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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06172003 - SD.6 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS6 FROM: JOHN SWEETEN, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MATE: June 17, 2003 SUBJECT. Cumming Sk a /Crockett Boulevard Im rovement Miti ation Stud SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)CSR.RECoMMENDATIC)N(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION i. Recommtendatio : 1. RECEIVE and CONSIDER the Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard Improvement Mitigation Study;and 2. DIRECT the Public Works Director to initiate environmental review with the goal of returning to the Board of Supervisors within the next six to eight weeks with a proposed project and schedule for expedited installation of a traffic signal at the Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard intersection. Continued on Attachment:, SIGNATURE: Al _RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR � RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE —APPROVE —OTHER SIGNATURE(S)- ACTION CN TU E SACTION OF BOARD ON June 17, 2003 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER RELISTED consideration to accept the Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard Improvement Mitigation Study Report to June 24,2443,and DIRECTED the Public Works Director to initiate environmental review with the goal of returning to the Board of Supervisors within the next six to eight weeks with a proposed project and schedule for expedited installation of a traffic signal at the Cummings Skyway/Crockett Bulevard intersection I Wel reby certify that this is a true and correct Copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board VOTE OF SUPERVISORS of Supervisors on the date shown. X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT Nme } AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: **District III seat VACAl?r** ATTESTED: Jum 17, 2003 .1RS: JOHN SWEETEN, Clerk of the G:l D9tt drn!nWufiekB0wmmingg;une172fl03draftIcloc Board of Supervisors and County Contact: Scott Tandy(925)335-1097 Administrator cc: H,Kuevor,CRU County Counsel Auditor-Controller Community Development p PINccounting G?y! eputy Construction SUBJECT": Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard Improvement Mitigation Study TRATE: June 17, 2003 PAGE: 2 II. Financial impact: There is no impact to the General Fund. The cost of environmental review and anyproject that subsequently is approved will be funded by Local Road Funds (100%). IIT. Reasons for Recommendations and.Background.: In winter 2002, two severe accidents occurred in heavy fog at or near the Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard intersection,raising community concern about the safety of the intersection. In the aftermath of the accidents, the Public Works Department did several studies to evaluate the intersection, including accident history,speed and volume surveys,a lighting study,and a review of the geometric layout,signage, and striping. Based on that review,it was found that the intersection meets current standards for the volume and speed of traffic and that there is adequate sight distance on a clear day. Nevertheless,to enhance safety, the Public Works Department worked with the General Services Department to install flashing beacons on Cummings Skyway to better alert motorists at night and in inclement weather of the Crockett Boulevard intersection ahead. Because the intersection experiences regular periods of heavy fog in the fall and winter, there has been continued community concern about safety. On May 20, 2403, in response to community concerns, Supervisor Uilkema requested the Board of Supervisors to direct the County Administrator to obtain the advice of an independent expert with regard to immediate steps that could be taken to improve safety at the Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard intersection and to report back to the Board within 30 days regarding the results of the independent evaluation. Ed Ruzak&Associates was hired to do an independent evaluation,resulting in a written report entitled the "Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard Improvement Mitigation Study." The study looks at several identified or perceived problems with the intersection, including sight distance, fog, the volume of left- turning trucks, and the grade of the intersection,particularly its effect on the time it takes loaded trucks to clear the intersection when turning left from Crockett Boulevard onto Cummings Skyway. The study evaluates the existing condition and concludes that the signing and striping conform to current standards and that the sight distance at the intersection is adequate for the speeds traveled. However, for slower-moving vehicles, such as trucks,the study examines various alternatives for increasing the corner sight distance, including no change, roadway alignment improvements, changes to signage and striping, truck traffic re-routing, additional warning controls, operational improvements, and a full stop-controlled intersection. The study rejects all of these options as ineffective or infeasible. The study also evaluates a traffic signal at the intersection and concludes that, although the intersection would not meet normal warrant criteria for signalization,there are additional extenuating circumstances that would justify installation of a traffic signal. The study recommends that the signal include advance-actuated warning signs alerting motorists to prepare to stop. Further,the study suggests that the County develop an inventory of locations with similar characteristics, such as periodic heavy fog, high truck traffic,reduced sight lines for slow moving vehicles to clear the intersection, and difficult topography or terrain. SUBJECT: Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard Improvement Mitigation Study DATE: June 17, 2003 PAGE: 3 If a traffic signal is installed at the intersection,the installation should be completed before the next foggy season begins in late fall or early winter. To expedite the Board's consideration of such a proposal, staff recommends that the Board direct the Public Works Director to initiate environmental review(estimated to take six to eight weeks)and to return to the Board as soon as possible with a proposed project and schedule for expedited installation of the traffic signal. IV. Consequences of Negative Action: In the absence of Board action,the Cummings Skyway/Crockett Boulevard intersection will remain in its present condition and there will be no direction to initiate environmental review and to develop a proposed project and schedule for expedited installation of a traffic signal at that intersection.