HomeMy WebLinkAboutImprovements - PBH-Neff-Alfalfa MktDeschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 200, Bend OR 97701-1960
541.388.6570 Fax 541.385.3202 -www.deschutes.org
AGENDA REQUEST AND STAFF REPORT
For Board Business Meeting of: July 21, 2014
DATE: July 9,2014
FROM: Chris Doty, Director Road Department Phone: 541.322.7105
TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM:
Consideration of Board authorization to proceed with project development of intersection
improvements at Powell Butte HighwaylNeff-Alfalfa Market Road
PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? The Board will accept public input.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
Via Resolution 2014-031, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a prioritized
Transportation Capital Improvement Plan project list, upon which improvements at the
intersection of Powell Butte HighwaylNeff-Alfalfa Market Road were ranked as the top priority
for Deschutes County. The priority designation is based on safety issues identified and
associated with the intersection; the crash rate of the intersection is the highest of any
intersection in the County system and twice the industry standard. Due to the high speed of
traffic on Powell Butte Highway and compromised sight distance, injury crashes comprise
almost 50% of the reported crashes. A fatality occurred at the intersection in 2003.
In preparation of project development, a traffic engineering firm, Kittelson and Associates Inc.
(KAI), was hired to conduct a safety analysis and identify improvement options. Initial safety
analysis was performed and documented in a memo dated December 30, 2013 and initial
improvement options were refined in a memo dated May 8, 2014 (link:
http://www.deschutes.orgIRoad.aspx). In summary, a rural roundabout was recommended by
KAI to address the safety issues associated with the intersection. Attached to the roundabout
recommendation are context sensite design features aimed at mitigating the rural location
(unexpected to drivers) and sight distance issues related to the intersection's location within a
horizontal curve as well as vertical curve sight issues on the Alfalfa Market Road leg.
A public meeting was held on June 23, 2014 to discuss the need for the project, and review the
safety analysis and associated improvement options. An invitation was issued via press release
in advance of the public meeting and adjacent property owners were mailed an invitation.
Approximately 17 members of the public attended the initial meeting. A subsequent press
release invited public comment on the project and the developed improvement options. The
Road Department received 38 written responses to the request for public input. The attached
spreadsheet (Exhibit A) contains a summary of the public comments. The public comments are
provided in their entirety via web link (see attachments at end of document).
The public comments were catagorized as follows:
Page 1 of3
I
Page 2 of 3
1. Prefers roundabout concept.
2. Discourages roundabout concept.
3. Alternative improvements suggested (either alternative concepts or concepts not
identified in the KAI memos).
4. Observations noted (mostly sharing of expereinces at the intersection or noting safety
issues).
5. Design considerations noted (identifying issues or conflicts that need to be resolved with
the improvement project).
In brief summary, 20 responses communicated a general preference for the roundabout concept
and 15 responses indicated general dis-preference for the roundabout concept and/or preference
for another improvement option.
The majority of all responses communicated user based issues and concerns that will be helpful
in the design of any improvement project. Typical observations noted the speed and sight
distanace issues prevelent at the intersection. Typical design considerations addressed the desire
for no-passing lanes south of the intersection, lighting concerns, artwork concerns, and the need
to accommodate horse trailers, freight, and other large vehicles.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff endorses the roundabout concept as recommended by KAI. Rural roundabouts are gaining
favor within the industry as an effective intersection treatment to address safety issues at high
speed rural intersections. See summary link:
(http://teachamerica.com/RAB14/RAB14posters/RAB14P_Isebrands.pdf)
Through rural roundabout design treatments, approach speed and sight distance issues can be
mitigated to allow the roundabout to function effectively and in a safe manner. The roundabout
will be designed to accommodate a WB-67 truck (typical interstate semi-truck) which will be
able to serve the space requirements of typical freight use, horse trailers, and recreational
vehicles.
Ample evidence suggests that while the roundabout will not eliminate crashes, it will reduce the
rate to a tolerable level – especially injury crashes at the high speed, sight obstructed
intersection.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funds for this project ($2,500,000 placeholder amount) have been budgted in FY 15 and plan to
be budgted in FY 16 as construction activity will span two fiscal cycles. Funding sources for
Deschutes County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) include federal Payment in Lieu of Taxes
and Secure Rural Schools program funding, System Development Charges, and existing CIP
reserves.
RECOMMENDATION AND ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff seeks BOCC authorization to proceed with development of a roundabout at the intersection
of Powell Butte Highway/Neff-Alfalfa Market Road.
Page 3 of 3
Upon authorization, staff will will initiate Requests for Proposals from qualified engineering
firms to prepare construction plans, contract documents, and right-of-way acquisition. As a
portion of the preliminary design scope, the consultant will prepare 30% design concepts of
several proposed roundabout locations (ie, northeast corner, southwest corner) to assist with a
final determination of roundabout location within the intersection.
ATTENDANCE: Chris Doty, George Kolb
DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS: None required.
Attachments:
Exhibit A – Public input summary
Exhibit B – Public input submitted to the Road Department via the below web link:
http://www.deschutes.org/DeschutesOrg/files/1b/1b89d6e5-0ef7-47a1-858b-9cd591333ccf.pdf
Name Contact Info
prefers
roundabout
concept
discourages
roundabout
concept
alternative
improvement
suggested
observations
noted
design
considerations
noted Summary
1 Chris Bischoff cactus97701@yahoo.com x x x Adjacent property owner. Prefers roundabout in northeast location.
2 Ron/Sandi Larson 62435 Powell Butte Highway x x x Adjacent property owner, speeding issues, prefer lower speeds or offest intersection
3 Scott Wyman swyman@bendoregon.gov x Prefers roundabout. Emergency services perspective provided.
4 Terry Cowan tcowan@knlr.com x Prefers traffic signal
5 Brady Fuller Brady.Fuller@CH2M.com x x x Favors roundabout. LED lighting considerations, consider concrete, avoid artwork
6 Galan Carter galan.carter@yahoo.com x x x Favors roundabout. Large diameter for trucks/trailers, RVs, etc.
7 Marjie Burnett ellen@crestviewcable.com x x x Prefers speed reduction via rumble strips.
8 Katrina Kessel katrina@kesselz.com x x Prefers sight inprovements - squaring up intersection, heavy vehicle concerns.
9 Wendi Murphy tinkstruck@hotmail.com x Prefers roundabout.
10 Rita Pedersen trpedersen@bendcable.com x x Prefers roundabout.
11 Jake Reyna jakereyna@gmail.com x x x x Roundabout suggested. Speed enforcement requested.
12 James jtss@bendbroadband.com Some questions and observations. Would like to see more pro-active improvements.
13 Anita Stelle perfectype@bendcable.com x x x x Too many roundabouts. Move intersection eastward. Rumble strips?
14 Gigi Meyer gigimeyer@me.com x x x Prefers roundabout. Needs to accommodate horse trailers.
15 wskurzman wskurzman@yahoo.com x Prefers roundabout.
16 unknown text 541.633.9092 x Daily user in favor of roundabout.
17 Ben Swanson phone message x x Prefers roundabout. Would like to see bike lanes on Neff-Alfalfa approaches.
18 Marianne McCormick marianneavery121@yahoo.com x x x Prefers roundabout. Requests no-passing to Highway 20.
19 pinkbrose pinkbrose@live.com x x x x Roundabout would work, but expensive. Four-way stop or light with sight modifications.
20 John Driscoll johncdriscoll1068@gmail.com x x Improve the road to accommodate more traffic at higher speeds (Bend to Prineville).
21 Matt mattkillpack@hotmail.com x Prefers well lit and marked roundabout.
22 Betsy Morrison betsy@expecon.net x x x x Variety of suggestions. Straighten road and remove trees. Wants practical, eco, effective.
23 Carol White carolwhite522@gmail.com x x x Traffic seems to fast for roundabout. Realignment with turn lanes?
24 Peter Doctors pdoctors@flowersassoc.com x Roundabout is great idea to improve safety. Roundabout designer from CA.
25 Jason Vaden jlvaden@comcast.net x x Conerned about roadside monument
26 Bonnie Ashenbrenner bonlash@gmail.com x x Would like roundabout large enough for semis, horse trailers, etc.
27 Amy Byron amyb@coastalfarm.com x Conerned about roadside monument
28 Nunzie Gould nunzie@pacifier.com x
Bicycle design concerns expressed. Why is this (signal or roundabout) not an option for Cook
Avenue in Tumalo?
29 Wade Bryant wlb56@bendnet.com x x x
In favor of roundabout (alt B). Design issues/concerns noted (illumination, no-passing, medians,
etc.)
30 Tami Bryant imatbryant@yahoo.com x x Design issues/conerns noted and related to sight distance on approaches and speed.
31 Gladys Biglor 62139 Cody Road, Bend 97701 x x x
Issues raised with study. Suggests more effort and information needed before a recommendation
can be made.
32 Dan Waldrop 62343 Powell Butte Highway x x x Prefers roundabout (alt A) due to southbound sight distance conerns.
33 Barbara Krumwiede x Prefers reconstruction.
Classification of Comments
Exhibit A: Public Input Summary for the Powell Butte Highway/Neff-Alfalfa Market Road Intersection Improvement Project
Name Contact Info
prefers
roundabout
concept
discourages
roundabout
concept
alternative
improvement
suggested
observations
noted
design
considerations
noted Summary
Classification of Comments
Exhibit A: Public Input Summary for the Powell Butte Highway/Neff-Alfalfa Market Road Intersection Improvement Project
34 Harry Ketrenos, et al Hketrenos@aol.com x x x x
Prefers realigning approach for better visibility as well as reduced speeds and no-pass from Highway
20. Concerned about noise from slowing/accelerating vehicles on PBH.
35 Bill Gebhardt centraloregonphoto@ykwc.net x x x Prefers roundabout with speeding and passing addressed from Highway 20.
36 Mary Cecil mlcecil47@q.com x x x x Prefers signalization with realignment. Emphasizes truck/oversize accomodation.
37 Kathy O'Neal kathyo@jbarj.org x x x x Does not like roundabout due to sight/speed issues. Would like to disconnect Neff.
38 Mike Pulzone mpulzone@ykwc.net x Prefers roundabout. Immediate neighbors voice approval as well.
Public meeting attendees not reflected in comments above.
Name Contact Info
1 Marlene Ralph mralph007@q.com
2 Pearl Richtor mralph007@q.com
3 Sue/Stacy Epperson justsue24@yahoo.com
4 Steve Husser srhuss@aol.com
5 Andy Hood hood@ykwc.net
6 Tom Maddux 22670 Peacock Lane, Bend 97701