Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	David Cronin, City Engineer
FROM:	David Woosley, Transportation/Traffic Engineer Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director
DATE:	June 2, 2015
RE:	Traffic Safety Commission, Bulb-Out and No Parking at 11^th Street & Rhode Island Street.

Background

At the March 9, 2015 Traffic Safety Commission meeting, the Commission heard a request to construct a BULB-OUT on the southwest corner of 11^th Street & Rhode Island Street and/or to establish NO PARKING on 11^th Street adjacent to Rhode Island Street. During the past three (3) years, there have been five (5) reported crashes at this intersection involving northbound vehicles. Due to the different widths of 11^th Street, construction of a bulb-out would clearly define the limits of the intersection and would provide approximately the same crossing distance for pedestrians crossing the west leg of the intersection, as pedestrians currently have crossing the east leg of the intersection. Parking also needs to be restricted along the south side of 11^th Street, east of Rhode Island Street, in order to provide sight distance to the east. In addition, the Public Works Department has plans to reconstruct the storm inlet on the southwest corner of the intersection this year.

Traffic Safety Commission Action

At the Traffic Safety Commission meeting, two (2) members of the public addressed the Commission in support of the request, and additional support was received by correspondence from others familiar with the intersection. No one spoke in opposition to the request. It was noted that in addition to the reported crashes, there have been a number of vehicles that have damaged tires on the existing storm inlet when turning off 11^th Street onto Rhode Island Street. The Commission indicated that parking should also be restricted on the approach to the stop sign in accordance with state law. The Commission, on a unanimous vote of 8-0, recommended constructing a bulb-out on the southwest corner of 11^th Street and Rhode Island Street and to establish No Parking along the south side of 11^th Street for a distance of 60 feet east of Rhode Island Street.

Staff Evaluation and Options

Staff is recommending implementation of no parking on the south side of 11^th Street for a distance of 60 feet east of Rhode Island Street. Staff has reviewed three options for the SW quadrant of the intersection at 11^th and Rhode Island Streets.

Option 1 – major realignment of the curb, inlets, utilities and pavement. (See attached map). Estimated cost $40,000.00. This option is unfunded.

Option 2 – minor realignment of the curb, inlet and pavement – We do not believe there will be a need to move any utilities, but cannot confirm that until we remove the pavement. This option repairs the inlet in its current location. (See attached map). Estimated cost $15,000.00. This option is unfunded.

Option 3 – Repair the inlet, no curb, pavement or utility work (see photo). Estimated cost $1,000.00. This work would be completed within the Street Division’s Storm Water operation budget. It should be noted that this work would not have to be reconstructed at a point in the future that option 2 is funded.

It should also be noted that currently there are other locations where curb inlets are located within the radius of an intersection that are also in need of repairs / replacement. Staff is working toward these repairs as they are prioritized and/or become an issue.

Funding

Option 1 and 2 are unfunded. Possible funding source could be the Capital Improvement or Storm Water fund. Option 3 could be absorbed within the current operational budget from the Street Division.

Staff Recommendation

City staff recommends placing no parking on the south side of 11^th Street for a distance of 60 feet east of Rhode Island Street.

City staff recommends option 3 at this time. Staff recommends that approval of the bulb-out construction (option 2) be completed at a time in the future when other major maintenance / reconstruction of this intersection occur and when appropriate funding is available.

Action

Pending Commission consideration approve City staff recommendation for no parking on the south side of 11^th Street for a distance of 60 feet east of Rhode Island Street; and repair of the inlet located on the SW corner of the intersection of Rhode Island Street & 11^th Street (option 3) at an estimated cost of $1,000.