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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 01/28/2002 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES (Meeting of January 28,2002) Members Present Clif Moss Stuart Sher Robbie Foster MAC Karla Bennett Orlando Noyola Grace Marie Gonzales Members Present Israel Ybarra Anthony Alejandro Don Davenport CALL TO ORDER-In the absence of Chairperson Alejandro. Vice-Chairperson Sher called meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Vice-Chairperson called for approval of minutes for meeting of November 26,2001 Motion made by Mr. Noyola, seconded by MAC Bennett to approve minutes as presented. Motion approved. III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON andlor VICE-CHAIRPERSON - Vice-Chairperson Sher welcomed back the Committee for the first meeting of the new year. IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") - In the absence of Capt. MacDonald,Sgt.Chris Lynch presented the fatality report for December,2001 and January,2002. A total of 23 fatalities for the year ending December,2001 and one(1)fatality to-date on January 20,2002. V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT SEPTEMBER,2001), (ATTACHMENT"B")- Mr Seiler briefly noted total accidents for December, 2001 of 904,up 1%; Alcohol/Drug related accidents,down 21%;Injury Accidents,down 3%;Total Injuries,up 3%,Fatal Accidents,down 4% and Fatalities,down 15%,Confirmed Alcohol Related Statistics-52%. the highest for the past three(3)years. Everhart/SPID intersection remained the top accident intersection with a total of 126 accidents to-date with an increase of 54%. All of the City's intersections on South Padre Island Drive between Ayers Street to Airline Road ended with an increase in traffic accidents with a low of 3%to a high of 54%. Weber/Saratoga and the SPID/Rodd Field Road intersections showed the smallest increase and highest percent increase was at Gollihar/Kostoryz Road. Chairperson expressed concem regarding the increase in number of accidents throughout the City over a twelve-month period. • Mr.Seiler stated that the additional installation of radar equipment in the Police Department's traffic patrol vehicles hopefully will result in a drop in traffic accidents through speed enforcement as most traffic accidents can be directly or indirectly to excessive travel speed. VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda-None VII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING COMMITTEE REVIEW A. Staff recommendation to establish a one-way school zone on the following streets at George Evans Elementary School, during the hours of 7:15-8:15 am.and 2:45-3:45 p.m.on schooldays only: 1. North Alameda Street,northbound direction,beginning at Caldwell Street and ending at Comanche Street. 2. Sam Rankin Street,southbound direction,beginning at Comanche Street and ending at Caldwell Street. Mr.Seiler briefly stated that school administration requested one-way school zone for the George Evans Elementary School. to insure for school pedestrian safety in the area. The proposed one-way pattern consists of a paired one-way system on North Alameda Street between Caldwell Street and Comanche Street in the northbound direction,and on Sam Rankin Street between Comanche Street and Caldwell Street in the southbound direction. This recommendation will have a nominal effect on the abutting property owners, with no opposition from them determined from a survey. Motion made by Mr.Foster,seconded by Chief Bennett to approve motion. Motion approved unanimously. SCANNED • B. Review of canaiaate locations for installation of new traffic signals,furcy the 2000 Bond Program. Mr.Seiler stated in January,2001,Council approved seven locations for traffic signal improvement projects four(4)new signals and three(3)flasher locations. All of these locations will be completed in February,2002. The final projected cost for these seven(7)signals improvements will be approximately$632.000. Fifteen(15)other locations have been identified satisfying "warrants"for traffic signals and are candidates for new signal installations at this time. The remaining$368,000 balance of the $1,000,000 bond fund allocation for new signal improvements will fund three (3) additional new traffic signals,with an average cost of approximately$110,000 per intersection. The fifteen(15)signals have been separated down into three group priorities of High, Medium and Low. Approval is sought from the Committee to consider prioritization of the following five intersections: Everhart/Congressional; Saratoga/Long Meadow; ShorelinelTwigg; FM 624/County Road 69 and Old Brownsville Road/Cliff Maus. The Transportation Advisory Committee is asked to make a recommendation to the City Council for the planned February 19th presentation on how Staff proposes to be using the remainder of the 2000 bond funds. Staff will be working aggressively to find funds for at least two(2) of the remaining intersection signals from the top tier and perhaps several from the middle tier,possibly using operation funds, MPO funding and surplus funds from unallocated projects after all CIP projects have been completed. Mr.Seiler briefly detailed each intersection's special qualifications for traffic signal installation as shown on the handouts. Mr.Moss asked Mr.Seiler if he heard correctly. Out of the fifteen traffic signals recommended,only 20% can be funded? Mr. Moss immediately stated that the Council should be aware of this. Mr.Seiler stated that the Council was aware of the situation. Council at the time of the 2000 Bond Election elected to reduce the size of the overall Bond Program allocations so that the down-sorted number of projects could be completed within the next three(3)year period. In answer to Mr.Moss's questions, Mr. Seiler stated that all these signalization projects would be"contracted out". The present staff only the ability to maintain the existing signals system and minor upgrading at existing traffic signal intersections. The two(2)traffic signals that are called in repeatedly by the public are Everhart/Congressional and Saratoga/Long Meadow intersections. Various options will be presented to the Council for funding options in the February 19th meeting. Mr.Foster stated that on FM 624/CR 69, his experience with traffic in this area is that the congestion is alleviated past Calallen High School and is questioning the high priority rating. Mr.Seiler stated that the traffic accident experience and traffic volume is not indicative of a strong need at this time;however,Staff wants to accomplish an alternative east-west connection on County Road 52 which will be widened by Nueces County. A planning meeting was conducted by TxDOT several weeks ago,to discuss improving traffic movement in the northwest area and divert some of the traffic to the east/west streets. TxDOT has agreed and designed a traffic interchange at CR 52/US 77 as part of the US 77 improvement. Further, the need cannot be realized to current statistics but by the potential for having a traffic signal at this intersection primarily for back access using CR 52 and CR 69. Northwest Business Association is promoting of installation of a center median on FM 624 to prohibit left turn movements into commercial driveways except at strategic locations which will create the need for a back-access connection on CR 52 and CR 69. Mr.Foster questioned the immediate need for this signal,or can installation be"put-off"for 2-3 years? Mr.Seiler replied that County Road 52 will be constructed by Nueces County this year. Future construction will involve the remainder of FM 624 east towards FM 1889. It is estimated 5,000 vehicles per day could be diverted with the County's planned improvement. Mr.Noyola stated that the presumption is one that traffic will travel back towards FM 624 and connect with US 77. Mr.Seiler stated that the County will be connecting CR 52 to US 77. Mr.Noyola questioned the number of accidents at this intersection, in light of the accidents at Shoreline/Twigg and Old Brownsville Road/Cliff Maus,especially considering the pedestrians in the Shoreline/Twigg area. Mr.Seiler stated that one of the criticisms that Corpus Christi receives is that Shoreline Boulevard is not pedestrian friendly. Shoreline/Rasaca will also be the sight of a traffic signal installation when the Arena is constructed within the next 2-3 years. Mr. Sher requested the average number of traffic signals installed in the last five years by the City. Mr. Seiler stated that approximately 2-3 traffic signals have been installed per year provided using a combination of Safety Grants provided by the Texas Department of Transportation and MPO funds. The Regional Transportation Authority has contributed funds to alleviate bus headway problems and a number have been installed through the Metropolitan Planning Organization. None have been installed through the annual operating budget,which is not intended to install Capital equipment. Mr.Sher questioned the possibility of consolidating the City's 20% share with perhaps federal monies,rather than using 100% of the Bond Funds. Mr.Seiler stated that as early as 1998, about 21/2 years before passing the Bond Program,the City had virtually"banked"all the MPO funding through year 2004 for street projects;the expressway and interchange and the JFK Causeway elevation. The opportunities are not there at this time. Onnn2 • • Mr.Sher asked what wouru H appen if County Road 52 could not be built by the IN," yfy? If for some reason CO 52 is not built, funds would be diverted to some other intersection,but Mr.Seiler stated he is confident the road will be built with all the interest being shown in this project by both the County and City along with the adjacent property owners on both sides. Chief Bennett questioned the placement of McArdle/Nile in Group Priority II. Mr. Seiler stated that McArdle/Nile has been carrying the"brunt" of the traffic due to the diversion caused by construction of Ennis Joslin Road and that this should discontinue once the Ennis Joslin project is completed. Mr. Noyola made motion,seconded by Chief Bennett to support recommendation to support top five traffic signal intersection as prioritized with the hope that additional monies can be found,and if County Road 52 is not built,these monies be used for additional traffic signalization. Motion approved. • VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. (Continuances) On-Going Texas Department of Transportation-City of Corpus Christi issues. B. Confirm membership of Bicycle Advisory Sub-Committee(Continued on Hold) (New) C. FY 2002 Streets Capital Budget-2002 Street Capital Budget Street Information showing street budget for 2001-2002 also for 2003-2004. Streets to be included in the 2004 Bond Program. VIII.. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT A. Northwest Planning("Charrette")Meeting on January 17,2002-Address needed measures to approve traffic flow in the Northwest Area. B. Beach Traffic-Mustang Island Beach is a road and all laws and beach issues apply. C. JFK Causeway during Spring Break - Construction will began week of February 4, 2002 and Causeway will be narrowed to one lane in each direction during construction,approximately 2 years. D. South Padre Island Drive Congestion Study(TTI)-Study reported complete;results will be presented in early February, 2002. E. On-going street construction projects-McArdle Road, Phase I(minor construction issues);Kostoryz Road(Holly Road and Saratoga Boulevard);Ennis Joslin Road on schedule. F. Parking Study/Uptown-Downtown and Bayfront Arts&Science-Negotiations in process of conducting study for parking in these locations;to begin in 2-3 months. IX. ISSUES FOR February 25,2002 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting A. Pedestrian-Only Traffic Zone of Alameda Street Bridge between Interstate 37 Frontage Roads. B. Amendments to Residential Traffic Management Program. X. PREVIOUS CONCERNS -Mr.Seiler gave a brief synopsis of status of previous and new concerns. Mr.Noyola asked that Item 2 be removed. XI. NEW CONCERNS - Vice-Chairperson Sher questioned continuation of 65 mph speed limit during construction and Spring Break by TxDOT of the JFK Causeway. Chief Bennett made motion,seconded by Mr.Noyola to address the Committee's concern by having Mr.Seiler write letter to the District Office of the Texas Department of Transportation and expressing speed limit reduction concerns. Motion passed. XII. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjourned at 3:34 p.m.