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Community Development Agency, Transportation Division, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 066-2016 sanctioning a series of road closures for two legs of the 2016 AMGEN Pro Race Tour of California. The first series of closures will be on Thursday May 19, 2016 in the South Lake Tahoe Basin area and anticipated to occur between 3:00 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. The second closure will be on Friday, May 20, 2016 in the El Dorado Hills area and anticipated to occur between 9:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. The road closures will be subject to the conditions set forth in Resolution No. 110-79 and in the “Application for Road Closure”.
FUNDING: N/A
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
The Transportation Division is recommending Board approval of the following road closures for the 2016 AMGEN Pro Road Race. In the South Lake Tahoe Basin, portions of Cornelian Road, Cheyenne Drive, Apache Ave, Mandan Street and Pioneer Trail. In the El Dorado Hills area, Green Valley Road between the County line and Sophia Parkway. These road closures will provide for the safety of participants, volunteers and spectators along the course, and assist in the success of this annual event. Other involved agencies have made no objections to this closure.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The 2015 Amgen Tour of California drew over two million spectators along the 750-mile route and quickly became the largest sporting event in the history of California. NBC Sports and NBC Network will broadcast HD live TV coverage on every stage for 2016 to more than 200 countries.
Stage 5 of the Men’s Tour, Thursday, May 19, 2016 starts in Lodi and ends in South Lake Tahoe and is a “self-contained” event. Aside from the 144 professional racers, they also have approximately 100 vehicles that travel within the race package. This includes the California Highway Patrol (CHP), team cars, medical support, mechanical support, race officials, motorcycle marshals, TV crews, etc. The entire race moves as one entity at an average speed of approximately 26 MPH. From the lead California Highway Patrol car to the follow CHP car, the distance is approximately 1.5 miles. It takes the race about five minutes to pass any given spot on the road. The riders will enter the Tahoe basin along Hwy 89, proceed along Cornelian Road, Cheyenne Drive, Apache Ave, Manda Street to Pioneer Trail and crossing the finish line at Heavenly Valley Ski Resort. The road closures for this stage in the South Lake Tahoe basin area are anticipated to occur between 3:00 and 3:45 PM, depending on the speed of the racers.
Stage 6 of the Men’s Tour and Stage 2 of the Women’s Tour will be held in Folsom on Friday, May 20, 2016 and will be a time trial. The route starts and ends in downtown Folsom and the riders will make a loop to Green Valley Road, turning around just prior to Sophia Parkway. Traffic control on Green Valley Road will in effect from 9:00 am to 3:45 pm.
Traffic management is variable based on the type of road, the amount of traffic, and the type and number of opportunities where traffic can be pulled off the road for a short period. Where there are roads that are divided by medians, traffic will be allowed to flow on the side opposite the race. CHP has been able to perfect this type of closure and has worked closely with local Police Departments and County Sheriff offices. The courses have been reviewed and approved by both Caltrans and CHP.
The vast majority of crowds come in three areas: start cities, finish cities and various long and steep climbs the riders encounter. Aside from some isolated areas, there are relatively few spectators along the course. Many people watch from their driveway, but it is rare to find more than a few hundred in one location. They will be utilizing the same road closure and crowd control plans that have been effective over the past nine years.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Board does not approve the road closures the event would not take place at this time or location. If the sponsors want to proceed with this event they would have to explore other options.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Risk Management, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office concurs with staff's recommendations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The requested Board item has no Fiscal Impact or Net County Cost.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on two (2) originals of the Resolution.
2) The Clerk of the Board will send one (1) fully executed copy of the Resolution to the Community Development Agency, Transportation Division, Andrew Gaber.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety
CONTACT
Andrew S, Gaber, Deputy Director
Development, Right of Way, Environmental
Community Development Agency, Transportation Division