CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Slauson Corridor Improvements from I-5 to I-710 Project Concept Plan MEETING DATE: Oct. 24, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider:
Receiving and filing a presentation on Slauson Corridor Improvements Concept plan and
2. Adopting a Resolution approving Alternative A as the preferred concept plan for Slauson Corridor Improvement Project BACKGROUND:
Slauson Corridor between I-5 and I-710 is in need of improvements to enhance mobility, reduce congestion, enhance connectivity between major trip generators and transportation facilities by improving intersection capacity at various intersections, adding dedicated right turn lanes where possible, upgrading traffic signals at various intersections for efficient and traffic responsive operations, improve motorist and pedestrian safety by improving traffic signs, pavement markings, constructing new raised medians and/or modifying existing medians to provide for protected left turn lanes at some of the signalized intersections, improve street lighting along the Corridor, eliminate uncontrolled crosswalks, and enhancing bus stops with bus shelters, benches, trash cans, where applicable. On March 28, 2023, City Council approved an agreement with KOA Corporation (KOA) for the Slauson Corridor Improvements Project From I-5 to I-710. KOA and City Staff have since worked collaboratively to prepare a comprehensive analysis, conduct stakeholder outreach, and develop a preferred design concept for the corridor improvements.
The primary objective of the Slauson Corridor Improvement Project is to enhance both traffic flow and safety for all modes of transportation encompassing enhancements for trucks, buses, personal vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians through:
Enhancing intersection capacity.
Introducing dedicated right-turn/left-turn lanes at intersections where feasible.
Upgrading traffic signals for efficient and responsive operations.
Boosting motorist and pedestrian safety through updated traffic signs, pavement markings, and new raised medians.
Redesign street lighting along the corridor.
Refurbishing bus stops with shelters, benches, and trash cans where appropriate.
Since this past April, KOA has undertaken thorough data collection, analyses and has developed alternative solutions along with preferred concepts including:
Field data collected, including intersection turning movement counts, Average Daily Traffic (ADT), on-street parking counts, and collision data.
Traffic analysis conducted. Findings include:
ADT on Slauson typically ranged from 18,800 vehicles per day (VPD) to 23,000 vehicles per day. Between I-5 and Telegraph Road, the ADT is approximately 45,700 VPD.
Existing intersections levels of service (LOS) are mostly adequate (i.e., LOS “D” or greater); however, the intersections of Slauson/Garfield and Slauson/Gage experience LOS “E” and LOS “F” (heavy congestion), respectively, during the peak hour periods. Future/project opening year analyses indicated that the deficient level of service at Garfield Avenue may be mitigated to an acceptable LOS “D” by implementing capacity-enhancing improvements at the intersection in conjunction with the proposed bike lanes, such as additional turn pockets and traffic signal timing adjustments.
On a typical weekday there were at most 88 cars parked on-street at a time between the 7AM-7PM study period, from Malt to Gage/I-5. Approximately 1,770 parking spaces, located within parking lots on adjacent private lots along this stretch, were estimated to be available during the typical day. It was therefore concluded that the existing on-street parking demand may be absorbed by the availability of on-site parking on these adjacent sites between Malt and Gage/I-5.
Between 2018 and 2023, there was an estimated 434 traffic collisions along the corridor. The most prominent collision frequencies occurred at the intersections of Eastern (81 collisions), Gage/I-5 (60), Greenwood (56 collisions) and Garfield (52 collisions), and along the roadway segment between Eastern and the west city limits (I-710/LA River) (23). An evaluation of nighttime collisions showed that the most prominent nighttime collision frequencies occurred at the same Top 4 intersections (Eastern = 22 nighttime collisions; Gage/I-5 = 18; Greenwood = 15; and Garfield = 15).
The intersection left-turn pocket queuing analysis revealed that the existing turn pockets at Eastern Avenue (eastbound), Garfield Avenue (eastbound and westbound), and Greenwood Avenue (westbound) experience traffic backups beyond the turn pocket’s available storage during the peak hour period. The left-turn delay study revealed that the intersection at Greenwood Avenue is warranted to implement a protected left-turn sign phase (“green arrow”) in the eastbound and westbound directions. KOA and City Staff are also considering use of a flashing yellow arrow to enhance vehicular safety.
DISCUSSION:
On September 26, 2023, the Slauson Corridor Improvement project was presented by KOA before the City Council. Following their review particularly on the proposed bike lane concept, the council asked that the project concepts be reassessed reflecting their comments and concerns and brought back to the Council.
Please note that this information is subject to change based on site visits that the City Council was invited to participate in after the publication of this agenda report, however, based on City Council comments made on September 26, two alternatives have been formulated for the proposed bikeway as follows:
Alternative A (Preferred Alternative):
This concept involves an on-street protected bike lane by repurposing the current curb lane in both directions. The bike lane will be set against the curb, separated by a 3-foot buffer from the travel lane for bicyclist safety. Raised medians and other vertical separators will also be incorporated.
Key features:
Between I-710 and Garfield Avenue, the third lane will be replaced with a protected bike lane, leaving two lanes in each direction.
Traffic analyses indicate no capacity issues will arise, and any persistent intersection congestion can be addressed through other signalized intersection treatments proposed within the corridor improvement plans.
Between Garfield and Gage/I-5, the existing on-street parking will be substituted with protected bike lanes. An in-depth on-street parking analysis revealed that parking demand could be met through available on-site business and resident parking. Two public engagement meetings were scheduled and no significant objections to the removal of on-street parking have been heard so far.
The estimated construction cost is $10M for the preferred Alternative A. This alternative is recommended for approval.
Alternative B:
This concept involves a sidewalk-level bike lane offering the following:
The preservation of on-street parking between Garfield and Gage/I-5.
Minor modifications to the street width to expand the parkway, coupled with creating sidewalk-level bike lanes nestled between the curb and the pedestrian walkway.
Three lanes will be maintained in each direction west of Malt Avenue.
Challenges of Alternative B:
1. Safety Concerns:
Limited visibility at driveways.
Potential conflicts between bicyclists and pedestrians or bus stop users.
Bicyclists entering roadways from sidewalks may catch motorists off-guard which could affect truck maneuverability and overall safety.
2. Constructability and Operations:
A significant overhaul of sidewalk obstructions is required to facilitate both bicycles and pedestrians.
Coordinating and executing utility adjustments could span several years.
3. Maintenance:
The path west of Malt might necessitate removing existing landscaping and irrigation, incurring additional maintenance costs.
The costs and agreements associated with relocated or adjusted utilities remain uncertain.
4. Cost Implications:
Complete repaving of parkway areas and driveways will be required.
The financial burden of utility adjustments could be excessive.
The estimated construction cost is $33M for Alternative B and is not recommended for the issues and concerns stated above.
KOA will be making a follow up presentation to City Council at the meeting this evening. Upon conclusion of the presentation, staff recommends that City Council consider adopting a resolution approving the Alternative A Concept Plan as the preferred concept plan for Slauson Corridor Improvement Project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact as the design costs ($1,537,885.80) and project management service costs (10% of design costs or $153,789) are covered through Metro I-710 Measure R Funds in the amount of $2,230,000 based on reimbursement in account number 41-5170-57010.10380.
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, Department of Public Works
Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
KOA Presentation
Resolution
Preferred Alternative (Alternative A)