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.
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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
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