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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 4 BICYCLE LANES 09-08-92REPORTS NO. 4 9-8-92 ,A,�T E: SEPTEMBER E, 1992 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION SUBJECT: ' STATUS UPDATE: BICYCLE LANES ON RED HILL AV16NUE IN THE VICINITY OF INTERSTATE ROUTE 5 RECOMMENDATION Receive and File. BACKGROUND At the August 3, 1992 City Council meeting, staff presented a report entitled "Red Hill Avenue - Edinger Avenue To I-5 Freeway" that addressed the possibility of restriping Red Hill Avenue between Edinger Avenue and the I-5 Freeway to accommodate three through travel lanes in each direction. At the August 25, 1992 Town Hall meeting, a status update report of the bicycle lanes on Red Hill Avenue at the I-5 Freeway overpass was requested. Red Hill Avenue in the vicinity of the I-5 Freeway was originally constructed as a primary 'arterial highway within a 100 foot right- of-way and curbs constructed at 42 feet either side of the street centerline. This configuration provides for a 14 foot wide protected left turn lane, two 12 foot wide travel lanes in each direction and an 8 foot wide parking lane adjacent to each curb. Since its initial construction, this segment of Red Hill Avenue in the vicinity of the.I-5 Freeway has been reclassified to a major arterial highway with a 120 foot wide right-of-way and curbs to be located 51 feet either side of the street centerline. The major classification provides for a 14 foot wide protected left turn lane, three 12 foot wide travel lanes in each direction and an 8 foot wide parking lane adjacent to each curb. The segment of Red Hill Avenue in the area of the I-5 Freeway overpass was recently reconstructed as- part of Caltrans' I-5 Freeway widening project. In conjunction with the I-5 Freeway widening, the segment of Red Hill Avenue between Mitchell Avenue and San Juan Street was restriped in early June, 1992 to accommodate a third through travel lane in each direction, which has served to alleviate some of the traffic congestion previously experienced in this area. This six lane segment of Red Hill Avenue has no on -street parking and no clear area for bicyclists. All bicyclists must share the outside or number three lane with motor vehicles. DISCUSSION In the current City of Tustin Circulation Element, the Master Plan of Tustin Bikeways indicates that the existence of bicycle lanes on Red Hill Avenue between Barranca Parkway and Bryan Avenue is undetermined at this time ( see Exhibit A) . A Class II ( on -street) Status Update September 8, 1992 Page 2 bicycle lane is planned for on this segment of Red Hill Avenue in the County's Master Plan of Bikeways. In the City's General Plan update, the undetermined area of Red Hill Avenue is being considered as a potential bicycle route. The Draft Tustin/Santa Ana Transportation System Improvement Program (TSIP) identifies improvements to Red Hill Avenue to upgrade to the master plan status of a major arterial highway. On - street bicycle lanes could be constructed on this swcfinent of Red Hill Avenue with future implementation of the TSIP. Currently, the provisions of the California Vehicle Code allow, bicyclists to share the roadway with motor traffic. In the subject area, this means that bicyclists are competing with vehicular traffic in the outside or number three lane adjacent to the curb. This certainly does not preclude the bicyclist from dismounting and walking his or her bicycle on the adjacent sidewalks, if that is preferred. The City is currently reviewing and commenting on the environmental documentation for the expansion of the Irvine Business Complex (IBC) development in the City of Irvine. Staff's comments address the negative traffic impacts to the City of Tustin (Red Hill Avenue) as a result of this expansion and requests that they be mitigated as a condition of the expansion project. One of the requested mitigation measures is the widening of Red Hill Avenue between Barranca Parkway and the I-5 Freeway to standards of a major arterial highway with enhanced intersections at designated locations. This proposed widening would eliminate the previously mentioned concern regarding bicyclists in the number three travel lane. To add bicycle lanes in the subject area at this time, would require the restriping of Red Hill Avenue, from three through lanes back to two through lanes in each direction, thereby providing an on -street area for the bicycle lanes. Such a proposal would have a negative effect upon vehicular traffic flow in this area. Staff would recommend against restriping of Red Hill Avenue in the I-5 Freeway area to accommodate bicycle lanes in the subject area at this time. If the City Council is desirous of pursuing any project to provide bicycle lanes in this area, it is recommended that a complete project report be completed to review all project alternatives with respect to community impacts, costs and traffic safety. If desired, staff could return, at a future meeting with an estimated cost for the completion of this project. Another issue brought forward at the August 25, 1992 Town Hall meeting, was the possible installation of a barrier along both sides of Red Hill Avenue under the I-5 Freeway bridge to prevent children from playing on the slopes of the bridge. When Caltrans reconstructed the bridge, and made improvements to Red Hill Avenue, they purposely installed a rough surface on the face of the slopes to discourage any type of possible use of the slopes. Since Caltrans maintains jurisdiction in the subject area, the Status Update September 8, 1992 Page 3 installation of any type of barrier would require the coordination and approval of Caltrans. Installing barriers at these locations would also create other concerns that may adversely impact the City: the cost of installation, the on-going maintenance and associated costs, the accumulation of debris and rubbish, and the aesthetic impacts. Staff recommends that if the City Council wishes �Cf'pursue the possible installation of barriers on the subject slopes, then a thorough investigation should be completed that reviews and addresses all of the impacts and costs involved.- �'� Robert S. Ledendec er Director of Public orks/ City Engineer RSL:DA:RDHLBIKS Attachment. Doug s R. Anderson Transportation Engineer _ - TUSTIN [ '(EWA TS - MASTER _AN 4F , . • i • ,ED TT - ' v • f • / , �. . / 46 f • ` .�.� _; +It has, ZIS co OLAli f CrrY OF TUST I N LEGEND *0000 CITY TRAIL ■■■■■■■„ CLASS I �. CLASS it use UNDETERMIN