CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Acting City Manager
SUBJECT: Slauson Corridor Median Landscape Improvements Concept Plan MEETING DATE: April 9, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council will consider:
Receiving and filing presentation on the proposed Slauson Corridor Median Landscape Improvements Concept Plan by KOA, the City’s project design consultants; and Authorizing staff to proceed with the design of the proposed Slauson Corridor Median Landscape Improvements 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, and 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, 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.
Improve street lighting along the corridor.
Refurbishing bus stops with shelters, benches, and trash cans where appropriate.
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.
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. However, subsequently Class III bike lanes was authorized with pavement marking sharrows and signage. KOA is proceeding with the detailed Class III bike lane design.
As part of the Slauson Corridor Improvements Project a traffic engineering study assessing existing medians was completed. The study found 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.
At the intersection of Eastern Ave and Slauson Ave, a total of 81 collisions occurred in a recent 5-year period. From these incidents, numerous and severe broadside-type collisions (including 1 fatal accident) occurred 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. In addition, the existing median islands and turn lanes are deteriorated due to high truck volumes on both the east and west legs. This 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. This condition 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.
At Garfield Ave and Slauson Ave, there is a lack of raised medians. This 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. 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.
DISCUSSION:
To improve traffic safety, median modifications are proposed for the east and west legs of the intersections at Eastern Avenue and Garfield Avenue. This includes the removal of existing raised median islands and their redesign to accommodate longer left-turn pockets for traffic turning from Slauson onto Eastern and Garfield Avenues, as well as end treatment modifications to minimize driveway crossing movements through openings in the median near the traffic signals. At Eastern Avenue, improvements will include lengthening of left-turn pockets to accommodate more vehicles waiting to turn, as well as median island modifications to preclude left-turn maneuvers outbound from the Wells Fargo driveway (headed east towards the traffic signal) and Commerce Office Park driveway (headed east away from the signal). At Garfield Avenue, improvements will include the construction of new raised medians for both the east and west legs. These raised medians will extend the existing left-turn pocket lengths for both eastbound and westbound traffic.
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. Precluding left-turn maneuvers across the full width of the street near the traffic signal from local business driveways on the north and south properties will improve safety for both through and turning movements, improving traffic flow and benefiting neighboring businesses. Between March 14 and March 29, 2024, KOA informed the impacted properties in person, by email, and calls of the proposed extension of the medians and prohibition of the left turn movement out of their driveways. On March 14, 2024, KOA also distributed copies of the outreach notifications to all impacted properties (attached). Although three out of the seven impacted properties (6501, 6810, and 6811) were concerned with the proposed median extension and prohibition of left turns, they were informed that the proposed improvements are necessary to enhance traffic safety due to number of accidents within the past 5-years (see attached Collision History Exhibit).
FISCAL IMPACT:
The project design phase is covered by Metro’s $2.23 million in I-710 Measure R Funds.
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
Approved as to form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully submitted: Vilko Domic, Acting City Manager ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
KOA Presentation
Outreach Notification to Affected Properties
Collision History Exhibits