CR 96-108 Pavement Marking Changes - 11th Ave SJune 12, 1996
Overview.
Primary Issues to Consider.
Steven J. Stadler, Director of Public Works
• How will bicyclists be affected?
• What are the possible safety issues?
• How would this change be publicized?
• If approved, when would the striping be done?
Supporting Information.
• Analysis of Issu
• S' \ ping pl.
mark
Council Report 96 -108
APPROVE PAVEMENT MARKING CHANGES ON 11 AVE SOUTH FROM
REGIONAL TRAIL CROSSING TO 6 171 STREET SOUTH
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council approve
centerline marking to allow 4 through -traffic lanes on 11 Ave South from the trail
crossing to 6 Street South and a right tum only lane at 5 Street South.
This approximately 1,000 foot section of 11 Ave South is 44 feet wide and is
currently striped with double yellow center and white dashed for 2 northbound
through -lanes only from Cty Rd 3 to just south of the regional trail crossing. The
44' roadway allows 4 lanes of minimum 11' width. Admittedly, twelve foot wide
lanes would be preferable. Traffic flows as 4 lanes sporadically and naturally
separates into 4 lanes at the 5 Street intersection to allow separate right and left
turn movements. By providing a center white dashed centerline, traffic will be more
orderly in both directions. Further, when the Cornerstone Business Center begins
operations two southbound lanes will better accommodate left turning traffic. The
right turn lane at 5 Avenue South simply formalizes what is already happening at
this intersection. The 1997 -20 CIP will include a 1997 Municipal State Aid
project to widen this section of 11 Ave and provide signals at 5 Ave South. The
project would also add medians and tum lanes, if a traffic analysis warrants them.
Council Report 96 -108
Page 2
Analysis of Issues.
• How will bicyclists be affected?
Currently, there is primarily only a single, wide through -lane in each direction.
There is ample room for a vehicle or single line of vehicles to pass a slower moving
bicycle. This will not be the case with four 11' wide through -lanes. A car or truck
approaching a slower moving bicycle will have to signal, look and change lanes to
pass the bicyclist. Of course, these are the same actions as would be necessary to
pass a slower moving motor vehicle. Changing to four lanes will require bicyclists
and motorists to be more alert and to more carefully plan a passing maneuver.
However, it is not uncommon for motorists and bicyclists to share 4 lane roads
without shoulders or bicycle lanes.
• What are the possible safety issues?
Motorists will be required to be aware of and expect traffic in the adjacent lane.
Accordingly, motorists will have to be more attentive to their position on the road.
Disabled vehicles, bicyclists, slower moving cars, left- turning vehicles, etc. will
require motorists to slow down and, if necessary, plan and signal a lane change.
None of these actions are confusing or unusual to a reasonably competent driver.
Traffic may actually slow down during the busier times of the day because of the
additional driver attentiveness required on the four lane configuration.
How would this change be publicized?
An ad or perhaps a short story in the Sun - Sailor and bulletin board flyers for Reuters
Manufacturing, Justus Lumber and the apartment complexes to the south.
When would the striping be done?
Most probably in late July when the roadway is not as dirty from the Cornerstone
Business Center or Diamond Laboratories construction activity.
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