08-11-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Bonestroo Rosene Anderlik - St. Paul, MN - (651)636-1311 Conclutiont and Reconunendationt Based upon the information presented in this report, the following conclusions have been drawn regarding the intersection of County Statc>Aid Highway (CSAH) 6 and Willow Drive: • The daily volumes of CSAH 6 and Willow Drive are both below the daily capacity of a two-lane roadway. • The traffic in the intersection is currently operating at an acceptable level of service. However, traffic operations are close to the threshold between acceptable and unacceptable levels. • The crash rate, severity rate, and crash density of this mtersection are well above the metro and statewide averages for this type of intersection. • The sight distance to the east for a stopped vehicle on Willow Drive does not meet the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/£>OT) road design standards. • All-way stop sign control of the intersection is warranted with current volumes. • Turning movement counts meet the peak hour warrant for traffic signal control of the intersection. Several other warrants for a traffic signal are also close to being satisfied. • Based on capacity analyses of the intersection, traffic operations under all-way stop sign control would be better with the existing traffic lanes. • Based on capacity analyses of the intersection, traffic operations under two-way stop sign control or traffic signal control would improve if each approach to the intersection is provided with one left turn lane, one through lane, and one right turn lane. • 12 of the 18 reported accidents at this intersection are of a type likely correctable with either all-way stop or traffic signal control. • The sight distance at the intersection could be improved by lowering the elevation of the east leg of CSAH 6 by approximately 1 foot over a distance of600 feet. • With additional turn lanes at the intersection, safety could be further improved by providing a raised, concrete median on CSAH 6. At this time, it is recommended that the intersection control be changed to all-way stop sign control. Upon implementing, it will be important to provide proper signing to warn CSAH 6 traffic of the new stop condition. Although approach volumes for the intersection do not currently meet the warrants for a traffic signal, historic increases suggest that they will be met soon. When a traffic signal is warranted and justified for the intersection, the proposed lane and safety improvements should then be made to the intersection. The proposed improvements include providing one left turn lane, one through lane, and one right turn lane for each approach, providmg a raised concrete median on CSAH 6 at the intersection, and lowering the grade on the east leg of CSAH 6 to improve the sight distance. The preliminary cost estimate for this woik, including some drainage work and the traffic signal, as detailed earlier, is $ 824,640. CSAH 6 A Willow Dr Intersection Review -li-ACbyofOraoo A • J