REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approval of a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon on Lick Mill Boulevard at East River Parkway and Related Budget Amendment
Report
BACKGROUND
Members of the public contacted the City to express concerns regarding pedestrians crossing at the intersection of Lick Mill Boulevard at East River Parkway and requested that a new traffic signal be installed.
Lick Mill Boulevard is a north/south four-lane arterial roadway with a raised median island in the middle and a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour. East River Parkway is a 25 mile per hour residential street with parking on both sides and intersects with Lick Mill Boulevard from the west. As East River Parkway crosses Lick Mill Boulevard it becomes a private street, Park View Drive, thus creating a 4-way intersection. The intersection is surrounded by multi-family homes, Thamien Park and Don Callejon K-8 School, as shown in Attachment 1 (Location Map). Currently, the intersection is controlled by side-street stop signs on both East River Parkway and Park View Drive. Additionally, there is a striped pedestrian crosswalk and pedestrian beacon on the north section of the intersection for pedestrians to cross Lick Mill Boulevard.
This request was precipitated by two traffic incidents that occurred in September 2018 and October 2018. Although both incidents were determined to be caused by drivers not properly stopping at the intersection, staff proceeded with a traffic operations study.
DISCUSSION
City staff conducted a traffic operations study for the intersection of Lick Mill Boulevard and East River Parkway/Park View Drive to determine if a traffic signal is warranted per State and Federal requirements. Based on guidelines contained within the industry-standard California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), staff analyzed factors such as: collision history at or near the intersection, vehicular volumes, delays for vehicular traffic, characteristics of the roadway and the number of pedestrians crossing the intersection.
Based on the analysis of these factors, staff determined that a traffic signal is not warranted at the intersection. However, the analysis did indicate that based on the number of pedestrians crossing Lick Mill Boulevard, there is a projected shortage of adequate gaps in vehicular traffic to facilitate better pedestrian crossings. This result prompted the consideration of a pedestrian crossing protective device. Staff then conducted a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) beacon study per CA MUTCD and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 562 - Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings guidelines. This additional study indicated that a HAWK is warranted to provide a better crossing experience at the crosswalk.
It is important to note that this project is not included in the current FY 2018/19 Operating or Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget. A budget amendment totaling $750,000 is needed to fund the proposed HAWK installation. Should the Council proceed with the project, staff is proposing that funds be allocated from the General Fund Capital Projects Reserve. If approved, staff estimates that this project will be completed during fall 2021. This will provide staff the time to absorb this project within the current workload and follow the necessary processes to hire a consultant, complete the design, bid the project and complete construction. Additionally, the new HAWK beacon will be coordinated with the adjacent existing traffic signals which are connected to City Hall for monitoring and operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities, as the activity consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total cost of the project is conceptually estimated to be $750,000, with $95,000 for design work and $655,000 for construction. Therefore, total appropriations of $750,000 are required which staff is proposing to be allocated from the General Fund Capital Projects Reserve to the Streets and Highways Fund.
Additionally, there will be a cost to maintain the HAWK beacon once it is operational. This cost is currently estimated at approximately $2,000. This cost will be included as part of future budget development once construction is completed.
Budget Amendment
FY 2018/19
|
|
Current |
Increase/ (Decrease) |
Revised |
|
General Fund (001) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers Out |
|
|
|
|
Transfer to the Streets and Highways Fund |
$27,600 |
$750,000 |
$777,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reserves |
|
|
|
|
Capital Projects Reserve |
$22,983,208 |
($750,000) |
$22,233,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Streets and Highways Fund (533) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers In |
|
|
|
|
Transfer from General Fund (533-New Project) |
$0 |
$750,000 |
$750,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
High Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon on Lick Mill Boulevard at East River Parkway (533-New Project) |
$0 |
$750,000 |
$750,000 |
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve the installation of a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon (HAWK) on Lick Mill Boulevard at East River Parkway;
2. Approve the addition of the new CIP Project - High Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon on Lick Mill Boulevard at East River Parkway - to the FY 2018/19 CIP Budget; and
3. Approve the related budget amendment transferring $750,000 from the General Fund- Capital Projects Reserve to the Streets and Highways Fund for the High Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon on Lick Mill Boulevard at East River Parkway (533-New Project).
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Map