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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20100405 - VII-2 MEMO To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Nick Egger – City Engineer Date: April 1, 2010 Re: 2010 Infrastructure Improvement Program The Council received the feasibility report for the proposed 2010 Infrastructure Improvement Program at thth the March 15 meeting. The public hearing for this project has been scheduled for the April 5 Council meeting.  The proposed 2010 Infrastructure Improvements is City initiated and will require the votes of six Council . members to approve the project PI&DF ROPOSEDMPROVEMENTSESIGNEATURES The proposed 2010 Infrastructure Improvements program includes construction activity from Lyn th Way and North Frontage Road on the east, to work on 15 Street West near Wyndham Hill Drive to th the west, and from 15 Street West on the south end up to the intersection of Pleasant Drive with Westview Drive on the north end. The proposed improvement area consists of approximately 2.35 miles street pavement replacement/or street reconstruction. SR – All street segments are substantially deteriorated. The street TREETECONSTRUCTION surfaces would be replaced with a more resilient pavement section designed for heavier loads and projected traffic volumes. Concrete curb and gutter is in place on most street sections and would receive only spot replacement for broken and deteriorated panels. Concrete curb and gutter would be installed where none currently exists. IR– Recalling from Council action taken in January, the NTERSECTION ECONFIGURATION intersection of South Frontage Road and Pleasant Drive was studied by a traffic engineering consultant and it was recommended that this intersection be converted into a four-way stop. To accommodate this change and allow for more space to queue vehicles as they approach this intersection and the intersection of Pleasant Drive and Highway 55, the immediate area of the A copy of intersection will be reconfigured, with turn lanes lengthened and medians installed. th Public Works Director Montgomery’s memo to the Council from January 13 has been included for your reference. SW– Largely, street widths are not proposed to change from what is currently in TREETIDTH place. The exceptions to this are the changes to Pleasant Drive as described above, and that Lyn Way south of Bahls Drive would also change from its current width to accommodate the installation of a new sidewalk on the eastern side of the street. This segment is currently about 32 feet wide and would be reconstructed to 28 feet wide, keeping to a minimum the intrusion of the new sidewalk into the boulevards through this segment, where the back edge of the sidewalk would be about 2.5-3 feet closer to the homes than the existing curb. This configuration is similar to Westview Drive near the Hastings Country Club. PR– There are two areas in which new parking restrictions are being ARKINGESTRICTIONS recommended: With a narrower reconstructed width along Lyn Way, it is recommended that parking be th restricted to the western side of the segment between Bahls Drive and 15 Street in order to maintain emergency access capabilities. Westview Drive is a street on the City’s Municipal State Aid system and the City will be requesting part of the reconstruction costs to be funded through the City’s State Aid account. The segment to the north of North Frontage Road will be receiving a more complete reconstruction due to the replacement of the watermain beneath this stretch. State Aid Rules require for a street on the Municipal State Aid system to be a minimum of 38 feet wide for parking to be allowed on both sides. This portion of Westview Drive is currently 36 feet wide and is actually posted with no parking signs on its entire length. The City adopted resolutions for these parking restrictions in the mid to late 1990’s (attached), with the exception of the west/south side of the road. In order to formalize the parking restrictions, a resolution prohibiting parking on the west/south side of Westview Drive from North Frontage Road to Pleasant Drive has been included in the Council agenda for your consideration. Furthermore, it is staff’s recommendation to reconstruct this segment of Westview Drive at its existing width of 36 feet and to prohibit parking on the west side after reconstruction. Resolutions adopting the parking restrictions on the above described street sections will be discussed under the Public Works portion of the Council Agenda. UR- Due to the relatively young age and more robust construction TILITY ECONSTRUCTION materials used during their original construction, there are few portions of the utility systems in need of attention. As a result, only minor relocation and spot replacement work is proposed to take place on system components. The only exception is the watermain beneath Westview Drive north of North Frontage Road, as it has had a history of breaks. This segment will be replaced during this project. Some storm sewers will also be relocated and/or replaced to fit reconfigured street segments. City staff is also working with those property owners who have requested their sanitary sewer service line be televised to inspect them for problems. Those services that have problems between the right of way line and the main line will be repaired during the project within the right-of-way area. S – There are many existing sidewalk segments throughout the project area. These IDEWALKS segments will receive spot replacement of panels where they are in poor condition. There are also several areas in which new sidewalk segments are being proposed. All new segments are recommendations from the City’s Comprehensive Plan to provide interconnection with other existing sidewalk or trail segments, and alongside collector roads to provide a safer, off-street pedestrian space. New Sidewalks Lyn Way – east side from South Frontage Road to Bahls Drive ¼ th Lyn Way – east side from Bahls Drive to 15 Street ¼ thth Westview Drive – west side from 15 Street to 12 Street ¼ Westview Drive – east side from North Frontage Road to Pleasant Drive ¼ Westview Drive – west side from North Frontage Road to driveway for the Crestwood ¼ Estates Apartments OIC THERSSUES AND OMMENTS OHM –About 18% of the properties in the project area were represented at PENOUSEEETINGS rdth the open house meetings held on February 23 and 25. Generally, those who attended recognized the need to improve the streets and bring them up to current standards, and did not contest proposed assessment amounts. The most contentious issue appears to be the proposed A summary of new sidewalk segments, particularly along Lyn Way and Westview Drive. comments received at the neighborhood meeting along with Staff responses has been attached for Council’s reference. AR – All of the streets in this year’s proposed construction program are SSESSMENT ATES collector roads, meaning that they tend to carry higher volumes of traffic and serve as routes that connect to other higher volume facilities or attractions. Because of these characteristics, the City’s assessment rate is calculated differently than for ordinary neighborhood streets, where a benefit appraisal is performed. The rate is computed based on 25% of the estimated project costs for the street in question. As there are several streets in this year’s program, and each street has its own unique set of circumstances and levels of work, such as pavement thickness, width, number of sidewalk panels and curb panels that will be replaced, etc. Accordingly, the assessment rates for each street differ. Below is a tabulation of all assessment rates: Pleasant Drive South of 12th Street = $31.93/Frontage Foot ¼ Pleasant Drive North of 12th Street = $59.79/Frontage Foot ¼ Westview Drive = $32.47/Frontage Foot ¼ North Frontage Road = $14.73/Frontage Foot ¼ Lyn Way North of Bahls Drive = $25.79/Frontage Foot ¼ Lyn Way South of Bahls Drive = $35.76/Frontage Foot ¼ 15th Street W = $20.67/Frontage Foot ¼ ACP– Staff is aware that businesses along South Frontage CCESS TO OMMERCIAL ROPERTIES Road and North Frontage Road have concerns about accessibility to their property throughout the duration of the project. It will be stipulated in the contract documents that the contractor is prohibited from closing down access to these streets (from Pleasant Drive and Westview Drive) concurrently, and that detour signage be installed along Highway 55 and other points of entry into the commercial district to guide the traveling public towards the nearest alternative access street. On the south side of Highway 55, the contractor will also be required to complete all work on Pleasant Drive, including final paving, before proceeding to work on Westview Drive (or vice versa – Westview, then Pleasant). BL- Engineering Department Administrative Assistant Sam Hanson will be USINESS IAISON serving as the City’s Business Relations Liaison during the project and will actively seek information from businesses about their concerns and needs, and act as the official communications agent between businesses and project management staff. Sam has made visits to all commercial properties along project streets and within the vicinity of the project area to introduce herself and convey project information. Sam reports that her experience has been very positive overall thus far, citing that commercial property owners/managers have appreciated the City’s proactive approach to informing them about the project. ISFR&PD– A concern was brought up NTERSECTION OF OUTH RONTAGEOADLEASANTRIVE that the curb radius on the southeast corner of this intersection was not adequate for larger vehicles to turn onto South Frontage Road from northbound Pleasant Drive. Engineering staff examined this feature and evaluated several alternatives. However, the geometry of the street alignments and the limited right-of-way space in this area, combined with the small percentage of truck/bus traffic on northbound Pleasant Drive do not justify drastic changes to be made on this corner. Therefore, it is staff recommendation that this curb radius receive only minor adjustment, and that a prohibition be placed on right-turn movements by trucks and buses from northbound A copy of my email transmittal of the alternatives Pleasant to eastbound South Frontage Road. summary has been attached for the Council’s reference. Graphics will be available at the Council meeting as necessary. F UNDING The City’s bonded debt budget for the 2010 Infrastructure Improvement is $2.25 Million. Most of the project work will be funded through bonded debt and assessments, with smaller contributions coming from the City’s Water and Sewer Funds, and also from the City’s Municipal State Aid funds (gas tax revenues held by MnDOT). It is estimated that the majority of the work in the program can be funded under the bonding cap, with one segment of the project being proposed as an optional project. Further detail of the optional project is below. TH OP–15SW PTIONALROJECT TREETEST Though description of the improvements to 15th Street West from Pleasant Drive to Wyndham Hill Drive are included in the materials above, the approximately $320,000 in costs for these improvements were excluded from the feasibility report to keep the overall program bonding costs below the City’s limit for 2010. However, it is recommended that the 15th Street work be included in the overall bid package to price the market. If the total bid for the program falls at or below the City’s bonding limit, it would be recommended that the work for 15th Street also be contracted to occur this summer. S CHEDULE The timeline for the entire 2010 construction program has construction activities beginning in late early June, with completion required by mid-September. CAR OUNCIL CTION EQUESTED Council is requested to adopt the enclosed resolutions ordering the 2010 Infrastructure Improvements, approving the plans for the project and authorizing the advertisement for bids, with th work on 15 Street West as an alternative component of the program. CH ITY OF ASTINGS DC,M AKOTAOUNTYINNESOTA RN. _________ ESOLUTION O ROI,AP, ESOLUTION RDERING THE MPROVEMENTSPPROVING THE LANS AAB ANDUTHORIZING THE DVERTISEMENT FOR IDS PN.2010-1 FORROJECT O 2010II NFRASTRUCTURE MPROVEMENTS th W , a resolution of the City Council adopted the 15 day of March, 2010, fixed a date for a Council HEREAS hearing on the proposed infrastructure improvements on Pleasant Drive, Westview Drive, North Frontage th Road, Lyn Way, and 15 Street West W , ten days mailed notice and two weeks published notice of the hearing was given, and the hearing HEREAS th day of April, 2010, at which all persons desiring to be heard were given an was held thereon on the 5 opportunity to be heard thereon, and W, the City Council has provided City Staff direction on the design features of said project. HEREAS NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HASTINGS AS FOLLOWS; that 1. Such improvement is necessary, cost-effective, and feasible as detailed in the feasibility report. 2.Such improvement is hereby ordered as proposed other than as amended herein. 3.Plans and specifications for the 2010 Infrastructure Improvements prepared by the Hastings City Engineer are hereby approved. 4.The City Engineer and City Clerk shall cause to be made a matter of record via this resolution the decisions regarding design features made by the City Council at the April 5, 2010 Public Hearing. 5.The City Engineer shall prepare and cause to be inserted in the Construction Bulletin, on the Quest Construction Data Network web site, and on the City of Hastings official web site an advertisement for bids for the construction of the approved Project 2010-1, the 2010 Infrastructure Improvements in accordance with such approved plans and specifications. The advertisement shall be published for two weeks, shall specify the work to be done, shall state that bids will opened at Hastings City Hall on a date and time to be determined, and that no bids will considered unless sealed and filed with the Clerk and accompanied by a cash deposit, cashier’s check, bid bond, or certified check payable to the City of Hastings for 5% of the amount of each bid. th ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA, THIS 5 DAY OF APRIL, 2010. Ayes: Nays: Paul J. Hicks, Mayor ATTEST: Melanie Mesko Lee, City Clerk SEAL MEMO To:Honorable Mayor and City Council From:Tom Montgomery Date:January 13, 2010 Re:Pleasant Drive and South Frontage Road Intersection – Intersection Control Evaluation Study Results The Pleasant Drive and South Frontage Road intersection is part of the larger Pleasant Drive reconstruction proposed as part 2010 Street Reconstruction Project. SEH Consulting was hired conduct an intersection control evaluation study to determine what level of traffic control is warranted at this intersection. The study is recommending installation of 4-way STOP signs and modifications to traffic and turning lanes. Traffic Signals Although the original Marketplace development west of Pleasant Drive predicted the need for traffic signals to be installed at the Pleasant Drive/South Frontage Road intersection; the current SEH study shows existing and project future traffic volumes will not meet traffic signal warrants. Roundabout Roundabout warrants are met with existing traffic volumes, and a roundabout intersection would move traffic more efficiently with fewer delays than a 4-way STOP. However, roundabout construction would cost approximately $500,000 more than a 4-way STOP intersection. Based on the large incremental cost difference, 4-way STOP control is recommended. I have enclosed a copy of the roundabout layout for your information. Existing 2-way STOP Control Currently, the overall intersection operates at a Level of Service (LOS) A during peak hours, though some turning movements drop to a LOS C. A LOS D typically represents the lowest acceptable intersection operation standards. It would appear that the intersection is functioning quite well with the existing 2- way STOP control. However, the crash history shows 25 accidents at this intersection during the five year period from January 2003 to December of 2007. This translates to an accident rate of 1.1/million vehicles, which is well above the 0.2/million vehicle average for similar intersections in the metro area. A safety analysis shows that a 4-way STOP control could reduce the accident rate by almost 50%. Turning Lanes The traffic models indicated some problems with the existing traffic lanes both at the South Frontage Road and the Hwy 55 intersections. Queues for both north and south bound traffic under projected 2030 traffic volumes could begin to exceed the existing lane capacities. The study is recommending expanding the northbound Hwy 55 intersection right turn lane and southbound South Frontage Road right turn lane to provide additional capacity (see enclosed drawing). With the increased width of Pleasant Drive at the South Frontage Road intersection, the study is also recommending installation of center islands so that STOP signs can be installed at both the right hand side of the road and on the center island. A center island is also recommended on the west side of the South Frontage Road intersection to better channel traffic flow. Council Action Requested The recommendations from the SEH study will be incorporated into the proposed Pleasant Drive reconstruction plans. No Council action is needed at this time. Page 1of 2 From: Nick Egger Sent: Monday, March 22, 2010 12:47 PM To: CityCouncilGroup Cc: db40@aim.com; Michelle Jacobs; Thomas Montgomery; Dave Chalmers; Samantha Hanson; Brad Mikiska; John Caven; Justin Wolfe; Matt Yokiel Subject: SE Corner of South Frontage Road & Pleasant Drive Attachments: WB-62-3.pdf; WB-62-1.pdf; WB-62-2.pdf Mayor & Council, Following up on a request made a couple of weeks ago, we have completed an analysis of the geometrics for truck turning around the southeast corner of the intersection of Pleasant Drive and South Frontage Road. I want to preface everything that follows by pointing out that there are a couple of things that in combination limit what we can do at this location: 1.The right-of-way for South Frontage Road is only 50 feet wide and virtually fully occupied by the street and sidewalks. 2.The configuration of the intersection is unique in that the angle at which South Frontage Road connects to Pleasant Drive on the east side creates a situation where vehicles have to turn more than 90 degrees (not-typical) when coming from the south. We do not have many intersections like this in town, certainly not any that handle the volume of traffic that this one does. Several layout options were analyzed. All layouts were modeled to show the wheel paths of various trucks as they maneuver through the turn. I have attached three exhibits which show the wheel path for the largest vehicle – a semi tractor-trailer with a 62 foot wheel base. The layout options and various ancillary conditions/issues 1. Option #1 - Fully separated lane for right turn movements a. Largest trucks must encroach on left turn lane along Pleasant Drive to begin turning maneuver b. Only smallest trucks can negotiate the curve without mounting the curb or encroaching on the lanes for oncoming traffic on South Frontage Road c. Large amount of right-of-way acquisition needed d. Large median area to maintain e. Potential for traffic using this lane to back up into through lane on Pleasant f. Retaining wall necessary g. Two additional pedestrian crossing areas are created h. Additional signage, sidewalk, and crosswalk markings needed 2. Option #2 - Relocation of the curb line staying completely within existing Right-of-Way a. All trucks encroach on other lanes and/or lanes of oncoming traffic to avoid mounting the curb b. No right-of-way acquisition needed c. Only slight sidewalk modification needed d. No retaining wall needed 3. Option #3 - Enlargement of curb radius a. All trucks encroach on other lanes and/or lanes of oncoming traffic to avoid mounting the curb b. Increases pedestrian crossing length c. Right-of-way acquisition needed to preserve sidewalk continuity d. Retaining wall may be necessary behind sidewalk In the exhibits you’ll see that regardless of the level of modification, at least one set of wheels either rides up over the curb or crosses the center line of South Frontage Road into oncoming traffic. This also the case for trucks of a shorter wheelbase, with the only exception being the shortest truck (20ft wheelbase) using the fully separated turn lane/median combination. Engineering staff also spent some time observing traffic mixture making the right turn movement from Pleasant Drive onto South Frontage Road, and found that the overwhelming majority of traffic making this movement is file://M:\Construction Projects\2010\2010 Infrastructure Improvements\Pleasant & SFR Inte4/1/2010 ... Page 2of 2 passenger autos and trucks. This is likely due to Highway 55 being the predominate source of truck traffic entering this commercial district, and that any truck drivers coming from the south have developed an awareness of the configuration and choose to use alternate routes to get to their destination. With all of these things in mind, the conclusion that I draw is that we would end up doing an awful lot of modification and enter into the unpredictable realm of right-of-way acquisition, only for the encroachment and curb mounting issue to remain. Therefore, my recommendation to the Council for consideration at the April 5 Public Hearing will be to perform the modifications listed in Option #2, adding the prohibition of right turns for trucks at this intersection, as it appears that most trucks are already avoiding taking this corner and getting to their destination via some other route. Trucks would then circle around using Highway 55 and Westview Drive to get onto South Frontage Road. Please contact me in the event that you have questions. Thank you, úÔÉÄÎ×õÜÊÉÔÏÖÊÁ íËÎÖËØÊÊùËÔÇØÁõÜÊÉÔÏÖÊðï ÁíÕ     Á÷ÜÅ   ÁÏÔÚÒØÖÖØËýÚÔÕÜÊÉÔÏÖÊÐÏÈÊ ÷ÜÚØÛÎÎ file://M:\Construction Projects\2010\2010 Infrastructure Improvements\Pleasant & SFR Inte4/1/2010 ...