RESOLUTION NO. 24-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA RECEIVING AND FILING A PRESENTATION ON THE PROPOSED SLAUSON CORRIDOR MEDIAN LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS CONCEPT PLAN AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE DESIGN WHEREAS, 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, and trash cans where applicable; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, 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, vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians; and WHEREAS, on September 26, 2023, KOA presented the Slauson Corridor Improvement Project to the City Council and council asked that the project concepts as they relate to bike lanes be reassessed and returned to the Council for approval; and WHEREAS, on November 14, 2023, City Council received a presentation by staff and KOA on the Slauson Corridor Improvement Concept Plan and disapproved the Class II bike lanes and subsequently authorized Class III bike lanes with pavement marking sharrows and signage; and WHEREAS, KOA is proceeding with the detailed Class III bike lane design; and WHEREAS, as part of the Slauson Corridor Improvements Project, a traffic engineering study assessing existing medians was completed, which discovered a prevalence of collisions and crash patterns at the signalized intersections of Eastern Avenue and Garfield Avenue intersections (including driveways near those intersections) that could be alleviated by implementing certain raised median island improvements; and WHEREAS, at the intersection of Eastern Ave and Slauson Ave, a total of 81 collisions occurred in a recent 5-year period including numerous and severe broadside-type collisions (with 1 fatal accident) occurring as a result of driveway traffic attempting to cross multiple lanes of traffic near the signal, including through the median area, in order to reach the far side of the street to proceed onto Slauson Avenue; and WHEREAS, in addition, the existing median islands and turn lanes are deteriorated due to high truck volumes on both the east and west legs which leads to extensive traffic queues, particularly during the AM and PM peak hours, extending beyond the ends of the existing left turn pockets, causing spillover into the through traffic lanes an may obstruct traffic flow in the through direction on Slauson Avenue and can potentially increase the risk of rear-ends and/or sideswiping incidents at the signal; and WHEREAS, at Garfield Ave and Slauson Ave, there is a lack of raised medians which allows left turns across the median areas from local businesses situated on the north and south properties causing safety concerns for both through and turning movements; and WHEREAS, the traffic study also indicated the existing left-turn pocket lengths on Slauson at the Garfield Avenue traffic signal are being exceeded during the peak hour periods, resulting in traffic queuing that, similar to the conditions at Eastern Avenue, backs up into the through travel lanes; and WHEREAS, to improve traffic safety, some median modifications are proposed; and WHEREAS, additionally, landscaping for the new medians will feature hardscape elements, new trees, and low-maintenance plants, enhancing the visual appeal and sustainability of the corridor; and WHEREAS, staff recommends the City Council authorize receive and file a presentation on the Proposed Slauson Corridor Median Landscape Improvements Concept Plan and authorize staff to proceed with the design.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DECLARE AND DETERMINE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Receive and file a presentation on the Proposed Slauson Corridor Median Landscape Improvements Concept Plan.
Section 2. Authorize staff to proceed with the design.
Section 3. The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute this Resolution.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take full force and effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 9th day of April 2024.
Hugo A. Argumedo, Mayor
ATTEST:
Lena Shumway, City Clerk