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HomeMy WebLinkAbout33. 15-271 MAY 26, 2015 15-271 ORDINANCE FIRST READING (CARRIED______ LOST_______ LAID OVER_______ WITHDRAWN_______) PURPOSE: CREATE BICYCLE LANES (LANE REDUCTION/”ROAD DIET”) ON MURDOCK AVENUE FROM WISCONSIN STREET TO SHERIDAN STREET INITIATED BY: TRAFFIC REVIEW ADVISORY BOARD A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AMENDING SECTION 27A- 10.1 OF THE OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO BICYCLE LANES DESIGNATED. The Common Council of the City of Oshkosh do ordain as follows: SECTION 1. That Section 27A-10.1 of the Oshkosh Municipal Code pertaining to bicycle lanes designated is hereby amended as follows: A-10.1 BICYCLE LANES DESIGNATED – The following designated bicycle lanes shall be in effect year round: MURDOCK AVENUE Add Thereto: Murdock Avenue, both sides, from Wisconsin Street to Sheridan Street. SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, publication and placement of the appropriate signage. SECTION 3. Publication Notice. Please take notice that the City of Oshkosh enacted ordinance #15-XXX (A GENERAL ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OSHKOSH AMENDING SECTION 27A-10.1 OF THE OSHKOSH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING BICYCLE LANES DESIGNATED) on June 9, 2015. The ordinance reconfigures and reduces driving lanes and designates bicycle lanes on Murdock Avenue. The full text of the ordinance may be obtained at the Office of the City Clerk, 215 Church Avenue and through the City’s website at www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us. Clerk’s phone: 920/236-5011. ROAD DIET FAQS 1) What is a Road Diet? A typical road diet technique is to reduce Road Dlet Example the number of lanes on a roadway cross- r `'•. e section. One of the most common �� applications of a road diet is to improve ,. Ili safety in the context of two-way streets with 4-lane sections. In this case, two -"`'a.w„ travel lanes in each direction are converted Road Die*111314,„ into a 3-lane section with one travel lane in each direction, bicycle lanes, and a two- - • �� • way turn lane in the middle. The two-way / turn lane can be transitioned into dedicated turn lanes at intersections. The ,. y / 'additional space that is freed up by removing a vehicular travel lane can be converted into bicycle lanes on either side of the roadway. Road diets are usually successful on roads carrying fewer than 15,000 vehicles per day. If properly designed, traffic does not divert to other streets after a road diet has been installed. In fact road diets have been found to maintain (and often enhance)traffic flow while reducing crashes. 2) Why are we considering road diets? Intersections with offset left-turning vehicles have been identified as high crash locations citywide. Studies have proven that by eliminating vehicle offsets through road diets, traffic safety is improved. The Traffic Review Advisory Board has recommended road diets be used to reduce these offsets. Also, the city adopted a Pedestrian and Bicycle Circulation Plan in 2011. This plan called for improved bicycle facilities throughout the city. The Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee has recommended bike lanes be introduced through road diets. 3) How can a road with fewer lanes carry the same amount of traffic? When a car stops in a moving traffic lane to turn left it causes congestion, blind spots, unsafe lane changes, and changes in vehicle speeds. In a three-lane system there is always one lane for driving, and one lane for turning making driving safer and more reliable, with fewer crashes and frustrations. For these reasons, a 3-lane road can handle the same amount of traffic as a 4-lane road (and can often handle more traffic). 4) How does a road diet make driving safer? As mentioned above, road diets provide a center turn lane so that left turns are simpler.A driver crosses only one lane of traffic at a time resulting in fewer blind spots.With an undivided four lane road, a driver must find a gap in two or three lanes of traffic at once to make a left turn. 5) How does a road diet make walking safer? First, you only have to cross three lanes of traffic, not four. Second, there are fewer blind spots as you only have one lane in each direction, thus there is less sight blockage by cars. Third, top vehicle speeds in a three lane system are typically lower. 6) How does a road diet make biking safer? The installation of bike lanes significantly increases safety for cyclists. Without bike lanes a cyclist must use the much higher accident risk sidewalk or if using the street, is at risk of being 'mirrored' by a motor vehicle passing by within a foot or two. 7) Why West Murdock Avenue? West Murdock Avenue is an ideal candidate for a road diet within the City of Oshkosh. It carries approximately 10,000 total car trips per day and traffic volumes have been stable for many years. West Murdock Avenue is adjacent to portions of the Jackson Street commercial area that have become more diverse over time with a variety of residential, commercial, and institutional land- uses. Because of its location next to residential and commercial areas and its proximity to the University Campus housing and North High School,West Murdock Avenue has seen an increase in pedestrian and bicycle activity and there have been an associated increase in conflicts between pedestrians, bicycles and motor vehicles. Narrowing the travel way on West Murdock Avenue with a road diet can improve safety for all users of the street, while adding on-road bicycle facilities. The proposed project will convert the vehicular-oriented street to a complete street by removing two vehicular traffic lanes to accommodate bicycle facilities and to improve pedestrian crossings of West Murdock Avenue. The proposed street configuration will consist of bike lanes in each direction, a painted two-way turn lane and one lane of traffic in each direction. Driveways do exist along West Murdock Avenue; however, the two-way turn lane will provide a safer environment for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians as it allows the motorist the opportunity to wait out of the travel lane and observe other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians before entering driveways from West Murdock Avenue. Existing and Proposed Cross Sections on West Murdock Avenue ,i, y' A. y S S 5 h vo- }; 8u ki-s 'F n*:- mktx }`` lati : 1 ; f v 4i 3ia ; a 3" �per � a �' 2x}'xni-"h x a 1 Existing Lane Configuration/Roadway Cross Section „,,,.,.;:;:t:4 .,::::::::e.. ;‘,..:;;J:..itt:!..4,;,,,,i..,„*..sys.,„;?,,i,arc,:,:i.::;41.rneiromtti �� T'-a. k xn s MI M Potential Lane Configuration/Roadway Cross Section after Road Diet CITY HALL 215 Church Avenue P.O.Box 1130 °"°=54903-1130 City of Oshkosh TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OfHKOJH TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Jim Collins, Director of Transportation DATE: May 13, 2015 RE: Approval of a Road Diet with Bicycle Lanes on Murdock Avenue from Wisconsin Street to Sheridan Street. BACKGROUND The intersections of Murdock Avenue at Wisconsin Street and Murdock Avenue at Elmwood AvenueNinland Avenue have been identified annually as high crash locations. Subsequently, the City has received frequent requests from residents for traffic and roadway improvements in this area. Potential solutions have been analyzed over the years by the Transportation Department. Additionally, this area has been selected by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for inclusion in the city's bike and pedestrian circulation plan for on-street bicycle facilities (bike lanes). Implementing a road diet on West Murdock Avenue will improve the safety of afore mentioned intersections along with installing bicycle lanes which will provide a connection to the Wiowash Trail. There was a public meeting held on this proposal on March 30, 2015. There was also a workshop on road diets on May 12th in conjunction with the Traffic Review Advisory Board meeting. The Traffic Review Advisory Board recommends approval of this request (4-3). ANALYSIS The majority of the accidents at the intersection of Murdock Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue are due to the negative offset left turns at this intersection. Implementing a road diet will create zero offset left turns. Our department studied the intersection and the impact that adding left turn lanes at this intersection would have on the roundabout at Murdock Avenue and Jackson Street and found that the spacing and geometric layout of the street are favorable. The majority of accidents at the intersection of Murdock Avenue and Vinland Street/Elmwood Avenue are also due to the negative offsets at the intersection. The road diet would create zero offsets at this intersection as well. There have been concerns about whether Murdock Avenue can handle the volume of traffic with one less lane. The Wisconsin DOT helped with a 30 year traffic projection and found that the level of service remained unchanged with or without the road diet. Additionally, with a three-lane system there is always one lane for driving, and one lane for turning making driving safer and more reliable, with fewer crashes and frustrations. For these reasons, a 3-lane road can handle the same amount of traffic as a 4-lane road (and can often handle more traffic). This has been proven throughout the country and locally on Commercial Street in Neenah (which has traffic counts very close to Murdock Avenue). The second concern was whether bicycle lanes are allowed on a state route. Bike lanes are permitted on a state route. Bikers and pedestrians are prohibited only on roads with limited/controlled access. An example is Interstate 41 or parts of Hwy. 45 (the section that is outside of Oshkosh and at a speed limit of 65). Local state roads such as South Main Street, Murdock Avenue and Algoma Boulevard are allowed to have bicycle facilities. In point of fact, if the complete streets regulations stay in the state budget, state funded reconstructs on these routes may be required to have facilities installed in order to maintain funding. The road diet can be implemented without designating bike lanes however, the street alignment allows for them. One of the alternatives that were looked at was a traffic signal at Murdock ElmwoodNinland. This has been looked at regularly over the last 15 years. However, the intersection doesn't meet the warrants for a signalized intersection in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). While the city has installed an unwarranted signal in the past at 9th Avenue and Westhaven Drive, it is very expensive. Signalizing this intersection would cost between $110,000 and $125,000. Installation of unwarranted signals goes against engineering judgment and may actually degrade safety. Additionally, installing an unwarranted signal at this intersection does not address the intersection of Murdock Avenue and Wisconsin Street. Implementing a road diet addresses the safety concerns at both intersections with minimal cost with the ability to add bicycle facilities. FISCAL IMPACT The costs for this project involve street paint and traffic signal upgrades at the intersection of Wisconsin Street and Murdock Avenue. The estimated costs are $13,200 for line removal, street painting and signage and $35,000 to upgrade the traffic signals. Funding is available in the 2015 Transportation Department capital improvement plan for traffic signals and for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Funding would be charged to the following account numbers: 323- 0740-6401-06508 for approximately $13,200 and 323-0801-6542-06503 $35,000. RECOMMENDATION Section 27A-10.1 of the Municipal Code designates bicycle lanes. The transportation department recommends that the Common Council approve a road diet with bicycle lanes on Murdock Avenue between Wisconsin Street and Sheridan Street. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Jim Collins Mark A. Rohloff Director of Transportation City Manager %s°0bs4, Division of Transportation Scott Walker,Governor 'A System Development Mark Gottlieb,RE.,Secretary Northeast Regional Office Internet web site: www.dotwisconsin aov 1 944 Vanderperren Way omen Green Bay,WI 54304 Telephone: (9207492-5640 Facsimile FAX)': (920)492-5640 E-mail ner dtsb�adol wi.gov May 21, 2015 Jim Collins Director of Transportation City of Oshkosh -Transportation Dept 926 Dempsey Trail Oshkosh, WI 54902 Dear Mr. Collins, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) staff has been working closely with City of Oshkosh staff on the proposed Lane Reassignment project for Murdock Ave (USH 45)from Algoma Blvd to Jackson St. Our staff has reviewed the roadway and intersection capacity analysis, and we agree with the evaluation and conclusions. We believe the lane reassignment from a 4-lane undivided roadway to a 2-lane roadway with a Two Way Left Turn Lane (TWLTL) will enhance safety for motorists and other multi-modal users of this facility. We feel this roadway will continue to operate efficiently at the same capacity and with the current satisfactory Level of Service, Safety will be improved at the multiple cross street intersections with the proposed lane reassignment. Safety and visibility of motorists turning left from Murdock will be enhanced by removing the vehicle from the through stream of traffic and only crossing one lane of opposing traffic. WisDOT also supports the lane configuration at the intersection of Algoma Blvd and at Jackson Street. We agree with the proposed lane adjustments and how they will fit into the existing traffic control devices at these intersections. The proposed lane reassignment will also promote additional safety for bicycles and pedestrians crossing Murdock Street by reducing the number of lanes to be crossed from 4 to 2. WisDOT also supports the multi-modal use of all roadways and we agree with the addition of bicycle lanes on this portion of Murdock Street. If you have any additional questions, please contact Matthew Halada at (920) 492-7725 or via email at matthew.haladaV dot.wi,gov. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your staff on this matter of mutual interest. Sincerely, Brian S. Brock, P.E. Systems Planning and Operations Manager TRAFFIC REVIEW ADISORY BOARD MINUTES MAY 12, 2015 PRESENT: Dan Becker, Steve Haas, Steven Herman, Gary Ross, Timothy Schuster, Ross Wandschneider and Dan Scieszinski STAFF: Jim Collins, Transportation Director Marlene Binder, Secretary The Oshkosh Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, Plan Commission, Traffic Review Advisory Board, Common Council and interested citizens attended a workshop on the road diet concept and its potential use on West Murdock Avenue between Wisconsin Street and Algoma Boulevard. This workshop was held at 4:00 p.m. with the Traffic Review Advisory Board meeting immediately following. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Timothy Schuster called the meeting to order at 4:47 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Herman moved to accept the April 14, 2015 minutes. Mr. Scieszinski seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). NEW BUSINESS 1. A REQUEST FOR A ROAD DIET WITH BIKE LANES ON MURDOCK AVENUE, FROM WISCONSIN STREET WEST TO SHERIDAN STREET (CURRENT CONDITION: 4 LANE ROAD) Mr. Collins explained this road diet will address the safety issues at the intersections of Murdock Avenue at Wisconsin Street and Murdock Avenue at Vinland Street / Elmwood Avenue. He went on to say additionally the plan provides for a pedestrian crossing and a new stop light on Wisconsin Street and Murdock Avenue. He said as an added benefit the bike route will connect North High School and the WIOUWASH trail. He told the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Planning Department looked at the projected 30 year traffic volume and all agreed the road diet makes sense to improve the facility and safety here. Adam Pugh from Expert Tire, 910 Murdock Avenue, said he understands Elmwood/Vinland and Murdock is a high crash intersection. His suggestion is to look at why there is a problem. He stated it took him three minutes to make a left turn onto Murdock Avenue to come to this meeting. Mr. Pugh explained he believes in the things he sees as fact and not studies of things projected to happen. He said the state made Murdock Avenue four lanes because of a study. He says he has watched for bikers on Sawyer Street and saw only one riding on the sidewalk. He fears his car lot will lose business if this is implemented. He believes the problem stems from Congress Avenue and Algoma Boulevard and suggested Congress be converted to a one way street traveling west. His second suggestion was no left turn at Elmwood Avenue. He suggests these be addressed before changes are made to a major street with a truck route. Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. TRA MINUTES 2 May 12, 2015 Mr. Collins stated the road diet addresses not only the intersection of Murdock Avenue and Elmwood/Vinland Streets but also the intersection at Wisconsin Street. He explained safety is the main reason this is being proposed, bike lanes are an added benefit and currently bike lanes are not well connected. He continued to explain that in communities where road diets were implemented, crash rates decreased 19 -25% on average. He said the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) says the volume of traffic on Murdock Avenue supports the road diet. He continued that businesses on Commercial Street in Neenah and other owners nationally thought they would lose business but, after the road diet was implemented studies found that business increased because it was now easier for vehicles to turn in and out of these businesses. He added it is also easier for pedestrians to go to those businesses. Adam Bellcorelli, of 1624 Western Street and the Bike and Pedestrian Committee, said we need to make cars slow down. He stated more people will come to businesses in the area if it is a less dangerous place. He added that motorists will have less choices to make and therefore will pay attention to the one lane they are in. Paul Lauding, manager of Expert Towing, said he will not be able to make a left turn from the center turning lane because of the size of his vehicle and trailer. He says with his 40 foot truck pulling a semi with a 53 foot trailer he will block the straight driving lane while waiting to turn left. He stated he believes this will keep the cars behind him waiting and with one lane the wait to turn left will be substantially longer than now with the two lanes. He has concerns about the bicyclist with a child onboard being so close to traffic. Mr. Collins suggested he take the roundabout on Jackson Street. Mr. Lauding said he cannot get through a roundabout pulling the semi with a trailer and added he agreed with Mr. Pugh suggestions. Sue Brehmer, 1806 West Murdock Avenue, inquired when the project would be done. Mr. Collins replied if this passes today, it will then go before Council in two weeks, and if passed the project would start in the June / July time frame. Ms. Brehmer asked if the speed limit will be changed. Mr. Collins stated the speed limit will remain the same at 30 MPH and added that speeds naturally come down with the road diet because of the one lane. Captain Schoeni stated that police are not only doing more details in the Murdock Avenue, Jackson Street and Wisconsin Street area but have a goal of a higher ticket to stop ratio. He said police presence was stepped up when the roundabout opened. Judy Holst said she owned 1406 & 1412 Murdock Avenue for over 40 years. She says first there is a high volume of traffic; first industrial traffic, then school traffic in the mornings, then traffic after school and more industrial traffic later in the afternoon. She suggests installing a stop light at the Elmwood Avenue / Vinland Street intersection stating there is always a backup of cars at Elmwood. Mr. Collins stated the intersection of Elmwood Avenue / Vinland Street and Murdock Avenue do not meet the warrants for a signal, however the road diet is a good alternative. Ms. Holst said when Murdock Avenue was widened residents lost their terraces and all parking was removed. She inquired how traffic study data was collected. Mr. Collins replied that cameras were used because staff does not have the time to observe in person. Paul Lauding asked that people keep an open mind to other options. He said it appears your mind is set on the reduction of lanes. Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. TRA MINUTES 3 May 12, 2015 Mr. Collins stated he has been looking at options for this area for a year and it had been studied by his predecessor for two years prior to that. He added he brought this before this Board because he believes this to be the best solution. He said he does not have final say but he will recommend the road diet. He explained this Board will vote on it and then it will go before Council twice. Chris Duprey, of 1907 West Murdock Avenue (Pizza King), said Murdock was widened from a two lane road to a four lane road based on data from a study, which meant that property owners lost their terraces and were assessed to pay for the wider street. He continued to say now a study says there is too much road, it was a mistake. He said recently new businesses opened on the four lane road that is a state highway. He said the complete streets program will be cut by Governor Walker. Mr. Collins said things change with time and this plan improves the safety at the intersections. He said streets can operate more efficiently with a turn lane. He said he has had only two business owners speak against the road diet, the owner of Pizza King and Expert Towing. He stated that property owners in the area supported the plan. He continued that Mr. Duprey was correct about the complete streets program possibly being cut by the Governor, which includes all usage (pedestrian, bike and vehicle) for the street. Mr. Buck stated currently state and federal dollars are tied to the complete streets program for the construction of new streets but not for existing roads. Mr. Becker inquired if the problem at Elmwood Avenue / Wisconsin Street and Murdock Avenue could be solved by a signal with left turn lanes. Mr. Collins replied that a signal is not warranted at Elmwood Avenue and Murdock Avenue. Mr. Herman interjected that Council approved a traffic light at 9th Avenue and Westhaven Drive that was not warranted. Mr. Collins said a roundabout was suggested at Elmwood Avenue but there is no room for one there. Mr. Becker suggested terminating Elmwood Avenue and added he feels for Expert Towing trying to make the left turn. Mr. Collins said it doesn’t happen that often as the person said and they probably block traffic now. Paul Lauding interjected that he presently does not block the right lane of traffic when turning because it is not from the center of the road but further to the right. Mr. Herman said he voted for this in the Bike and Ped. Plan when it came before Council, but he struggles with putting bike lanes on a major roadway. He thinks there are better alternative locations for bikers to enjoy their sport. He also voiced concerns about turning left onto Sheridan Street with the 30 MPH speed th limit. He said stop lights were installed on 9 Avenue and Westhaven Drive even though they were not warranted because it slows traffic. He stated the Elmwood/Vinland/Murdock intersection comes up every year and we need to address it. He continued that similar issues came up with the Sawyer Street road diet but there were not as many businesses. He questions whether he can support this even though the DOT and our statistics do. Mr. Schuster stated he drives this stretch of road two times daily, if not more. He said in the morning there is steady traffic in both lanes, both directions. He thinks the road could manage the traffic with one lane but his concern was the bike lanes on this main east to west artery with commercial vehicles. He said he waited 10 minutes to turn left onto Murdock to head east for this meeting, admitting it was school dismissal time. He doesn’t see the road diet fixing this, just stacking traffic up in one lane versus spreading it over two lanes. He said his biggest fear is bike lanes on this state highway. Mr. Ross said that changing the 4 lane road to 3 lanes will limit the flow of traffic. He also said he believes something needs to be done at the Elmwood/Vinland intersection. Mr. Schuster said if traffic signals were installed there it would slow traffic. Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. TRA MINUTES 4 May 12, 2015 Mr. Scieszinski said this should be passed to Council for their input. He stated the Council members are elected and this Board is appointed. Mr. Schuster said that even if it is defeated here the Council can still bring it back, this is an advisory Board and Council can still do what they want. Judy Holst said she was concerned about traffic backing up at Algoma Boulevard. Mr. Schuster pointed out that there will be 2 lanes there, the road diet starts at Sheridan Street. Ms. Holst thinks the bike lanes should be put on Bent Avenue. Mr. Collins said the signals at Murdock and Algoma are actuated, but some vehicles do not pull up to the stop bar. He explained that when this occurs it doesn’t call the signal and causes traffic to backup. He also explained there are bikers that use it as their means of transportation who feel safe in an environment such as this would be and then there bikers that recreate that may not be comfortable here. He said he supports the road diet here because it addresses the issues and connects the bike and pedestrian facilities as an added benefit. Chloe Wandschneider, of 1609 Jackson Street, says she has resided there for 50 years. She stated she learned she has to wait. She said if she lived on Murdock Avenue she would prefer having the road diet, because the traffic will police itself, definitely slowing the traffic. She continued that living in the area would be better because the noise will be less. She explained that she would much rather have to wait for traffic backed up from the road diet, than the wait she has now with traffic from two lanes coming at her with the speeding, noise, and lane hopping. Mr. Becker moved to accept this request. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (4-3). Mr. Herman moved to adjourn at 5:46 p.m. Mr. Scieszinskiseconded the motion. Motion carried (7-0). Please contact the Traffic Review Advisory Board at TRAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns.