HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 1a TRAFF SIG MOD. 09-08-81DATE: AUGUST 26, 1901 Inter-Com
TO: ~ ~R, I~M CI~ ~~
FROM: BOB LRn~qDECKER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ~I)~S/CIT~ ENGINF~R
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL M~DIFICATION AT RED H![,L AND ~ALNUT AVENUES
That the Tustin City Council, at their meeting of September 8, 1981, take no
action at this time on the signal modification and request staff to include this
traffic sigr~l modification to provide protected left turn movements for both Red
Hill and Walnut Avenues and the ultimate widening of Walnut Ave. in the 1982-83
Capital Improvement Budget.
BACKG~3USD:
The Tustin Meadows Homeowners Association has requested (copy attached) that the
traffic signal at the intersection of Red Hill and Walnut Avenues be modified to
allow the easterly leg and westerly leg of Walnut Avenue traffic to proceed
straight and turn left, while stopping opposing traffic.
The Association bases this request on the fact that motorists are utilizing the
residential streets of Roanoke and Devonshire (loop street of Tustin Meadows) as
an arterial highway to get to Sycamore and Red Hill Avenues and to bypass the left
turn movement frcm westbound Walnut Ave. to southbound Red Hill Ave. Staff has
observed this area in both the morning and afternoon peak periods and found this
to be an increasing problem.
The congestion at Red Hill and Walnut for westbound Walnut Ave. to southbound Red
Hill Ave. is caused by two problems:
1. In the morning peak hours, southbound Red Hill Ave. is so congested that
many times there is not enough storage space on Red Hill to accom0date
the turning vehicles.
2. During both the morning and afternoon peak periods, the eastbound Walnut
traffic is heavy and does not allow the southbound left turn movement.
The type of signal phasing requested by the Association would require a six (6)
phase controller and would lengthen the total phase time of the signal, which
would result in a longer waiting period on both Red Hill and Walnut Avenues and
would have a considerable impact on the Red Hill progression.
If Walnut Avenue was widened to allow the installation of left turn pockets from
Walnut to Red Hill and two westbound lanes, different phasing could be utilized
that would fit within a reasonable time period for the intersection.
The requested or suggested type intersection improvements will not totally
eliminate motorists frcm utilizing the Roanoke/Devonshire bypass to Red Hill Ave.
but will most likely improve the situation. The main problem lies with the
congestion of Red Hill Ave. and motorists hoping to eliminate one long block of
travel on it between Walnut Ave. and Sycamore Ave.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL ~DDIFICATION
AT R~D HILT. AND WAI/FJ~ AVENUES
AU~JST 26, 1981
PAGE 2
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This traffic signal modification work is not a budgeted item.
Estimated cost to provide a new six (6) phase controller and two new signal
standards is $24,700. This estimate does not include any street widening cost
along Walnut.
If Walnut Ave. were to be widened, the additional signal modification cost would
be $14,000 for a total signal modification cost of $38,700. This estimate does
not include any street widening costs along Walnut Avenue.
BOB LED~2~DECKER,
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ~DRKS/
CI~f ~qGINRRR
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Attachment
PO Box 497 Tust~n CaMorn,a92680 ~714)832-3993
August 3, 1981
City of Tustin
Engineering Department
Centennial and Rain
Tustin, CA 92680
Attn: ~r. Bob Ledendecker
Dear ~,r. Ledendecker;
The homeowners of Tustin ~eadows would like to request that the
traffic light at the intersection of Walnu~ and Redhill be
replaced with one that would allow traffic to turn left or go
straight (with or without an arrow), while holding opposir~
traffic. The residential streets of Roanoke and Broo~shire,
between Oxford and Sycamore, have become virtual arterial
highways because of the left turn capabilities at Redhill and
Sycamore. The new light would help return these residential
streets to their proper traffic load.
We are well aware of the budgetary problems involved here, but
would appreciate your earliest attention to this ~tter.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
Kathy Well
Vice President, Civic Liason