CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Slauson Corridor Improvements Project Concept Plan (I-5 to I-710) MEETING DATE: November 14, 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider approving a Slauson Corridor Improvement Concept Plan selected from the following options:
With recommended bike lanes presented at the October 24, 2023, City Council meeting (Option A) or Without bike lanes if allowed by funding entities (Option B) or No project at all and loss of I-710 Measure R Fund and ATP Cycle 6 Grant (Option C) or Provide alternative direction to staff (Option D).
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 and analyses 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 usage of a flashing yellow arrow to enhance vehicular safety.
DISCUSSION:
On September 26, 2023, KOA presented the Slauson Corridor Improvement Project to 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.
KOA met with two councilmembers on Slauson and returned to Council on October 24, 2023 and presented two alternatives 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 would 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.
Alternative B:
This concept involves a sidewalk-level bike lane, but was not recommended due to safety concerns, constructability, operations and maintenance and cost, which was estimated at $30 million.
At the October 24, 2023 meeting, Council was undecided and requested continuing the item to offer another opportunity for councilmembers to visit Slauson with KOA who did not have the opportunity on the prior scheduled date.
Staff recommends that Council select an option from those provided (A-D) and direct staff to initiate the next steps depending on the option selected. Staff will report back to Council as needed.
KOA will be present at the tonight’s meeting to respond to any technical questions associated with the proposed bike lane concept Council may have.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Depending on Council’s selection from among the options provided, the fiscal impact can vary as follows:
Option A (with bike lanes): There is no fiscal impact as the design costs of $1,537,885.80 and project management costs of 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.
Next steps: the design would proceed and upon substantial completion of the design phase, approximately 3 months, staff plans to pursue I-710 Measure R funding for the construction phase, which is estimated at $10 million subject to funding availability. Currently, approximately $44 million in I-710 Measure R funds is available for 28 Gateway COG cities based on first come first served funding requests. Also, a portion of $2.1 million ATP Cycle 6 Grant funds will be used towards the bike lane related cost of the project. This option with Alternative A Bike Lane is recommended.
Option B (no bikes lanes if allowed by funding entities, include all other improvements): the fiscal impact is unknown at this time.
Next steps: staff would contact Metro to request an Amendment to the Design Phase of the executed Funding Agreement to remove the bike lanes from the project scope. Should Metro not approve the scope change, the City will likely lose the $2.3 million I-710 Measure R funds and in case of loss of funds/grant, City will have to use local funds for KOA’s Design Services contract in the amount of $1,398,078 ($196,456.96 has been issued thus far for work completed) and project management services contract for $153,789 to complete the project design.
Additionally, the City would need to submit a written request to Caltrans to remove bike lanes from the ATP Cycle 6 Grant scope of work which would require California Transportation Commission (CTC) review and consideration, an approximate 3-6 month process. If not approved, the City will likely lose the $2.1 million in ATP Grant. It is important to note that among other proposed improvements in the ATP Grant application, the proposed bike lanes on Slauson Avenue resulted in higher ranking and award of the ATP Grant to the City of Commerce.
This option is not recommended. However, should Council select this option staff will reach out to the funding agencies and report back with the results. This effort could delay the project design phase completion 3-6 months.
Option C (no project at all and return funds/reject grant): Project cancellation could result in loss of $2.3 million in I-710 Measure R Funds and $2.1 million in ATP Grant Funds. If cancelled, KOA’s Design Services and project management services costs would need to be paid with local funds.
Next steps: cancel contract with KOA and reconcile funds owed to KOA.
This option is not recommended. However, should Council select this option staff will report back with details.
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:
Options