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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUniversity Drive Ped ImprovTo: May 17, 2010 Regular Agenda Northgate Pedestrian Improvements Glenn Brown, City Manager From: Mark Smith, Director of Public Works Agenda Caption: Presentation, public hearing, possible action and discussion regarding a resolution approving a plan to enhance pedestrian safety along University Drive between Wellborn Road and Tauber Street. Recommendation(s): Staff recommends that Council approve the resolution. Summary: Staff and TxDOT presented a plan to Council on November 23rd. After discussion and input from the public including business and property owners in the Northgate area, Council expressed support for the proposed plan with direction that provisions be made to accommodate deliveries from College Main to the businesses in the area . Feedback was solicited from the Northgate property owners and merchants in an effort to identify possible solutions to concerns. Staff proposes that the space for parking along the north side of University Drive be designated as a loading zone during specified hours. This would provide for deliveries to businesses in this area without blocking the travel lanes on University. While this proposal does not meet all of the stated needs of the Northgate merchants it does provide some help and retains the safest feature of this proposal; the closure of College Main. The proposed improvements also include proposed ramp modifications at the interchange of Wellborn Road and University Drive and the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of University Drive and Boyett Street. With the approval of this resolution staff at TxDOT will begin the final design and will move forward with the construction of the improvements. TxDOT projects that they can have the plans ready for a March 2011 letting. Construction would probably begin in June and should be substantially complete by December or January. We still plan to provide for the closure of College Main on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights during the school year until the permanent closure takes place. Budget & Financial Summary: Funding for the larger pedestrian improvement project will be by TxDOT. Attachments: 1. Resolution 2. Plan Graphic 3. Summary of merchant feedback University Drive Pedestrian Improvements, Phase II Public Meeting November 5, 2012 Question/Comments Form Responses 1. What are the three main issues you see with pedestrian travel along and across University Drive between College Main and South College Avenue? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • At University & Nagle -When you try to make a left turn onto University Dr from Nagle it's impossible. Lane signal has only 20 seconds and it's not enough time to cross students so you have to let all students cross and there is red light again. They should be crossing the other side by the gas station. Nagle and University -is a mess. Hard for pedestrians to cross and autos to turn left onto University because there is no left arrow. Also, hard to turn right, the intersection is too small. Nagle turning left onto University. The pedestrians crossing block vehicles from smoothly making left turns causing traffic backups to Church St. It is terribly unsafe by the Shell station at Nagle and University; generally from Tauber to Nagle -sidewalk not continuous, pedestrians end up in the street. Difficult to cross University at Nagle and at Tauber -you must be fast to walk across . Unsafe by Northside garage with cars turning in from University and out from the garage to University threatening pedestrians. Making a left turn (going eastbound) into McDonalds, needs a left-tum signal especially if pedestrian and auto traffic is to increase. Consistent traffic signals on all pedestrian crossings. In particular at University and South College A venue. The yield traveling southbound on S. College Ave to westbound University Dr is blind for pedestrians. As a student going to Northgate there are a lot of intoxicated students traveling this area, I think the improvements so far are great and would like to see it even safer for students. No room for people to wait to cross the street. Inadequate sidewalks and crosswalks . As a bike commuter, bike lanes are very important to me, at the same time on a street as busy as University, I would be concerned with the amount of traffic. Inconsistent widths in sidewalks -looks ugly . Pedestrians and cyclists crossing and not utilizing crosswalks . Pedestrian safety doesn't seem like an issue on sidewalks, but most crosswalks are ~- Pedestrians should be required to cross University Drive on one side of the street only . Inadequate lighting . Too small; broken sidewalks by post office and Taco Bell. Some sidewalks are cracked/uneven . Sidewalk widths in some places are very narrow and barely fit 2-3 people comfortably . Sidewalks are not big enough, very dangerous I ride my bike when I can and have been all around University. By far the most dangerous and uneasy feeling compared to the other roads surrounding campus. I feel most unsafe on University and I avoid it when I can. ~o recycling containers Page 1of5 University Drive Pedestrian Improvements, Phase II Public Meeting November 5, 2012 Question/Comments Form Responses 2. What concerns do you have with the current operations (pedestrian, bicycle, bus and auto) that you would like to see addressed? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Student should be barred crossing the left turn so cars has 20 second to make a left turn onto University and that particular signal needs more time. Lack of convenient street parking for customers trying to access business . Need designated loading zones for business to receive shipments arriving by large trucks . If you close any turns to the Northside garage please take into consideration on campus road configurations; changes; many that block turning into campus and driving through to reach certain areas such as the garage. Please leave as many 'wide' vehicle lanes as possible. Noted on sidewalk in front of Citibank there is a 'grass row' that can be used for space vs. taking from the street. At the S. College Avenue and University Dr intersection, there are no crossing signals on the eastmost traffic lights. Also on the eastmost intersection at University and Tauber there are no pedestrian crossings. Some crossings for pedestrians traveling east/west along University Dr. do not have crosswalk lights to alert pedestrians with it is all right to cross. If someone is on a bike traveling, pedestrians on foot have to move off the sidewalk to accommodate the bicyclist. Definitely more bicycle friendly. Crossing University is fine, but going along University is for the most part impossible. Maybe increased sidewalk width or bike lanes going across University. In general concerns are safety and the aesthetics. It would be cool to have an Urban/Downtown area with a lot of bike and pedestrian traffic while being safe. Parking is awful. With A&M in the SEC, there have been larger crowds at Northgate and there is no where to park unless you walk a long distance which can cause additional safety issues. I would like to see bike lanes all along University . No way to legally approach Blocker Bldg on Ireland by bicycle without traveling on University -which is busy/dangerous/stressful pedestrian crossing at Nagle and Tauber. Need good, wide sidewalk from Tauber to Nagle . Bikes can't really use University because it's too small and dangerous . Wider sidewalks and more defined crosswalks for pedestrians and bike safety . Bicycles and pedestrians should only be allowed to cross University on the west side of Nagle. This would allow traffic on Nagle to turn left onto University without having to wait on pedestrians that are crossing on the east side of University thus helping prevent traffic back up on Nagle. Page 2of5 II University Drive Pedestrian Improvements, Phase II Public Meeting November 5, 2012 Question/Comments Form Responses 3. What are the top three things you feel should be done to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety or operations? • By improving pedestrian and bicycle safety you should keep that in mind there are few businesses that depend on traffic. Those businesses should not be affected by improving safety. • Improve the infrastructure. • Improve enforcement. • Provide a mechanism for deferred adjudication for violators so police officers will not feel negative or hesitant about writing tickets. • Wider, smoother sidewalks. • Larger sidewalks. • Widen sidewalks, especially from Tauber to S. College on north side of University. • Widen the sidewalk near post office from Tauber to College Main. • Consistency in the traffic signals available at the intersections. • Limit traffic -get rid of lanes if we need to there are other ways to enter campus/N orthgate. • Barrier along sidewalks. • Wider sidewalks, bike lanes and better crossings. • Need sidewalk from Tauber to Nagle on north side of University. • Need safe pedestrian crossing at Nagle (to cross University). • Prefer better crossing at Tauber. • Safe bicycle access on University would also be good. • Bigger sidewalks. • A bigger queue area. • Wider sidewalks on westbound University. • Bike lanes on eastbound and westbound. • Stop traffic in all directions when bicycles and pedestrians cross University. Page 3of5 University Drive Pedestrian Improvements, Phase II Public Meeting November S, 2012 Question/Comments Form Responses 4. Please list other comments or questions you may have. • Anything need to be done on this project should be done by July 31 st so August when new students or existing students come we are ready to go and any business should not take a loss because of construction. • We cannot lose any more street parking adjacent to businesses. • We need adequate areas to receive shipments via large trucks. • We need Northgate to be more accessible for non-students to ensure the health of businesses especially during semester breaks and summer. • During Phase I we had to purchase a "Yes! We Are Open" sign to give pedestrians notice that we were open during construction -the City should help by creating a marketing campaign with banners hung in front of the construction to help those business with visibility during the project. The company logos could be displayed as part of the effort to attract business. • Maybe a pedestrian bridge overhead connecting north and south crossing traffic; maybe a dedicated pedestrian only crossing at the lights and then vehicle only green lights may be helpful. • I think you really need to address the blind spot travelling/walking near the Chipotle intersection. Traveling east by foot from Chipotle to the S. College intersection is a literal walk by faith. Maybe a notification system that would alert vehicles that pedestrians were crossing may be helpful. Pedestrians could push it to let cars know that pedestrians were about to cross. • I am a Recreation Parks & Tourism Services major and I really feel like if we could limit vehicle traffic and encourage pedestrian and bike traffic, the Northgate district could become a place for the whole community not just students and churches. It may hurt business at first but eventually as popularity increases the people will come and they will leave their cars at home or find a way to get there. People are good at that. I see a lot of potential on the Northgate but I think the first step is getting rid,t of the cars. • As a student, the Northgate district is a big part of our extra curricular activities not just at night but during the day as well so I would like to see businesses taken into account during construction so that they are still accessible. • Please do the south side of University first. The A&M sidewalks are in better shape. • I like the new pedestrian crossing at College Main where all traffic stops and everyone can cross at the same time. This might be a good solution to Nagle. • Signage for business during construction so people know what business is there and that they're open. • We own the Shell station at University Dr and Nagle Street. We have big concerns about changing the approaches and adding curbing to our location. First of all, gasoline deliveries are made by 8000 gallon tractor trailers and require to enter from Nagle Street, angle across the drive, and exit on University Drive going west. Traffic entering the site going west on University needs to also exit going west because of a very limited circulation on this property. Trying to exit on Nagle is not practical due to the traffic back up on Nagle Street and the small turning radii within our property. We would be happy to meet with you and your staff anytime. Page 4 of S University Drive Pedestrian Improvements, Phase II Public Meeting November 5, 2012 Question/Comments Form Responses Comments Marked on Display Boards • Ensure parking and pedestrians are cohesive. • Consider pedestrian overpasses. • Education for pedestrian and bike conflicts at intersections • Separate lane for bicycles through intersection at McDonalds so they don't have to cross in crosswalk or with autos. • Consider freight access to Northgate. • Why are the average daily traffic volumes highest in the center of University? • Only 5 to 6 cars can turn off SB Nagle to eastbound University -too few; creates queuing issues where queues back up to Church Ave. • Turning radius for westbound to northbound University to Nagle movement is too tight. • Previously vehicles cut across Culpepper development between Church and S. College. What will the new geometry look like? • Need a decent sidewalk between Cycles Etc and Rusty Taco. • Cars entering and leave the Northgate garage conflict with pedestrians. • Need access for parking between Aggieland Credit Union and Cycles Etc. • Porch/sidewalk issues at Cycles Etc. • Hard to cross University at Nagle on foot. • Retime light to allow 20 seconds for lefts at Nagle. • Consider freight delivery on College Main St. -bike lanes currently prohibit unloading and loading parking. • Do we need to provide benches, trees, trash cans per City ordinance for this project? Page 5of5 November 21, 2011 Consent Agenda Item No. 2d Project Number ST-1202 University Drive Sidewalks Improvements Project J\ 'Jn,~ S'' To: David Neeley, City Manager From: Chuck Gilman, P.E., Public Works Director t>',g.-?' 0 r"' ~~"> \~)--~ Agenda Caption: Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding professional services contract for the University Drive Sidewalks Improvements Project to Gattis Engineering, LLC in the amount of $75,595.00 Relationship to Strategic Goals: Financially Sustainable City Providing Response to Core Services and Infrastructure Recommendation(s): Staff recommends approval of this contract. Summary: Funding in the form of Community Development Block Grant funds has been identified for the design of new sidewalks along University Drive between Texas Avenue and Fire Station No. 6, currently under construction. Design work covered under this contract includes, but is not limited to, the route design, topographical and boundary survey, and the identification of potential land need. Budget & Financial Summary: The FY12 revised budget for design and land acquisition for this project is $81,000. It is anticipated that additional CDBG funds will be allocated for construction of the sidewalks in FY13, but this is contingent upon receipt of sufficient CDBG funds. Attachments: 1. Resolution 2. Project Location Map 33 RESOLUTION NO. -------- A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, SELECTING A PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR, APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR THE UNIVERSITY DRIVE SIDEWALKS IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. WHEREAS, the City of College Station, Texas, solicited proposals for the design; and WHEREAS, the selection of Gattis Enginnering, LLC is being recommended as the most highly qualified provider of the design services; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: PART 1: · That the City Council hereby finds that Gattis Engineering, LLC is the most highly qualified provider of the services for the University Drive Sidewalks Improvements Project on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications. PART 2: That the City Council hereby approves the contract with Gattis Engineering, LLC for an amount not to exceed $75,595.00 for the design services related to the University Drive Sidewalks Improvements Project. PART 3: That the funding for this Contract shall be as budgeted from the Streets Capital Fund in the amount of $75,595.00. PART 4: That this resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage. ADOPTED this ____ day of ____________ , A.D. 2011. ATTEST: APPROVED: City Secretary MAYOR APPROVED: Ci~·?k 34 To: November 21, 2011 Consent Agenda Item No. 2e Project Number ST-1203 FM 2154 Sidewalk Improvements Project David Neeley, City Manager From: Chuck Gilman, P.E., Public Works Director Agenda Caption: Presentation, possible action, and discussion regarding professional services contract for the FM 2154 Sidewalk Improvements Project to Gattis Engineering, LLC in the amount of $98,229.00. Relationship to Strategic Goals: Financially Sustainable City Providing Response to Core Services and Infrastructure Recommendation(s): Staff recommends approval of this contract. Summary: Funding in the form of Community Development Block Grant funds has been identified for the design of sidewalks along FM 2154 (Wellborn Road) between Southwest Parkway and Luther Street. Design work covered under this contract includes, but is not limited to, the route design, topographical and boundary survey, and the identification of potential land need. Budget & Financial Summary: The FY12 revised budget for design and land acquisition for this project is $104,000. It is anticipated that additional CDBG funds will be allocated for construction of the sidewalks in FY13, but this is contingent upon receipt of sufficient CDBG funds. Attachments: 1. Resolution 2. Project Location Map 36 RESOLUTION NO. -------~ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS, SELECTING A PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR, APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR THE FM 2154 SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. WHEREAS, the City of College Station, Texas, solicited proposals for the design; and WHEREAS, the selection of Gattis Engineering, LLC is being recommended as the most highly qualified provider of the design services; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS: PART 1: That the City Council hereby finds that Gattis Engineering, LLC is the most highly qualified provider of the services for the FM 2154 Sidewalk Improvements Project on the basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications. PART 2: That the City Council hereby approves the contract with Gattis Engineering, LLC for an amount not to exceed $98,229.00 for the design services related to the FM 2154 Sidewalk Improvements Project. PART 3 : That the funding for this Contract shall be as budgeted from the Streets Capital Fund in the amount of $98,229.00. PART 4: That this resolution shall take effect immediately from and after its passage. ADOPTED this ____ day of ____________ , A.D. 2011. ATTEST: APPROVED: City Secretary MAYOR APPROVED: Cit~·ffe 37