Study Background & Objectives
The Western Sarpy Transportation Enhancement Plan (WE-STEP) will be a strategic transportation plan for western Sarpy County, and developed in collaboration with the City of Gretna, City of Papillion, City of Springfield, Sarpy County, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA). WE-STEP will provide a framework for changing communities to develop for future generations. The plan considers how the involved communities are changing and how the advancing transportation network can support these evolving communities.
Schedule
Western Sarpy Transportation Enhancement Plan (WE-STEP) will be complete in summer 2024.
Partners
The City of Gretna, City of Papillion, City of Springfield, Sarpy County, and MAPA make up a consortium, or group, that was formed to undertake this planning effort together. The WE-STEP Consortium is working with a steering and technical advisory committee (STAC) to develop a plan that is applicable to all communities. The STAC is comprised of representatives from partner agencies in public works, planning, and city and county administration. Together, the WE-STEP Consortium and the STAC make up the plan development team.
Stakeholder Engagement
Engagement with stakeholders and the public is critical to develop a plan that works for all communities and jurisdictions within the study area. The STAC has provided representation for each of their communities in planning efforts to date. Additional engagement is defined below.
Board Presentations
The STAC will present a draft plan to its respective boards for feedback and approval.
Small Group Meetings
Small group meetings are currently underway to discuss the plan and obtain input from identified stakeholders, such as school districts, emergency response agencies, environmental groups, utility and resource groups, and logistics and freight centers.
Online Public Meeting
The purpose of this online public meeting is to inform the public about the plan and gather feedback that can be addressed within it. The plan will provide a long-term framework for changing communities to develop for future generations. Feedback is being collected now through April 8, 2024 via a comment map, and general comment form. If you or your organization would like to be involved in WE-STEP, please indicate so in the comment form or contact:
Jim Boerner: jboerner@mapacog.org or 402-444-6866 ext. 3231
Regional Transportation Network
A regional transportation network has been proposed for WE-STEP. The transportation network planning has a standardized approach and adherence to established street design standards, adopts a locally agreed upon classification system when describing the network in comprehensive planning efforts, and applies typical cross section design that matches design requirements in local regulations.
Provide your comments on an interactive version of this map at the end of this online meeting.
Proposed Arterial Types
Roads classified as arterials are designed to provide interconnected traffic movement between major activity areas. Three main arterial types have been established for WE-STEP, and are defined below. Click or tap the “+” to open each section.
This type of arterial will be continuous and support long distance travel. It is a route intended to move traffic between communities across the study area.
Locally, this level of right-of-way (ROW) might look like 144th Street south of West Maple Road.
This type of arterial is more specific to a municipality and is intended to connect major areas of activity within and between communities.
Locally, this level of ROW might look like the intersection of 136th and Blondo Streets.
This type of arterial will be used to reserve ROW in areas where heavy traffic increase is not anticipated, such as in the conservation area north of the Platte River. These corridors could potentially have sidepaths for recreational biking and walking opportunities.
Safety
Safety is a primary consideration of WE-STEP, including the following concepts:
- Crashes occur more frequently at intersections or access points
- A raised median is safer for all users of the transportation network
- High speed vehicle traffic does not create a safe space for pedestrians and bicyclists
- Roundabouts are safer than signalized intersections in most instances
Crashes occur more frequently at intersections or access points
A raised median is safer for all users of the transportation network
High speed vehicle traffic does not create a safe space for pedestrians and bicyclists
Roundabouts are safer than signalized intersections in most instances
These aspects will be considered through the development of the WE-STEP with a goal to provide safe streets for all users of the transportation network established in the plan.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts will be considered in the plan as they are a type of intersection that is cost-effective when compared to signalized intersections, and they improve safety for all users, including pedestrians and cyclists. Roundabouts also reduce congestion and help keep traffic moving. The Federal Highway Administration reports that converting a signalized intersection to a roundabout reduces all crashes by nearly one-third, and fatal or serious injury crashes by nearly 80%.
Pedestrian/Multimodal Considerations
Planning for pedestrian use and other multimodal options for transportation is a major consideration of WE-STEP. The plan considers shared-use paths, sidewalks, and landscaped buffers. The location of a section of roadway in a more urban, suburban, or rural area may influence features such as shared-use paths, sidewalks, landscaped buffers, wider sidewalks with and on-street parking.
Shared-Use Path
A facility for pedestrians and bicyclists that has minimal cross flow with motor vehicles and serves as an extension of the roadway network. They are commonly designed for two-way travel and typically at least 10 feet wide.
Sidewalk
A paved path for pedestrians along the side of the road, narrower than a shared-use path.
Landscaped Buffer
A continuous edge of land along the perimeter street and used as a transition between the roadway and pedestrian facilities. If wide enough they can include street trees or other plantings.
Planning for Cost Effective Decision Making
It is important to the WE-STEP Consortium and the STAC that the plan provides cost-effective actions for all parties and communities. Cost is a consideration in the planning effort, and the plan will allow for flexibility in implementation that will vary as the communities change.
