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Home My WebLink About25. 20-487 DECEMBER 8, 2020 20-487 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 6-0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) AS AMENDED PURPOSE: APPROVE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR JACKSON STREET MULTIMODAL TRAFFIC SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, Jackson Street from Church Avenue to Murdock Avenue was reconstructed in 2001 by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation expanding the street from two lanes with parking to four lanes with reduced terrace widths; and WHEREAS, traffic speed and safety data indicate that there is a need to reduce traffic speeds in this area and to enhance safety for all right of way users; and WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh retained Ayres Associates to conduct a traffic safety and quality of life study along the Jackson Street corridor from Church Avenue to Murdock Avenue; and WHEREAS, three potential options have been identified and recommended for Council consideration for corridor improvements: Alternate 1 - maintain the existing four-lane cross-section along Jackson Street between Church Avenue and Murdock Avenue and install speed feedback signs to increase motorist's awareness of their speed and encourage a reduction in travel speed. Alternate 2A - reconfigure the existing four-lane cross section between Church Avenue and Murdock Avenue to one 11' wide through lane in each direction, a 13' wide center two-way left-turn lane, and a 5' curb buffer area on each side of the street; install speed feedback signs to increase motorist's awareness of their speed and encourage a reduction in travel speed; provide dedicated left-turn lanes at the signalized intersections with a shared through/right-turn lane in each direction; install continental-style crosswalk pavement markings at the unsignalized intersections with Prospect Ave., Scott Ave. and DECEMBER 8, 2020 20-487 RESOLUTION CONT'D Lincoln Ave, along with pedestrian crossing signs at each of these locations; and install a crosswalk on the north side of the Jackson Street intersection with Congress Avenue with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB). [It should be noted that Alternate 2A recommended the construction of curb bump outs at intersections which staff is recommending be deferred at this time to allow for the evaluation of the effectiveness of other improvements. Alternate 2B-reconfigure the existing four-lane cross section in accordance with Alternative 2A south of New York Avenue and maintain the existing four-lane cross section in accordance with Alternative 1 north of New York Avenue. WHEREAS,it is necessary to provide direction to staff to allow staff to prepare for, budget and implement improvements; and WHEREAS, The Traffic and Parking Advisory Board and the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommend option 2A to the Council for consideration. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that the following alternate is hereby approved and the appropriate city staff are hereby authorized and directed to proceed accordingly with the implementation plan for Jackson Street Multimodal Traffic Safety and Quality of Life Study as follows: (Council to specify the selected Alternate below) Altematel maintain the existing figur lane cross section along Jackson Street between Church Avenue and Ahirdeek Avenue and install spee feedback sigws to inerease metei4st�s awamness of their speed an Alternate 2A - reconfigure the existing four-lane cross section between Church Avenue and Murdock Avenue to one 11' wide through lane in each direction, a 13' wide center two-way left-turn lane, and a 5' curb buffer area on each side of the street; install speed feedback signs to increase motorist's awareness of their speed and encourage a reduction in travel speed; provide dedicated left-turn lanes at the signalized intersections with a DECEMBER 8, 2020 20-487 RESOLUTION CONT'D shared through/right-turn lane in each direction; install continental-style crosswalk pavement markings at the unsignalized intersections with Prospect Ave., Scott Ave. and Lincoln Ave, along with pedestrian crossing signs at each of these locations; and install a crosswalk on the north side of the Jackson Street intersection with Congress Avenue with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB). The determination and possible construction of curb bump-outs included in this Alternate would be deferred to allow time to evaluate the effectiveness of other improvements. fourAvenue.with Alternative 2-A south of New York Avenue and maintain the existin.,g lane cross section in accordance with Alternative I north of New York, Bold &Italics Indicates Amendment TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Jim Collins, Transportation Director DATE: December 4, 2020 RE: Jackson Street Multimodal Traffic Safety and Quality of Life Study BACKGROUND The City of Oshkosh retained Ayres Associates to conduct a traffic safety and quality of life study along the Jackson Street corridor from Church Avenue to Murdock Avenue. The study segment of Jackson Street was reconstructed by WisDOT in 2001, expanding the street from two lanes with parking to four lanes with reduced terrace widths. Existing traffic speed and safety data indicate there is a need to tame traffic speeds in this area that will enhance safety for all users. The study summarized existing traffic speeds, safety and operation of the corridor and identified several roadway cross-section improvement alternatives and evaluated their potential impacts. A joint workshop was held on Oct. 291h at 5 p.m. where the consultants presented the study and their recommendations. The direct link to the video of the workshop and presentation is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXB OT696oA&feature=youtu.be. Also, there are links to the report and other background information on the project page which can be found here: https://www.ci.oshkosh wi us/PlanningServices/facksonStreetCorridorPlan/Default aspxx ANALYSIS The study identified three corridor improvement alternatives, all of which are expected to operate at an acceptable level of service. Alternate 1 maintains the existing four -lane cross-section along Jackson Street between Church Avenue and Murdock Avenue. This alternative would include the installation of speed feedback signs to increase motorist's awareness of their speed and encourage a reduction in travel speed. Two speed feedback signs would be installed in each direction of travel; one shortly after entering the study corridor and a second near Scott Avenue to reinforce the need to comply with the posted speed limit. City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us Alternate 2A includes the speed feedback signs from alternate 1 and reconfigures the existing Jackson Street four -lane cross section between Church Avenue and Murdock Avenue to one 11' wide through lane in each direction, a 13' wide center two-way left -turn lane, and a 5' curb buffer area on each side of the street. This design changes the roadway image from a highway to an urban street. This alternative would also allow for dedicated left -turn lanes to be included at the signalized intersections with a shared through/right-turn lane in each direction. Continental -style crosswalk pavement markings would be installed at the unsignalized intersections with Prospect Ave., Scott Ave. and Lincoln Ave, along with pedestrian crossing signs at each of these locations. A crosswalk would also be added on the north side of the Jackson Street intersection with Congress Avenue. This crossing would feature rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) to draw more attention to the presence of pedestrians. The narrowed travel way of Alternative 2A allows for consideration of curb bump -outs at the locations where pedestrian crosswalks will be added. Curb bump -outs shorten the distance pedestrians need to cross and help calm traffic. These bump -outs would involve reconstruction of the curb and gutter and sidewalk extension. Alternate 2B combines the Alternative 2A designs south of New York Avenue with the Alternative 1 design north of New York Avenue. This alternative did not receive much support from the residents or advisory committees. The consultants recommend Option 2A. In summary they state "The Jackson Street redesign provides a proven opportunity to enhance safety for vehicular traffic, as well as pedestrian and bicyclists, while also enhancing the quality of life in the adjacent residential neighborhood. The Traffic and Parking Advisory Board Recommends Option 2A (3-2). The Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee unanimously recommends option 2A with the addition of the following statement: The Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee recommends option 2A to support pedestrians, students and healthy neighborhoods and to make the roadway safer to vehicles. FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact of this project is as follows: Installation of speed Feedback signs - $80,000, Paint and Sign Removal, Restriping, additional Signage and RRFBs - $70,000. The cost of curb extensions needs to be further evaluated but based on the current information, the estimated cost is $100,000. There is a project in the 2021 council approved CIP for $60,000 for the Jackson Street Safety Implementation plan. It is estimated that 2020 Great Neighborhood Funding could provide an additional $90,000 towards this project. Therefore, if the Council wanted to implement the Feedback Signs and restriping in 2021, the $150,000 could be available for this project. Based on 2020 payments, converting to a three lane cross section for 1.13 miles would reduce connecting highway funding to the city $8,202 per year. The curb extensions would not be implemented until the Algoma Boulevard reconstruction project is completed after 2023 and could be incorporated into a future CIP. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends speed boards be installed on Jackson Street in the locations recommended by the consultant. The study referenced FHWA research that shows these signs have been effective at reducing speeds by up to 5 mph and reducing crashes by 5%. A road reconfiguration has the potential to further reduce speeds and improve safety while only slightly decreasing level of service. if Council desires a road reconfiguration, staff recommends restriping the road in 2021 and evaluating the need and desire for intersection curb bump -outs in a future year. This would allow time to evaluate the impacts of the changes and appropriately plan and budget any future improvements. Respectfully Submitted, Jim Collins, Transportation Director Allen Davis, Director of Community Development James Rabe, Director of Public Works Approved: -_; � v Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager