Agenda - Public Works Committee - 01/19/2010

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CASE # CONSIDER REQUEST FOR SIDEWALK INSTALLATION ALONG 150TH LANE NW By: Tim Himmer, City Engineer Background: A concerned resident e-mailed a request to Ramsey Elementary School requesting that a sidewalk be installed along 150th Lane NW from Nowthen Boulevard to Helium Street. It was their feeling that parents parking along both sides of this street during afternoon pick up of students created poor visibility for pedestrians walking in the street, which is exacerbated during the winter months when snow piles accumulate and there isn't an open area available to walk along the road edge. They felt the. installation of a sidewalk or limiting parking for improved visibility would be worth exploring for increased safety. This request was then forwarded to the City for consideration. Observations: The main crosswalk from the school crosses Nowthen Boulevard at 150th Lane. Once on the east side of Nowthen Boulevard pedestrians can go north or south along the existing bituminous trail that currently runs from Alpine Drive to Lord of Life Church. Anyone that chooses to proceed east through the neighborhood along 150th Lane must do so in the street or boulevard area as no sidewalk or trails exist. Staff applied for a federal grant through the Safe Routes to School program in 2008, but was unsuccessful in our attempt. This area was targeted for some improvements to serve the neighborhood to the east. The bituminous trail segments along the east side of Nowthen Boulevard from Alpine Drive to 150th Lane and Sunwood Drive to Lord of Life Church, in addition to the crosswalk at Alpine Drive that were part of this grant application have since been installed using developer escrow dollars supplemented with the City's trail fund.. Future Safe Routes to School project solicitations are contingent upon the next Federal Transportation bill and are therefore unavailable at this time. Staff has been linked to the program website server and will receive notification if and when this program becomes available in the future. Funding: If the Council chooses to advance this project one possible funding source would be the City's public improvement revolving fund. A preliminary project estimate is attached for your review. Recommendation: Staff recommends investigating the option for installation of a sidewalk along the north side of 150 Lane from Nowthen Boulevard to connect with the existing sidewalks within the MEADOWS subdivision along Helium Street. Action: Based upon discussion