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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - January 20, 1999 H-01OF UNCIL 1411 � ••• .Q 411,For, AGENDA TITLE: Kettleman Lane Traffic Safety Improvements MEETING DATE: January 20, 1999 PREPARED BY: Public Works Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council receive public input and give staff direction on safety improvements for Kettleman Lane. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Public Works Department has received several requests to make safety improvements to Kettleman Lane fronting the Vineyard Shopping Center. The purpose of this communication is to report to Council the status of plans for Kettleman Lane as well as seek Council direction. The following report addresses the existing conditions, current plans/programs, interim improvement options, long-term improvements, and recommendations. Existing Conditions Based on Caltrans 1997 Traffic Volumes on California State Highways, Kettleman Lane carries between 10,800 to 26,500 vehicles per day (vpd). The highest traffic volumes occur at Hutchins Street. Traffic volumes at the west end, near Lower Sacramento Road, are 10,800 vpd and the east end, near Cherokee Lane, are 18,900 vpd. The posted speeds on Kettleman Lane are 40 mph from the west city limits to the Woodbridge Irrigation Canal (WID), and 35 mph from the WID to Highway 99. For a three-year period, between July 1995 through June 1998, Caltrans has indicated the actual accident rate along Kettleman Lane (Lower Sacramento Road to Highway 99) is 6.48 accidents per million -vehicle -miles and similar facilities statewide have a rate of 3.02 accidents per million -vehicle - miles. Based on the city's pin map for a 5 -year period, there have been a total of 111 collisions between Fairmont Avenue and 100 feet west of Hutchins Street in that same time period. Current Plans/Programs Lodi Police Department — Enforcement Currently, the Lodi Police Department is providing enhanced enforcement on Kettleman Lane to reduce the high number of speed and right-of-way violations. The Police Department has indicated they issued approximately 90 citations on Kettleman Lane during an enhanced enforcement day in December 1998. During these enforcement days, all motor officers concentrate their efforts to reduce certain types of collisions. California Highway Patrol (CHP). Highway 12 Safety Task Force and Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Gran t In October 1998, the CHP established a task force to identify and address traffic safety issues on State Route 12, between Interstate 80 and State Route 88 in San Joaquin County. This project is funded through a grant issued to the CHP by the OTS. CHP is working with the Lodi Police Department on a contract ($19,232) for additional enhanced enforcement and equipment using the OTS funds. The Police Department will be bringing this item to Council in the near future. APPROVED: H. Dixon CTRFCSFTYIMPS.DOC n -- City o1 n vss Kettleman Lane Traffic Safety Improvements January20, 1999 Page 2 Hazard Elimination and Safety (HES) Program Project In May 1998, the Public Works staff requested funds from Caltrans for raised medians on Kettleman Lane, between Fairmont Avenue and Hutchins Street, and a signal at Kettleman Lane and Crescent Avenue. Staff has been told informally that funding for this project is earmarked for the 2000/2001 cycle. The HES Program provides funds for safety improvements on all public roads and highways. The funds serve to eliminate or reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents at hazardous highway locations. The total estimated cost of this project is $220,000. Caltrans has indicated the raised median would need to extend from Ham Lane to Hutchins Street since both intersections are signalized. Additional left - turn "in only" openings in the raised median could be considered with a detailed operating analysis. Vineyard Shopping Center Notification about Signal at Crescent Avenue In April 1998, staff sent a letter and sketch, as shown in Exhibit A, to all the shopping center property owners requesting comments on a possible new signalized access at the Crescent Avenue intersection. Staff suggested a meeting to discuss timing and possible cost sharing for this project. Staff received little response from the property owners. San Joaquin County Council of Governments (SJCOG). Route 12 in San Joaquin County Corridor Study In February 1995, SJCOG undertook the Route 12 Corridor Study. The purpose of this study was to examine traffic and travel conditions on Route 12 from the Sacramento County line to the Calaveras County line, and identify and prioritize long-range improvement alternatives. An oversight committee was formed with representatives from Caltrans, San Joaquin County, City of Lodi Public Works, Highway 12 Association, and SJCOG staff. The study was completed in June 1997 and recommended Highway 12, from the west city limits to Route 99, be widened and restriped to six lanes and a signal be installed between Ham Lane and Hutchins Street. This project was in the Priority A category which contains projects in need of improvements by year 2010. Interim Improvement Options Since Kettleman Lane is a State Highway, Caltrans is owner and operator of this facility. Staff has been working with Caltrans on several issues regarding Kettleman Lane for years. Recently, staff arranged to meet with Caltrans District 10 Deputy Director and Safety Engineer to discuss ultimate and interim safety improvements. Due to the high accident rate, Caltrans is willing to make safety improvements; however, since these will reduce existing access, Caltrans requested the City hold a meeting to receive public comment. The interim improvements, listed below, can be installed immediately. Option 1 Painted Median between Ham Lane and Hutchins Street This option would restrict all the left -turning movements entering and exiting the driveways and can be installed early this year. This would eliminate left -versus -through collisions at all Vineyard Shopping Center driveways as well as at the Beckman Ranch Shopping Center and other driveways on the north side. A variation of this option is to allow left turns in (but not out) of the shopping centers at one or more driveways. The disadvantage is that all exiting traffic will be restricted to right -turn movements which will increase traffic on adjacent streets. However, since the median is not raised, increased enforcement will be necessary to prohibit motorists from making illegal turning movements over the painted median. Option 2 Install No -Parking Restrictions on the South Side from Fairmont Avenue to Hutchins Street This option can be done immediately to improve visibility for motorists exiting the driveways. There are existing no -parking zones adjacent to the driveways which were installed based on safe stopping distances/visibility studies. Any additional no -parking would improve visibility and increase the safe stopping speeds for motorists. CTRFCSFTYIMPS.DOC Kettleman Lane Traffic Safety Improvements January 20, 1999 Page 3 The disadvantage is any vehicle wanting to park on Kettleman Lane and patronize the fast food restaurants or banks will need to use the on-site parking lots. However, in the future, parking on all of Kettleman Lane will likely be removed to accommodate the six lanes. Long -Term Improvements The best long-term solution is to install raised medians between Ham Lane and Hutchins Street (and eventually all of Kettleman Lane) and create a new four -legged signalized access at Crescent Avenue and the Vineyard Shopping Center. The City Council can wait until the raised medians and signal are installed or they can direct staff to request Caltrans install interim improvements. At the Council meeting, staff will discuss the variations for openings in the painted median. Given the high traffic volumes and collision history, the existing two-way left -turn lane is not functioning well. Some traffic reference materials indicate two-way left -turn lanes work well when traffic volumes are less than 24,000 vpd with few concentrated access points, such as at shopping center driveways. Since Kettleman Lane near Hutchins Street carries over 26,000 vpd, staff recommends Caltrans pursue installing a painted median. This will provide an immediate safety improvement by eliminating the left - versus -through collisions until the signal and raised median can be installed. Adjacent roadways will experience additional traffic temporarily until ultimate improvements can be constructed. Since left turns will be restricted, this will also encourage the shopping center property owners to cooperate with the City on designing and financing the new shopping center access opposite Crescent Avenue. However, the signal and raised median project should proceed with or without the new access. Staff will continue to work with the shopping center property owners and proceed with plans to install the raised medians and signal. Staff has also requested Caltrans move the raised median and signal project to an earlier year. It would be helpful if the Council formally made this request. Recommendations Staff recommends that Council take the following actions: • Request that Caltrans install a painted median at the appropriate locations on Kettleman Lane, allowing left turns "in only" where practical. • Approve no -parking zones on the south side of Kettleman Lane between Ham Lane and Hutchins Street. • Request that Caltrans provide funding for the Crescent Avenue signal/median project as soon as possible. FUNDING: Not applicable at this time. Richard C. Prima, Jr. Public Works Director Prepared by Paula J. Fernandez, Associate Traffic Engineer RCP/PJF/lm Attachment cc: Police Chief Caltrans District 10 Deputy Director Caltrans Planning District Division Chief CHP Highway 12 Task Force Coordinator Highway 12 Association President SJCOG, Diane Nguyen Property Owners mailing list (Ham Lane to Hutchins Street, both sides) Interested Parties mailing list CTRFCSFTYIMPS.DOC CITY COUNCIL JACK A. SIEGLOCK, Mayor KEITH LAND Mayor Pro Tempore ROBERT J. JOHNSON STEPHEN J. MANN PHILLIP A. PENNING CITY OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (209)333-6706 FAX (209) 333-6710 New Generation Trading Company P.O. Box 2189 Saratoga, CA 95070 Charlie Martin, Property Manager 22301 Foothill Boulevard Hayward, CA 94541-2771 April 7, 1998 Bank of America - Northern Region Attn: Ron Davis, Vice President 10850 White Rock Road, Suite 102 Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 EXHIBIT A H. DIXON FLYNN City Manager ALICE M. REIMCHE City Clerk RANDALL A. HAYS City Attorney Alan Sandiforth, Facility Property Administrator 22301 Foothill Boulevard Hayward, CA 94541-2771 SUBJECT: Proposed Traffic Signal at Kettleman Lane at Crescent Avenue For many years, the City has had ongoing discussions with Caltrans regarding traffic safety issues at the intersection of Kettleman Lane and Crescent Avenue. For your information, from 1994 to 1997 there have been 23 collisions at the Vineyard Shopping Center driveway and the adjacent portions of Kettleman Lane. In response to the City's concerns, Caltrans has indicated that a traffic signal is the best solution. We concur and have prepared a preliminary intersection design. We feel that the best design would include creating a new four-way signalized intersection into the Vineyard Shopping Center at Crescent Avenue. The signalized intersection would include protected turn phases (left turn arrows), street lighting, pedestrian signals and push buttons, as well as wheelchair ramps. The preliminary intersection layout is shown on the enclosed aerial photo. With the creation of the new major entrance to the Vineyard Shopping Center, the two existing Kettleman Lane driveways would be limited to right turns only. The new signalized intersection would be beneficial to the Vineyard Shopping Center customers, as well as the Kettleman Lane motorists. We would like to receive your comments on the project and discuss timing and possible cost sharing. If desired, we can arrange a group meeting including others you deem appropriate. We will also need to learn your property and management arrangements, so that, in the future, any necessary agreements can be made with the appropriate party. Please contact Bob Murdoch, City Engineer, or me at your convenience to discuss the project. We can be reached at (209) 333-6706. Thank you for your help in this important project. Cle) t, V Richard C. Prima Jr. Public Works Director Enclosure cc: City Manager City Engineer Associate Traffic Engineer Bank of America - Lodi Branch Manager LPropOwnerst CITY COUNCIL KEITH LAND, Mayor STEPHEN J. MANN Mayor Pro Tempore SUSAN HITCHCOCK ALAN S. NAKANISHI PHILLIP A. PENNINO CITY OF LODI CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET P.O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 (2 09) 333-6706 FAX (209) 333-6710 January 14, 1999 Property Owners and Interested Parties - ma i 1 i ng 1 i s t attached SUBJECT: Kettleman Lane Traffic Safety Improvements H. DIXON FLYNN City Manager ALICE M. REIMCHE City Clerk RANDALL A. HAYS City Attorney Enclosed is a copy of the staff report concerning Kettleman Lane fronting your property/business, an item on the City Council agenda of Wednesday, January 20, 1999. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Carnegie Forum, 305 West Pine Street. This item is on the regular calendar for Council discussion. You are welcome to attend. If you wish to write to the City Council, please address your letter to City Council, City of Lodi, P.O. Box 3006, Lodi, California, 95241-1910. Be sure to allow time for the mail. Or, you may hand -deliver the letter to City Hall, 221 West Pine Street. If you wish to address the Council at the Council Meeting, be sure to fill out a speaker's card (available at the Carnegie Forum immediately prior to the start of the meeting) and give it to the City Clerk. If you have any questions about communicating with the Council, please contact Alice Reimche, City Clerk, at (209) 333-6702. If you have any questions about the item itself, please call Paula Fernandez, Associate Traffic Engineer, at (209) 333-6800, ext. 667. 0&1�a6 v Richard C. Prima, Jr. Public Works -Director RCP/Im Enclosure cc: City Clerk Caltrans District 10 Deputy Director Caltrans Planning District Division Chief CHP Highway 12 Task Force Coordinator Highway 12 Association President SJCOG, Diane Nguyen NCTRFCSFTYIMPS JAMES R MANASSERO ET AL MOKEE ASSOCIATES PTP CHARLES & A FRY TRS P 0 BOX 4349 50 MOUNDS RD #414 5415 ALHAMBRA VALLEY ANAHEIM CA 92803 SAN MATEO CA 94402 MARTINEZ CA 94553 BC RE INVESTMENTS INC MINER JOAQUIN BLDG CORP AL SHAMMAS & DOUMIT PTP 14103 DENVER WEST PARKWAY P O BOX 1110 3754 J ST GOLDEN CO 80401 STOCKTON CA 95201 SACRAMENTO CA 95816 LONGS DRUG STORES CAL INC MANUELA T PESCADOR ROGER & BARBARA VICE P 0 BOX 211507 515 W KETTLEMAN LN 2738 STONEY CREEK CR BEDFORD TX 76095 LODI CA 95240 ACAMPO CA 95220 ROSE ZIMMERMAN ET AL H & C INVESTMENTS PTP ATLANTIC RICHFIELD CO P 0 BOX 3600 1029 S CHURCH ST P O BOX 2485 QUINCY CA 95971 LODI CA 95240 LOS ANGELES CA 90051 CANTON & MARTIN INVESTMENTS RICHARD & CAROLYNE KASHNER LEE E & K CANNON 1029 S CHURCH ST 605 W KETTLEMAN LN 609 W KETTLEMAN LN LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 ROSE WILLIAMS DEAN A & JUANITA M BENNETT ROMEO D TABIJE TR ET AL 623 S CHEROKEE LN 713 W KETTLEMAN LN P 0 BOX 1267 LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 SUISUN CA 94585 ELLEN LEE TR MAURICE R & DOROTHY M BAILEY LEON & BERNICE WAHLER 1511 W TOKAY ST 5499 E HARNEY LN 8233 SAN PABLO LODI CA 95242 LODI CA 95240 STOCKTON CA 95209 969 E STREET ASSOCIATES STEVE & NANCY WIDHALM CALIF STATE AUTO ASSN P 0 BOX 1570 15521 DAVIS RD 100 VAN NESS AVE LODI CA 95241 LODI CA 95242 SAN FRANCISCO CA 94102 HIGHWAY 12 ASSN PRES. MS DINAH BORTNER DPTY DIR BRYAN C & SHARON JENNINGS TR MR KEN JEFFERS CALTRANS DISTRICT 10 5320 CARRINGTON CR 2145 W KETTLEMAN LN P 0 BOX 2048 . STOCKTON CA 95210 LODI CA -95242 STOCKTON CA 95201 DANA COWELL DIVISION CHIEF ALICE HUFFAKER COORDINATOR DIANE NGUYEN CALTRANS PLANNING DISTRICT CHP HWY 12 TASK FORCE SJ CO COUNCIL OF GOVTS P 0 BOX 2048 2555 FIRST AVE 6 S EL DORADO ST 4' FLR STOCKTON CA 95201 SACRAMENTO CA 95818 STOCKTON CA 95202 LBLCTRFCS FTYIFPS.DOC AM PM MINI MART AVIX CO STERLING MANAGEMENT CO ATTN MANAGER VIC HEINRICH ATTN JENNIFER PORTER 510 W KETTLEMAN LN 19378 ROSEWOOD WY 1420 W KETTLEMAN LN STE H LODI CA 95240 WOODBRIDGE CA 95258 LODI CA 95242 MR ROBERT MATTHEIS MR NATHAN STRAUB MR NORM HYSKE 800 S HUTCHINS ST 308 EMISSION ST 924 S CRESCENT AVE LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 MS SONDRA GOODER MS NATALIE REYES MS MARY KAY MEYER 1329 S CRESCENT AVE 2412 W ELM ST 805 S ROSE ST LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95242 LODI CA 95240 FRANCES JOLLY MR MIKE FURNISH MS BONNIE MAUCH 1325 S HUTCHINS ST 1736 S CHURCH ST 512 S ROSE ST LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 MS ALFRED JOACHIM MR TIM WISE MS DORTHY SWOVERLAND 609 RIMBY 1706 ROBERT ST 810 W CARDINAL ST LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95242 LODI CA 95240 MS CARLA CICERELLO MR LEON WAHLER JACQUE SUTPHIN 744 S CRESCENT AVE 811 W KETTLEMAN LN 321 E CENTURY BLVD LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 LODI CA 95240 MR BRIAN SCHNEIDER MR STAN HARKNESS NEW GENERATION TRADING CO 1648 TIMBERLAKE CR 700 W CARDINAL ST P O BOX 2189 LODI CA 95242 LODI CA 95240 SARATOGA CA 95070 BANK OF AMERICA - CORP RE MR CHARLIE MARTIN MR TOM HANSON MGR ATTN KIRSTEN LAUGTMLIN PROPERTY MGR REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 1 S VAN NESS AVE 6 FLR 22301 FOOTHILL BLVD MERVYN'S STORE BLDG SRVCES DEPT 13-786 HAYWARD CA 94541-2771 22301 FOOTHILL BLVD SAN FRANCISCO CA 94103 HAYWARD CA 94541-2771 MINNEAPOLIS RETIREMENT FUND DAVID J SACA ET AL STKN SAVINGS & LOAN ASSN 7302 ND AVE SOUTH 77 CADILLAC DR #210 501 W WEBER AVE - MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402 SACRAMENTO CA 95825 STOCKTON CA 95203 FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK BANK OF AMERICA NT & SA MERVYN'S CORP P O BOX 3000 ---- P O BOX 37000 777 NICOLLET MALL LODI CA 95241 SAN FRANCISCO CA 94137 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402 LBLCTRFCSFTYIMPS.DOC January 20, 1999 City Council City of Lodi P. O. Box 3006 Lodi, CA 95241-1910 Dear Mayor and City Council Members: F f_ C'?; Thanks for sending me the notice of the Kettleman Lane Traffic Safety Improvements agenda item. Unfortunately, I cannot attend due to a prior commitment. I am very pleased to note that this subject has been addressed and that it has been a matter of long standing concern to city officials. My hope is that something will be done immediately to provide at least an interim solution to the many hazards that exist on Kettleman Lane. I am not a professional and therefore I don't feel qualified to make specific recommendations. I am certain those who are trained in traffic control are far better able to decide what can be done. So far, however, some of the suggestions I have seen make a lot of sense. Parking should be restricted along that stretch because the point is well taken that even making right turns out of the shopping centers can be difficult with vehicles blocking the view. It would seem that the immediate steps could be to eliminate the parking and allow right turns only at the exits of the shopping centers and at Crescent Ave. There is another place where an accident is waiting to happen as well. The intersection of Lower Sacramento Road and Kettleman Lane is very dangerous. A "No Right Turn on Red" sign on the southeast corner of that intersection is badly needed. Vehicles traveling south on Lower Sacramento Road and turning left onto Kettleman Lane are constantly in danger of being struck by vehicles making a right turn on the red light. Many of the southbound vehicles making that left turn are trying to get into the right lane to turn into the Walmart shopping center and are cut off by vehicles zooming up on their right. One last suggestion I would like to make is to move parking back from all intersections so drivers can get a clear view, whether they are crossing or turning. This is particularly necessary on unmarked intersections. I sincerely hope that the changes you decide on will be made promptly to make our streets safer for all. Thank you for your attention. Respectfully yours, Natalie Reyes 2412 West Elm Street Lodi, CA 95242-2827 Phone: 333-6290 I -A0 --9 9 City Council Members, Please consider and allow the red curbs (no parking) on Kettleman lane between Lower Sacramento road and Cherokee lane. The reasons are many. No. one is safety. They are obstructing the view of traffic, obstructing road signs (view) and traffic signals, and also they make the bike lane a complete suicide Ian. You would have to have a death wish to use this lane. Believe me I know, I ride a bike. So lets paint the curbs red and move the bike lane to the curb where it belongs. Trucks do not belong (parked) on city streets. They belong in truck lots (yards), truck stops or if need be in the industrial part of town where they will not be a road hazard or an eye sore. (east of 99 Beckman rd. area.) I feel it is not up to the city of Lodi to find parking places for this heavy equipment. Other cities all over the U.S.A. chase them off of residential and business streets into the industrial area or out of town. Most of this Equipment is not only from out of town but a lot of them are from out of state. The city of Lodi is clearly being taken advantage of. I have enclosed some photos that I hope might convince you of our problem. Thank You, A concerned Citizen, Mike Furnish 1736 So. Church st. Lodi, Ca. 95240 56PN1 q.TE-RLiN( MGYT. C0 +` ;•':'� MANAGEMENT COMPANY January 19, 1999 Paula Fernandez Via Facsimile: Associate Traffic Engineer (209) 333-6710 City of Lodi City Hall 221 W. Pine Street Lodi, California RE: Kettleman Lane Traffic Safety Improvements Dear Paula: ;o 213 P- I As Commercial Property Manager for Phase I of the Vineyard Shopping Center located on Kettleman Lane (709 - 882 W. Kettleman), as well as Wine Country Plaza located at 1420 W. Kettleman Lane, I am in receipt of your letter of January 14, 1999 regarding the proposed safety improvements to Kettleman Lane which will be up for discussion Wednesday, January 20th at the City Council Meeting. I have spoken with the majority of the tenants who rent from my Landlord, as well as to some of the neighboring tenants, alt of whom are conscientiously interested in enhancing the safety along Kettleman Lane. At the Vineyard Shopping Center, as well as at Wine Country Plaza, we have definitely found the safety of our customers and tenants entering and leaving the shopping centers has been jeopardized by cars, and more specifically large trucks parking along the south side of Kettleman Lane, thereby reducing the visibility of on -coming traffic. We are very much in favor of restricting all parking in this area. To date, some of the curb has been painted "red", but it has not proved to be sufficient for safe ingress and egress. We also look very favorably upon enhanced enforcement to eliminate excessive speed of motorists along Kettleman Lane. We would hope that by the enforcement of the above two (2) items that the safety of Kettleman Lane will be greatly improved, without_ having to restrict left-hand turning capabilities to or from the shopping center. This could have a negative economic impact on the businesses within the Center. 1420 W. KKTTLKMAN LANK. SUITE, H • LODI. CALIFORNIA 96242 (209) 367-1904 - (209) 475-4000 - FAX (209) 368-9910 ---- Jan -19. 1999 5:56PM STERLING MGMT. CO. No .2735 P. 2 Paula Fernandes Page 2 January 19, 1999 Thank you for the opportunity to express our views. Again, we are all striving to achieve a safe environment for all, and are more than pleased that we have active participation from the City of Lodi and the City Council to accomplish this. Thank you. Sincerely, STERLING MANAGEMENT COMPANY V Jennifer Porter Property Manager - Vineyard Shopping Center & Wine Country Plaza