HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-28 - AGENDA REPORTS - SAN FERNANDO RD RESTRIPE (6)Agenda Item: — is?
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS City Manager Approval: 4a Z.-
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Item to be presented by: Andrew Yi
DATE: June 28, 2005
SUBJECT: SAN FERNANDO ROAD SIX -LANE RESTRIPING PROJECT
BETWEEN SIERRA HIGHWAY AND RAILROAD AVENUE -
PROJECT NO. C2021
DEPARTMENT: Building and Engineering
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council approve the implementation of six travel lanes with Class III bicycle facilities;
restrict full-time on -street parking; and authorize an appropriation of $100,000.00 from the
Via Princessa Bridge and Thoroughfare District for the installation of curb, gutter, and pavement
widening for the San Fernando Road Six -Lane Restriping Project No. C2021, between
Sierra Highway and Railroad Avenue.
BACKGROUND
San Fernando Road, between Siena Highway and Railroad Avenue, is typically 84 feet wide "
with curb and gutter. Portions of this roadway link lacks curb and gutter, and vary between 80
and 82 feet in width. The roadway is striped for four lanes and carries about 40,000 vehicles per
day (a vicinity map is provided as Exhibit "A").
Due to high demand, this section of San Fernando Road experiences tremendous congestion and
delays, especially during peak hours. The existing traffic demand on the roadway requires a
six -lane facility to be considered effective. A six -lane facility would significantly alleviate traffic
congestion on this roadway, and at the signalized intersections along the roadway link.
The intersection of Siena Highway at San Fernando Road currently operates at an unacceptable
level of service "F." A level of service "F" means that the intersection experiences serious
congestion and long delays for motorists. If the proposed six -lane striping is implemented, the
intersection would operate at an acceptable level of service "D." Similar improvements in the
level of service would also be seen at the intersection of San Fernando Road at Valle Del Oro.
APPROVED
Citizens, commuters, and business owners have expressed concerns regarding the amount of
traffic congestion on this road and at its intersections. City Council had previously directed staff
to conduct a feasibility study into implementing six -lanes and assess the potential impact. The
City Council also directed staff to consider developing short- and long-term goals for bicycle
facilities on or parallel to this road.
In order to achieve six lanes, staff proposes:
• A 10 -foot median (two-way left -tum lane) instead of the typical 14 -foot median;
• 15 -foot outside lanes to accommodate a travel lane; and
• A Class III bicycle facility.
A typical section for the proposed facilities is provided as Exhibit `B." This lane configuration
requires that the entire 84 -foot roadway width (curb line to curb line) be implemented. In order to
allow for this configuration, parking must be eliminated.
As part of the City Council's direction on the feasibility study, staff conducted two separate
surveys to gauge public opinion on this issue. A direct mail survey was sent to 150 residents and
business owners along San Fernando Road, and an on-line poll was posted on the City's web site.
Of the 150 direct mail surveys, 44 responses were received, of which 25 indicated objections to
the project. Staff was able to contact about half of those who objected to the project, and in most
instances, their initial reluctance towards eliminating parking and installing additional lanes
disappeared. The on-line survey was designed to capture the opinions of motorists who utilize,
but do not necessarily live on or have a business along San Fernando Road. Over 400 people
responded to the on-line survey, with 75 percent in favor of the project. Summaries of both
surveys are shown in the attached table as Exhibit "C."
Staff met with local bicycle advocates to explain the project and the proposed Class III bicycle
facility. Staff received positive feedback from those individuals. In addition, staff has explored
future long-term bicycle facilities that would parallel San Fernando Road. Future Class I bicycle
facilities (off street bike paths) have been identified that will link the area near Sierra Highway
with the Newhall area along the Newhall Creek and the Gate King project. Staff is working to
identify a logical location to cross San Fernando Road to tie all the proposed Class I facilities
together (a map of these future bike facilities is attached as Exhibit "D").
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Six -Lane Improvement with Peak Hour Parking Restriction - This alternative poses concerns
and is difficult to implement because it would require constant Sheriff enforcement, and the
ability to tow violating vehicles. Also, it generates concern for the safety of bicyclists, as
they must maneuver through parked vehicles. Finally, the traffic demand is high on this
roadway outside of the morning and evening peak hours; therefore, the part-time parking
restriction would do little to enhance traffic circulation during those off-peak times.
2. Six -Lane Improvement Without Curb and Gutter and Additional Pavement Improvement -
This alternative will only allow the outside lane to be 13 feet on some portions of
San Fernando Road instead of the proposed 15 feet. An outside lane less than 15 feet wide
would be undesirable for bicycles to share with motor vehicles.
3. No Improvement - San Fernando Road will continue to experience the same level of
congestion and delays that exist today.
4. Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staffs estimates indicate that the signing, striping, and signal modification work necessary to
implement the six -lane facility along San Fernando Road, and provide for improved circulation
at the intersection with Sierra Highway, will cost approximately $95,000.00. Installing curb and
gutter to provide for an 84 -foot wide section, which would accommodate a Class III bicycle
facility, is estimated to be an additional $100,000.00. The remaining costs to implement a
six -lane facility with Class III bicycle routes and improved circulation at the intersection with
Sierra Highway will be approximately $234,000.00, including a twenty percent contingency.
Approximately $134,000.00 remains in the project budget for study and design. An additional
$100,000.00 is necessary to complete construction of the work described above. Should the
City Council elect not to construct the curbs and gutters, and allow the outside lane to reduce to
13 feet in those areas, no additional funds would be necessary for this project at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
Vicinity map - Exhibit "A"
Typical Cross Section - Exhibit "B"
Parking Survey Results - Exhibit "C"
Map of Future Proposed Bicycle Facilities - Exhibit "D"
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L11' -L11'-+-15' g'
L10' -i
42' 1 42'
100'
San Fernando Road
Sierra Highway to Railroad Avenue
TYPICAL CROSS SECTION
Exhibit "B"
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L11' -L11'-+-15' g'
L10' -i
42' 1 42'
100'
San Fernando Road
Sierra Highway to Railroad Avenue
TYPICAL CROSS SECTION
Exhibit "B"
EXHIBIT "C"
In November/December 2004, the City conducted a mail -in survey to determine the public
opinion regarding the proposal to expand San Fernando Road from the existing four lanes to six
lanes. Residents around the area were mailed response cards to voice their opinion about what
they would like to be done. Residents were given four options and were asked to number their
preferences 1-4. The following reflects their first choice:
First Choice _ # of people
Option A - Maintain Existing Condition 25
Option B - Restri a to Six Lanes 4
%:
Option C - Peak Hour Parking Restrictions on San Fernando Road 14
O tion D - Off -Peak Bic cle Lane 1
Total 44
The City also conducted an online poll which asked residents if the City of Santa Clarita should
look at restriping San Fernando Road from Railroad Avenue to SR -14 to six lanes. From the
online poll, results showed a greater number of residents participated and would like San
Fernando to be restriped.
Online Poll # of people %
Yes, Restri a San Fernando Road to Six Lanes 311 75.30%
No, Do not restri a San Fernando Road 102 24.70%
77 7 '!.
Total 413 100%
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