Title
Community Development Agency, Transportation Division, recommending the Board receive and file information on the traffic study conducted on Elf Wood Lane concerning the traffic impacts from Ponderosa High School and a project approved for recommendation to the Board by the Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) at its meeting on October 17, 2013. The proposed project will provide traffic improvements to address impacts related to Ponderosa High School traffic. The project includes improving the existing median and providing traffic signage at the school parking lot entrance on Ponderosa Road that precludes inbound through traffic from Mineshaft Lane.
FUNDING: Road Fund (No Federal Funds).
Body
BUDGET SUMMARY: |
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Total Estimated Cost
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$20,000 |
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Budgeted
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$20,000 |
New Funding
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Savings
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Other
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Total Funding Available
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$20,000 |
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Change To Net County Cost
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$0 |
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
Community Development Agency, Transportation Division (Transportation), will modify the existing raised median preventing entry into the High School parking lot from Mineshaft Lane and provide traffic signage on Ponderosa Road at the school parking lot entrance, opposite of Mineshaft Lane, precluding inbound through traffic from Mineshaft Lane as approved by the Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) on October 17, 2013. The estimated cost is $20,000.00. Funding to complete this work is included in the fiscal year 2013/2014 Road Fund Budget.
Background
A study was requested by TAC at the April 4, 2013 meeting, due to complaints by the residents of Elf Wood Lane which began in the fall of 2011. The nature of the complaints involved school-related traffic running stop signs, performing unsafe turning movements, and traveling at unsafe speeds, all of which are violations of the vehicle code. The residents on Elf Wood Lane have also expressed concern over the school-related AM peak hour traffic volume during the school year.
The results of the traffic study concluded the following:
· In 2008, El Dorado Union High School District added a new Ponderosa High School Entrance at the intersection of Ponderosa Road and Mineshaft Lane that allowed vehicles to travel from Mineshaft Lane across Ponderosa Road into the school parking lot.
· The overall average daily traffic on Elf Wood Lane during the school days is 347 vehicles per day.
· Over 100 vehicles travel to the high school via eastbound Meder Road. These vehicles are opting to 'cut through' via Elf Wood Lane and Mineshaft Lane to access the school parking lot instead of continuing traveling eastbound on Meder Road to Ponderosa Road during the morning commute.
· 85th percentile speed of 29 miles per hour was observed on Elf Wood Lane.
· There was one accident reported on Elf Wood Lane for the three-year period from January 2010 through December 2012.
Transportation has concluded that the roadway design of Elf Wood Lane is adequate as it relates to roadway width and alignment. Furthermore, the accident history (one reported accident in the last three years) confirms Elf Wood could not be characterized as a hazardous roadway. Therefore, the current traffic condition on Elf Wood Lane can be best described as a nuisance to the homeowners that reside on Elf Wood Lane and a majority of the traffic complaints can be categorized as an enforcement matter. However, the school traffic (especially during the AM peak hour) is a considerable increase in traffic as compared to non-school days.
Reason for Recommendation
Transportation recommending the Board receive and file information on the traffic study conducted by Transportation in regards to Elf Wood Lane, the impacts from Ponderosa High School traffic, and advising of the improvement approved by the TAC. A number of options were considered to help alleviate this traffic condition and were evaluated as to their effectiveness, legality, and practical application. At its October 17, 2013 meeting, the TAC approved the option for Transportation to improve the existing raised median and provide traffic signage at the school parking lot entrance on Ponderosa Road, opposite of Mineshaft Lane, precluding inbound through traffic from Mineshaft Lane. This option is also supported by the neighboring residents, Ponderosa High School and local law enforcement staff.
In summary, this approved improvement will effectively prevent over 100 vehicles from traveling eastbound in the AM peak hour from Mineshaft Lane into the school parking lot as well as preventing students from using the Elf Wood Lane/Mineshaft route to access the school parking lot and will reduce the traffic impacts to Elf Wood Lane and Mineshaft Lane to the 'pre-school parking lot access' condition of 2008.
Action(s) to be taken following Board approval
Clerk of the Board receive and file Attachment A, Traffic Circulation Survey
Contact
Bard R. Lower, Transportation Division Director
Community Development Agency
Concurrences
Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC)