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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 01/27/2003 "0,- 24�5 s,„), TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE /7c;'' `a� vD tp MINUTES T � Q (Meeting of January 27, 2003) (a ,► ra\j12,119;w Members Present CPI S:.N 'rc't �,'„ ��G 5 4aa't„ iJ Don Davenport, MAC Karla Bennett, Orlando Noy to Clif Moss, Robbie Foster, Israel Ybarra -; 1 o P Members Not Present Anthony Alejandro, Stuart Sher and Grace Marie Gonzales CALL TO ORDER - In the absence of Chairperson Alejandro and Vice-Chairperson Sher, Committee Member Noyola called meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Mr. Noyola called for approval of minutes for meeting of November 25, 2002. Motion made by Mr. Moss, seconded by Mr. Davenport to approve minutes as presented. III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON and/or VICE-CHAIRPERSON - Mr. Moss thanked Staff for providing Year 2002 Annual Report. IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") -In the absence of Capt.MacDonald, Sgt. Mike Pena,presented Monthly Traffic Fatality Report for January,2003 stating one fatality for 2003. MAC Bennett asked if the Corpus Christi Police Department has the total number of Driving Under the Influence(DUI's)for 2002. Sgt. Pena stated that Sgt. Lynch keeps records of DUI's and would be able to provide this information. Sgt.Pena agreed with the Committee members that fatalities have probably been lower due to several traffic enforcement programs such as the"Click It or Ticket"and the"Blue Light DWI Campaign. Mr. Noyola inquired about the status of the Bicycle Pathways in the area of FM 2444 and throughout the City. Mr. Escobar stated that the Planning Department has taken the Transportation Plan to the Metropolitan Planning Organization(MPO)which includes a"Hike and Bike"element. Hopefully, by the middle of the February,2003,City Council will adopt this element which will be incorporated into the new Master Plan which includes all transportation for the City of Corpus Christi,the MPO,and the ETJ,which will in turn be included in the Capital Improvement Plan, Bond Issue or a new subdivision being built. FM 2444 is under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Transportation and is looking into adding an additional lane and a turning lane into a future project forecast. Mr.Ybarra stated accordingly to the Collision Diagram from January thru December, 2002,thirty-three accidents at the Ayers/SPID in the right-hand turn lane and is inquiring why there are so many accidents. at this intersection. In answer to Mr. Ybarra question on the usage of turn-around lanes, Mr. Escobar stated that the turn- around lane is to keep traffic directed back toward the freeway. Accordingly,the necessity of installing the"stationary traffic barriers"to keep traffic flowing and free of congestion. Mr. Noyola inquired of Sgt. Pena if a motorist uses a private entryway to avoid a traffic signal is a violation committed. Sgt. Pena stated yes. V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT for December,2002), (ATTACHMENT "B")-Total accidents were up 2%;Alcohol/Drug Related Accidents down 4%; Injury Accidents remain even;Total injuries down 3%; Fatal Accidents down 13% and Fatalities down 13%. OOQO1 SCANNED Mr.Escobar stated th' '.aples/SPID; Everhart/SPID;Airline/SPID; "Weber/SPID remain the top four most dangerous act-,_, `its followed by Ayers/SPID and Staple, `aratoga. These are all SPID intersections and the Staff is working with TxDOT to improve the turning movements. The channelization did improve at the SPID/Everhart intersection, preventing LEFT turn movements. Crosstown/Gollihar and Tiger/Weber show an increase of 133% and 127% respectively. VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda - None VII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING COMMITTEE REVIEW A. `Angel Escobar, Director of Engineering Services introduced Kevin St. Jacques with the firm of Wilbur Smith & Associates, the City's Traffic Consultant who will present the findings of the Traffic Study. Recommendations will be made to either replace the bridge as originally proposed in the Laguna Shores Road Improvements Project. Mr. St.Jacques briefed the Committee stating the entire study area, basically Laguna Shores between Caribbean and Mediterranean Drive which includes the reconstruction of the Laguna Shores Bridge. The area south of Caribbean was seen as the impact area for all residents south of the bridge that would have to find an alternate route. General characteristics of the roadways and travel patterns observed to help define what was going on. Turning movement counts were taken at key intersections to examine the traffic.patterns. The citizens petition was looked in depth that was brought forward. Arguments included: Eliminate location prone to accidents;about 14 accidents have occurred in the past three(3)years; Eliminate impedance to canal maintenance; Eliminate limitation of watercraft height; Eliminate noise from speed humps; Save taxpayers money. About 171 signatures from the Tropic Isles Neighborhood Association against replacement of the bridge. With this in mind,the dynamics of where this began was studied. With Waldron Road being a major arterial with immense traffic in the area with heavy congestion, school zone, traffic signals, Laguna Shores is used as a"by-pass". Speed humps have been installed to slow speed between Mediterranean and Caribbean Drive for a calming effect. Laguna Shores has a 30mph posted speed limit compared to 40 mph on Waldron Road. Jamaica/Debra extension has a none flooding evacuation route for this area. The different alternatives looked at were: Alternative 1 - Reconstruction of Existing Bridge - The bridge would be reconstructed as currently planned by the City of Corpus Christi with two travel lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks carried across the bridge. Alternative 1A- Leave Existing Bridge, Add Pedestrian Utility Bridge and Improve Street -The bridge would be left as is,and a combination pedestrian/utility bridge would be installed parallel to the existing bridge. Alternative 2- Removal of the Existing Bridge-The bridge structure would be removed making Laguna Shores Road discontinuous. Alternative 2A- Removal of Existing Bridge and Extending Mediterranean Drive to Waldron Road -The bridge structure would be removed making Laguna Shores Road discontinuous. A portion of daily traffic currently traveling across the bridge on Laguna Shores Road would be rerouted to Waldron Road by extending Mediterranean. Daily vehicle traffic volumes crossing the bridge total 3,100 vehicles per day would have to be re- allocated throughout the area. Land use for in the study area includes: single family residential, multi-family residential, commercial/retail, recreational and military. The area in close-proximity to the Laguna Shores Road bridge is primarily single-family residential. Additionally,the Flour Bluff Junior and Senior High Schools 00002 are located on Waldn ";Dad within the study area. The traffic acts" ';in the vicinity of the schools and the slower speeds ret ed in school zones during certain times day encourage people to use other roadways the study area. Some school buses use the Laguna Shores Bridge as part of their route to circulate through the study area to pick up and drop off children. Five different evaluation criteria were identified and used in the methodology to evaluate the four alternatives. These criteria include traffic,environmental and financial impacts and are presented below. Traffic Access and Circulation, Consistency with Local Community Plan, Traffic Crashes, Emergency Access, and Construction Costs. A public meeting was held on December 2, 2002. Some two-thirds of the people who made public statement were in favor of keeping and improving the bridge. Some that supported the bridge removal were most concerned about the noise from vehicles hitting the speed humps,and some were concerned about traffic safety on Laguna Shores Road. City staff provided comment sheets to persons interested in providing written comments. The written comments indicated that four-fifths of the persons responding preferred keeping and improving the bridge,while the remaining one-fifth favored eliminating the bridge. Subsequently, a rebuttal petition signed by 1,038 residents was filed in support of the current program of reconstructing the bridge and approach roadways. With these information, Wilbur Smith and Associates as a result of the analysis of the traffic impacts of the alternative actions regarding the Laguna Shores Road bridge across the channel at the Tropic Isles development. Given the results of the analysis and public support,the City should implement Alternative 1 Rebuild th Bridge, the currently programmed and nearly completely designed reconstruction of the bridge and roadway between Caribbean and Mediterranean. Traffic calming measures should be added to the design of the roadway improvements to impact driver behavior to encourage driving at slower speeds along Laguna Shores Drive between Caribbean and Mediterranean. Speed limits on Laguna Shores between Mediterranean Drive and Caribbean Drive should be strictly enforced to reduce traffic accidents. This enforcement should be very regular at the first opening of the improved roadway and bridge. If the traffic calming measures are incorporate into the roadway design, less frequent surveillance will be needed thereafter. Mr. Foster asked if anyone calculated how much the appraised value of these properties would be if the bridge was removed. Mr. Escobar said the study was strictly a traffic study of the area. Mr. Escobar further stated that along with Wilbur Smith &Associates, City Staff is to continue with the contract along Laguna Shores as presented to the voters that includes replacement of the bridge,remove the old timber bridge and replace with a concrete bridge that is wider, same width and height to last 50 years. Mr. Noyola asked if the bridge will be closed on Laguna Shores during construction. Mr. Escobar stated there will be a period that bridge will be removed and a detour will be in place around the construction area to allow bridge re-construction. Total construction of the Laguna Shores project will takes approximately nine(9)months with traffic traveling in either direction except during the bridge removal and re-construction. Audience Participation: Neal Trolinger, 221 Riverdale, Resident - Wanted to commend the City for all the information solicited for this project from the public. Urges the Committee to accept and support the recommendation to rebuild Laguna Shores Road bridge. Jay Boswell, 301 Mediterranean Drive, Resident for over 27 years. States that traffic has doubled over the 27 years and highly recommends bridge to be re-constructed. 00003 Manuel Buentello,‘, sident of the Flour Bluff Business Asc `'ation - Business are all in favor of bridge being replac;to service all businesses in the area. Mr:-..,ientello asked if Laguna Shores would be closed at SPID after new construction is completed? Mr.Escobar stated that road will be open to traffic. Motorists will need to make a right turn towards the Island, travel under the elevated part of the road,and make turnaround to travel West along SPID. Also, are there any plans in the future in widening Laguna Shores Road from Caribbean to SPID. Yes, in the very long range, no funding presently. Discussion followed. MAC Bennett asked if traffic calming devices would be remain included in this project. Mr. Escobar stated affirmative. Motion made by Mr. Moss, seconded by MAC Bennett, to continue with Laguna Shores, replace the bridge as requested by voters. Motion passed unanimously. B. Amending the Code of Ordinances Chapter 53 Traffic, Section 53084, project eligibility requirements and design standards, by adding discretionary language to the guidelines for location of traffic calming devices. During a previous speed hump request appeal process, project eligibility requirements and design standards were questioned in the placement of speed humps,and in reviewing the ordinance a provision was found absence of giving the Traffic Engineer or his designee discretion to make adjustment due to local circumstances in each case. Motion made by Mr. Foster, seconded by MAC Bennett. Motion passed unanimously. VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Update on possible alternative route(entrance)to Best Buy and adjacent commercial property, bounded by Everhart/SPID/Corona/Embassy- Mr. Escobar showed a aerial of the roadways.and commercial properties involved. He stated that he will be sending a letter to all seven property owners to discuss a alternate back entrance to this area possibly from Corona between Vista Chevrolet and the adjacent building. Presently there is no funding for this project. However, City Staff will be speaking to property owners to discuss this situation with them and see if this is a viable alternative. Mr.Noyola commented that with the traffic delineation devices placed on Everhart Road 25'from the intersection,motorists are making an illegal U-Turn traveling into the Chevron Station to avoid having to go around on the access road. The movement required by an 18-wheeler to make this turn, prompted TxDOT to place the delineation devices 25'from the intersection. These devices have an 6" curb which allow large trucks to go over this curb but not over the delineators themselves. Several of the business did call the City, stating that motorists from the south side of town were unable to frequent their business due to placement of the traffic delineators. Staff will bring this issue back in the February- March, 2003 time frame. B. Ordinance-Tuloso Midway School opened several new school and Emergency Ordinance was presented to Council and approved January 14, 2003 for speed enforcement. IX. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT- Bond Issue 2000-Traffic Signals Update-Contract was awarded for the remaining four(4)traffic signals by Council on January 14, 2003. Locations are as follows: Saratoga Boulevard @ Long Meadow Drive; Everhart 'Road @ Congressional; Old Brownsville Road @ Cliff Maus and FM 624 @ CR 69. Foundation will be construction in the March,April, May time frame and equipment will be installed as soon as it is received. Expected completion date: February, 2004. 0004 At the intersection of Hustlin Hornet/Laguna Shores 4-5"concrete barriers need to be relocated to allow Right Turn Lane as stated by Mr. Ybarra. Rodd Field Road/Saratoga Boulevard-Confusing`left-over"yellow strip in left turn lane as stated by Mr. Foster-Will contact TxDOT. Mr. Noyola thanked Staff for correcting Traffic Light Sequence at Lipes Boulevard/South Staples intersection. Citywide Illumination Outage Project-The City's latest effort to improve street lights Citywide has been undertaken by Engineering Services -Traffic Engineering Services. As of January 20, 2003, 237 outages lamps have been re-lamped by AEP/Central Power and Light. Entire City is surveyed. Year 2002 Annual Report for Transportation Advisory Committee - For Committee information. TxDOT Meeting to be held January 27, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. on the Joe Fulton Corridor Environmental Assessment at the Solomon Ortiz Center. X. ISSUES FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING- 1. Driving Under the Influence - Number of Citations -Year 2002 and Holidays 2002; Assessment of the`Click It/Ticket Campaign and any other funded programs - . 2. Intersection of Ayers/SPID - Numerous Accidents - Cause/Remedy-Working 3. Update on property at Everhart/SPID 4. Forecast for future unfunded projects for the next 10-15 years - Copy to be handed out a meeting. 5. Utility manholes need to be elevated by different entities throughout the City. - City's Use Privilege Agreements will be put in effect for correction of this problem. Working and coordinating with City Public Utilities to commence next fiscal year. XI. PREVIOUS CONCERNS- Remove Items 3 and 4. XII. NEW CONCERNS - None XIII. ADJOURNMENT- Meeting adjourned at 3:33 p.m. 00005