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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 6 17TH ST TRAFFIC 09-06-88TO: WILLIAM HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION . . SUBJECT: SEVENTEENTH STREET TRAFFIC CONCERNS, RTE. 55 FREEWAY TO YORBA STREET (NORTH) RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file. BACKGROUND: At a previous City Council meeting, Mrs. Helen Edgar raised a concern regarding the traffic conditions along Seventeenth Street between the Route 55 Freeway and Yorba Street (North), particularly the left movements into Mimi's Restaurant from eastbound Seventeenth Street. A copy of the City's Consultant Traffic Engineer's report is attached for the Council's reference. DISCUSSION: As indicated in the report, Staff is proceeding with the following three recommendations to enhance driver recognition of the restrictive controls within the areas of concern: le At the driveway entrance/exit to and from Mimi's Restaurant, it is proposed to upgrade certain signing and replace the 8" diameter traffic signal lenses with 12" diameter lenses. · Continue the evaluation of the northbound Rte. 55 on-ramp with respect to its geometrics and the ramp metering. The evaluation should be completed about mid-September 1988. These findings will be forwarded at that time. · Placement of "Do Not Block Intersection" signs and corresponding pavement legends for westbound Seventeenth Street traffic at the Mimi's Restaurant driveway. These proposed modifications in item nos. 1 and 3 above can be accomplished within the normal operating budget of the Public Works Department with no supplemental budgeting of funds being required. Bob Ledendecker Director of Public Works/City Engineer BL:mv Mr. Bob Ledendecker August 24, 1988 Page Two In spite of the above, it is important to note that with the exception of the freeway on-ramp and the new metering ~ys- rem, the subject location along 17th Street provides good service to existing traffic. Moreover, it should be recog- nized that there are over 41.000 vehicles per day in the vicinity of the subject location. Therefore, from a com- parison of those high volumes to only 4 accidents in 1987 and 7 accidents in 1988 (to August), it is our conclusion that significant changes to existing conditions should not be implemented. While we can do little to control the be- havior of a driver and his decision to disregard a red sig- nal indication (mentioned in your memo), the decision not to make further improvements includes any changes that would attempt to control illegal left turns into Mimi's driveway. To verify our conclusion, we reviewed all signs, striping, pavement markings and signals between the freeway and Pros- pect. Although a few signs are recommended to enhance driver recognition of restrictive controls (those recommendations provided below), we find no significant deficiencies in the areas' existing operational control. Please note that this includes the signal which controls eastbound left turns into Mimi's from 17th Street. While we did consider moving a sig- nal to the median island (the signal mounted on the east side of the Mimi's driveway which governs eastbound, left turns), this would create a non-standard situation causing more problems than it would solve (if any). Recommendations Our recommendations for the area are three-fold. The first concerns signing and signal "indication" improvements at the -Mimi's driveway (the size of the signal's lenses), the second involves a more thorough review of the ramp problem, and the third includes the addition of "Do Not Block Inter- section" signs and pavement legends. At the Mimi's driveway, the controls which restrict outbound left turns will be enhanced with signing that is easier to recognize by the drivers (i.e. large international "Right Turn Only" signs). To better define the control of eastbound left turns into Mimi's driveway, the 8" red signal indica- tion located on the east side of the driveway will be increased to 12 inches. Mr. Robert Ledendecker August 24, 1988 Page Three The problem at the northbound 55 ramp has not yet been fully defined. Although we already know that its affects are some- times detrimental 'to 17th Street traffic, we still need to work with Caltrans to develop a more permanent solution. We intend to determine the exact queue lengths during both the morning and the afternoon peak hours. With this information in hand, Caltrans can be presented with a definitive' des- cription of the affect that their system has had on 17th Street. They can also be presented with a request to miti- gate the situation. We will have the evaluation completed within two weeks. If significant and re-occurring problems are indeed discovered, we will keep you informed as to our discussions with Caltrans. Please note that one interim improvement that will be imple- mented now involves the placement of westbound "Do Not Block Intersection" signs along with pavement legends reading the same as the signs (placed along 17th Street at the Mimits driveway intersection). Since most drivers are aware of the new law restricting intersection blockages, we expect that the above combination will be successful in keeping the in- tersection open for left turns. ADDITIONAL PARKING ALONG FIRST STREET Your memorandum indicated the a City Council member requested staff to review the feasibility of providing more on-street parking on the south side of First Street west of Centennial Way. This would be done through the selective removal of existing red zones. Please note that from our review of the area, there are no red zones along this stretch of roadway that could be removed and used for curb parking. Aside from a very short red zone on the southwest corner of First and Centennial (barely 10 feet), a short red zone on either side of the post office driveway (recommended to remain), and a fairly long red zone in front of 200 First Street (the southeast corner of First and Prospect), all other curb areas are fully available for curb parking. Our conclusion is that no additional curb parking can be provided along this stretch of First Street. Could there be a possibility that the wrong location was described by the Council member?