old lee highway multimodal improvements
TRANSCRIPT
Old Lee Highway Multimodal Improvements
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JULY 2021
Today’s Agenda
• Provide additional details on staff recommended Major Design Features package of improvementsꟷ Country Hill Drive – Roundabout Versus Left Turn Lanesꟷ Evaluation of Neighborhood Traffic Impacts
• Discuss Next Steps
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Country Hill Drive Roundabout – Existing Conditions
Street view looking north along OLH approaching Country Hill Dr. intersection3
Country Hill Drive – Existing Conditions
Existing right turn lane from southbound Old Lee Highway to Country Hill Drive
Significant excess pavement along northbound Old Lee Highway
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Country Hill Drive Roundabout
Roundabout fits within existing paved area Minimal right of way acquisition required Total right of way required – 2,500 SF 6 impacted residential properties 5
Country Hill Drive Turn Lane Alternative
Alignment constrained by properties on north side opposite Queen Anne Dr.
Total right of way required – 10,000 SF 9 impacted residential properties (ROW / Easement) Estimated $500,000 cost increase (Construction & ROW)
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Country Hill Dr. Intersection Alternatives Summary
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Roundabout Turn Lanes
Construction Cost Comparison $500k less $500k more
Properties Impacted 6 9
Right of Way Required 2,500 SF($100K)
10,000 SF ($400K)
Provides Safer Neighborhood Egress Yes No
Retaining Wall Required 0 FT ~800 FT
Maximum Roadway Width (Curb to Curb) 40 FT 48 FT
Old Lee Highway Throughput Slower Faster
Country Hill Drive Additional Cars
Generally low left turning volume to/from adjacent neighborhoods during the peak hour AM: Each side street has approximately 1 left turning vehicle EXITING onto OLH every
6 minutes during the AM peak hour, except Brookwood, which has 1 every 2 minutes
PM: Each side street has approximately 1 left turning vehicle ENTERING the neighborhood from OLH every 3 minutes during the PM peak hour
Layout of the neighborhood streets creates a “natural route” for most drivers – significant traffic shifts are not expected. Difficult to quantify exact nature of the shift
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Neighborhood Roundabout Usage (North)
9Approximately 5 more vehicles on Country Hill during the peak hourAssumes 20% vehicle addition to the roundabout
Neighborhood Roundabout Usage (South)
10Approximately 6 more vehicles on Country Hill during the peak hourAssumes 20% vehicle addition to the roundabout
Additional Turn Lanes?Additional turn lanes from OLH onto Old Post and Embassy:
• Require approximately 400 linear feet in each direction from the intersections
• Do not allow isolated widening for turn lanes due to intersection spacing requirements
• Result in a wider, 3-lane roadway from Daniel’s Run to Blenheim & from Embassy to Lion Runꟷ Lengthens pedestrian crossing across OLH from 23’ to 34’ꟷ Requires more right of way (approx. 5 additional properties impacted near Old Post,
including historic home at corner)ꟷ Requires additional tree removalꟷ Requires significant additional utility relocations (and easements)ꟷ Increases impervious area 11
Additional Turn Lanes?• Allow turning traffic to move out of the through lane
ꟷ Removes traffic “gaps” to allow pedestrians time to crossꟷ Reduces safety for pedestriansꟷ Reduces multimodal functionality
• Increased project costꟷ Adds time to schedule for redesign and delays construction startꟷ Increases right of way, utility relocation and construction costsꟷ Leaves less funding available for aesthetics and amenitiesꟷ Fixed amount of funding available
• May not have enough outside funding; may require local supplement
• Project scope agreed to by Council, with prior public input, did not include widening of Old Lee Highway or additional turn lanes 12
Additional Turn Lanes?
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Additional Turn Lanes?
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Major Design Features Staff Recommendation Roundabout at Ridge Avenue/OLH Intersection
Roundabout at Country Hill Road/OLH Intersection
Left Turn Lane from NB OLH to Sherwood Center
St. Leo’s/Daniel’s Run Access Management Improvements
Provide Left Turn Lane from SB OLH to Daniel’s Run Entrance
Consolidate & realign northern entrances to St. Leo’s (Coordination Ongoing)
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Next Steps
July 13,2021 - Council Resolution endorsing Major Design Features
Community Engagement to continue
Formal Public Hearing (No Council Action) at ~60% Design
Right of Way Acquisition
Award of Construction Contract (Council Action)
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