Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIS 2023-12-04 item 1E - Report - Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Year-End ReportCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor Public Works Department - Harr Ponnekanti, Director/City Engineer INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee FROM: Hari Ponnekanti, Public Works Director/City Engineer BY: Cyndy Knighton, Senior Program Manager CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: December 1, 2023 SUBJECT: Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program Project No. 82310301 Year End Report ISSUE Update the Council on the achievements of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program for 2023. BACKGROUND Ever since 2021, when ARPA funding was made available to the City, and specifically the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, staff, and our consultant, KPG-Psomas, has been mostly focusing on the Top-10 Recommended NTCP Projects list developed in late 2021. The 2021 priority was to purchase normal stock items used in traffic calming, such as LED street signs, speed feedback signs, and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) units. In 2022, staff and KPG focused efforts in Allentown, the TCC, three elementary schools, S Ryan Way, and the S 144th S/46th Avenue S intersection. DISCUSSION Building on the work completed in 2022, staff and KPG have continued building on the work completed in 2022 and have begun additional work on the rest of the Top-10 list. Staffing changes have reduced the amount of time available to work on the NTCP, but work has continued addressing every project on the Top-10 list. Some study will carry into 2024 to complete the planning and engineering; however, the construction of the new raised crosswalk and RRFB on 42nd Ave S at the S 119th Street Pedestrian Bridge is expected to be fully complete and operational this year. When all the study efforts are complete, staff will discuss the findings with the Council and will prioritize which projects move into construction in 2024 and beyond. Grants are not readily available for traffic calming projects, except for the Transportation Improvement Board's Complete Street program. A new call for projects under that program is expected in late spring, and staff will apply for funding. FINANCIAL IMPACT N/A RECOMMENDATION Information only. ATTACHMENTS • Staff Top-10 Recommended NTCP Projects • Top-10 Locations Map 73 Status Update for the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program — December 2023 A. Allentown Neighborhood • Completed study. • Submitted two grant applications to fund safety, traffic calming, and pedestrian improvements. • Completed memo for the closure of the 42nd Avenue S bridge over the Duwamish River. • Constructed raised crosswalk with RRFB on 42nd Avenue S at 119th Street pedestrian bridge. B. and D. Tukwila Elementary School and Cascade Elementary School • Collected transportation count and speed data. • Met with representatives from the two schools to understand their issues and needs. • Developed draft set of improvements for both schools. • In 2024, we will share draft improvements with schools and finalize improvements. C. Impact Charter School Safety Improvements • Collected transportation count and speed data. • ADA and signage design for 148th Street completed in 2022. • In 2024, we will meet with school representatives and develop improvements. E. Tukwila Community Center Pedestrian Crossing Safety Improvements • Project completed. RRFBs installed on 124th Street at 44th Avenue and at 46th Avenue. F. Macadam Road S Speed and Safety Improvements • Collected transportation count and speed data. • Developing list of safety and traffic calming improvements. G. Southcenter Boulevard/65th Avenue S Pedestrian Safety Improvements • Completed preliminary design and submitted TIB grant application in 2023. H. Citywide Residential Speed Limit Review • Reviewed state and City of Tukwila laws related to citywide speed limits. • Reviewed case studies for cities that have reduced local street speed limit to 20 mph. • Documented findings in a draft memo. • In 2024, we will evaluate select arterials for potential speed limit reductions. I. S Ryan Way Pedestrian Safety Improvements • Preliminary design complete. • In 2024, City will pursue grant funding for improvements. J. S 144th Street/46th Avenue S ADA Ramps • Improvements constructed in 2022. 74 Staff Top-10 Recommended NTCP Projects Modified 6/03/2022 Original Cost Updated Cost Updated Cost Project Details Potential Treatment Options Status Estimate Range Estimate Range A Allentown Neighborhood Speed and Safety Study Since 2018, five individual requests for traffic calming have been recorded in the NTCP list of requests; additional traffic complaints have been made to the City over prior years. Addressing traffic safety concerns in Allentown is a top priority for the City. • Draft Transportation Safety Study completed. • Conducted public outreach meetings on 3/22/22 and 4/26/22. •Submitted WSDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Grant application in 5/2022. • New traffic counts are being done to evaluate improvements. $50,000-80,000 $20k for study $640k for CN of study recommendations $680,000 Study neighborhood -wide volume, speed, classification and safety issues. Identify and design Level 1 and Level 2 treatments throughout Allentown. Level 1: Improved signage; radar feedback signs; pavement marking modifications. Level 2: Sidewalks; curb extensions; raised crosswalk; traffic calming; and remove the eastbound right -turn slip lane and reconfigure the S 124th Street/50th Place S intersection. B Tukwila Elementary School Safety Improvements Since 2018, 12 traffic calming requests have been made in the Tukwila Hill neighborhood, with a significant number near Tukwila Elementary School. Common complaints have been about speeding and crosswalk or pedestrian safety. Additionally, the Council has asked for proactively addressing or anticipating concerns, specifically around school zones. Some improvements have been made around Tukwila Elementary School already but more improvements are needed. • Transportation Safety Study initiated 5/2022. • Collecting transportation counts and speed data before the end of the school year. • Improvements are expected to be installed in 2023. $30,000-80,000 TBD $30,000-80,000 Address pedestrian mobility, crosswalk safety concerns, speeding, sight distance, and upgrade School Zone signage. Level 1: School Zone beacons; improved signage; radar feedback signs; pavement marking modifications. Level 2: Curb extensions; RRFB installation; ADA ramp upgrades; improved illumination. C Impact Charter School Safety Improvements A request specific to the newly opened Impact Charter School was received in 2019. The request was to provide a signed school zone, which Tukwila has provided signs marking school crossings on S 148th Street. ADA-compliant ramps have not been installed at the marked school crossings. The charter school has expanded their site to the north which requires creating a school zone on S 146th Street and other potential improvements for children's safety. Additionally, the Council has asked for proactively addressing or anticipating concerns, specifically around school zones. • Transportation Safety Study initiated 5/2022. • Collecting transportation counts and speed data before the end of the school year. •Proposed private development may provide ADA ramp improvement on S 146th Street. $8,000-15,000 TBD $8,000-15,000 Provide school crossing improvements, establish school zone on S 146th Street, if needed. Provide school crossing improvements, observe operating speeds, if necessary establish speed zone. Level 1: Improved signage for school zones on S 148th Street and S 146th Street; crosswalk installations. Level 2: ADA ramp improvements; RRFB installations; curb extensions. D Cascade View Elementary School Safety Improvements Since 2018, the Cascade View neighborhood has seen 9 requests for traffic calming. Four of the requests were about speeding, school crossing and pedestrian safety at locations around the Cascade View Elementary School. 85th Percentile speeds of —30MPH have been recorded, but analysis is needed to identify if speeding occurs during the 20MPH-active school zone period. Additionally, the Council has asked for proactively addressing or anticipating concerns, specifically around school zones. • Transportation Safety Study initiated 5/2022. • Collecting transportation counts and speed data before the end of the school year. • Improvements are expected to be installed in 2023. $8,000-15,000 TBD $8,000-15,000 Upgrade School Zone signing, design and install pedestrian crossing improvements. Level 1: Improved signage for school zones on S 148th Street and S 146th Street; crosswalk installation. Level 2: ADA ramp improvements; curb extensions; enhanced crosswalk treatments. E Tukwila Community Center Pedestrian Crossing Safety Improvements The City Council has expressed desire for the NTCP to have a proactive element in addressing traffic calming and safety needs throughout the City. The TCC is a well -utilized facility by the Allentown neighborhood as well as the entire City and surrounding area. Concerns over the pedestrian crossings on 5 124th Street have been raised by staff and residents in the past, along with the larger complaints of speeding in Allentown. Increasing pedestrian visibility to improve safety in this high- use area is a recommended top priority for the NTCP. • Design completed for RRFBs, curb extensions and ADA ramps at 44th Avenue S and 46th Avenue S. • Installation scheduled for summer 2022. $80,000-100,000 $15k PE $47k RRFB units $78k RRFB Installation $110,000.00 Install pedestrian safety improvements on S 124th Street at 44th Avenue S and 46th Avenue S. Level 1: Improve pedestrian crossing signage. Level 2: RRFB installations; upgrade ADA ramps; curb extensions; improved illumination. 75 Staff Top-10 Recommended NTCP Projects Modified 11/28/2023 Original Cost Updated Cost Updated Cost Project Details Potential Treatment Options Status Estimate Range Estimate Range F Macadam Road Speed and Safety Improvements At least five requests for traffic calming, specific to speeding (and some secondary reasons) have been made since 2018. A radar feedback sign was placed near the 13700 block in 2019 but requests have continued to be made. Additional analysis is warranted to determine what other improvements could be used to address the speeding, especially where Macadam Road has extremely limited sight distance due to the curvy nature of the roadway. • Design to begin in 2/3Q. $10,000 - 30,000 TBD $10,000 - 30,000 Design and install treatments addressing speeding and curve safety north of S 144th Street. Level 1: Improved signage; LED chevron signs; channelization modifications. Level 2: G Southcenter Boulevard/65th Avenue S Pedestrian Safety Improvements Staff identified the need for improvement pedestrian safety at this location several years ago. Southcenter Boulevard is a 5- lane roadway with known speeding issues along with curves that restrict sight distance. A high pedestrian usage at this intersection accessing the King County Metro bus stop that services both the Rapid Ride F-Line and Route 150, both workhorses of the south County transit network, justifies improving pedestrian crossing safety. This intersection is slated for full signalization in the future, but interim pedestrian safety improvements should be considered sooner. • Funding available for design of full signal in 2022 CIP. • Design to begin in 2022. • Will consider signage improvements for interim in 2/3Q. $50,000-$90,000 TBD $50,000-$90,000 Design and install pedestrian safety improvements Level 1: Improved signage for pedestrian crossing Level 2: RRFB installation; ADA ramp upgrades; improved illumination H City-wide Residential Speed Limit Review As part of the City Council's expressed desire to proactively look at traffic calming needs, a full review of the residential street posted speed limits is recommended by staff. State law establishes city speed limits at 25MPH unless an engineering study is completed to justify higher speed limits. Most residential streets are posted at 25MPH today, but there are many that are posted at 30MPH or 35MPH. Likely, those speed limits are legacies of past annexation areas, where a speed study was completed by King County. The general impression Staff has is that most residents and elected officials would be happier with lower speed limits. City of Seattle has also recently lowered all speed limits nearly city-wide to be 25MPH. • Not started yet. $5,000-8,000 TBD $5,000-8,000 Identify residential streets with speed limits currently above 25MPH. Conduct volume, speed and safety review. Recommend changes to speed limits, as necessary. Level 1: Modify speed limit ordinance; as needed; install new signs; as needed. Level 2: I S Ryan Way Pedestrian Safety Improvements Two requests for traffic calming to address speeding and pedestrian crossing safety in the Ryan Hill area have been made in 2021. New developments are coming forward that will increase the residential population of this part of the City with multi- family developments. The speed concerns, especially along S Ryan Way, coupled with the new housing developments increasing the likelihood of increased pedestrian activity, warrants this analysis be recommended as a top priority. • Transportation Safety Study for improved signage and safety improvements may begin in 2/3Q. • Construction of improvements possible in 2023. $10,000-100,000 TBD $10,000-100,000 Safety study on S Ryan Way from MLK Jr. Way to east city limits, focusing on speeding and pedestrian safety. Recommend Level 1 and Level 2 improvements. Design and construct improvements. Level 1: Improved signage. Level 2: Curb extension, improved illumination. J S 144th Street/46th Avenue S ADA Ramps The Tukwila School District requested school crossing safety improvements at this intersection in 2017. A new Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon was installed in 2019. At the time the RRFB was installed, the City was also submitting a grant application for the 46th Avenue S Safe Routes to School project, which would improve pedestrian safety between this intersection south to S 150th Street, and would include either a raised pedestrian crosswalk at the RRFB or install ADA- compliant curb ramps. The grant was not awarded. State law requires ADA ramps be brought up to current standards anytime a new signal, including the RRFB, is installed. Since grant monies for the larger improvement are not expected in the short term, staff recommends this as a priority to comply with all state and federal laws regarding ADA requirements. • Design at 50% with construction to be done with the 2022 Annual Overlay Project. $15,000-20,000 $15k PE $90k Construction $105,000 Design and install ADA-compliant ramps at the intersection. Level 1: Level 2: ADA upgrades to ramps at RRFB (not done at time of RRFB installation due to budget constraints). Total $266,000-$538,000 $808,000 $1,016,000 - $1,233,000 76 S 152nd St o-I-e S 52nd PI B m Wig Blvd Corporate C porate Minkler BI¢dr Upland Dr City of Tukwila S Not to Scale Vicinity Map 8 King County - Disclaimer: The location of features and boundaries are approximate and are intended for reference only. Data is based on best information available. 77 U:\PW Eng\GIS General Maps\Streets_11 x17_Sept2018.mxd Date: 09/09/18 By: R. Linsao