CITY OF COMMERCE AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Mixmaster Guide Signage Improvement Project
MEETING DATE: September 27, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider:
Receiving and filing a Presentation on Proposed Mixmaster Guide Sign Improvement Project by Hartzog & Crabill, the project design consultant, and Approving the Proposed Mixmaster Guide Sign Improvement Project and authorizing staff to proceed with completion of the project design and implementation.
BACKGROUND:
The Mixmaster intersection needs improvements to enhance traffic safety. The Mixmaster intersection is a complex eight-legged intersection group consisting of several closely- spaced intersections, providing access between the City of Commerce, East Los Angeles, and Interstate 5. The Mixmaster intersection on Atlantic Boulevard intersects at Eastern Avenue, Stevens Place, Telegraph Road, Goodrich Boulevard, Ferguson Drive, Triggs Street, and the I-5 Freeway. This interchange has long been a point of confusion and bottleneck for traffic flow. The intersection has significant amounts of trucks mixed in with general traffic, all competing and weaving into adjacent lanes to access the major roadways going through this intersection as well as traveling to the south to Eastern Avenue and Telegraph Road or getting onto the I-5 freeway.
New advance guide signages are essential to improve the circulation through the Mixmaster to allow drivers to select the proper lane earlier, and thereby, reduce the instances of drivers making last-second lane changes. It would allow drivers to navigate the Mixmaster in a safer and more efficient manner to reach their destinations. Additionally, enhanced striping in certain areas of the mix master is recommended to improve visibility and traffic safety.
ANALYSIS:
Hartzog & Crabill, the engineering design consultant for this project has evaluated the Mixmaster traffic circulation thoroughly and has come up with a two-phase guide signs improvement approach to improve traffic safety and circulation. The first phase would be an interim measure and consist of advance guide signs which are temporary and upon approval are anticipated to be installed within the next 3 to 6 months. Hardy and Harper will execute the interim measures pursuant to an existing agreement it has with the City for pavement rehabilitation services.
The second phase would be a permanent measure and would involve large overhead lighted guide signs on streel truss requiring in-depth designs which are anticipated to be installed in 12-18 months. The second phase will be bid out and awarded by the City Council upon the completion of coordination and permitting between Caltrans and Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Other recommended anticipated interim improvements will include but are not limited to; converting combination No. 3 through/right-turn lane to right-turn only on Northbound Atlantic Blvd at Telegraph Road, converting No. 1 through lane to combination through/left-turn lane on Westbound Ferguson Drive at Atlantic Blvd, restripe faded lane lines and markings, implement contrast striping using black edge lines to enhance visibility and coordinate with LA County and Caltrans to fine-tune traffic signal coordination timing. Staff anticipates this work to be completed as an extra task as a part of the 2021/2022 Pavement Rehabilitation project which started recently.
Hartzog & Crabill is scheduled to present the proposed improvements to be implemented in two-phases. Staff recommends that upon conclusion of the presentation City council approve the recommended measures, and authorize staff to proceed with the project implementation.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total estimated cost of the Mixmaster interim guide signage and incidental implementation is $90,000. City Council approved Measure AA funds in the amount of $330,000 as part of the FY 2022/2023 CIP Program on September 13, 2022. Additionally, Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) Funds in the amount of $1,487,912 administered through Caltrans are available to cover the total cost of the permanent measures.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 Strategic Plan
Infrastructure and Facilities: Guiding Principle 3: Maintain and prioritize improvements to city facilities and infrastructure in accordance with adopted master planning documents including the Green Zone Implementation Plan to accomplish achievable annual and long-term goals; and Guiding Principle 4: Develop and invest in infrastructure and beautification projects that support economic growth.
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 ATTACHMENT:
Presentation
Restriping Location Map