East Mall : NW Marine Drive Intersection Improvement Project : Final Design Report
Creators: name: Mitchell, Anand
name: Provencal, Nicolas
name: Roos, Eric
name: Skrepneck, Shawn
name: Watters, Eric
name: Wrightson, John
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2017

description: The intersection at East Mall and NW Marine Drive on the UBC campus has been characterized as an unconventional and inefficiently aligned uncontrolled intersection. UBC Campus and Community Planning approached Roundabout Solutions in September 2015 to develop an intersection layout that improves the interface between vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists while revitalizing the location’s gateway aesthetic. The intersection improvement requires a low impact design that integrates into the existing BC Ministry of Transportation (BCMOT) roadway alignment. In November 2015, Roundabout Solutions proposed a long term solution that would incorporate an immediate curb and lane improvement project that would demarcate cyclist travel with dedicated lanes, improve line markings to increase driver and pedestrian awareness of cross-traffic pathways, and improve turn storage and overall intersection geometry to improve driving experience. This low impact solution would deliver immediate improvements to the interaction experience by eliminating confusion and risk for all users. A roundabout design was ruled out due to significant issues with encroachment onto the Pacific Spirit Park and the existing unfavorable horizontal and vertical alignments. Roundabout Solutions has anticipated future growth of the intersection and has proposed a long term vision of the intersection with future project add-ons for a signalized pedestrian crossing and a pre-timed signalized intersection arrangement. This design add-on meets the BC MOT guidelines for signalized intersection warrants. A terraced lookout was proposed for the North greenspace of Allard Hall to revitalize the local aesthetic. This 2.5m retaining wall design would leverage the site’s topography to produce a gathering area that would inspire movement to the North Campus area. The retaining wall is constructed from pre-fabricated blocks with granite façade and the 3000 square-foot patio area incorporates a functional and inviting seating area that will improve the gateway aesthetic. Roundabout Solutions commenced on the detailed design phase of the project in January 2016. The estimated construction cost for the East Mall and NW Marine Drive intersection improvement project is forecasted at $1.0M. The project expected construction complete date is September 2016. The following report outlines the specific design features of the project as well as the design inputs and estimated costs. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”