02-12-2018 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, January 22, 2018 7:00 o'clock p.m. 11. OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD (CSAR 112-CSAH 6) DESIGN UPDATE — Continued The key challenges with the roadway include densely spaced driveways and intersections, pedestrian and vehicle conflicts, and congestion at the high school and middle school. Martini indicated they have a very good idea of some traffic flow issues down at the southern portion of the corridor as well as up by Highway 6. Those issues include vehicle stacking at certain times of the day at both ends of the roadway. In coming up with the new design, traffic control options were looked at to alleviate the stacking and vehicle/pedestrian conflicts and included a through stop control, an all -way stop control, and traffic signals. The preferred alternative is to add turn lanes at key locations, eliminate some access points and combine other access points. Two possible areas have been identified where the access points can be closed and an analysis has been completed of changes to the internal circulation done on the campus. Martini stated at the south end of the corridor, they are looking at adding a left turn lane for northbound traffic and a turn lane for southbound traffic. There will be two lanes of traffic bringing people into the parking lot without having to take turns. The stretch between Wayzata Boulevard and the access into the parking lot is an area where some new sidewalks would be constructed and a trail has been proposed along the west side. As it relates to the northern section, the existing conditions consist of two 4 -way stops. The goal with the new design is to create a primary access point that lines up with some key points at the school. In addition, a concrete median is being proposed between the two 4 -way stops, which accomplishes a separation of the traffic and takes up dead space when the road is widened out. Also being proposed is a new crosswalk that would line up between the entrances to the middle school and high school. That new crosswalk would have a push button with a flashing light. Martini stated on the east side of the road there is the existing trail and on the west side some new sidewalks are being proposed to help funnel the pedestrians to the new crosswalk. Crosby asked how wide the median would be. Martini indicated the median would be 10 to 12 feet wide. At the north 4 -way stop, some turn lanes would be added as well as a through left turn lane into the middle school and then a left turn lane and a right into the high school. In addition, on the high school side of the road, some minor adjustments are being proposed to the parking area to provide some more separation away from the intersection and to improve internal circulation. As it relates to the south 4 -way stop, on the west side it is being proposed that the existing access location be closed off and slid south to line up with the access corridor that goes into the high school. That then creates the need to have a new access point into the middle school which would be constructed as part of the project. Martini stated ultimately what this will lead to is some improved traffic operations. Martini indicated the blue lines on the map depict the proposed conditions and the orange lines depict the existing traffic conditions. With the proposed design, the stacking will occur in the turn lanes and will be localized around the intersections. Other benefits with the new plan include the establishment of key primary intersections, a reduction from 11 full access points to five, and improved traffic operations without the cost of traffic signals. Martini stated overall the plan efficiently accommodates all traffic movements at key intersections and provides pedestrian crossing connections between school entrances. Page 3 of 7