Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/27/2021

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provide feedback. He noted an upcoming remote open house is being planned for residents who live within one mile of the project, and it is anticipated that City Council and City Staff will begin to receive phone calls and comments. Mr. Dobda stated Armstrong Boulevard is a major north/south route to U.S. Highway 10 and the metro area. In 2018, there were 11 reported crashes at the intersection including one accident involving a bicycle. He added it is a rural, dimly lit intersection with a skewed angle and a volume of approximately 6,000 cars per day on the north/south route. He noted a roundabout would be a good candidate for this intersection. Mr. Dobda stated, in 2018, the County reached out to the City and successfully applied for federal funding of $1.35 million from a national tax base fund for projects that reduce fatalities on public roads. He added standard cost sharing will apply, with the City and County making up the remaining funding for the project. Ms. Markose reviewed the proposed roundabout layout, which is appropriate for this intersection and the County’s goal to improve safety and minimize impact to adjacent properties. She added roundabouts are becoming very popular as they are safer than stoplight intersections with an 80% reduction in crashes. She noted the southern quadrant of the intersection has more right of way, and might be a good location, and Alpine Drive would be realigned to enter the roundabout at a 90-degree angle. Ms. Markose stated property impacts would be minimal, so that was a deciding factor. She added an area on the east leg of Alpine Drive would need to be reconstructed if that area were to be used, which would be an additional cost. She noted a property on the northwest corner has some impact, but everything else fits within the right of way. Ms. Markose stated the roundabout design was laid out to slow traffic and increase safety. She added roundabouts are specifically designed for urban use with a raised central median, to slow traffic as it enters the roundabout. She noted the entry narrows to one lane with no shoulder. Mayor Kuzma stated the City has generally had a problem with semi-trucks using this intersection to avoid the weigh station on Highway 10. He stressed the importance of being able to get safety vehicles through the roundabout but limit the movement and speed of semi-trucks. Ms. Markose stated the roundabout will definitely slow things down. Councilmember Howell stated that there are online comments that people who have joined the meeting cannot hear what is being said. Ms. Markose stated the project will be started in early spring 2023 and will take 3 months to complete. She added it may be necessary to close the whole intersection while the roundabout is being constructed because it is done in one stage, and it will be concrete. City Council Work Session / July 27, 2021 Page 2 of 10