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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-2009 CITY OF, CITY OF AUBURN yTRANSPORTATION, TRANSIT AND TRAILS COMMITTEE WASH I NGTON .lanuary 28, 2009 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Roger Thordarson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Conference Room, located on the first floor of Auburn City Hall, 25 West Main Street, Auburn, Washington. Committee members present were: Vice-Chair John Calnan, Member Lonnie Tealer, Member Dirk Bidleman, and Member Michael Pratum. Also present during the meeting were: Public Works Director Dennis Dowdy, Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Chris Hankins, and Public Works Department Support Service Supervisor Gail Perkins. II. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Chairman Roger Thordarson Vice-Chair Calnan, seconded by Member Pratum that the Committee approves the Public Works Committee minutes for date, October 22, 2008. Motion carried. III. DISCUSSION AND INFORMATION A. SR 167 HOT LANE PILOT PROJECT UPDATE Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Project Engineer John Harris presented a PowerPoint hand out covering highlights of the SR 167 HOT lane pilot project. Harris stated WSDOT currently has funding for the next phase of the project, construction of a south-bound HOT lane from where currently ends, at 37th Street NW to 3rd Avenue SW. Additionally, a drop lane will be constructed from the 3rd Avenue SW to the 8th Street E(Stewart Road) interchange. Harris said the general intent of the project is to maximize the overall use of the roadway. For additional information on the HOT Lane Project WSDOT has developed a web site with updates of project status and activities. During the presentation Harris reported there have been over 20,000 paid users of the HOT Lane since May 2008. There has been no adverse safety impacts or change to transit and carpool travel times. Committee Member Tealer asked how residents and users have responded to the project. Harris answered there has generally been a positive reception from residents and focus groups. He mentioned there have been some operational complaints, complaints about the restricted access to the HOT lanes due to double white lines, and some complaints about confusing signage etc. Harris stated that WSDOT has added signs throughout the corridor to help drivers better navigate the roadway. Performance averages were reviewed, the average fee per month collected has been around $25,000. At this time, the project has not paid for itself and it is predicted that it will not until the entire corridor is complete. Project Engineer Harris pointed out that the goal is to increase the efficiency of SR 167, not necessarily to generate revenue. Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Januarv 28, 2009 Director powdy asked if the project has provided more through put of traffic. Harris stated there actually has been a decrease in traffic activity; he believes this is due to the increased costs of gas. Harris also stated that there has been an increase in transit use. The Committee discussed the proposed budget and funding of the project. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Hankins asked if the stimulus package would have any impact on the project. Project Engineer Harris stated that a design build plan and environmental study has been submitted as part of WSDOT's stimulus submittal package. The design build could begin as soon as June 1, 2009, if selected. Director powdy asked when the entire project is expected to be operationally complete. Harris projected that the southbound lane could be complete by November 2015. Director powdy asked how this impacts the Stewart Road project. North Bound Stewart Road to 15th Street SW is far out and could involve Federal Stimulus funding. Preliminary design is being drafted at this time Harris also stated that people will see surveyors and biologists on site collecting data. This will help to advance the hydraulic design for the project. DISCUSSION RELATED TO DRAINAGE PONDS Chairman Thordarson asked if they were still considering using City of Auburn property for the location of the ponds. PE Harris stated that there is a property in Auburn north of the SR 18 interchange, on the west side of SR 167, which is proposed to be utilized for flood plain storage and for wetland mitigation. B. STEWART ROAD - PETITIONS AND PLANNING UPDATE Chairman Thordarson asked about the result of the petition drive held November 25th and 2grn at Lake Tapps Parkway. Vice-Chair Calnan stated over 600 signatures were colleted in support of the Stewart Road project and turned over to the Pierce County Council at the December 2, 2008 meeting. At the meeting Calnan had a brief opportunity to speak to the Council and the primary point made was that safety is the priority as drivers travel down the Lake Tapps Parkway to Stewart Road. Member Bidleman discussed scheduling another community meeting so the push for awareness about the project does not lose momentum. The Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) has been contacted regarding funding commitments and there is concern about TIB funding being re-prioritized and assigned to other projects that are more prepared to move forward. TIB is looking for ways to cut Stewart Road project funding because of a lack of funding from the participating agencies to complete the corridor. TIB wants the total corridor completed not just a portion. Pierce County will provide some support. Vice-Chair Calnan stated that he is available and to please keep him informed about any upcoming community meetings or if the group needs help with anything. Page 2 Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee Januarv 28, 2009 C. LAKELAND HILLS SHUTTLE SERVICE Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Hankins distributed handouts regarding the new Lakeland Shuttle Service Route 497, provided by Sound Transit, to begin February 9, 2009. Hankins reported a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on February 9, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. and that the members of the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee are all invited to attend. D. INTERURBAN TRAIL Flooding at 37th Street NW Flooding has been occurring on the Interurban Trail south of 37th Street NW. Vice-Chair Calnan is concerned that there has not been notification that the trail is impassable and ask what can be done. Transportation Planner/Grants Manager Hankins stated that the Public Works Maintenance and Operations Division were asked to review and develop a solution to keep the trail from flooding during storm events. Director powdy stated that Maintenance has installed a berm at that location to divert the surface water from the trail hopefully correcting the flooding issue. He also asked Vice-Chair Calnan for feedback if that resolved the problem. IV. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION Chairman Thordarson asked about the Peasley Canyon Road closure and if there was additional damage due to the storm event. Director powdy confirmed on January 7, 2009 the road had failed due to a storm drain that separated under a section of the roadway. A temporary fix was made to the storm drain and roadway. A permanent solution requires a redesign of the current storm drainage system. Director powdy submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Office for potential funding for the design and construction. Chairman Thordarson affirmed the next meeting date of Wednesday, February 25, 2009. IV. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Transportation, Transit, and Trails Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Approved this 25 day of February, 2009. Roger Thordarson Gail Perkins Chairman Development Support Supervisor Page 3