Section 5: Pedestrian Infrastructure Plan
Strategic Infrastructure Elements
There are many steps which have been identified which need to be taken to make a more walkable city possible. In order to establish a strategic connecting network which will allow pedestrian travel from point–to-point and area-to area throughout the City, the focus must be both on specific destinations as well as safe, comprehensive, and connective access.
The destinations in a comprehensive city-wide pedestrian infrastructure system must include commercial districts, schools, parks, post offices, service centers, other major employment sites, and neighborhoods.
In assessing priority safety needs the Pedestrian Safety Board has studied the DOH Pedestrian Accident Data: 1998-2008 to determine where most of the reported accidents have taken place in Morgantown during the past 10 years. A list of all accidents is presented in Appendix G.
In projecting a comprehensive pedestrian access system, several levels of infrastructure must be considered. Most, but not all, pedestrian access relates to current public thoroughfares which are designated as city streets. In order for streets to serve the multiple transportation, commercial, and social needs of the population, it is essential that streets also provide various functions for the walking public. Accordingly, some streets serve as arterial connectors which enable serving numerous commercial, residential and neighborhood interests. Others streets are area collector streets which often link multiple residential streets to major and minor arterial connectors throughout the City. In order to fulfill these various networking functions, the streets must be “Complete Streets” and have safe and sufficient sidewalk and crosswalk capacities.
There is a network of arterial and collector streets in Morgantown which the Pedestrian Safety Board believes is essential to present and future safe, connective pedestrian travel. It is essential that sidewalks and crosswalks on these network streets be installed, completed and maintained according to standards. This plan designates the sidewalks on these core network streets as connecting network sidewalks (CNS).
Ideally every street within the community would have sidewalk and “Complete Street” characteristics. Because this goal is not deemed to be achievable at this time, this Plan places priority on addressing the need for upgrading CNS capacity and on building other types of connective pedestrian infrastructure.
The construction, replacement, and/or maintenance of neighborhood access sidewalks (NAS) which are not part of the designated core connective network is still very important to the walkability and quality of life in the City. The NAS are vital feeders to the CNS and also have a quality of life support function for a specific part of a neighborhood. Presented in Section 10 of this Plan is a proposal for addressing the expense of a core pedestrian infrastructure within the City. The Pedestrian Safety Board believes that priority attention and resources must be given to a core network to help the City move forward in improving safe walkability, reducing traffic congestion, supporting use of alternative transportation, providing greater equity in infrastructure to all of its citizens and visitors, improving air quality, and addressing exercise related physical problems.
These are the broad goals which this Plan addresses. The day-to-day goals for the citizens are to achieve a quality of life which will improve life for all: the small item shopper, the university student and school youth pedestrian, the dog exerciser, the recreational walker, the transit rider who walks to and from a bus stop, the job commuter walker, the neighborhood visitor, the letter mailer, and the park user.
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The list of strategic connecting routes has been organized primarily according to residential locations within the City. Some of these routes have sidewalks or other infrastructure which are relatively new and in good condition. Others have sidewalks which were installed many years ago and are in disrepair. Still others have not been installed according to accepted standards and need to be altered or augmented. The list which follows is a comprehensive list of core connecting components for a City-wide pedestrian infrastructure system regardless of the current status. Streets listed in this section of the document may be City-, University-, or State-owned. As such, strategic partnerships with city, university, and state agencies must be fostered to promote the objectives of this Plan.
A critical improvement in the walkability of Morgantown has been generated through the work of the Mon Rivers Trails Conservancy with the support of the Hazel Ruby McQuain Foundation, the Greater Morgantown Chamber of Commerce, the State of West Virginia, the City of Morgantown, the Monongalia County Commission and much volunteer effort. The rail trails along the Monongahela River and Decker’s Creek have enabled people to at first to enjoy new recreational mobility within the community; now they are also interested in using the trails as a means for travel to employment, services, errands, and events.
Such transitions offer a means for reducing motorized vehicular car travel and congestion, making contributions to improving air quality, and supporting expansion of transit service use in inclement weather. The limitations in trail use year-round for transportation, however, relate to the trails not being illuminated between the hours of 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. to allow travel to work and morning classes and between the hours of 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. – especially when daylight savings time is not in effect.
Sidewalks are needed on both sides of all streets and crosswalks at all intersections where 20 or more pedestrians cross during peak hours. Thermoplastic crosswalk markings are important for routes where heavy trucks and traffic are located. The highest priorities for pedestrian infrastructure improvements are crosswalks along the South University/ University/Beechurst corridor between Decker’s Creek and Eighth Street. Access to the new post office location on South High St. needs to be improved.
University Ave - a major connective corridor between campuses, commercial areas and neighborhoods.
Oakland Street/Country Club Drive - a connective link for all streets in the north Evansdale area, the hospital/Ronald McDonald House/stadium, and University Ave
Oakland St – pedestrian connection for WVU students
Rawley Ave – pedestrian connection for WVU students
Riverview Drive – a connection for pedestrians using Rawley Ave.
Rawley Lane – A connection adjoining WVU property between Evansdale Drive and the commercial district on Patteson Dr. utilized primarily by WVU students but also by some Evansdale residents as well.
Evansdale Drive – The city street portion of this link connects Rawley Ave., Rawley Lane and University Ave.
Dorsey Ave – a critical pedestrian link for several neighborhoods with the central city, mid-point shopping area, and Mountainview Elementary School. Safe access to South University Ave. and the rail trail is needed.
West Virginia Ave. – the central north-south pedestrian corridor in First Ward which provides linkage to First Ward Park as well as Hite St/Dorsey Ave connectors at one end and Mississippi St connector on the other end
Madigan Ave. – A parallel north-south pedestrian corridor to West Virginia Ave. which provides linkage to the west side of First Ward Park, the cemetery, and bus routes and sidewalk connections on Dorsey Ave. via Barrickman St.
Barrickman St. – a two block connector which links Madigan Ave. and Dorsey Ave.
Hite Street – a principle link to the downtown for several neighborhood streets and to South Middle School, Vocational Technical Institute, the Municipal Ice Rink and White Park
Mississippi Street – a link with the two schools, White Park, the Municipal Ice Rink, several neighborhood streets and South University Ave and the rail-trail
East Parkway – provides connective link between Hite Street and Mississippi Street as well as access to White Park, South Middle School, the Vocational Technical Institute and the Municipal Ice Rink
Trail Connectors – Trail connectors within and adjacent to White Park provide park connection for neighborhoods (Dobbs St.) along Dorsey Ave. They also provide commercial area connection for schools and park facility users in White Park area. There are plans for a greenway connection between White Park and the river rail-trail. An additional trail connections has been called for between White Park and Dorsey’s Knob and the businesses in the vicinity of the I-68 intersection on 119 S.
Brockway Ave - the principle multi-modal traffic corridor in neighborhood
Cobun Ave. – a principle pedestrian connector with the Pleasant St Bridge, Morgantown High School and multiple neighborhood streets
Wilson Ave – a neighborhood access route which serves Morgantown High School, several streets and a neighborhood commercial area. It is also a connective link for the area with the South High Street
Kingwood Street – a neighborhood thoroughfare which links Decker’s Creek area of the neighborhood, Wilson Ave with Brockway Ave. and Cobun Ave.
Arch Street – A park type street connecting Kingwood and Overdale Streets
Green Street – An open style street with wide planting areas and custom street lights
White Ave. - Provides inter-area connection for pedestrians traveling between South Park/Greenmont and Marilla Park
Hirschman St. - Serves as a two block connector between White Ave. and East Brockway
East Brockway – Serves as a connector between neighborhoods located along East Brockway between the Hogback and Marilla Park.
Trail Connectors - Connectors between Greenmont and the downtown are currently dependent on upper level bridges at Walnut and Pleasant Streets. The Walnut Street Bridge has a sidewalk on only one side of the roadway. Additional access to the Decker’s Creek Trail and dog park area is a priority for the Greenmont neighbors.
Richwood Ave/ Sabraton Ave – Principal multi-modal corridor in neighborhoods
Darst St./Mineral St. – A minor arterial route which links pedestrians on such streets as Carlisle Ave., Richwood Ave., and Montrose Ave. with Earl Core Road, the Decker’s Creek Trail and Marilla Park.
Hillcrest Street – Neighborhood connector with Sabraton Ave at Norwood neighborhood
Earl Core Road between Darst St and Listravia Ave. – Multi-modal access route through central commercial area also linking neighborhoods and parks
Hartman Run Road between Richwood Ave and Earl Core Road – Neighborhood link to Earl Core Road, commercial area, and alternate transit routes
Beechurst Ave – A vital pedestrian arterial for neighborhoods to downtown campus, downtown commercial area and commercial areas along Beechurst corridor
University Ave. between Fayette St. and Riverview Drive –Central pedestrian arterial for neighborhoods in inter-campus and inter-commercial area travel
Grant Ave and Greenway Extension – A multi-modal linkage for inter-campus pedestrian travel
McLane Ave – A connective pedestrian corridor between Eighth St and Third St.
Beverly Ave – A pedestrian connector with sidewalks on both sides of the street which links former Westchester Hall and Beverly Ave residents with University Ave. at Third St. intersection
Third Street – A connector street linking University Ave, Beverly Ave., Grant Ave., McLane Ave., Beechurst Ave., and the rail trail
Sixth Street – A connector street linking University Ave, Beverly Ave., Grant Ave., McLane Ave., Beechurst Ave., and the rail trail.
Eighth Street – A connector St. linking University Ave , McLane Ave., Grant Ave., and University Ave.
Campus Drive – A connector street linking Beechurst Ave., McLane Ave., Grant Ave., and University Ave.
Fourth Street Greenway – The undeveloped Fourth Street right-of-way between University Ave. and McLane Ave. offers an opportunity to develop a greenway which will enhance the neighborhood and area pedestrian travel.
Pleasant Street Bridge, Walnut Street Bridge – Two of four bridges which serve as direct arterial connections with the downtown central city
Brockway Ave. – A minor east-west arterial connector from the Walnut St. Bridge to Pennsylvania Ave
East Brockway – A minor east-west arterial connector from Pennsylvania Ave to Hogback
Wilson Ave. – A significant neighborhood collector which links multiple local residential streets in Greenmont and in South Park and provides pedestrian access to Morgantown High School.
Kingwood St. – Provides a neighborhood boundary between South Park and Greenmont and links Pennsylvania, Brockway, Cobun and Wilson Avenues
Jefferson Street – A connector which links Jackson Ave, Wilson Ave., and Simpson St.
Prairie Ave. – Provides access linkage from South High St., Wagner Rd., Wilson Ave. and Morgantown High School
South High Street – Provides an arterial link between downtown, South High Street Bridge, Hopecrest, First Ward, and Dorsey Ave.
Wagner Road – Links Dorsey Ave., Caddell St., Simpson St. and Prairie Ave. and is part of an access route for more distant neighborhoods in First Ward to Morgantown High School
Buchannon Ave. –Serves as a connector between Courtney St. and Jackson Ave.
Grand Street – A significant connector between Cobun Ave, and Ross St. intersection
Park St. - A significant connector from Cobun Ave. to Maple Ave.
Jackson Ave. – serves as a neighborhood connector between Jefferson St. and Buchannon Ave. Links several neighborhoods with Grand St. and Park St.
Simpson St. – Links South High Street and adjacent areas with Jefferson St. and Wilson Ave.
Patteson Dr. – A principal 4/5 lane arterial corridor which tends to separate all of Suncrest pedestrians from the other parts of Morgantown
University Ave. – An arterial connect between Patteson Dr and Star City boundary
Collins Ferry Road - An arterial connector linking collector streets such as Burroughs, Killarney, Aspen/Junior and providing access to Suncrest Elementary School, and two large employment sites near its western terminus
Van Voorhis Rd. – A heavily vehicle traveled, two-lane road which could be a traffic reducing pedestrian arterial but is presently very dangerous for pedestrians
Burroughs St. – An important arterial link between the busiest intersection in Morgantown and Collins Ferry Road. Provides pedestrian linkage to WVU campus destinations and to the Suncrest Middle School
Pocahontas Ave. – a heavily traveled one-way link between Collins Ferry Road and University Ave. which also is part of a safe-route-to-school network of streets for Suncrest Middle School
Killarney Dr. – A neighborhood collector which links Van Voorhis Road and Collins Ferry Road
Aspen St. – A heavily used cross arterial in central Suncrest which connects with Junior Ave. to provide linkage between University Ave, Suncrest Elementary School, Collins Ferry Road, Western and Eastern Avenues, Dogwood and Anderson Avenues and connecting streets with VanVoorhis Rd.
Junior Ave. – A heavily traveled vehicle and pedestrian arterial which links Aspen Street and University Ave. and is the specific address for the Suncrest Elementary School
Christy St. – A heavily used connection between Van Voorhis Rd. and Windsor Rd. which will become even more utilized by pedestrians with the opening of the inter-modal transportation center on the WVU side of Van Voorhis Rd. near Christy St.
Laurel St. - One of only two connecting links between University Ave. and Patteson Dr. which provides access to several WVU destinations as well as Krepps Park and Suncrest Middle School.
Krepps St – A connecting link between Laurel and Baldwin Streets which also accommodates regular use by Suncrest Middle School buses, parking, and pedestrians
Baldwin St. – One of two connecting streets between University Ave. and Patteson Dr. on which the Suncrest Middle School is located
Windsor Ave. – The Munsey to Burroughs St section of Windsor is a pedestrian link for persons walking on Munsey St, Christie St and Burroughs St and from other parts of Suncrest
Munsey St. – A connecting street for persons walking to and from Eastern Ave to the hospitals, to the multi-modal transportation center and to WVU stadium events
Koontz Ave. – A connecting street between Sellaro Plaza and University and between University Ave. and Munsey Street which provides access between commercial areas and neighborhoods
Eastern Ave. – Provides a link between Burroughs St. and Killarney Dr which permits a central sidewalk network to link with Munsey Ave and WVU employment, transportation and service centers
Western Ave. - Provides safety for pedestrians walking between Somerset St. and Junior Ave. and safer drop-off and curb parking area for Suncrest Elementary School
Fenwick St. – Provides neighborhood collector linkage from Mansfield Ave to Junior Ave and drop-off and parking safety for Suncrest Elementary School
Kiwanis Ave. – Provides neighborhood connection between Junior Ave. and Rotary St. and access to Suncrest Elementary School as well as routes to Suncrest Middle School and commercial districts along University Ave.
Rotary St. – Provides linkage between Collins Ferry Rd. and Lyons Ave. sidewalk which connects neighborhoods on both sides of Collins Ferry and University Ave. with each other and with Middle School, WVU, and commercial destinations
Lyons St. – A pedestrian link which connects Rotary St. and Pocahontas Dr. to create a safer crossing of University Ave. at Pocahontas rather than at the Rotary/University intersection
Parkview Dr. - A neighborhood collector street along the northern edge of Krepps Park which has foot traffic to park activity as well as parking for park and WVU events
Krepps Park Green Way Trail Connector - A first step in linking park trails with Chipps Hollow Road and subsequently with river rail-trail system
Rawley Lane Greenway - A greenway planned by the Beautification Commission bordering the Suncrest Middle School property which would link Baldwin St. with Patteson Dr. commercial areas.
Stewart St. - An arterial connecting University Ave. and Willowdale Rd. and Highland Park residential areas.
Willowdale Rd. - An arterial linking high density residential area with Stewart St., the stadium, the hospitals, and Chestnut Ridge Rd.
Falling Run Rd. /Protzman St. – A collector linking University Ave. with Van Gilder Ave. and adjacent residential areas.
Hoffman Ave. – A neighborhood collector which links 10 neighborhood streets with Stewart St. and Protzman St.
McCullough Ave. – A heavy populated connecting link between Hoffman Ave. and Willowdale Rd.
Jones Ave. – A collector street which connects much of Wiles Hill with Stewart St., University Ave. and the downtown areas
Jones Ave. Greenway – An extension of Jones Ave. though the Wiles Hill Fire Station property to create a pedestrian-cycling-transit link between the downtown and Ruby Hospital
Virginia Ave. – A neighborhood collector street in Wiles Hill between Jones Ave. and Morgan St.
Center St. – Links Highland Ave., Virginia Ave., Eureka Dr., and the Wiles Hill Community Center
Grove St. – A connector which links Highland and Jones Avenues, Virginia Ave., North St, Afton St. and Willowdale Rd.
Highland Ave. – A neighborhood collector which links Jones Ave. with Stewart St.
Afton St. – A connector St. which links Willowdale Road with Melrose and Grove Streets
Overhill St – A connector between University and Jones Ave.
Overhill Greenway Extension – One block of stairs located in the Overhill St. right-of-way between Jones Ave. and Highland Ave.
First St. Greenway Extension – Two blocks of stairs located between First St and Wellen Ave.
North Street – The one block link between University and Jones Ave provides a connection between the Wiles Hill neighborhood and University Ave.
Willey St. – A principal arterial linking the downtown and the downtown campus with several Woodburn residential areas. Sidewalk area from High St to Roosevelt St.
Richwood Ave. – An arterial connecting the Woodburn, Jerome Park and Sabraton areas with the downtown
Monongalia Ave. – A neighborhood collector between Richwood Ave. and Willey St.
Snider St. – A collector link between Monongalia Ave. and Willey St. and Richwood Ave.
Gem Street - A steep connective street between Dallas St. and Richwood Ave
Dallas St. – A heavily used pedestrian link between Richwood Ave. and Forest Ave. and the downtown by Woodburn residents
Charles St. – A connecting street which is heavily used by the surrounding neighborhoods and persons cutting through the neighborhood to the downtown
James St. – A recently upgraded pedestrian connector between Monongalia Ave. and Charles St.
Fortney St. – A short connecting street which provides access to the Woodburn Elementary School between Charles and Richwood Avenues.
Parsons St. - The front entrance of Woodburn School is located on the lower end of this street which connects Fortney St and East End Ave.
College Ave. – An arterial connector between the downtown WVU campus and Willey St.
Cornell Ave. – A connecting street between College Ave. and Willey St. which is near the WVU campus and the former University High school property.
Price St. – A connecting street between Cornell Ave. and Willey Street which also serves the Arnold Hall dormitory.
Stanton St. - The access street for the former University High School from Willey St. and Cornell Ave.
Prospect St. – A collecting and connecting link between Willey St., Price St., Spruce St., North High Street, and University Ave.
North High St. – A collector street linking Maiden Lane, Prospect St. and the High Street commercial area
Forest Ave. Greenway Extension – A trail extension of Forest Ave which links the downtown and Valley Crossing and the Decker’s Creek Trail