Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board take the following actions related to the U.S.50/Pioneer Trail Intersection Safety Improvement Project (CIP 72379):
1) Receive a presentation regarding engineering and outreach work performed to date on the intersection of U.S. 50 and Pioneer Trail; and
2) Select a roundabout as the Board’s preferred project alternative. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Air Quality Mitigation Funds (2.15%), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (15.35%), Highway Safety Improvement Program (59.30%), Regional Surface Transportation Program - TRPA (22.91%), Regional Surface Transportation Program - Caltrans (0.29%).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On January 29, 2019 (Item 19), the Board approved a contract with Nichols Consulting Engineers for design and environmental services for the U.S. 50/Pioneer Trail Intersection Safety Improvement Project (Project). During the discussion of January 29 item, the Board directed the Department of Transportation (Transportation) to return to the Board with a ‘Roundabout 101’ presentation, which occurred on March 19, 2019 (Item 26). At the January 29 meeting, the Board also directed Transportation to return to the Board to provide the Board an opportunity to state its preferred alternative for the Project.
Project Need
Multiple studies and plans have identified the U.S. 50/Pioneer Trail intersection as needing improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, including the Federal Highway Administration’s Meyers, El Dorado County, California Road Safety Audit from April, 2016 and the Linking Tahoe: Active Transportation Plan by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency from March, 2016. The March 2018 Meyers Area Plan also prioritizes intersection improvements at the U.S. 50/Pioneer Trail intersection, specifically stating on page 3-6, “Intersection improvements should maintain or improve level of service, improve traffic flow, reduce vehicle emissions associat...
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