Comprehensive Transportation Plan - March 2019

EASEMENTS Temporary Construction Easement

The area provided for a Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) needs to be sufficient for the contractor to construct the path but not so extensive as to unnecessarily impact trees and the surrounding natural area. Generally, providing a temporary construction easement limit that is offset 5 feet from the construction limits is adequate. This allows the contractor 3 feet from the construction limit to work and 2 feet behind the silt fence to maintain it. Permanent Easement A permanent easement provides permanent public access to a path outside of public right-of-way. A Permanent Easement (PE) gives the path owner permission to maintain the path and gives the path user permission to access it. x The suggested minimum PE width is 20 feet (10 feet centered about the path). Additional width may be acquired in an unconstrained corridor and will provide flexibility during construction. Future Easements A future easement, consisting of a permanent public access easement that is being dedicated for a future path, must be 30 to 50 feet wide. x If the PE will be a shared use easement with utilities such as sanitary sewer, water, gas, or power, the PE needs to be established to provide a minimum clearance of 20 feet from the outside edge of the utilities (pipe, manhole, etc.). x Additionally, the PE must not be within the floodplain without prior approval from the Town. Refer to the Drainage and Erosion Control section for additional clarification on easements within floodplains in 5-28 of the MUTCD . TRAIL ACCESS Trailheads Trailheads provide an opportunity for a transition between motorized and nonmotorized transportation and recreational systems. Trailheads can also provide a location for many amenities, including automobile and bicycle parking, restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic areas, trash and recycling receptacles, dog waste stations, bicycle repair stations, and path wayfinding signs. An easy way to provide access to a path is to use existing public facilities such as schools, libraries, Town Hall, and parks. There is no set standard for the frequency of trailheads. The best way to determine where and how often to install a trailhead is to conduct user counts, vehicle counts, and surveys across the existing multi-use path system. Not all trailheads need to be the same size. There can be major and minor trailheads. A major trailhead would provide parking for 10-40 vehicles, while a smaller trailhead would provide parking for 10 vehicles or less. Both are required by the Town of Morrisville to be paved and to be ADA compliant. Guidelines x Emergency and maintenance vehicles access and turnaround areas must be provided. x At least one ADA accessible parking space per every 25 spaces is needed. x Bike racks (approved by the Town) need to be provided, with one bike space for every one parking space, and no less than five bike spaces at any trailhead. x Wayfinding signage needs to be provided that directs multi-use path users to the path. x An accessible pathway must be provided from parking and other accessible elements to the multi-use path. x Lighting must be provided at the parking lot and trail intersection. Refer to the Lighting section for additional requirements. x Benches and other amenities need to be provided to users/visitors.

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