HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 02/24/2003 72
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TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTE N fAPR 2G0 r>°;, w
MINUTES g y RECEIVED w
(Meeting of February 24, 2003) ®y Cat's'EcaunMs °9
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Members Present - - Co -
Don Davenport, MAC Karla Bennett, Robbie Foster, Israel Ybarra-i:-''/t El('"N\,&
Anthony Alejandro, Stuart Sher and Grace Marie Gonzales
Members Not Present,
Orlando Noyola, Clif Moss
I. CALL TO ORDER- Chairperson Alejandro called meeting to order at 1:38 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Chairperson Alejandaro called for approval of minutes for meeting of
January 27, 2003. Motion made by Mr. Davenport, seconded by Mr. Ybarra to approve minutes as
presented.
III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON and/or VICE-CHAIRPERSON -Mr.Alejandro thanked Mr. Noyola
for chairing Committee in his absence.
IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT (ATTACHMENT "A") - Capt. MacDonald, presented
Monthly Traffic Fatality Report for February, 2003 stating three fatalities for 2003 to date.
V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT for February, 2003), (ATTACHMENT
"B")-Total accidents were up 11%;Alcohol/Drug Related Accidents up 53%;Injury Accidents up 20%;
Total injuries up 28%; Fatal Accidents down 33%and Fatalities remain even. Confirmed Alcohol related
statistics - 1 out of 3 - 33% as of February, 2003.
Mr.Ybarra inquired if absence of markings at all intersections at South Padre Island Drive directly under
-• the underpasses is a contributing factor to the collisions? Mr. Soto with the Texas Department of
Transportation stated that all intersections were recently striped, but he would double check the
markings.
VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda - Chairperson Alejandro
introduced Executive Director Amin Ulkarim with the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
VII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING COMMITTEE REVIEW
A. Speed Limit Reduction - SH357 (Saratoga Boulevard) - Ordinance amending Code of
Ordinances Section 53-254, Schedule V, Increase of State Speed Limit in Certain Zones, by
revising the speed limits on the following street section and repealing all conflicting ordinances:
On Saratoga Boulevard (SH 37): revising the existing speed limits to the following:
CA55 mph from Old Brownsville Road (FM665) to Ayers Street(SH286)
NNED 50 mph to 45 mph from Ayers Street(SH286) to Rodd Field Road (SH357) except that
portion where school zone flashers are displayed indicating 30 mph.
On Rodd Field Road, (SH357): revising the existing speed limits to the following:
55 mph to 45 mph from Holly Road to the centerline of Saratoga Boulevard (SH357).
Mr. Soto with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) stated that approximately every three
(3)years,the State conducts speed zone studies. Based on studies,the road section was characterized
with different sections with different speed limit zones. TxDOT determined that a change in the speed
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limit is warranted wit ate Right of Way located within City Limit the City of Corpus Christi.
TxDOT followed its 85%percentile formula. Mr. Escobar further stated that the Revised Speed Limit for
Saratoga Boulevard and Rodd Field Road will be presented to the City Council for approval on February 25,2003.
Mr.Alejandro asked if all the studies conducted by TxDOT were warranted for reduction. Mr. Soto answered in
the affirmative.
Mr. Davenport representing the Corpus Christi Independent stated that Saratoga Boulevard highly
warrants the speed reduction. Motion made by Ms. Gonzales, seconded by Mr. Foster, to recommend approval
of the ordinance as presented. Motion approved.
B. Request for recommendation to approve revised striping on Everhart Road between Cedar
Pass and Oso Parkway and modify the traffic signal phasing at Cedar Pass and Everhart Road to
include protected left turns - Ms. Mary Frances Teniente addressed the Committee stating that
the request was to re-stripe Everhart Road to Yorktown Boulevard. Staff has extended this
request to Oso Parkway. Along this section,Staff has ascertained that Cedar Pass/Everhart Road
has a traffic signal, while Yorktown Boulevard/Everhart Road has a four-way stop. While
reviewing the impact this would have at Cedar Pass/Everhart Road intersection,accident history
was reviewed and showed a total of 89 accidents from 1997-2002 of these 48 or 54%are left
turn related. Forty-eight of the injury accidents or 64%were left turn related.
During the last three (3)years, the left turn accidents, totaled 25, one involving an East/West
accident; 10 involved southbound and 14 involved northbound.
Cedar Pass is a semi-actuated signalized control. Traffic is moving north/south and is activated
by the east/west traffic movement on Cedar Pass. There is no protective left turn, it is a
permissive left turn signal. Width is there for the five-lane and changes will include a protective
left turn thus the basis for Staff recommendation. Approximately 30-60 day installation time line.
Mr. Foster inquired if there are any future plans for expansion of Everhart Road. Mr. Escobar
stated that later on the Agenda the Everhart/Congressional signal modification will be discussed
and along with this Staff is beginning cost estimating efforts and identification of right-of-way
needs for the next bond issue hopefully to be presented and make recommendations to the City
Council in 2004. One of the recommendations will be the widening of Everhart, south of
Wooldridge all the way to Cedar Pass for a continuous left turn lane mode on Everhart Road.
The Metropolitan Planning Organization will also be approached to place the long range
transportation issues in their budget requests.
Motion made by Mr. Davenport, seconded by Mr. Foster to approve revised striping on Everhart
Road and modify the traffic signal phasing at Cedar Pass and Everhart Road to include protected
left turns. Motion approved as presented.
VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Presentation from Regional Transportation Staff on Downtown Transit Service Preliminary Study
- David Seiler gave a brief introduction to the genesis of the study.
Fred Haley,Director of Service Development-stated that due to new development downtown area,RTA
needed to study improvements in the transportation flow,at the same time,the Federal Transportation
Bill(T-21)is up for renewal and for major project funding the timing is right. Several steps are involved
in this transit study and the feasibility study is the first step, second step is environmental and
preliminary engineering and final design, construction and through operations.
Public involvement included contacting a number of agencies,visitors, hotels, and holding open house
meetings for their input. The area included includes the Channel and Art Museum on the North,to the
Coliseum on the South, East is Water and up to the City Hall on the West side.
Phase I included consultants taking the entire universe of alternatives,vehicle technology,alignment that
was possible,including all the streets downtown for the most feasible to use. They narrowed down the
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r alternatives, assessin;' e quality for further study to meet goals., "'me alternatives was expanding
present bus services,-,_. . rapid transit, looking at what was rease, _le and what was possible. The
initial screeners also studied the three types of service: expansion of existing bus service; historic rails
or trolleys, and bus rapid transit. Alignment area was looked at and a number of streets were studied
including Leopard, Lipan Street and John Sartain. Six routes were explored, alignments was exposed
to public comments. Final recommendation led to two (2) alternatives: Begin at Ortiz Center and
Ballpark, both end at City Hall using Lipan,difference was the usage of Shoreline Boulevard. The types
of vehicles to be used is up for review. Consultants estimated that an average of 1200 riders per day
will use the trolley service,with the ballpark, 1600 riders per day. Operating cost per year less than half
million dollars. Capital cost between $22 - $32 million based on similar venues around the country.
Local match would be from 20% - 50%. Potential Capital Funding Sources - Federal Transit
Administration, Federal Highway Administration and other federal agencies and programs. Local and
State Sources include existing CCRTATransit Sales Tax;City of Corpus Christi,Public-Private Partnerships
• and State Infrastructure Development Bank Loan.
B. Proposed Corpus Christi Urban Transportation Plan- Mr. Bob Payne stated that the Charter states that
the City needs a comprehensive plan, long-range,general in nature,with the transportation plan being
an important element being used everyday leading to a non-congestive traffic plan. Concept is in first
phase, regional in scope, intent only to make recommendations where the City has authority. The
impact of this plan is for the City Limits and ETJ only.
Next phase is to show future land use,followed by placing all the ADT's into a single document. This
comprehensive plan keeps the City from having to come back years later to condemn property that's has
already been developed for improved street width. Collectors and arterial streets are addressed. Local
residential will not be changed.
Planning Commission has approved this proposed transportation plan and it will be presented to City
Council on March 11, 2003.
Mr. Ybarra inquired about the Hike and Bike Trails-Mr. Payne stated that there are some recreational
Hike and Bike Trails listed on the back of the Transportation Plan Map. The utilitarian hike and bike trails
still are not addressed but are on the drawing board.
Mr.Escboar stated negotiations are still in the process with the elements of work with the Port of Corpus
Christi for the stadium itself. Both the arena and convention center expansion are twenty month
construction projects. City owned property south of Asian Cultural Museum has been designated for
another 200 parking spaces. One block off of Fitzgerald South, presently used by the Contractor as a
equipment storage facility will become a 320 space parking lot. South side of Stadium (approximately
11 acres)will be utilized for stadium parking area along with various locations throughout these areas.
C. Everhart/Congressional - Signal Modification Briefing - Mr. Escobar stated that in January,
2003 contract was awarded for the remaining four(4)signalized intersections those being FM624;
Saratoga/Long Meadow;Everhart/Congressional and C069. Contact has been made with the
Homeowners Association and Management Group to enlarge this intersection for placement of
signal mast arms in the event Bond 2004 allows for the widening of Everhart and the traffic signal
bases will not have to be relocated. Installation should be completed around the first of April,
2003.
IX. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT-
Texas Department of Transportation-Traffic signal and stripping modifications at intersection of
Rand Morgan Road at Leopard Street to respond to change in traffic pattern as a result of the new
Tuloso-Midway Intermediate School - Mr. Soto stated that Tuloso-Midway Independent School District
opened a new elementary school in this area between Hwy 44/Leopard Street. Traffic patterns were
adversely effected by school traffic especially with left-turns specifically from Rand Morgan to Leopard
northbound. Due to this, TxDOT striped out a left-turn lane with a five-section head for this traffic
movement. A southbound left-turn lane was not installed due to the lack of street width.
Mr.Alejandro asked both Capt. MacDonald and Mr. Soto, if there is any indication or studies conducted
that this traffic congestion carries onto IH37 and created any kind of adverse traffic situation due to the
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new school? Mr. Eso- stated that the State has been very pro,' " we to alleviate any problem and
new interchange will traffic concerns.
Mr. Ybarra asked if there were any traffic concerns on Hwy 44/Rand Morgan due to the construction of
the new school. Both Mr. Soto and Mr. Escobar stated that no concerns were expressed by the
residents. Speed limits have been reduced and the median enables motorists to accelerate on Hwy 44.
2002 Traffic Accident Location Report for the City of Corpus Christi -Mr.Escobar stated this report
is prepared and distributed yearly for use by different entities throughout the City and State for
transportation studies and economic business plans. A favorable newspaper report that Corpus Christi
has recorded the lowest level since 1991 in car accident deaths. Credit was given to better traffic
enforcement, improved signalizations and striping on city streets. Also, citizen awareness was a large
contributing factor a decline of traffic accidents and fatalities.
X. ISSUES FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
None
XL PREVIOUS CONCERNS-Forecast for future unfunded projects for the next 10-15 years. Mr. Escobar
stated that copy of booklet was handed out to Committee members. List of priority designations that
Staff has brought forward for presentation to City Council for the CIP Program.
Update on property at Everhart/SPID -At the Corona Drive/Everhart/SPID intersection - no left turns
permitted. Mr. Escobar stated that there is a 30' wide area of property that is trying to be identified as
an exit location. Two of the adjacent property owners have tentatively agreed to work on a plan to share
parking spaces.
Mr. Ybarra - Intersection of Hustlin Hornet/Laguna Shores 4-5' concrete barriers need to be relocated
to allow right turn lane by motorists.
Mr. Alejandro inquired about the utility manhole issues - City owned utilities have agreed to set aside
money in their respective budgets. Monies have been set aside for this fiscal year for manhole
adjustment citywide program. Staff is working with Southwestern Bell and AEP/CPL for joint
consolidation of services during construction and repair.
XII. NEW CONCERNS -Mr.Alejandro-Questioned parking issues on Belden Street. Head-in Parking- Full
length angle parking on East and West Sides. Mr.Escobar stated that the contractor inadvertently placed
them at the correct location as shown on engineering plans; however, as the visitors beginning use
them,Staff removed meters and are awaiting arrival of dual-head meters to complete and accommodate
vehicles in this area.
On the East and West sides of Water Street,the striping element was being worked out with the pump
station. Federal Courthouse has agreed to the angle parking full length (except driveways), but City
crews have not scheduled project due to previous seal coating.
The element of work along Shoreline Boulevard and the construction work being down at the Arena Area
has interrupted traffic flow to the Convention Center. Temporary signage will direct visitors, as the
entrance is located off of Chaparral Street.
Mr.Ybarra-Read excerpt from article produced by TxDOT regarding the usage of the word"collisions",
as collisions are caused by driver error, and are not considered as accidents.
Mr. Sher stated he attended meeting Monday, February 24, 2003 at TxDOT that morning,and definite
progression is being made in the analysis of the ramp reversal issues.
Mr. Foster asked for legal status of using cellular phones during accident regarding article in the Corpus
Christi Caller Times. Mr.Joseph Harney,Assistant City Attorney stated he would check into article and
report back to the Committee.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT- Meeting adjourned at 3:18 p.m.
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