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Due to the environmental sensitivity of Gum Swamp, the Bradford Brook and Chain of Lakes, and the intense rainfall events common to Tallahassee, it has been directed by the Intergovernmental Agency that the stormwater pollution prevention and erosion control measures for this project must go above and beyond the standards that are typically provided in the construction of FDOT or local projects. To this end, a total approach to controlling erosion on the Capital Circle NW/SW project will be used which will include the use of effective, state-of-the-art Best Management Practices (BMPs). These BMPs will provide several levels of protection as follows:
Slope protection and stabilization
Sediment filtration
Sediment containment
Redundancy
The Erosion Control Plan will employ BMPs that are based upon detailed drainage design for expected flows. The design storm for the Erosion Control Plan will not be limited to a 10-year storm event but will address less frequent, more intense storm events as appropriate.
The Capital Circle NW/SW project will reduce to four lanes south of SR 20 and the median will narrow near Gum Swamp and the southern end of the project near Orange Avenue. This will reduce the footprint of the project around important natural resources to lessen the environmental impact of the project. The project will also use retaining walls to minimize the roadway footprint through Gum Swamp, and will provide eco-passages for wildlife to cross under the roadway. Erosion control blankets, silt fencing, and temporary slope drains will be used as necessary. A 90-foot bridge will be constructed in place of the existing box culvert as the means of crossing Gum Creek.
Blueprint also intends to purchase several
properties, totaling approximately 180-acres, near Gum Swamp
and along the corridor for wetland and floodplain mitigation
and restoration and for greenway preservation.
Stormwater facilities will be created to improve flood control,
attenuation, and water quality. Seven stormwater ponds
will be used to collectively treat 326-acres of the Bradford
Brook Watershed. This watershed drains into the Lake
Munson Basin, which has recently undergone significant restoration.
Currently, urban runoff from various sources in this area
is not being properly treated. As only 30% of this watershed
is being treated at this time, this project will considerably
enhance water quality.
In late 2006, Blueprint purchased the 115-acre Delta Industrial
Park located on the east side of Capital Circle across from
Cascade Drive. The site remains undeveloped and vacant
and will be used as a stormwater pond and mitigation site.
Approximately 35-acres of the property will be retrofitted
for stormwater detention. This parcel has been kept
in a semi-pristine condition and will possibly be converted
into a park with trails. The property will be deeded
to the City of Tallahassee upon project completion.
The 32.8-acre Broadmoor property sits southwest of the Jackson Bluff and Capital Circle SW intersection and was acquired by Blueprint in late 2007. It will be transformed into an 8.1-acre regional stormwater facility with possible park amenities similar to Martha Wellman Park on West Tennessee Street, with landscaping, parking area, trail, benches, lighting and trash receptacles. Since this Pond is located within an area identified as Potential Greenways in the adopted Tallahassee-Leon County Greenways Master Plan proposed connections have been developed to nearby trails associated with the Chain of Lakes Greenway. This pond is the largest of the stormwater management facilities being constructed along the corridor. A 5-acre tract will be deeded to the City of Tallahassee for a future proposed Electric Substation, while ownership of the remaining 27.8-acres will be transferred to Leon County upon project completion. |
