8.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 02/27/2024
- From:
- Stephanie Santana, Transportation Engineer Sr. Lead
- Department:
- Engineering and Capital Improvements
Co-Submitter:
David Lemcke
TITLE:
Butler Avenue Corridor and Pilot Bicycle Lanes Update
DESIRED OUTCOME:
Staff recommends transitioning the separated bicycle lanes to painted double stripes on Butler Avenue and Beaver Street to lessen the financial impacts and staffing requirements on City snow operations, and in anticipation of the future projects including the Safe Streets for All grant project and the Lone Tree Overpass project. Staff also recommends keeping the speed limit on Butler Avenue the same to promote voluntary compliance, encourage uniform flow, clearly communicate reasonable and prudent speeds, and ensure an effective enforcement environment for the Police Department.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
During the May 23, 2023 Special Meeting/Work Session, Council tasked Transportation Engineering Staff with conducting a speed limit study along Butler Avenue between Milton Road and Sawmill Road to determine the appropriate speed limit. Council also tasked staff with collaborating with Public Works and the Bicycle Advisory Committee to determine which separated bicycle lane curbs could be removed to improve snow operations. During the same meeting, staff informed Council they had submitted for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to redesign the Butler Avenue Corridor pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure (Butler Avenue Complete Streets Conversion).
Staff is prepared to update Council on the Butler Avenue Speed Zone Evaluation, the Pilot Bicycle Lanes, and the awarded grants. The speed limit study along Butler Avenue has been completed and a report and presentation have been created. The results of the study show the existing posted speed limits are the most appropriate because the posted speed limit matches the design speed, which also matches the operating speeds. A reduced speed limit would result in larger speed differentials which have been found to increase the potential for vehicle crashes. The Police Department has also indicated their concerns with enforcement of a lowered speed limit on this particular section of roadway.
Staff transitioned separated bicycle lane curbs to double stripes this summer in collaboration with Public Works, City Council, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Staff met with Public Works and have determined the pilot bicycle lanes should be transitioned to double stripes in anticipation of future grant projects and to lessen the financial impacts and staffing requirements on City snow operations.
The City was awarded the SS4A grant for $9.6M (total project cost of $12M) and the Transportation Alternatives grant for $417k. The SS4A grant funds will be used to redesign Butler Avenue to include a multi-use path with a parkway from Milton Road to Sawmill Road, construct a new rapid flashing beacon crossing at O'Leary Street, and upgrade the crossing at Humphreys Street. The Transportation Alternatives grant funds the design of protected intersections at Beaver Street and Butler Avenue and San Francisco Street and Butler Avenue. An additional protected intersection is also being planned at Lone Tree Road and Butler Avenue as part of the Lone Tree Overpass project.
Staff is prepared to update Council on the Butler Avenue Speed Zone Evaluation, the Pilot Bicycle Lanes, and the awarded grants. The speed limit study along Butler Avenue has been completed and a report and presentation have been created. The results of the study show the existing posted speed limits are the most appropriate because the posted speed limit matches the design speed, which also matches the operating speeds. A reduced speed limit would result in larger speed differentials which have been found to increase the potential for vehicle crashes. The Police Department has also indicated their concerns with enforcement of a lowered speed limit on this particular section of roadway.
Staff transitioned separated bicycle lane curbs to double stripes this summer in collaboration with Public Works, City Council, and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Staff met with Public Works and have determined the pilot bicycle lanes should be transitioned to double stripes in anticipation of future grant projects and to lessen the financial impacts and staffing requirements on City snow operations.
The City was awarded the SS4A grant for $9.6M (total project cost of $12M) and the Transportation Alternatives grant for $417k. The SS4A grant funds will be used to redesign Butler Avenue to include a multi-use path with a parkway from Milton Road to Sawmill Road, construct a new rapid flashing beacon crossing at O'Leary Street, and upgrade the crossing at Humphreys Street. The Transportation Alternatives grant funds the design of protected intersections at Beaver Street and Butler Avenue and San Francisco Street and Butler Avenue. An additional protected intersection is also being planned at Lone Tree Road and Butler Avenue as part of the Lone Tree Overpass project.
INFORMATION:
Please see the attached Butler Avenue Speed Zone Evaluation study and presentation for more information.