Minutes - Public Works Committee - 04/17/2007

Home

148th Lane to LOL Church: .2,650 foot length at an estimated cost range of$42,400 to $53,000 Total: Estimated cost of$61,600 to $77,000 . City Engineer Jankowski advised although it is anticipated that the trail will be placed within the right-of-way of the county road, several portions of this trail appear to require fill because of a severe cross slope gtade,particularly between 150th Lane and Sunwood Drive. The estimated costs are exclusive of any property rights that may n~ed to be acquired. Funding for these trail improvements would. come from the City's Trail. Fund. However, this proj ect could be eligible for funding from the Safe Routes to School program. . Councilmember Jeffrey stated he supports the trail. However, they also need to remember that these children are crossing outside of the school zone; by the time they cross the road they are in th~ 55 mph zone and darting across traffic. The speed limit on this street should be lowered to 30 mph and he would encourage in the Committee's recommendation to support the trail, that they request a traffic study to be done during s.chool hours. The last traffic study was done dUring the third week.ih.October,which is during MEA when there is no school traffic. Councilmember Jeffrey' stated h has heard the'County say they do not lower speeds on .County roads, but there is a road in Andover where it was lowered. He stated the crossing guards are .being asked tQ step out In 55 mph traffic to stop cars for the kids to cross. The County needs to be encouraged to fix this. . This intersection has more than the average number of crashes, as does Alpine' Drive where the new four-way stop was put up. The City needs to support the trail, but they also need to lean on the County for safety purposes to lower the speed limit and make sure they are protecting the children all the way through. Mr. Jeff Clusiau, Principal at Ramsey Elementary School, stated he haS talked with families that. are crossing kids here and asked them to stop, and they continue to cross there. This morning there were kids crossing in front of a school bus that the pus had to stop for. The sight lines from the north heading south are terrible due to the elevation. Mr. Clusiau stated he is grateful that the City is considering doing something to make a safer way for the kids to cross. . Chairperson Elvig stated there are a lot of compelling reasons to move on this as quickly as they can. The trail could be in place by the next school session. . Mr. Clusiau indicated some children have walked in the ditch down to 150th Lane. Chairperson Elvig stated he would advocate the trail'going all the w~y to Lord of Life Church. He pointed out the synergy between the school and church with the gymnasiums~ after school programs, overflow daycare, .and safety factor of evacuations at the church. Councilmember Jeffrey stated he saw four soccer players walking on the shoulder ofCR 5 to get to Lord of Life Church yesterday. ' City Engineer Jankowski advised staff recommends direction to 'prepare survey work and plans for the installation of trail for these two segments of trail and that refined cost estimates be prepared. Staff further recommends direction to pursue funding from the Safe Routes to School . program. Public Works Committee I April 17, 2007 Page 13 of 18