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Home My WebLink AboutTIC 2018-09-24 Item 2C - Discussion - Tukwila International Boulevard Retrofit AnalysisTO: FROM: BY: Allan Ekberg, Mayor Public Works Department - Henry Hash, Director INFOR ATIONAL E ORANDU Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee Henry Hash, Public Works Director Jack Pace, DCD Director Cyndy Knighton, Senior Program Manager; Moira Bradshaw, Senior Planner; and Lynn Miranda, Senior Planner CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: September 21, 2018 SUBJECT: Tukwila International Boulevard Rechannelization and Zoning Changes Project No. 81710404 ISSUE Update on current direction and schedule for implementing Tukwila International Boulevard (TIB) zoning changes and reviewing options that could include additional studies that impact possible TIB rechannelization and zoning changes. BACKGROUND On May 1, 2017, the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) delivered a report to the City Council on their recommendations for implementing the City's adopted goals and policies for the TIB neighborhood, including transforming TIB into a "main street", based upon the Comprehensive Plan's direction and community workshops held over three days in February 2017. CNU discussed with Council the role of TIB in setting the main street character and environment for the neighborhood. The recommended alternative for achieving the change was to reduce the number of through lanes on TIB and add on -street parking and bicycle lanes. The zoning regulations for development located behind the sidewalk would need to be connected to the roadway design. Tukwila contracted with Fehr & Peers, a transportation consultant, to study the impacts of the proposed road diet, or rechannelization on TIB. The information from the study was presented to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (TIC) on November 14, 2017. The Committee did not arrive at a recommendation but directed staff to conduct further study options and report back for further discussion. The Fehr & Peers study was updated in January 2018 to include and discuss alternative design options. DISCUSSION The Fehr & Peers report shows that traffic impacts to TIB and the nearby residential streets will likely be significant. Mitigation measures to the residential streets have not been fully identified but could be expensive based upon staff's assessment. Impacts to the roadways include increased congestion and travel time on TIB, significant volume increases on parallel residential streets, and impacts to emergency vehicle response routes and response times. Further changes to adjacent roads, such as Military Road S in SeaTac (i.e., proposed southbound access to TIB closure) may further impact TIB. In addition, the takeover agreement with WSDOT for TIB (SR99) sought Tukwila's assurance that this roadway would continue to function as a through, regional arterial and emergency detour if there is a problem on 1-5. (See Attachment) Based on this information, the direction is to not move forward with the rechannelization of TIB at this time and instead update the zoning code that works towards implementing the City's adopted goals for the neighborhood and the CNU recommendations, whose focus is to create a walkable, pedestrian friendly, and vibrant neighborhood. 95 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 |fthe Council desires, it is possible to take more time and do additional studies prior to deciding final zoning changes for T|Bi This would delay final implementation of the TIB zoning code changes by approximately six totwelve months, This study could further analyze the impacts and costs ofreoh$nne|icoUonmfTlRand best practice approaches tomitigate them. The character Vfthe neighborhood andthetvpe ofbusinesses that locate oOmstreet are affected b«the type of roadway, what itlooks like, the amount and origin and destination Qfthe motorists, the ratio oftrucks, cars and pedestrians, how fast vehicles moves, and how easy it is to cross the street. The naohanne|izadon with on -street parking and bike lanes on T|Bvvao o key port to the [:NU nyconnmendations, but there was MU detailed study of the actual costs or impact of these changes on the surrounding neighborhoods and traffic. FISCAL IMPACT The fiscal impact to the City for additional studies could be up to $140,000. Implementation of road changes or mitigation measures could add significant cost based on the final design chosen. OPTIONS Option A - Administration Recommendation — Current Desiqn and Updated Zoninq Code: Assume no changes to the configuration of the T|B roadway. Move forward with the recommendations for development regulations for the T|B district. Plan for additional, safer pedestrian crossing improvements. � ~ Review and adoption onUoipmtedinthe 1mand 2ou quarters of2O1S; * Aminor extension ofthe moratorium may be needed. w Additional funding may banecessary for design and construction cf anticipated new pedestrian crossings. Option B: Further Traffic and Mitiqation Study: Allocate time and resources to fully study the trafficimpacts and mitigation alternativeoand/nnp|icationsonfu*una|anduae along with coordination with Gea-Tacand VVSDOT.The study would develop ways to mitigate the impacts tpthe nearby residential streets and develop cost estimates for both the mitigation and rechanne|izaMVn. m The study xVoU(d take approximately months to oJ[np|eba. Review and adoption of development regulations would be delayed by approximately one to two calendar quarters past a roadway decision. The extent Cfrevisions to development regulations would depend onthe selected reconfiguration option for the T|Broadway. * Anextension ofthe moratorium would benecessary. * Estimated coot for this study .00D, which is currently unbudoeted. Funding would need to be appropriated in the 2019-2020 budget cycle or made available from other sources if the Council wants the study tobegin sooner. • |faroad design change and mitigation measures are adopted, additional funds would need to be appropriated. Option C: Further Traffic, K8|UgaUonand Economic Benefit Study: Includes Option Aplus evaluation ofthe oVnt and benefits associated with the various roadway options UMredevelopment ofthe T|Barea. • Estimated total cost for this option is $140000.xvhich is currently unbudQeted. Funding would need to be appropriated in the 2019-2020 budget cycle or made available from other sources ifthe Council wants the study tVbegin sooner. * Similar options and impacts eaidentified inOption A ~ If a road design change and mitigation measures are adopted, additional funds would need to baappropriated for the changes. 96 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 3 RECOMMENDATION Discussion and possible co meeting. m ee recommendation to be discussed at a future Council of the Whole ATTACHMENT • Fehr and Peers TIB Rechannelization Study excerpt "Conclusion" • CNU Legacy Project excerpt "Boulevard Improvements" • WSDOT Letter to Mayor Mullet dated December 11, 2003 97 1 1 ova r Prepared for: City of Tukwila September 2017 SE17-0561 FEHO'PEERS 98 � � � Chapter �� N�N� ��Non INNINN The rechannelization of Tukwila International Boulevard between S 144th Street and S 152ndStreet toremove one northbound and southbound travellane and tninstall bicycle lanes and on -street parking would result in significant congestion for southbound vehicles entering the corridor under both 2017 and 2030 demand scenarios. The existing demand for vehicles travelling through the entire study corridor on TIB exceeds 700 vehicles in both directions during the PM peak hour. This demand is forecasted to increase by over 20% by 2030 due to new residential and commercial development near the study corridor. Removing a travel lane in each direction results in overcapacity conditions, especially for southbound drivers at S 144th Street. Delay, travel times, and vehicular queuing increase substantially in both 2017 and 2030 scenarios and would likely result in drivers choosing parallel routes asalternatives toT/B. The travel time data and Streetlight OD data provide information on travel behavior for drivers currently using T|8. An analysis of the data suggests that at least 50% of existing travel on the roadway is pass - through trips. These trips represent non -local travel: trips that pass through the corridor without stopping or those not related to nearby residential or commercial land uses. Popular origins and destinations are SmoTacand Central Seattle. Since 2O1[\the traffic volumes onT|8have increased bv1O96to 15%despite limited land use development near the study corridor. The increases in traffic volumes are likely due to spillover from congested regional routes as drivers seek less congested alternatives. If the existing volume of pass -through travel, approximately 800 vehicle trips during the PM peak hour, were to shift to alternative routes, the TlBcnrridor could accommodate the growth in traffic from planned development with the rechannelization and operate with a similar quality of service to that experienced today. The traffic calming measures that would need to be implemented to prevent traffic from diverting onto 42nd Avenue S and Military Road S after the rechannelization of Tukwila International Boulevard would need to reduce vehicle speeds bvatleast GO%, compared with posted speed limits. This is beyond the range of effectiveness ofmost common traffic calming treatments and would require average travel speeds of 15mph on these facilities which would significantly impact local residents who live along these streets. Alternatives to traffic calming measures are physical barriers or turn restrictions that prevent vehicles from using these parallel routes as alternatives to TIB: intersection diverters or short one-way segments. The most effective locations for installation of these preventative measures would likely be in the vicinity of S 14411 Street. While these barriers occupy a small area, they are still an inconvenience for residents who are accustomed to traversing the area on Military Road o/42"u Avenue S. If the proposed rechennelization is pursued, the City could further investigate the optimal design and placement of these devices which would prevent cut -through traffic while maintaining as much connectivity ��N� 1� �� « ~^^^^') PEERS 21 99 � 7IN�!'��M��m9��mm ° aspossible for|oco|nsidenbaswe|osstudentstraveUingtoFosUerHighSchno orThonndykeElementary School. As part of a larger outreach program to promote this project, the City could also consider a temporary installation of the lane conversion on HB to bicycle lanes and traffic calming devices on nearby streets to demonstrate to the local community how the project would be implemented and its potential benefits to all users. This "tactical urbanism" approach would also allow the City to quickly assess traffic operations conditions before and after implementation nfthe project. The proposed rechannelization of TIB would necessitate a change in usage and perception for this facility. While the route today serves o high percentage of regional pass -through traffic, the reduction in vehicular capacity would likely limit the facility's usage to local residents and employees. Even with the existing travel demand, a significant volume of trips vvou|6 shift to alternate parallel routes to avoid the increased congestion along T|B. However, the removal of two travel lanes would a||ovv for the installation of bicycle lanes and on -street parking which would contribute to a more amenable environment for all users. K��A�� « ~"^^^') PEERS 22 100 BOULEVARD 0 2 LLI 2 CNU LEGACY PROJECT 17 APRIL 2017 trriplrne.riting Olt Visico , 4,44414 4,444,,,,,444 -vogg1044,,4,4 ,4 4444, ,444. .04 ,,„„ Ark" t4414 te vi 41Ik4 *4141p4a, „ ,„ 4. 444 f*V4*44* 444446 .4, 04 ,48'4 4,4,N '44 ' 4 44 r 44 444 4 44444,,,44r 101 Boulevard Improvements The evulutinn ut TM I010 a walitable m.aan street Inay begin with turn im- rn change$. The rust is restrip;ng the Boulevard _ `-- _--" from a f:vz lane road anto :. three-�- lane street. =his Includes the addition of new crosswalks and a protected bike lane (See page 32 for details). The second stca is a change to the toning ordirzuce to our develop- rnant wdl implement the N,ion This chin-ge Indudes rermlttmg gzeat.•f diversity and capacity of tine whale alfovnfl ,ncremental eeve!oprnent m the short term (tee page 42 for de• tads). it) IMPLEMENTATION Short term steps for implementation include re striping the Boulevard and amending the zoning. R€xTR/PING Pt AN The initial step in the TIR ovolutipn I'x a resrrlping plan rcr the Boulevard. I raffic studies must be done =n ad- vance of the work but a schematic pia n was developed during, the work- shop, Shown on the next pages. Some pets or TtB have d;wilco as great as 2,5P7 without a rr o5Swdtk. This distance provides a (hinge' Sus envirnment where residents cross mldbtock vrrh no protection. To build a robust main street enoronivenu pedestrians must be able to easily cross the street to access shops on the other side- Irs addition to cross- walks, new RFtF6s are recommended. A RRFR is an umber-coiorcd flash- ing light (LEO) that is activated by a pedestrian before using a crosswalk, the purpose of an RRFB is to increase vehicle yielding al rresswadis. RRFRs are attached to pedesrrian crossing warning signs.., and are also accompa- nied by piano Key crosswalks and ad - Vance yield rnakine,s.Thc be;tceriss arc usually solar f}owe€ed. and (lash vs- Ing an irregular patter that be s(rnilSr 10 emergency vehicle fl"as(sers ors poi lire vehicles, KEY Existing RRFB Ik 'i2 The pan to the tight 41?awS a char e franc 5 lane, [c lane; beginning with 5. 139''11 Street in the north to S. 1:52"1 Street at the southern end. the new street section New crosswalk Is illustrated above, as compared to the eaasting rcnoh- nons sn the upper right Image, l a,i RRFB In addition to the restriping, new pedestrian crosswalks and signals should be added. New RRFBs should be IQ- Restrping area catedat5.141kStreet and 5,14( Street. Newc.vSswatlks Should be added at 5. 142', 5. 14r 5. 150", and oath ,,,,,.,, Nc'rt;tieetS ise,A' east 14`est street a4 nirycre de5eope0 ostr mile Sluiml on the plan to the right. To assure loral traffic re managed well, provale additional development opportunities, and create a bicycle and pe• destrian network, new streets should ne added to pro- vide multiple routes northfsetith and easJtees?. EY 34 Washington State Department of Transportation Douglas B. MacDonald Secretary of Transportation December 11, 2003 The Honorable Steven M. Mullet, Mayor City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 Dear Mayor: Transportation Building 310 Maple Park Avenue 5,E P.0 Box 47300 Olympia, WA 98504-7300 360-705-7000 TTY 1-800-833-6386 venrwwsdotwa.gov This letter confirms discussions recently held betWeen WSDOT and the City of Tukwila related to the proposed route jurisdiction transfer of State Route 99. Through the route transfer process carried out by the Transportation Improvement Board and the last legislative session, WSDOT opposed the transfer to the city. WSDOT's position was to wait until the completion of SR 509 before realigning the state highway network in the area. Instead of continuing this disagreement,. WSDOT is willing to agree to this legislative transfer with the following conditions: WSDOT seeks Tukwila's assurance that this section will continue to function as a through, regional arterial, and that the city will agree to cooperate with WSDOT by making this section of arterial available as an emergency detour if there is a problem on 1-5. We have noted that a project funded by the Legislature's 2003 Transportation Revenue Package (SR 99 between S. 138th St. Vic. To north of S. 130' - to be funded during the 07/09 biennium) may be affected by this transfer. While we assume that any route transfer will not affect the availability of the money for this project, should the route transfer take place, the funds will need to be transferred out of our state highway capital improvement program to WSDOT's local program so that the funds could then be granted to the City of Tukwila. This would be an issue for WSDOT and the city to work on with the legislature for the 07-09 biennium budget. 105 The Honorable Steven nr1. Mullet December 12, 2003 Page I am real r stingy that you ctunthnnitr ent. Having this commitment from the city, WSDCT agrees that jurisdiction of this roue should be transferred to the City ofTukwila. We will forward our support of this proposal to Senators Horn and Prentice for their information in considering the transfer. Sincerely, Charles E. Idrard, Jr., Director Strategic Planning and Programming Steven M. Mullet Mayor City of Tukwila cc: Paula Hammon d/47316 Lorena Eng 82-105 Ron Paananen/NB82- 10 I 106