CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of the Removal of Crosswalks at the South Leg of the Gage Avenue and Slauson Avenue intersection and at the East Leg of the Eastern Avenue and Telegraph Road intersection Meeting Date: September 27, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution approving the removal of existing crosswalks at the south leg of the Gage Avenue and Slauson Avenue intersection and Crosswalk at the east leg of the Eastern Avenue and Telegraph Road intersection.
BACKGROUND:
Staff has completed an evaluation for the removal of two existing crosswalks at the signalized intersections of Gage Avenue at Slauson Avenue and of Eastern Avenue at Telegraph Road and recommends removal for pedestrian safety. Crosswalk 1 as shown in the attached Exhibit A is located at the south leg of the Gage Avenue and Slauson Avenue intersection and Crosswalk 2 as shown in the attached Exhibit A is located at the east leg of the Eastern Avenue and Telegraph Road intersection. Both Crosswalks are shown to be underutilized since there is no clear path of travel for pedestrians.
Pursuant to the requirements of California Vehicle Code Section 21950.5 a 30 day advance public notice in English and Spanish were posted at each intersection from August 11, 2022, to September 12, 2022. One (1) objection to the removal of the crosswalk at Slauson Avenue and Gage Avenue intersection was received by the City from a resident (Mr. Jacobs) via email which can be found in Attachment 3. Staff has reached out to the resident regarding his objection to the removal of the south leg crosswalk at the Slauson and Gage intersection and after it was explained to the resident that the crosswalk does not provide a safe walkable path for pedestrians, Mr. Jacobs stated that he understood the situation and no longer objects to the removal of the crosswalk.
On September 14, 2022, the Traffic Commission considered the staff report on this matter and recommends to City Council the approval of removal of the two crosswalks.
ANALYSIS:
Crosswalk 1 on the south leg of the Slauson Avenue and Gage Avenue intersection leads directly to a raised island with no potential path of travel for pedestrians as there is no existing sidewalk along the east side of Gage Avenue nor on the south side of Slauson Ave. Removing the south leg crosswalk will create a safe route for pedestrians and lead them to where there are existing sidewalks. Upon approval the south leg crosswalk is expected to be removed and associated non-ADA compliant ramps will be removed and /or reconstructed as part of the FY 2021/22 Pavement Rehabilitation Project which is currently underway.
Figure 1: Existing Conditions – Crosswalk 1
Crosswalk to be removedCrosswalk to be removedSlauson AveSlauson AveNo SidewalkNo SidewalkGage AveGage AveAt-grade railroad tracksAt-grade railroad tracks Crosswalk to be removed
Crosswalk to be removed
Slauson Ave
Slauson Ave
No Sidewalk
No Sidewalk
Gage Ave
Gage Ave
At-grade railroad tracks
At-grade railroad tracks
Crosswalk 2 on the east leg of the Eastern Avenue and Telegraph Road intersection leads to a non-compliant ADA ramp and non-paved sidewalk. Removing the east leg crosswalk will create a safe route for pedestrians and lead them to where there are existing paved sidewalks and ADA compliant curb ramps. Additionally, as part of the HSIP grant funded project, the traffic signal at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Telegraph Road will be upgraded to provide for split phasing in the north/south direction to improve traffic safety at the intersection. The north and south legs are skewed and thereby contributing to poor sight visibility. The split phasing operation will eliminate the conflicts for the left-turn versus opposing movements.
Figure 2: Existing Conditions – Crosswalk 2
Crosswalk to be removedCrosswalk to be removedSidewalk is not paved, runs along the freeway, and does not provide access to any businesses or residences.Sidewalk is not paved, runs along the freeway, and does not provide access to any businesses or residences.Eastern AveEastern AveTelegraph RdTelegraph Rd Crosswalk to be removed
Crosswalk to be removed
Sidewalk is not paved, runs along the freeway, and does not provide access to any businesses or residences.
Sidewalk is not paved, runs along the freeway, and does not provide access to any businesses or residences.
Eastern Ave
Eastern Ave
Telegraph Rd
Telegraph Rd
The removal of the crosswalk would provide more efficient signal timing for split phase operation. The pedestrians at the west crosswalk will cross with the southbound phase. The highest Average Daily Traffic (ADT) was for the southbound left turn movement and northbound right turn movement turning onto Telegraph Rd from Eastern Ave; and thereby removing the east crosswalk, it will eliminate the pedestrian-vehicle conflicts occurring at this location.
In order to proceed with completing the split phasing design, the crosswalk removal is essential. Upon approval, the removal of the crosswalk and removal and reconstruction of associated non-ADA compliant ramps will be completed as part of the traffic signal upgrade under HSIP Cycle 10 grant funded project expected in the next 12-18 months considering design completion, required Caltrans approval and authorization to advertise, bidding phase and more importantly extensive delays in new signal poles procurement.
With the removal of these crosswalks, pedestrians and bicyclists will be guided to use the existing crosswalks at the subject intersections. The impacts to the existing pedestrian and bicyclist travel patterns will be insignificant. Therefore, removal of the subject crosswalks is recommended.
Staff recommends adoption of the attached Resolution approving the removal of existing crosswalks at the south leg of the Gage Avenue and Slauson Avenue intersection and Crosswalk at the east leg of the Eastern Avenue and Telegraph Road intersection.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of removal of the crosswalks 1 and 2 and associated removal and/or reconstruction of Non-ADA ramps will be covered by the 2021 /22 Pavement Rehabilitation Project and HSIP Cycle 10 grant respectively.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve recommendation
Reject recommendation
Provide staff with further direction
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan:
Community Quality of Life
Guiding Principle 4, Support and evaluate community services, programs and events that promote healthy and quality lifestyles for our residents. Enhance public safety and social services through innovative programs that meet the needs of the residential and business communities.
Recommended by: Gina Nila, Acting Director of Public Works Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted by: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Traffic Commission Report
Email from Resident
Resolution and Exhibit A