The Hampline (Overton-Broad Connector) project creates a 1.7-mile-long, on-street bikeway connection between the Shelby Farms Greenline and Overton Park in midtown Memphis, TN. The separated bike lanes close a major gap in the in the growing Memphis greenway and bikeway network, connecting Shelby Farms Park, a 4,500-acre major regional park, with Overton Park in midtown and downtown Memphis. The corridor provides a high-level bicycle connection through an economically-distressed neighborhood and an emerging arts, retail, and industrial district.
In 2011, through an open studio workshop format, the Alta team and stakeholders explored alternatives for on- and off-street bikeway and pedestrian facilities, including bike routes, traditional and innovative on-street bikeways, and grade-separated crossings. The ultimate recommended design based on client and stakeholder input was for a median-separated two-way separated bike lane. The design recommendations were then further developed for grant applications and funding opportunities by local private, philanthropic, and public sources. The City also leveraged the concept developed and as a result was named one of People for Bikes’ six pilot “Green Lanes Cities” in 2013.
Alta led the development of the design and construction documents for three distinct phases of the project, known as “Broad West,” “Broad East,” and “Tillman.” The Broad East segment that was constructed using city funds and construction was completed in March 2015, and creates a two-way separated bike lane with a painted separator augmented by flexible delineators. The other two segments, funded through Tennessee DOT with a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant, have completed design. These two segments incorporate landscaped and raised separators, a raised bus island, resurfacing the existing roadways, drainage and sidewalk improvements, and modifying traffic signals to provide dedicated bicycle signal heads.
