TO: Chair and Members of the Board
FROM: Diane Colonna, Executive Director
DATE: January 11, 2017
Title
RESOLUTION APPROVING TASK ORDER WITH KEITH & ASSOCIATES FOR COLONIAL DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS
Body
BACKGROUND:
At the CRA meeting of December 13, 2016 Keith & Associates presented a concept plan to address pedestrian safety improvements on Colonial Drive. Northwest Medical Center staff persons utilize a parking area located on the south side of Colonial Drive, and cross Colonial at an area mid-block to get to the hospital property. The road is curved and visibility is limited, creating concerns over pedestrian safety.
The improvements that were presented included the following:
* Provide an approximately 10' wide median with a pedestrian refuge area at the point where the majority of pedestrian crossings occur. New trees will be planted within the median.
* Provide hedges along the hospital property and the property to the south to discourage pedestrians from crossing at other locations
* Eliminate one of two westbound travel lanes in the subject area
* Increase the vehicular stacking area in the eastbound left turn lane (which currently backs up periodically)
* Install two (2) flashing pedestrian signs
* Provide additional sidewalks, traffic markings and curbing modifications.
There was discussion at the meeting about the possibility of installing a pedestrian signal, which would stop all traffic when pressed by a pedestrian. According to Keith & Associates' traffic engineer, the amount of pedestrian traffic at this location does not meet the required warrants for a stop light (450 pedestrians at peak hour). There are also concerns about stopping traffic completely for longer-than-necessary periods in an area used frequently by emergency vehicles.
The Task Order provides for a survey of the area, plus engineering, landscape and construction plans, as well as construction oversight. The fees for the scope of work included in the Task Order total ...
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