City of Sunnyvale
Agenda Item
18-1028 Agenda Date: 3/7/2019
2019 COUNCIL STUDY ISSUE
NUMBER
DPW 19-10
TITLE Improving Traffic Operations at Fremont/Bernardo/Hwy 85
BACKGROUND
Lead Department: Public Works
Support Departments: Office of the City Manager
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor(s): Councilmembers: Melton, Hendricks, Klein and Goldman History: 1 year ago: N/A
2 years ago: N/A
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
What precipitated this study?
At the November 13, 2018 Council meeting, a study issue was proposed to study possible improvements to be made to the traffic operations at the location of Fremont/Bernardo/State Route (SR) 85.
Fremont Avenue is a Class II Arterial roadway that carries a high amount of traffic volume originating from both the City of Sunnyvale and the City of Los Altos and crosses several high-volume roadways including SR 85, Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road, Wolfe Road and El Camino Real. All traffic signals on Fremont Avenue within the City of Sunnyvale are maintained by the Department of Public Works except for the four closely spaced intersections near SR 85 and the border of Los Altos. The locations are:
· Belleville Way and Fremont Avenue
· SR 85 Southbound Ramps and Fremont Avenue
· SR 85 Northbound Ramps and Fremont Avenue
· Bernardo Avenue and Fremont Avenue
The traffic signals at these four intersections are maintained and operated by Caltrans.
In the past, the City has received complaints from the City of Los Altos regarding traffic backup along Fremont Avenue leading into Los Altos. Traffic signal corridor retiming has recently been completed along Fremont Avenue; however, the Caltrans signals were not included as their communication systems are not compatible with the City’s.
What are the key elements of the study?
The study will review the possible avenues for improving traffic operations at these four locations
Attachment 1
18-1028 Agenda Date: 3/7/2019
such as:
· Upgrading the traffic signal to become compatible with rest of the corridor. · Retiming of the traffic signals and coordination plans for various times of the day. · Effect of metering ramps on the traffic signal operations and adjacent local streets. · Reconfiguration of traffic lanes through these intersections including possibility of prohibiting some conflicting movements.
· Possibility of relinquishment of the traffic signals to the City.
Along with exploring relinquishment of the signals, the consultant would analyze equipment upgrades needed, along with ongoing costs such as maintenance and operations.
Estimated years to complete study: 2 years
FISCAL IMPACT
Cost to Conduct Study
Level of staff effort required (opportunity cost): Major Funding Required for Non-Budgeted Costs: $150,000
Funding Source: Will seek budget supplement
The cost associated with this study will be for consultant services.
Cost to Implement Study Results
Unknown. Study would include assessment of potential costs, including capital and operating, as well as revenue/savings.
EXPECTED CITY COUNCIL, BOARD OR COMMISSION PARTICIPATION Council-Approved Work Plan: No
Council Study Session: No
Reviewed by Boards/Commissions: None
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Support. This policy issue merits discussion at the 2019 Study Issues Workshop.
In 2019, the City will begin a study to determine the feasibility of acquiring control of the traffic signal operation of the Caltrans-controlled intersections on El Camino Real within the City of Sunnyvale.
The study will include a cost analysis of upgrading the traffic signal equipment that will allow the signals to operate in coordination with the City’s traffic management system. At the conclusion of the study, the City could determine how to proceed with similar projects at other Caltrans-controlled intersections such as the four intersections on Fremont Avenue near SR 85.
Prepared by: Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer, Public Works Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
Attachment 1