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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05rla:;k�e!vlfe Memorandum To: Chris Petree, Public Works Director From: Monica Heil, Operations and Maintenance Engineer Copy: Zach Johnson, City Engineer City of Lakeville Public Works Date: October 24, 2014 Subject: Ipava Avenue Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Study Neighborhood Meeting: Meeting Minutes A neighborhood meeting to discuss the findings of the Ipava Avenue Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Study was held on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at the City's Water Treatment Facility. Approximately 45 adults and 19 children were in attendance. Below is a summary of the questions and comments received at the meeting: Questions 1 (Q1): What prompted the study? Answer 1 (Al): A crash last summer involving a bicyclist and a motor vehicle prompted the re-evaluation of pedestrian/bicyclist safety along the Ipava Avenue corridor. Q2: I understand you studied the number of crossings over two 48-hour periods at different times of the year, but did you send out a survey asking people how many of them would like to cross Ipava Avenue, but do not because of safety concerns? A2: No, the survey you are asking about was not conducted. The traffic/safety study was based on an actual sampling of counts/traffic movements; not hypothetical. Two separate counts were taken to capture an accurate assement of the pedestrian/bicyclist activity within the area. One count was taken during the week and a second was taken during a weekend. School was in session during both counts. Q3: Doesn't the volume of desires to cross Ipava Avenue warrant making crossing improvement to Ipava Avenue a priority? What would be considered a "significant" number of crossings? A3: Many factors go into making decisions regarding crossing improvements. A cost - benefit analysis was one of the methods used to make the recommendations within the report. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) identifies a "significant" number of pedestrian crossings as 20 -crossings per hour. The highest crossing volumes observed with the study were observed at 178th Street (53 pedestrians and 23 bicyclists) over a 48-hour period in the spring of 2014. Q4: It was mentioned that traffic signals will be installed at the intersection of 175' Street next year in conjunction with the CSAH 50/CSAH 60 intersection improvements. I think the, addition of the traffic signal at this intersection will only serve to increase vehicle speeds along Ipava Avenue. A4: The addition of the signal at 175th Street will change conditions along Ipava Avenue south of 17511 Street, and will likely result in the City conducting another pedestrian/bicycle safety study in the future. Q5: What would it take to get a pedestrian overpass/underpass crossing installed at 183rd Street? A5: As previously stated, a cost -benefit analysis was conducted to assist with preparing recommendations of the improvements along Ipava Avenue. Site conditions would make the installation of an overpass/underpass very expensive, and would likely have significant impacts to adjacent properties. In addition, utility conflicts (i.e. storm sewer, sanitary sewer and watermain) would be realized. Q6: Will there ever be a traffic signal installed along Ipava Avenue between 175th Street and 185th Street? A6: It does not appear likely. The traffic operations study completed by the City's traffic engineering consultant would suggest all existing intersections are functioning at adequate levels of service. Additionally, Ipava Avenue was designed to function as an arterial roadway, carrying large volumes of traffic directly and efficiently through the City. Q7: Why was an elementary school built on an arterial roadway? A7: The City had classified the corridor as an arterial roadway long before Eastview Elementary School or the Quail Ridge development were constructed. Both the school district and the developer of the Quail Ridge neighborhood knew the functional classification of the roadway prior to construction - questions about why the School District chose this site should be directed to the District. Q8: Why can't the City change the classification of the roadway? A8: Development all around Ipava Avenue was designed and constructed with the knowledge the Ipava Avenue would serve as an arterial for the City, providing ingress and egress to multiple neighborhoods throughout the City. Q9: Why isn't there a crosswalk at Ira Lane? A9: At the time Ipava Avenue was reconstructed in 2007, the school did not want a pedestrian crosswalk at Ira Avenue as buses were entering/existing the school site at their school's driveway location opposite Ira Avenue. Q10: Can the speed limit be lowered? A10: Speed limits are determined by MnDOT. A change in speed limit would need to be approved by MnDOT's Commissioner of Transportation following a speed study. Speed limits are largely determined by vehicle speeds travelling at the 85th percentile, and as such, a reduction in speed along Ipava Avenue is not likely. Q11: What would need to be done to make the Principal at Eastview Elementary School comfortable to use crossing guards along Ipava Avenue? All: The City cannot answer that question; please contact the Principal directly. Q12: We want to be notified of the next pedestrian/bicycle study dates so we can plan to cross Ipava Avenue on those days. Q12: Doing so would not accurately reflect the actual crossing counts. Q13: What is City Staff recommending to the Council be done along Ipava Avenue. Q13: Staff supports all of the recommendations outlined in the report. The discussion for the City Council will be how to prioritize and fund improvements such as these throughout the City. The City, school district representatives, and residents alike have worked together on a School Roads Safety Task Force to identify concerns such as this throughout the City. City Staff is working with the Council to budget and prioritize improvements City-wide. Q14: I would like to see flashing "School Zone" signage installed along Ipava. I have seen it elsewhere throughout the state, and think it is very effective. A14: Comment noted. Q15: The timing of the pedestrian crossing light at the intersection with 185th Street is too short. A15: Thank you for the feedback. We will share this information with the County, which owns and maintains the signals at 185th Street. Neighborhood Meeting 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM— Thursday, October 23, 2014 Sigi: In Sheet Ipava Avenue Pedestrian/Bicycle Study City Project 13-13 Name Address Telephone Email Comment lc -6e— s-k,pue+ ipvy _rm,,5+%rLo- 95a—q5- /S-�- lm-e ah1 er 9y(v% I-77� I(A CS 32 a5614 („9 952-232-1;0 n CJ � 1 UA4 4 CYu�. � qSz-err-�' SG l 7' �` (503-38 11 , CO M G.,WWImprm—kWII3-131pa An Ped SmdelAlnrbWWdghbw*wdAkeengSlgndu Shed If1 3/lAdoc U e Yt e- Y-L4` �`��e� (d f� l�vri frn, ysa 3s, ci s( Cappwce 39e.cr , 8 i3 a I �xs 4sa-8�ia-3ac1 �v�nn CP,ta�i�e,P�• it�►5 vvtsia,� T G•ICI&Improve AM-13lpaw AnAedSmdyWfttiXWeioborliwdMedingSign-GiSWdIW23114.dw 1'e i�� lsol ,, (�3 s� R�r �7'Sp2c?3�oC:Yo �� �•_ ' `` so•v sz G•ICI&Improve AM-13lpaw AnAedSmdyWfttiXWeioborliwdMedingSign-GiSWdIW23114.dw Neighborhood Meeting S:30 PM to 6:30 PM— Thursday, October 23, 2014 Sign-In Sheet Ipava Avenue Pedesh ianBicycle Study City Project 13-13 Name Address Telephone Emma Comment t�,1 �l ►�� t l 64-5 ft[A-�'P�, !- t.��-) kAkv.-t-rz, E- /v'-' VINs 7 4u _c Sc� !a vc— Wen OW 1`0 r+Q V\ (i YD✓1 p I a2," �- '� w unit rW�►b►'�� !cowl aLk ahtun 18o TYec 1'kti' . a.c� braf►c+ t� ��r��r�na,t .c�►r►� �n P 1A C9- t3r"{ lV&l S1TM eWv, 40-U10147-l1LuL e t-wtu reeiIV �r,�l•.i �phrc.{�G4��1 1,1� i 1Yor�S�oIle 6J0-1 cls�o•cot e Of b ��41 , v,�, Y- L-0 � FiF r ` j L O �0 rr rS t ;, ^ �-' ' ; , C N �.r► a"" r +•u i,;r: c 2z.7 321 e3 IA xs ()i 1 3 Q Waq 72W 17.100 redShdylAten mf~b&-&odMelingS*.InSbea 10123714dx Normandin, Neil From: Lynne Sather <lynne_sather@yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, October 24, 2014 9:29 AM To: Petree, Christopher Subject: Ipava Crosswalk Improvements Good Morning Chris, I bet you are glad it's Friday...! Thank you for the meeting last evening regarding the proposed improvements on Ipava. I was present and spoke mostly on behalf of the families and children who live in the development across from Eastview. One question I did not ask (because it is regarding a smaller group of families) was if the traffic study looked at the number of vehicles rolling/speeding through the stop sign turning onto Ipava at 183rd. We live in the 183rd cul-de-sac just to the south of Eastview, and it is almost just as dangerous to cross that intersection than to cross Ipava. Possibly even more so because crossers are more "hidden." In fact, we cannot allow our 5th and 3rd grader to walk to school alone even though that is their only street to cross, and there is a stop sign at the corner. With police cars and Lifetime traffic (not to mention school drop-off and pick-up during those times), the number of cars turning to and from must be in the hundreds to possibly thousands each day. Do you think the proposed strategies will have any impact on improving this issue? I have to admit, my push for stronger safety strategies is fueled by both my desire for families to cross Ipava safely, but also for my family to cross 183rd safely, especially in the peak traffic hours. I believe installing the crosswalk/stoplight similar to the one in Burnsville would also have a trickle effect to help alleviate the danger of crossing 183rd. I completely take responsibility for the traffic/crosswalk situation my family is in because we chose to live in the location we do, but I would love to see the city spend our hard earned tax dollars on a strategy that has maximum impact (within cost reason) for the maximum number of people in the area. And speaking of cost ... I think there might be grant money available through a CDC "Walk to School" initiative- not sure if your team has looked into that program to help with the needed funding, but might be worth considering. Sincerely, Lynne Sather http://www.startdbune.com/local/south/201803591.html PLEASE COMMENT ON ANY ISSUES THE CITY SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN Your Name Address _ Phone E-mail W119WINOM n PLEASE COMMENT ON ANY ISSUES THE CITY SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING OR CONSTRUCTING THIS PROJECT? 1 egsQ o 6JI14 e 1\1-' f Nl (V"r Your Name M,,tf 4ew t1c)"I eb ct-1 Address 1950 Phone 61 Z ' 317 .-150 E-mail /%I �i ew is i.n�.., i N PLEASE COMMENT ON ANY ISSUES THE CITY SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING OR CONSTRUCTING THIS PROJECT? Your Name�11V��� Address Phone E-mail '! 6t i L a p Lco , co-'— PLEASE COMMENT ON ANY ISSUES THE CITY SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING OR CONSTRUCTING THIS PROJECT? 17 12w -t -- Your Name - Address Cie. L -- Phone �ttic.. �'�t.G`,L�✓�,-t_ E-mail Gid �itt r` Lalcev'