Agenda - Public Works Committee - 10/20/2009

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CASE # ~ DYSPROSIUM STREET IMPROVEMENTS By: Steven Jankowski, Assistant City Engineer Background: At the Public Works Committee meeting held on April 21, 2009, staffwas directed to prepare a feasibility study to identify safety improvements which might be made in order to consider reopening l420d Avenue between TH 47 and Argon Street. This roadway was temporarily closed in March of 2009 because of cut through traffic from adjacent arterial streets filtering through this residential neighborhood, particularly 143 Avenue and Argon Streets. Additional direction was provided by the Public Works Committee on August 19,2009 regarding the details of the improvements. The recommendations of the Committee included the reconstruction of Dysprosium Street by narrowing the roadway, adding sidewalks to both sides and including "bump outs" at intersections to neck down the roadway at intersections to provide pedestrian to less exposure to traffic at crossings. Boulevard trees at 40 foot intervals are also included within the scope of the improvements. On Argon Street and l43rd Avenue parking will be restricted on the north and east sides of the street and a white strip provided to delineate a walking/bicycle lane. Attached to this case is a draft feasibility study which details the existing conditions, the proposed improvements, costs and financing and a schedule which anticipates construction in 2010. There are several issues associated with this study on which staff would like to focus attention. · A twelve foot wide travel lane (rather than the 11 foot lane proposed in the study) should be considered for a street which is carrying between 3000 and 4100 vehicles per day. MSA standards allow the narrower 11 foot lane but note that wherever possible twelve foot lanes should be used. · Dysprosium is unique in that is has a significant number of shared driveways. There are 24 driveways providing access to 49 units. A single drive opening along the street may serve one, two or four units. With one notable exception these driveways generally range between 12 and 18 feet in width. In most cases the width of an individual driveway widens with distance from the curb line. Resident input should be solicited on the desired configuration of these driveway approaches as a part of the informational meeting agenda. It would be helpful to know the Committee's feelings regarding driveway approach size maximums, minimums, and uniformity requirements. . The assessment associated with this project also requires Committee and Council direction. The draft study proposes that this project assess benefited properties similar to the recent Andrie Street project. Recall that project had proposed assessing benefitted properties 50% of the cost of a bituminous overlay, however, it was emphasized that this project financing scheme was not to be considered a citywide policy. The proposed