I. RECOMMENDATION:
City Manager and Assistant City Manager recommend Adopting Resolution Approving Caltrans Proposed Project (06-0X290)
II. BACKGROUND:
This is the second in a series of presentations to the City Council (Council) by Caltrans. The first meeting occurred on February 18, 2021.
Caltrans is currently designing improvements on SR 33 within the City. The project limits are from the intersection of Merced Avenue (PM 14.7) to Los Gatos Creek South Channel Bridge (PM 16.7). As noted at the June 2, 2021 and February 3rd Council meetings, Caltrans is proposing complete streets elements be constructed downtown within this Project.
This second meeting (3/3/2022) will allow Council the opportunity to formally consider Caltrans proposed plan, make recommendations to be included in the plan and approve if Council determines the proposal to be in the interest of and benefit of the City of Coalinga.
III. DISCUSSION:
The complete street elements advance our goal to engage the community and collaborate with local officials and incorporate active transportation to our local state highways that serve as main streets in our small rural and disadvantage communities. The project fulfills the City of Coalinga needs as identified by the City of Coalinga Active Transportation Plan to increase walking, biking, and the use of public transportation to improve air quality and enhance the safety of school children and their families who travel to and from school. Furthermore, the bicycle lanes, and the enhanced crosswalks will promote riding and walking since the center of the city is within a 5-minute bike ride and 10-minute walking from most places.
Caltrans noted that the project is anticipated to cost $13.5 million, which includes $5.2 million for complete street enhancements as described below. The project scope is described below.
The scope of the Project includes:
- Complete Street elements from the intersection of Elm Street and 5th Street (PM 15.7) to Cambridge Avenue (PM 16.6) in the Downtown Area (slightly less than 1 mile in length) include:
- Road reduction (road diet)
- Center turning lane
- On-street parking
- Pedestrian refuge islands
- Curb extension bulb out at the sidewalks
- New sidewalk to eliminate gaps
- Green striping at conflict zones
- One new transit bus stop
- Enhanced cross walks and additional cross walks
- Rectangular rapid flashing beacons
- Class II buffered and Class II bike lanes
- Bike parking
- Class II buffered bike lanes and Class II bike lanes are proposed for the rest of the project limits except between Merced Avenue and Thompson Street and between Forrest Avenue and Elm Avenue where the existing pavement is too narrow to accommodate. The incorporation of the bike lane will eliminate on-street parking.
- Reconstruction of 6.3 miles of existing pavement
- Installation and/or upgrade of 61 curb ramps
- High visibility crosswalk striping
- Installation of traffic signal components
- New sidewalks to eliminate gaps
- Rectangular rapid flashing beacons
A complete street is a transportation facility that is planned, designed, operated, and maintained to provide safe and inclusive mobility for all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit vehicles, truckers, and motorists, appropriate to the function and context of the facility. Every complete street looks different, according to its context, community preferences, the types of road users, and their needs.
The purpose of this meeting is to provided Council the opportunity to consider approval of Caltrans proposal of a road diet to reduce the number of travel lanes. Council will also have a greater opportunity to address specific design criteria that might normally be accommodate under a workshop setting.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
- Do not support the project and do not approve Resolution No. 4070 - Staff does not recommend.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
There will not be a fiscal impact to the City General Fund associated directly with this project nor is it anticipated the project itself will have an impact as the project is managed and funded by Caltrans. |