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Home My WebLink About7A - Status of C.R. 21/ Jeffers Pass Intersection MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 7A STEVE ALBRECHT, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT ON THE STATUS OF COUNTY ROAD 21 AND JEFFERS PASSI COACHMAN LANE INTERSECTION Introduction At the September 5th City Council Meeting staff was directed to report back to the Council on traffic issues related to the CR 21/Jeffers Pass intersection at Jeffers Pond Elementary. Histol"'{ The CR 21/Jeffers Pass intersection has been a concern of the School District, County and City for over 2 years. Questions and concerns regarding potential traffic issues have been raised on several occasions. During the preliminary project submittal in Spring of 2005 City and County Staff voiced strong concerns over the proposed school access location in relation to CR 21 on Jeffers Pass. It was our collective opinion that the road access into the school property from Jeffers Pass was too close to CR 21. The site submittal to the City and County was done after the site plans were at a final level of design. For that reason the School District was very hesitant to make changes to the site layout. The School District hired a traffic engineer to review the issue and moved the driveway as far as the site allowed from CR 21. The School District opted however not to redesign their site based on the status of their plans. This has resulted in a less than optimum driveway entrance. In June of 2006 the School District requested a lower speed limit on CR 21 for the new school. The County declined to submit this request to the state for final determination based on several factors related to the nature of the roadway that would make this an unsafe situation. The attached report details the safety concerns. In August of 2006 the School District, County and City met to discuss the intersection issues. At this meeting the School District expressed a concern about the sight distance for north-bound traffic and requested the County install a traffic signal. Current Circumstances At the September 51n City Council meeting staff was directed to work with the County to come up with options for safety improvements at the intersection. Councilmember LeMair was present at an orientation open house at Jeffers Pond Elementary where the number of cars far exceeded the capacity of the intersection. He expressed serious concerns and requested further action be taken by the City to rectify the situation. Since the orientation the Police department has monitored the intersection during typical school pickup hours and has not noted any issues with the function or safety during normal school operations. . www.cityofpriorlake.com Phone 952.4474230 / Fax 952.4474245 It is apparent that this intersection can meet normal school day traffic demands but that when events creating substantial traffic occur the intersection is susceptible to being overloaded. Additionally the concern regarding children crossing from Coachman Lane to utilize the park and school amenities across CSAH 21 is not addressed. The County staff has completed a detailed analysis of the intersection. A copy of the intersection study is attached to this report. While the site does not meet current traffic warrants for a signal the County believes that the sight distance issues warrant consideration of a signal and has made the following recom mendation: Scott Countv Recommendation Scott County Access Spacing Guidelines state that, where possible, traffic signals on arterial roadways shall be spaced at ~ mile or greater. On CSAH 21 between CSAH 42 and CSAH 82, this policy would suggest future traffic signals at Carriage Hills Parkway Raspberry Ridge Road. However, Carriage Hills Parkway will not extend west of CSAH 21 due to a wetland and in-progress development. The 2003 SRF Traffic Study indicates a future need for signal control at Fountain Hills Drive. Raspberry Ridge Road has adequate sight distance and does not function as a collector street. Therefore, staff recommends the following: A new Mn/DOT speed study is not warranted at this time. A school speed limit would be ineffective and dangerous on this particular corridor. CSAH 21 at Fountain Hills Drive and at Coachman Lane should be considered as future traffic signal locations. The spacing between these two intersections is in conformance with the County's signal spacing guidelines. Traffic signal control should not be considered at Carriage Hills Parkway, Raspberry Ridge Road or Lords Street. Each of these intersections should be considered for future conversion to % access control. A future connection should be made between Landau Ln and Manitou Rd to provide connectivity between neighborhoods and access to future signals. Signal design for the intersection of CSAH 21 at Coachman Ln/Jeffers Pass should commence immediately. Based on the above staff level recommendation County Staff has begun preliminary design on the intersection for construction in 2007. The County has made this a top priority and should be commended for moving this forward prior to the latest concern expressed by the City Council at the September 5th meeting. City Staff feels the above recommendation is in the best interest of Prior Lake and the School District. ISSUES: FINANCIAL IMPACT: ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: There are several issues related to the intersection project: 1) The City has not identified this project in the CIP and the County will only pay for 50% of the estimated intersection cost of $250,000-$300,000. This leaves an estimated $125,000 to $150,000 unfunded. The School District Staff has verbally indicated their willingness to contribute up to $75,000 for the improvement. City Staff feels the CIP for 2007 could be modified to fund the balance of the project. 2) Any improvements would not be completed until the summer of 2007. As for the 2006 school year it may be necessary for the District to work closely with the Police Department to plan for any events that they anticipate will generate traffic issues. 3) An alternative not discussed in the County's recommendation is a right in right out. City staff reviewed this option and feels that it will result in issues for bus' entering the school from the south. It will also increase traffic on Raspberry Ridge Road and does not address the pedestrian crossing issue. Staff feels that these reasons combined with the favorable proposed cost share breakdown make the traffic signal the best option at this time. The unfunded portion of this project is estimated to be up to $150,000. The School District has indicated verbally that they could fund up to $75,000 of the remaining balance. The City's portion would need to be funded by the CIP. Because this project is required by new development the Street Over-size Fund should be utilized to fund the project. This fund is appropriated for new development street improvements that benefit the community beyond the immediate development. At this time the fund has been allocated in 2007 for future extensions of Stemmer Ridge Road and Carriage Hills Parkway in the amount of $800,000. Both of these improvements will be development driven. At this time neither of these developments have submitted formal concept plans for development. Staff expects a plan for the Stemmer Ridge Road area this winter. Based on the anticipated timelines for these areas it appears the City would have the needed $75,000 to complete the intersection improvements. 1. Accept the report and direct staff to work with the County and School District to develop a plan and Cooperative Agreement for Council consideration which would include a City contribution of an estimated $75,000. 2. Table this item to a certain date in the future. itaff recommends alternative number 1. Reviewed by: