CITY OF COMMERCE AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Mixmaster Improvement Project Update
DATE: December 13, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider:
Receiving and filing a presentation by Hartzog & Crabill, the consultant on the Mixmaster Project Update; and Approving plans and specification for the immediate traffic safety improvements (Phase 1) and authorizing staff to proceed with the bid solicitation.
Authorize staff to proceed with Phase 2 project design including the right of way dedication proceeding from Successor Agency for the dedicated right turn lane and 8 feet sidewalk.
BACKGROUND:
The Mixmaster intersection area is a complex eight-legged intersection consisting of several closely spaced intersections, which provide 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 wide intersection area 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 signs and additional improvements such as bridge widening, traffic signal modification and coordination with LA County are essential to improve the circulation through the Mixmaster to not only allow drivers to select the proper lane earlier, but also to reduce congestion; and thereby, to reduce the instances of drivers making last-second lane changes. The improvements 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 Mixmaster is recommended to increase visibility and promote traffic safety.
At the February 22, 2022 City Council meeting, the City Council received and filed a report and an informational presentation by the previous Director of Public Works on the proposed traffic relief plan through widening of Atlantic Bridge over I-5 starting along Eastern Avenue and ending at Telegraph Road all within City’s jurisdiction, related $41.5 Million funding requirements, potential funding sources to secure the needed funding, guide signs, traffic signal, synchronization and coordination, and other possible traffic relief proposals. While City Council was receptive to the bridge widening, staff was asked to make sure the widening occurs only if I-5 will not be widened otherwise the bridge widening timeline should be coordinated with Caltrans early on to avoid a loss of the City’s significant investment. Furthermore, among other comments City Council brought up the following pertaining to traffic congestion relief:
Add dedicated right turn lane from Northbound Atlantic Boulevard to I-5 entrance on Telegraph Road while maintaining ADA complaint sidewalk and another permissible right turn lane allowing northbound Atlantic Boulevard to eastbound Telegraph Road.
Dual left-turn lanes from westbound Telegraph Road to southbound Atlantic Boulevard.
The southbound Atlantic Boulevard middle lane to eastbound Eastern Avenue be changed to allow traffic to proceed to both eastbound Eastern Avenue and southbound Atlantic Boulevard.
On September 27, 2022, City Council, upon receiving a staff report followed by a presentation of recommended interim and permanent improvements presented by Hartzog & Crabill, the engineering design consultant for the guide sign project, discussed the item and took no action and directed staff to return to Council with a Feasibility Study to consider dual right-turn lanes (a right turn lane and a through plus right turn lane) from northbound Atlantic Boulevard to eastbound Telegraph Road to improve traffic circulation. Furthermore, City Council inquired about the possibility of establishing dual left turn lanes from westbound Telegraph Road to southbound Atlantic Boulevard. Additionally, staff was requested to return with plans showing street names and Freeway Logos within striped lanes to enhance traffic safety. Additionally, City Council was not in favor of installing interim guide signs and preferred to wait for permanent signage.
ANALYSIS:
Pursuant to City Council direction, staff has come up with a three-phase approach to this project as listed and outlined below and included in the tonight’s presentation.
Phase 1– City Funded Immediate Improvements Project.
Phase 2– Federally and City Funded Improvements Project Phase 3– Bridge Widening Project subject to funding.
Phase1 – The project in this phase will take about 6-9 months to complete and includes the following as presented to City Council this evening:
Convert the existing curb lane to right-turn lane from Northbound Atlantic Boulevard to Eastbound Telegraph Road within the existing City right of way and install new sign and associated traffic signal modification.
Convert No. 1 through lane to combination through/left-turn lane on Westbound Ferguson Drive at Atlantic Boulevard.
Add 2nd left-turn lane from Westbound Telegraph Road to Southbound Atlantic Boulevard. The recent traffic study by Hartzog & Crabill confirms the need for and recommends the additional left turn lane.
Modify existing traffic signal at Atlantic/Telegraph intersection.to provide northbound right-turn overlap.
Restripe faded lane lines and markings and implement contrast striping using black edge lines to enhance visibility.
Paint street names and Freeway Logo in travel lanes including the section within LA County’s Jurisdiction upon LA County’s approval.
Install new advance traffic signal detector loops on Atlantic Boulevard and Telegraph Road.
Coordinate traffic signal timing with LA County to improve circulation.
Plans and specifications for this phase have been prepared and upon City Council approval staff will proceed with advertising the proposed improvements for bid. A copy can be accessed at https://www.dropbox.com/s/ybws3b7f6jcbmns/BID%20PACKAGE%20Mixmaster%20Stri ping%20and%20Pavement%20Markings%20Improvements%202021-12ST.pdf?dl=0. Staff will return to City Council for award of this phase in January/ February 2023.
Phase 2- The project in this phase will take about 2 years to complete subject to acquisition of required right of way and includes the following as presented to City Council this evening:
Complete the design of Permanent Overhead Guide signs as presented to City Council on September 27, 2022. City Council was not in favor of interim guide signs.
Based on result of a recent traffic study by Hartzog & Crabill, dual right-turn lanes from Northbound Atlantic Boulevard to Eastbound Telegraph Road were found to be warranted and recommended.
Right of way acquisition is required on Atlantic Boulevard and Telegraph Road. The right of way acquisition may impact the car dealership.
Complete the design for road widening improvements including traffic signal modification and coordination with LA County as applicable.
Complete CEQA and NEPA required documents for use of Federal funds.
Secure authorization from Caltrans for proceeding with construction of the recommended improvements for use of $1.48 Million in available Federal funds. City funds of about $500,000 will be required to supplement the project cost.
Advertise project for bids.
Commence construction after award of contract.
Unless directed otherwise by City Council staff will proceed with Phase 2 project which will include but not limited to right of way acquisition proceeding and street widening improvement design.
Phase 3 (Bridge Widening)- the project in this phase will take approximately 7 years to complete subject to securing significant funding of over $41.5 Million and no I-5 widening and will include the following as presented to City Council this evening:
Prepare plans and begin acquisition process with Caltrans.
Conduct CEQA and NEPA process.
Complete design in coordination with Caltrans.
Advertise project for bids.
Commence construction after award of contract.
It is important to note that based on recent information staff has learned that Measure R funds in the amount of $1 Billion has been programmed in Metro Measure R Expenditure Plan for I-5 widening from Rio Hondo River (just south of Slauson Avenue) to I-710 and construction anticipated between 2036 and 2042, Staff recommends that the Bridge Widening Phase (Phase 3) be held off until after Phase 1 and 2 improvements are implemented to determine if the widening is warranted. Furthermore if warranted City may choose to have the bridge widening done as part of the I-5 widening.
Hartzog & Crabill is scheduled to present an update on the Mixmaster project at tonight’s meeting including the proposed improvements requested by City Council. Staff recommends that upon conclusion of the presentation that City council approve the recommended measures and authorize staff to proceed with project implementation.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Disapprove staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost of Phase1 improvements is $300,000 which will be covered through budgeted Measure AA funds in the amount of $320,000. The estimated cost of construction of Phase 2 improvements is $2 Million which will be covered through available Federal Funds in the amount of $1,487,912 and Measure AA funds.
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.
Approved and Recommended by: Gina Nila, Director of Public Works Fiscal impact 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
Resolution