Consider Request to Modify Traffic Control at Bunker Lake Boulevard, Puma Street and Rabbit Street Intersection.

Purpose/Background:
During the November 27^th City Council meeting, a resident living at 14942 Quintana Street NW in the Riverstone residential development questioned the value of the all-way STOP intersection control recently installed at the intersection of Bunker Lake Boulevard, Puma Street and Rabbit Street, and requested that the City consider modifying the traffic control at this intersection.
 
The resident told Council he feels the all-way STOP is unnecessary at this time and recommended that all of the STOP signs be removed and replaced with a YIELD sign on southbound Puma Street.  He said he also felt that said a flasher signal might be appropriate for the pedestrian crossing at the intersection.  He then stated that during the five-months he has lived in Riverstone he has never met another car at this intersection, nor has he ever seen a pedestrian or bicyclist use the crosswalk.  He also stated he often sees Riverstone residents running the STOP signs and is concerned people will get used to running the STOP signs and will continue to do so once the area more fully develops and the STOP signs are warranted.
 
A copy of the City Council meeting minutes, which includes a more complete record of the property owner’s comments, is attached for reference.
 
Staff plans to provide historical crash data for this intersection during the meeting.

Posted/statutory speed limits on each leg of the intersection are as follows:

• Bunker Lane Boulevard = 40 MPH
• Puma Street = 40 MPH
• Rabbit Street = 30 MPH

 
Traffic volumes were most recently recorded on each leg of the intersection in 2015 as follows:

• Bunker Lane Boulevard = 125 ADT
• Puma Street = 150 ADT
• Rabbit Street = Constructed 2017/2018

Staff estimates 10 minutes will be needed for presentation and discussion.

Observations/Alternatives:
Staff discussed the property owners concerns with Bolton & Menk, the design engineer for Improvement Project #18-05 under which the STOP signs were installed.  Bolton & Menk stated that the all-way STOP control was based on the best information available at the time related to intersection geometrics and traffic volumes in and around the intersection at the time it opened.
 
Throughout the plan preparation process, Rabbit Street was still considered a future street and in order to obtain State Aid approvals, STOP signs were required on both Bunker Lake Boulevard and Puma Street.  Development timing and the resultant traffic growth were unknown at the time plans were developed, and traffic forecasts were aggressive.  Growth in the area will dictate when an all-way STOP control is warranted.
 
In summary, traffic control is designed before construction is complete and is therefore theoretical in nature, based on anticipated conditions. If changes are made to traffic control after construction, the changes must account for actual conditions, which requires further study.
 
Bolton & Menk prepared the attached memo, which describes all this in more detail.  The memo also recommends completing an updated traffic study to determine appropriate short and long-term traffic control options.  Bolton & Menk can complete this study in January at a cost not-to-exceed $3,000.

The cost to remove a STOP sign is approximately $200 per sign.  The cost for City Staff to fabricate and install a new sign is approximately $300 per sign.  Staff proposes to pay for all costs to study and/or modify the traffic control at this intersection as part of City Improvement Project #18-05.

Staff recommends completing the traffic study proposed by Bolton & Menk in January of 2019, and to present the findings to the Public Works Committee in February of 2019 for further discussion and direction.

Based on Committee direction.  Actions will be communicated to the property owner at 14942 Quintana Street NW.