08-23-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 23, 2010 • 7:00 o'clock p.m. (6. DRAFT OLD CRYSTAL BAYROAD TRAFFICSTUDY, Continued) Franchot stated he was unable to determine from the charts how many of the cars that were counted were there solely due to the school. Israelson stated they have noticed this is a roadway corridor that is heavily dominated by the schools and that there probably is minimal through traffic from Highway 12 to County Road 6. Franchot statedhe did travel that road a couple of times and asked why this is being considered as a street. Franchot stated perhaps it should be considered as an access road for a large campus. When you look at it from a street perspective, there are probably very few cars that are utilizing the road and that the main use is to access the various schools. Franchot suggested perhaps they should look at reducing the speed limit to 20 miles per hour on a permanent basis. Franchot stated in his view alternate one is not a viable option since it will likely increase the speed on the roadway and does not really address the issues. Israelson stated as engineers they need to balance safety and efficiency. Without having hard data to calculate the number of through commuters, Israelson indicated it is quite possible that for 23 hours of the day that road runs fine, but it is that period of time in which people are dropping and picking up kids where there is a problem. They need to come up with a solution that impacts the safety and congestion ® during those problem times. Bremer asked if the pickup and drop off locations could be relocated since that appears to be a major part of the congestion problem. White commented it would be difficult to change how the schools are designed without major cost. Bremer stated people more than likely will not like the roundabout and that the roundabouts make it feel less like a school campus and are not part of the rural character of Orono. White stated stoplights would also address the issue or an under /over bridge for pedestrians, which would be costly. Israelson stated the issues on this roadway are complex and that a complete overhaul would be a very expensive solution. Franchot asked if it would be three times as expensive or twice as expensive. Israelson indicated he does not have that answer right now without having some input from the school district. They are looking for a cost feasible solution that will address the safety issues by maximizing the efficiency of the road. What is being presented are options that can be done within a reasonable budget and improve safety and operations. Franchot asked if alternate one would improve safety. • Israelson stated it will help to a certain extent by reducing congestion on the roadway but that alternates two or three would better address those. . Page 11 of 18