs Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is a product of the Community Recovery Strategic Plan known as Denham Strong. The Plan is an action step within the “Improve Street Safety and Mobility” Community Development Project. The project narrative notes that the city is divided into quarters by two major state highways – north and south by Florida Boulevard and east and west by Range Avenue (as illustrated in Figure 1-1). Noting that it is generally necessary to travel along these major highways in order to access most major destinations within the city, residents have expressed support for a plan that increases safety for bicyclists and pedestrians by making connections between residential and commercial areas and developing safe crossings on the state highways. The project also includes an action step to create a complete streets ordinance for the city, with the goal of implementing facilities that are accessible to users of all ages and abilities, accompanied by design guidelines for different facility types. Additional projects included in the Community Development Category include the revitalization of both Florida Boulevard and Main Street. While these projects will be planned and implemented independently of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, project recommendations will be cross referenced against the goals and objectives of these projects to ensure consistency to the extent possible. Envision Livingston Comprehensive Master Plan (2013) Envision Livingston was developed to guide growth in the parish, specifically unincorporated portions, going forward. The plan focuses on a wide range of interrelated topical areas, including land use, water and wastewater, transportation, and hazard mitigation. While many of the plan’s key recommendations have limited relevance to bicycle and pedestrian planning in Denham Springs, there are some key elements of the plan that will be considered against the projects, programs, and strategies recommended for the Denham Springs Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.

• The Highway 90/I-12 corridor is identified as a major “economic corridor,” where the most intense commercial and employment uses are proposed, including a major commercial/mixed-use center immediately to the east of Denham Springs, north of the existing Juban Crossing development.

• Congestion is identified as a major issue as the parish continues to grow in a primarily suburban growth pattern. While the plan focuses primarily on roadway improvements and the relationship between land use and transportation, bicycle and pedestrian improvements can induce mode shift if the facilities are accessible to users of all ages and abilities and connect people to where they want to go.


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2.2 Regional Plans, Policies, and Studies MOVE2042 Long Range Transportation Plan (2018) The MOVE2042 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) recognizes the Denham Springs Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan specifically. The CRPC notes that most regional interest in developing bicycle and pedestrian transportation facilities has generally focused on the southern part of East Baton Rouge Parish. In addition to improving multimodal mobility in Denham Springs, the CRPC hopes that the region will develop a model that will be replicable throughout the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area and lead to increased development of more bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure region wide. The LRTP includes a list of nonmotorized transportation projects obtained through public and stakeholder input. Four projects were identified within Denham Springs:

1) Range Avenue at Cockerham Road to I-12 2) Pete’s Highway at Hatchell Lane to Cokerham Road 3) River Road at Range Avenue to Florida Boulevard 4) Florida Boulevard to Juban Road

The plan includes guidance for facility types, prioritization, and cost estimation for local jurisdictions planning bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This guidance will be referenced as project, program, and policy recommendations are developed for Denham Springs. Transportation Improvement Program 2019 – 2022 (2018) The Transportation Improvement Program includes a number of programmed projects in and around Denham Springs. These will be considered as recommendations are drafted. The projects are shown in Table 2-1.

Route Project Limits Project Description Year

Forest Delatte Road LA 16 - LA 1026 Overlay 2019

Cook RoadPete's Hwy (LA-16) -

Juban RdNew 4 Lane Road 2020

Benton Lane LA 1032 - US190 Overlay 2020

Linder Road N. of LA 1026 Bridge Replacement 2020

Edgewood Drive S. Range Ave - LA 16 Overlay 2022

Table 2-1. TIP Projects in Denham Springs


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CRPC Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (2009) The Non-Motorized Transportation Plan outlines the MPO’s policy toward non-motorized transportation facilities. Specifically, the MPO encourages the inclusion of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in reconstruction, resurfacing, and capacity projects, to the extent deemed safe and feasible. As a policy, CRPC has and will continue to implement state and federal regulations as required and continue to work with various stakeholders to implement these important projects. This approach will be considered as implementation strategies for recommendations are considered in Denham Springs. The plan included specific projects for implementation. One project, sidewalks on South Range Avenue from LA-3003 to US-90, was included in the plan. The project was implemented with a sidewalk facility on the west side of South Range Avenue in the project limits. 2.3 State Plans, Policies, and Studies Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan (2015) The Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan (STP) recognizes Louisianans’ general preference for small- and medium-sized cities, such as Denham Springs, and commits the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) to supporting local decision-making and responsibility regarding transportation investments and land use planning, along with an increased emphasis on quality of life and passenger travel choices, in partnership with the agency. LaDOTD lists reducing the number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes and providing sustainable revenue sources for local transportation needs as key objectives going forward. Louisiana Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (2009) The Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan established new policies for LaDOTD which encourage a complete and multi-modal transportation system for the State of Louisiana. Key highlights of the plan include:

• The Department will consider the needs of pedestrians and bicycles at appropriate stages during all projects and use current nationally recognized planning and design guidelines, manuals and best practices to ensure facilities are built to appropriate standards;

• The Department will provide for the safety and comfort of pedestrians and bicyclists and make every effort to reduce crashes and injuries associated with these modes;

• Restricting bicycle and pedestrian access should not be considered as an appropriate strategy with the exception of those limited access facilities where pedestrians and bicycles are prohibited and other locations where allowing such access would endanger bicyclists and pedestrians; and

• The Department will strive to ensure projects do not become barriers to walking and bicycling by providing appropriate safe crossings and ensure transportation projects comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the Public Right of Ways Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG).


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Complete Streets Work Group Final Report (2010) In 2009, LaDOTD convened a work group, at the request of the Louisiana State Legislature, to study the development of a complete streets policy for the state. The report outlines a policy statement for the department, committing to policy implementation and interdisciplinary coordination to effectively develop, operate, and maintain bicycle and pedestrian networks on state-owned facilities. To this end, provisions for all users will be integrated into the project development process for the entirety of all projects through design features, with some exceptions, in the following cases:

• On all new and reconstruction roadway projects that serve adjacent areas with existing or reasonably foreseeable future development or transit service, LaDOTD will plan, fund and design sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities. The appropriate facility type will be determined by the context of the roadway; and

• On all new and reconstruction roadway projects, LaDOTD will provide bicycle accommodations appropriate to the context of the roadway ‐ in urban and suburban areas, bicycle lanes are the preferred bikeway facility type on arterials and collectors. The provision of a paved shoulder of sufficient width, a shared use trail or a marked shared lane may also suffice, depending on context.

Long-Range Bicycle Map Statewide (2018) LaDOTD developed the Long-Range Bicycle Map Statewide (LRBMS), a GIS-based tool, to assist state planners, engineers, and consultants in incorporating bicycle infrastructure improvements on the state-owned highway network. The tool addresses, for all state-owned highways, the current bicycle level of service, projected bicycle demand, and the desirable level of separation. The tool illustrates both the existing bicycle level of suitability (BLOS) and projected demand. Results from the tool on applicable roadways in Denham Springs are shown in Figure 2-1. The corresponding facility types recommended by the tool are discussed further in Section 4.2. The results and their accompanying facility types will be referenced during the development of facility recommendations for the Denham Springs Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.


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Figure 2-1. LRBMS Results


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3.0 Demographic, Land Use, and Environmental Conditions 3.1 Demographic Profile Population and Employment Trends Current population trends for Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, and the State of Louisiana are summarized in Table 3-1. Denham Springs has experienced steady population growth in recent decades, with a 20 percent increase in population since 1990, nearly twice the growth rate of the State of Louisiana as a whole. Livingston Parish as a whole has nearly doubled in population since 1990, with much of the growth occurring in unincorporated portions of the parish. Denham Springs, as the largest city in the parish, will likely continue to act as a commercial hub for the growing parish population.

Population growth is expected to continue in Livingston Parish going forward. According to data provided by the State of Louisiana, parish population in 2030 is projected at approximately 243,000, an approximately 77 percent increase from the current population. While much of this population will likely occur in other portions of the parish, Denham Springs is set to capture additional population growth going forward and continue to act as a commercial center and gateway into the larger Baton Rouge metropolitan area. According to Data USA, Denham Springs had approximately 5,050 employees in 2017, an increase in 5.34 percent from the previous year. This figure represents approximately eight percent of total employment within Livingston Parish. The Louisiana Workforce Commission projects a 10 percent increase in employment for the Baton Rouge Regional Labor Market by 2026, so additional employment growth in Denham Springs and Livingston Parish can be expected in the coming years. Demographic Groups of Interest Bicycle and pedestrian facilities should be accessible to users of all ages and abilities, particularly members of traditionally-underserved or -disenfranchised populations, specifically low-income, minority, and vulnerable populations such as elderly residents, disabled residents, and households with no vehicles present. Tables 3.2 through 3.6 and Figures 3.1 through 3.4 show the recent demographic trends of these groups within Denham Springs, Livingston Parish, and the State of Louisiana and their relative locations within the city. Data pertaining to residents with disabilities was unavailable at the Census Block Group level at the time of this writing.

1990 2000 2010 2017

Percent

Increase

(1990 - 2017)

Denham Springs 8,381 8,757 10,222 10,066 20.1%

Livington Parish 70,526 91,814 122,798 137,096 94.4%

Louisiana 4,219,973 4,468,976 4,429,940 4,663,461 10.5%

Jurisdiction

Population

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Table 3-1. Population Trends (1990 - 2017)


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2000 2010 2017

Percent

Increase

(2000 - 2017)

Percent of

2017

Population

Denham Springs 919 1,742 1,401 52.4% 13.9%

Livington Parish 10,339 13,858 17,959 73.7% 13.1%

Louisiana 851,113 780,359 887,574 4.3% 19.0%

Jurisdiction

Low-Income Population


Table 3-2. Low-Income Populations

2000 2010 2017*

Percent

Increase

(2000 - 2017)

Percent of

2017

Population

Denham Springs 1,350 1,964 1,787 32.4% 17.8%


Louisiana 1,612,815 1,610,866 1,753,862 8.7% 37.6%Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Minority (Non-White) Population

Table 3-3. Minority (Non-White) Populations

Jurisdiction

2000 2010 2017

Percent

Increase

(2000 - 2017)

Percent of

2017

Population

Denham Springs 2,417 1,176 1,455 -39.8% 14.5%


Louisiana 518,097 527,163 655,848 26.6% 14.1%

Table 3-4. Elderly Population (65 Years and Over)

Jurisdiction

Elderly Population (65 Years and Over)


2000 2010* 2017

Percent

Increase

(2000 - 2017)

Percent of

2017

Population

Denham Springs 1,605 1,378 -14.1% 13.7%

Livington Parish 17,384 18,353 5.6% 13.4%

Louisiana 880,047 680,623 -22.7% 14.6%

*Data unavailable for 2010

Table 3-5. Disabled Population


Jurisdiction

Disabled Population


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The low-income population, the population with an income under the federal poverty level, has grown since 2000 at a rate that exceeds the city’s total population by approximately 35 percent. These residents tend to reside south of Centerville Road and are most highly concentrated north of Florida Boulevard SW and west of Range Avenue (see Figure 3-1). The minority, or non-white, population has also increased at a rate nearly double that of the city’s total population growth since 2000. The largest concentration of minority residents occurs immediately to the east of downtown Denham Springs (see Figure 3-2). Vulnerable populations have followed different demographic trends since 2000. The share of elderly residents, those age 65 and over, has declined by approximately 40 percent since 2000, indicating that residents are generally younger than they have been in the past. This has occurred even as the elderly population of Livingston Parish as a whole has increased over the same period. Current elderly residents are distributed fairly evenly throughout the city, with the largest concentrations residing south of Florida Boulevard SW and west of Range Avenue (see Figure 3-3). The number of disabled residents has also decreased since 2000 by approximately 14 percent, relatively consistent with statewide trends. The location of these residents is unknown as data was unavailable at the Census Block Group level. The number of households with no vehicle present has more than doubled since 2000, outpacing the growth of Livingston Parish as a whole by double, all as the number of households with no vehicle present has decreased statewide by 25 percent. The distribution of these residents tracks closely with the distribution of low-income populations in Denham Springs (see Figure 3-4).

2000 2010 2017

Percent

Increase

(2000 - 2017)

Percent of

2017

Households

Denham Springs 157 285 325 107.0% 8.5%


Louisiana 196,305 139,013 147,529 -24.8% 8.5%

Table 3-6. Households with No Vehicles

Jurisdiction

Households with No Vehicles



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Figure 3-1. Low-Income Populations


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Figure 3-2. Minority Populations


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Figure 3-3. Elderly Populations


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Figure 3-4. Households with No Vehicles


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3.2 Land Use Figure 3-5 depicts the current land use patterns within the city. Areas with no data reflect land that is vacant or otherwise undeveloped. The pattern is consistent with that identified in Denham Strong; commercial uses are largely concentrated along the two major state routes in the city: Florida Boulevard and Range Avenue. Residential development occurs throughout the city, with relatively decreasing intensity as one moves south through the city. Industrial uses are concentrated along Florida Boulevard, particularly east of downtown. Parks are located throughout the city, including two parks near the municipal services located on Government Street. While the city does not have a future land use policy, the existing zoning ordinance suggests that commercial development will continue to occur on developable land in the southern portion of the city, increasing bicycle and pedestrian demand to this area as new consumer destinations are established. Additionally, Envision Livingston indicates that additional commercial/mixed-use development is planned north of the existing Juban Crossing development immediately east of the city. A key element of the bicycle and pedestrian network is destinations to where people want to go. Ensuring that the network is consistent with the spatial patterns of people’s daily lives is critical to the network’s success. Both the public and key local stakeholders provided input on key destinations that should be considered as the bicycle and pedestrian network is developed. These locations are shown in Figure 3-6. Key destinations include:

• Denham Springs Historic Preservation District;

• Civic facilities and parks on Government Street;

• Denham Springs Elementary School;

• Denham Springs High School;

• South Park;

• Willow Woods Park;

• Wal-Mart; and

• Bass Pro Shop. 3.3 Environmental Features The natural environment of Denham Springs is largely influenced by the region’s water resources. The city is bounded to the west by the Amite River and its associated wetlands and floodplain. Numerous creeks within the city, including Gray’s Creek and Long Slash Branch, extend the 100-year floodplain to include most of the city. Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure are generally low-impact with respect to base flood elevations, but areas with extensive wetlands will be examined closely as network recommendations are developed. These features are illustrated in Figure 3-7.


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Figure 3-5. Existing Land Use


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Figure 3-6. Key Destinations for Walking and Bicycling


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Figure 3-7. Environmental Features


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4.0 Transportation System Conditions

4.1 Roadway Network

Figure 4-1 shows the functionally-classified road network in Denham Springs. The single interstate in the

city, I-12, runs through the southernmost portion of the city. Florida Boulevard and Range Avenue are

the primary east-west and north-south principal arterials, respectively, while a network of east-west

collectors are regularly spaced throughout. LA-16/LA-1031 and River Road provide additional north-south

connectivity at the western and eastern edges of the city, respectively.

The principal arterials provide effective mobility for motorists but can be particularly challenging for

bicyclists and pedestrians. The daily traffic volumes on Florida Boulevard and Range Avenue range from

approximately 14,000 vehicles per day (vpd) on the low end to approximately 28,000 vpd on the high end.

These volumes not only compromise the level of comfort for bicyclists and pedestrians but also create

barriers as high volume roads are often not safe to cross or, if they have safe crossings, are not perceived

as safe by users.

Traffic volumes on the supporting road network are more modest. LA-16/LA-1031, the city’s sole minor

arterial has daily volumes between approximately 6,000 and 12,000 vpd, while the network of collectors

generally carries less than 5,000 vpd. The two exceptions are Rushing Road and LA-1032, which both carry

between 5,000 and 10,000 vpd.

Bicycle and pedestrian crash data from 2013 to 2017 was examined to better understand the relationship

between the city’s existing roadway system and the safety of the multimodal environment. One bicycle

crash and 12 pedestrian crashes occurred during this period. The crash data indicates that the automobile

driver involved was the cause of all crashes, with improper starting, exceeding the posted speed limit, and

making wide right turns all identified as primary contributing factors. This suggests that the corridor

context of each crash location, that is the design and regulatory framework (e.g. speed limit), plays a major

role in bicycle and pedestrian safety in Denham Springs.

Figure 4-2 shows the location of each crash, as well as the roadway volume and posted speed (in red text)

of the road network within the city. Most of the crashes occurred at or near intersections on roadways

with relatively high volumes and posted speeds. All crashes occurred in locations lacking existing bicycle

and pedestrian facilities. As such, new or improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities, particularly improved

crossings that increase the visibility of multimodal users and the vigilance of automobile drivers, may help

reduce the incidents of bicycle and pedestrian crashes in the future.

While improved safety by way of recommended projects, programs, and strategies will be a citywide

consideration, two safety hotspots will be examined more closely for safety countermeasures for

multimodal users: 1) South Range Avenue between 1-12 and Vincent Road and 2) Pete’s Highway between

Jason Drive and Bay Street. The concentration and severity of crashes in these locations suggests that

continued safety issues will occur as population and development increase in Denham Springs.


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Figure 4-1. Functionally-Classified Road Network


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Figure 4-2. Traffic Volumes and Safety


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4.2 Bicycle and Pedestrian Network Existing and Planned Facilities Currently sidewalks are the only existing bicycle or pedestrian facilities within Denham Springs. The sidewalk facilities are sporadically located throughout the city, particularly on residential streets. The only sidewalk facilities on a major thoroughfare are those located along Range Avenue. Many existing sidewalks are four feet in width, consistent with LaDOTD minimum design standards but less than the five- to six-foot width recommended by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). There are currently no existing bicycle facilities in the city. No planned facilities are identified in any previous plans or studies reviewed. However, the Louisiana Long-Range Bicycle Map Statewide (LRBMS) does identify preferred facility types on state routes within the city. The major thoroughfares within Denham Springs, particularly Florida Boulevard and Range Avenue, have facility recommendations for separated bike lanes. Lower volume east-west roadways have either paved shoulder or shared lane recommendations. A bike lane is recommended on Eugene Street as an alternative to following Range Avenue through downtown. Existing and planned bicycle and pedestrian facilities are shown in Figure 4-3. Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Use Existing bicycle and pedestrian use within the city is difficult to accurately quantify, though it is likely that use is relatively low, given the lack of facilities and distances between major origins and destinations. One data point analyzed is the Strava Metro dataset. Strava Metro aggregates the results of app users who upload their rides and runs to Strava using their smartphones or GPS devices. Three key datapoints, using 2015 Strava Metro data, were examined in Denham Springs: 1) the total number of users per roadway segment, 2) the total number of trips per roadway segment, and 3) the density of trip origins within Census Blocks in the city. These results are shown in Figures 4-4 through 4-6. An analysis of the Strava data suggests that bicycle use in the city is relatively low, with all local trips being completed by less than five users. The only locations with any trip origins were residential areas in the northern and southern edges of the city, with relatively high density in two neighborhoods. Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Demand To better understand the potential of bicycling and walking in Denham Springs, existing demand was analyzed. The analysis is location-based, focusing on where residents live, work, play, shop, and learn. The specific inputs include:

• Population density;

• Employment density;

• Existing park and recreational facilities;

• Retail, arts, recreation, accommodations, and food services employment; and

• Existing schools.


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As shown in Figure 4-7, demand is highest near major commercial centers, including development along Range Avenue and south of I-12, near school campuses, and in the relatively dense residential development in the northern part of the city. Public Input A public meeting was held on March 19, 2019, at Healing Place Church in Denham Springs. Attendees were asked to identify locations where bicycle or pedestrian facilities are needed and locations to which they would like to walk and bike. For residents unable to attend the meeting, an online interactive map was hosted on the Wikimapping platform. Facility and intersection improvements recommendations from the interactive mapping exercise are shown in Figure 4-8.


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Figure 4-3. Existing and Planned Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities


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Figure 4-4. Total Cyclists (Strava Users)


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Figure 4-5. Total Cycling Trips (Strava Users)


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Figure 4-6. Trip Origin Density


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Figure 4-7. Existing Bicycle and Pedestrian Demand


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Figure 4-8. Public Input (Interactive Mapping)


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5.0 Summary of Existing Conditions and Future Needs

Existing Plans, Policies, and Studies

• The Community Recovery Strategic Plan identified public support for a bicycle and pedestrian plan

that increases safety for users by making connections between residential and commercial areas and

developing safe crossings, particularly on the two major thoroughfares in the city, Florida Boulevard

and Range Avenue.

• Commercial growth will continue on developable land in existing commercial centers, with additional

intense commercial development planned immediately east of the city.

• Four nonmotorized transportation projects were identified by the public and stakeholders as part of

the MOVE2042 Long Range Transportation Plan:

o Range Avenue at Cockerham Road to I‐12

o Pete’s Highway at Hatchell Lane to Cokerham Road

o River Road at Range Avenue to Florida Boulevard

o Florida Boulevard to Juban Road

• Five programmed projects are identified in the Transportation Improvements Program for Denham

Springs. These will be examined against plan recommendations with respect to project

implementation.

• The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) has placed an increased

emphasis on nonmotorized facilities on state-owned highways.

• The Long-Range Bicycle Map Statewide identifies user potential and facility type recommendations

on all state-owned highways.

Demographic, Land Use, and Environmental Conditions

• Livingston Parish has experienced substantial population growth in recent years and is projected for

strong growth in the future. Much of this growth will occur outside of Denham Springs but will likely

place additional stress on the city’s transportation network.

• Low-income and minority populations have grown in Denham Springs since 2000, with notable

concentrations of each within certain geographic areas of the city.

• Elderly and disabled populations have largely decreased as a share of total population in recent years.

• The number of households with no vehicles present has nearly doubled since 2000. These

households’ locations track closely with concentrations of low-income residents.

• Commercial land uses, identified as key destinations in the Community Recovery Plan, are largely

concentrated along Florida Boulevard and Range Avenue in addition to the newer commercial

development south of I-12.

• Wetland features associated with the Amite River will need to be considered as recommendations are

developed.


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Transportation System Conditions

• Major thoroughfares in the city carry substantial amounts of traffic. These volumes, in addition to

posted speed in excess of 40 miles per hour, create inherently unsafe conditions for nonmotorized

users, particularly in areas with an absence of facilities.

• Bicycle and pedestrian crashes between 2013 and 2017 were largely located at or near intersections

on these high-volume, high-speed roads, indicating a need for improved crossings to enhance actual

and perceived safety for nonmotorized users.

• Motorist behavior was identified as the primary contributing factor for all bicycle and pedestrian

crashes between 2013 and 2017.

• No dedicated bicycle and few sidewalks facilities currently exist in Denham Springs. Sidewalks are

dispersed throughout the city; no contiguous pedestrian network is currently available for users.

• No bicycle facilities are currently planned for the city formally, though LaDOTD has identified potential

facility types for roads within its jurisdiction.

• Little existing bicycle and pedestrian use is currently identified in the city.

• Pockets of high potential bicycle and pedestrian demand exist within Denham Springs, primarily

associated with commercial districts, schools and parks, and relatively dense residential areas.

Documents

DENHAM SPRINGS BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN MASTER PLAN … · on which the final facility, program, and policy recommendations will be made. Context of Denham Springs in the Capital Region