Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-13 Bicycle & Pedestrian_MIN Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission th June 13, 2005 Special Meeting Minutes – ODOT Siskiyou Boulevard Discussion Roll Call Members present: Julia Sommer David Chapman Council Liaison: Russ Silbiger Staff: Derek Severson, Assistant Planner Karl Johnson, Assistant Engineer ODOT Representatives: Eryka McCartin, Project Leader DeLanie Cutsforth, Roadway Designer Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 1:47 p.m. to discuss future improvements to Oregon Highway 99 (Siskiyou Boulevard) from Walker Avenue to the Interstate 5 on-ramp. McCartin explained that this is a preservation or resurfacing project to be completed in the Summer of 2007. She noted that there were roughly $100,000 in funds available for bicycle and pedestrian improvements and noted that if additional funds became available within ODOT, from the City, or through other sources they might be able to be combined with the present funds into one project. She stated that ODOT hoped to have approved preliminary plans prepared this fall, that survey work was occurring now, and that a public involvement plan had not been created yet but would likely involve either a mailing or possibly an open house. She added that public involvement was typically a lesser focus on projects that are only preservation or resurfacing. McCartin noted that no widening of the right of way was planned and that the project was essentially paving and adding a guard rail in a few places, and she added that any proposal that might involve additional right-of-way acquisition would be unlikely given the limited funding available. She noted that in addition to paving, handicapped accessibility had to be looked at and wheelchair ramps installed at curbs where they do not presently exist. Severson explained for commissioners present that the existing status of this section of road was that there is a three to four foot shoulder on both sides of the road, not marked, but that serves as a de facto bike lane. He noted that a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians also extended to just past Tolman Creek Road on the south side of Siskiyou, and that there were few improvements on the north side of main beyond disconnected sections of sidewalk that had been installed with individual developments. Cutsforth noted how costly curbs and sidewalks were due to the associated storm drainage system work that was required. She explained that installing sidewalks with curb and gutter and related storm drain piping would use $100,000 in 650 linear feet of work. She added that the details of what could be done here would depend largely on completion of a survey to identify what utilities were currently in place and where. McCartin explained that ODOT thinking at this point would be to look at improvements to the existing multi-use path on the south side of Siskiyou and trying to improve connectivity while also addressing access management. Chapman suggested reducing the motor vehicle travel lanes to 11' in order to gain an additional foot on either side to create functional bike lanes. He also suggested that work could be done to improve the road shoulder if it was to serve as bike lane, since its present condition was spotty at best. Cutsforth noted that both of these items could be considered, but that the cost of shoulder improvements might be prohibitive. Chapman noted areas of concern at Bellview due to students crossing, and near Tolman Creek Road and Clay Street near the senior center, and suggested that ideally he would like to see improvements extend at least from Tolman Creek Road to Crowson Road. He indicated that his thinking was that if ODOT dealt with bike lanes to Crowson, it might be possible for the City to address the multi-use path later. He added that this would provide a bicycle connection to the future Central Ashland Bikepath (CAB) at Crowson Road’s railroad crossing. He emphasized that while the multi-use path may serve some cyclists, bicycle commuters would be traveling at a greater speed and need to have dedicated bike lanes. 2005-0613_Bike Min_ODOT Special Meeting Page 1 of 2 McCartin asked if there were specific plans on the city plate in this area. Severson and Johnson said no, although Johnson noted that an LID for sidewalks on the west side of Tolman Creek Road was scheduled at least a year out. Severson noted a few specific project-driven improvements that were slated for the near future, including some street and sidewalk improvements near Siskiyou Boulevard and Tolman Creek Road. McCartin suggested a detailed recommendation be forwarded to her by Severson with input from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission, Public Works Division and Planning Division to address in as much specificity as possible what the city would like to see AND what was seen as more important - bike lanes or multi-use path improvements. She emphasized that this recommendation could be as specific as desired, and that the City may want to actually address specific sections of the project area for specific concerns. Silbiger asked that Severson loop the council in with some sort of advisory memo to make them aware and to see if they would consider contributing any additional funding for further improvements given the significant role that Siskiyou Boulevard serves for the community. Severson stated that he would collect recommendations and forward them to McCartin, and serve as McCartin’s initial contact person with the city. 2005-0613_Bike Min_ODOT Special Meeting Page 2 of 2