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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrder 042 - Close Pleasant Ridge RdDeschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org AGENDA REQUEST & STAFF REPORT For Board Business Meeting of August 11, 2010 Please see directions for completing this document on the next page. DATE: July 21, 2010 FROM: Tom Blust, Road Dept. Director Road Department 322-7105 TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of Board signature of Order 2010-042, Directing the Permanent Closure of Deschute 3 Pleasant Ridge Road at the Intersection with US Highway 97 PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? NO BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS: The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has requested approval from the Board of County Commissioners to permanently close the Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road approach to US Highway 97 (attached letter from Robert Bryant, ODOT Region 4 Manager, dated July 7, 2010). ODOT's request is made strictly for the purpose of improving public safety at this intersection. Turning movements at the US 97/Gift Road/Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road intersection have becc me increasingly hazardous due to the significant speed and traffic volumes on US 97. This intersection has a history of a high number of crashes and high severity of crashes (crash summary and details are included in the attached ODOT letter). ODOT and the County have met numerous times, including; a work session with the Board on June 29th of this year, to discuss possible solutions to this safety is. sue. Considering short and long term options, it appears a permanent closure of the Deschutes Pleasant Ridge connection (east side of intersection) is a prudent and viable short-term action that will significantly improve safety at the intersection. ODOT has made significant outreach efforts to contact the property owners abutting Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road, surrounding area businesses, emergency services, the school district and other service providers for their input on the proposed closure. In addition, ODOT held a public open house on July 29th seeking further input on the US 97 plans for the Gift Road/Deschutes Junction portion of the corridor. Stakeholder input has been generally supportive. Some interest was expressed in maint<<ining a right -in right -out access at Deschutes Pleasant Ridge, however, this option is not a viable solution at the intersection. If approved, the closure will be a permanent closure for public use. A cul-de-sac will be construct, ,d at an appropriate location and a gate will be installed for use by emergency services vehicles. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: All costs associated with the closure of the intersection (gate, cul-de-sac, signage) will be borne b ODOT. RECOMMENDATION & ACTION REQUESTED: Move signature of Order No. 2010-042, directing the permanent closure of Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road at the intersection with US Highway 97. ATTENDANCE: Tom Blust, Department Director, Gary Farnsworth, ODOT Central Oregon Area Manager DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS: Copy to Wanda Kunz (ext. 7103) at the Road Department REVIEWED LEGAL COUNSEL For Recording Stamp Only BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON An Order Directing the Permanent Closure of Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road at the Intersection with US Highway 97 w w w ORDER NO. 2010-042 WHEREAS, pursuant to ORS 374.060, the Department of Transportation with the officia approval of... the county court or board of county commissioners of any county with respect to county roads, may: (1) close any street, highway or road at or near the point of intersection with a throughway... ; and WHEREAS, pursuant to ORS 374.065, (2) any county road may be closed at the points where it runs into or intersects the throughway if the consent of the county court or board of county commissioners of the county in which the road is located is first obtained.; and WHEREAS, on July 7, 2010, ODOT Region 4 Manager Robert Bryant requested the consent of the Deschutes County Commission to close the Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road approach to US Highway 97; and WHEREAS, pursuant to ORS 810.030, (1) A road authority may impose restrictions...on it; own highways as the road authority determines necessary to:... (b) Protect the interest and safety of the general public.; and WHEREAS, as a result of increasing travel speeds and traffic volumes on US Highway 97', turning movements at Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road have become increasingly hazardous; and WHEREAS, a permanent closure of the Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road connection (east side of intersection) is a prudent and viable short-term action to significantly improve safety at the intersection; and WHEREAS, there has been extensive public involvement on the proposed closure of Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road, including outreach to property owners and residents along Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road, as well as the general area residents, the school district and emergency service representatives; and WHEREAS, the cost and impact to implement this request is very minimal, making the benefit/cost for the safety improvement very high; and WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners finds that the proposed closure is in the public interest; now, therefore ORDER NO. 2010-042 - PAGE 1 OF 2 — DESCHUTES PLEASANT RIDGE CLOSURE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON, HEREBY ORDERS as follows: Section 1. That the intersection of Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road with US Highway 97 be closed to public use. Section 2. That appropriate measures to close access to the road be installed at the intersection of Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road and US Highway 97. Section 3. That a cul-de-sac be constructed at an appropriate location on Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Road. DATED this day of , 2010. ATTEST: Recording Secretary BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES, COUNTY, OREGON DENNIS R. LUKE, CHAIR ALAN UNGER, VICE CHAIR TAMMY BANEY, COMMISSIONER ORDER NO. 2010-042 - PAGE 2 OF 2 — DESCHUTES PLEASANT RIDGE CLOSURE 101 wpm- DESCHUTES - DESCHUTES COUNTY —� MINNEMiii' juMmaIMEW \IMM WA= DESCHUTES COUNT moon wormut=SII �mmmoo 61ST GIFT R PROPOSED CLOSURE DESCHUTES ( OUNTY SHERIFF'S F DSSE N J LQOp DESC '•TiS 0.25 ; 0.5 Proposed Closure: Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Rd at Highway 97 Legend County Routes DESCHUTES COUNTY State Highways DESCHUTES COUNTY SHERIFFS POSSE —1Railroad Taxlots -- -- Canal Printed: April 27, 2010 Deschutes County Roca Dep. rtment The lceormmm on this rm. ws bawd Iran NYl caa6ses en r_ Deschutes Coatys Q,3Caw vws taken in tar tandem of this yr . . map, but t is avoided 1s is". Detelabs County nonce ea* arty reapbnflblity fa mil. aeilsMea, a paatinarl accuracy In ate digital t-Llen dela Atha underlying neat. Mere an commute% agrees a C,L 7 Copied, educing the warranty s nntebitty a armee for a Anp paar atecaa, eaanparryF mar a tea Podia Hawwr, notieedon of any aero will be appncaeed. Jolie Anderton GI Specolott Pr cat i5+1 J 322-7: Email Donna@co deg utes or us Pad res:..51 IST SE 27 !St Bend. O • 2 P:WrcGIS_Projects\Area Map\Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Rd\Propc sed Closure July 7, 2010 regon Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor Commissioner Baney Commissioner Luke Commissioner Unger Deschutes County Commission 1300 NW Wall Street Bend, OR 97701 Subject: Request to Close Pleasant Ridge Road approach to US 97 Dear Commissioners: Department of Transportation Robert W. Bryant, PE Region 4 Manager 63055 N Hwy 97 Bend, OR 97701 541-388-6184 This is a formal request to you for permanent closure of the east side approach of Pleasant Ridge Road to US 97. This request is in reference to the following Oregon Revised Statutes, (ORS): ORS 374.060, Power of Department of Transportation as to intersecting streets and roads, states: "The Department...with the official approval of...the county court or board of county commissioners of any county road with respect to county roads, may: (1) Close any street, highway or road at or near the point of intersection with a throughway...." ORS 474.065, Intersection of throughways and county roads, states: "(1) The Department...shall provide for the intersection of throughways by county roads running into or across throughways. (2) Any county road may be closed at the points where it runs into or intersects the throughway if the consent of the county court or board of county commissioners of the county in which the road is located is first obtained." ORS 810.030, Imposition of restrictions on highway use; grounds; procedure; penalties, states: "(1) A road authority may impose restrictions...on its own highways as the road authority determines necessary to do any of the following: ...(b) Protect the interest of safety of the general public." This request is being made strictly for the purpose of improving public safety. There is an existing safety problem at the US 97/Gift/Pleasant Ridge intersection, and in our discussions with County staff we have agreed there is a joint ODOT/County responsibility to get it resolved. The safety problem is illustrated by the daily exposure of traffic entering and exiting in all directions at the intersection, to the high-speed/high traffic volume condition of US 97. The safety problem is further illustrated by a history of a relative high number and high severity of crashes. Most of the traffic accessing US 97 is to and from Gift Road (on the west side of the intersection). (See enclosures A & B for traffic and crash documentation) In our consideration of short and long term options, it appears a permanent closure of the Pleasant Ridge connection (east side of intersection) is a prudent and viable short-term action to significantly improve safety at the intersection. With increased volume of high speed traffic being accommodated on US 97, this makes reasonable sense for several reasons, such as: July 2, 2010 Deschutes County Commission Page 2 of 3 • All current traffic moves between US 97 and Pleasant Ridge Road can be relocated to a much safer situation (see map enclosure D for illustration). — For example, those travelers coming from the northeast of Bend through Deschutes Market Road and choosing to use Pleasant Ridge to head north toward Redmond must now turn right directly into a US 97 traffic lane; but with the closure they would then merge from the northbound US 97 on-ramp from the Deschutes Market interchange. — Also for example, those travelers heading south on US 97 and choosing to use Pleasant Ridge to head toward the northeast side of Bend must now turn left across two lanes of US 97 traffic; but with the closure they would then likely use the southbound off -ramp at the Deschutes Market interchange, and safely cross US 97 using the bridge overcrossing. • Access for Gift Road travelers to and from US 97 will also be improved for safety with the Pleasant Ridge closure, because there will be a significant reduction in the total number of traffic "conflict points" within the intersection (from 42 existing, down to 11), making driver decision-making much simpler and easier (see enclosure E diagram for illustration). • There will be very minimal overall "out -of -direction" travel with the closure. In other words, there will be no increased travel distance for those wishing to head north on US 97 from the Deschutes Market interchange, only about '/2 mile of increased distance for those heading south on US 97 wishing to head toward the northeast side of Bend on Deschutes Market, and only about 3 miles of increased distance for those wishing to head north on US 97 from property at the far north end of Pleasant Ridge (see map enclosure D for illustration). • There will be a very minor change in traffic volumes at the existing intersections in and around the Tumalo Road/Deschutes Market Road interchange, and therefore negligible change in traffic level -of -service for those intersections (see enclosures C & F for traffic documentation). The cost (at ODOT expense) and impact to implement this request is very minimal, therefore making the benefit/cost for the safety improvement very high. We have contacted each of the property owners, businesses, and other organizations who we believe would be directly affected by this requested action (see enclosure G), including emergency services and school district representatives. The majority of those contacted are supportive of the potential closure. There are a few who have expressed their concerns, and have asked about the potential to instead restrict the access to "right -in -right -out -only." Unfortunately this idea cannot be made effective in relation to full closure, illustrated by these examples: • In order to make a "right -in -right -out -only" function effectively, this would require a raised median (barrier) section on US 97 (which notably would be consistent with ODOT's long term strategy). The simple and most effective way to do so would be with a continuous section of barrier across the intersection. Unfortunately, unlike the Pleasant Ridge side of the intersection, the resultant restriction of left turns for either direction on the Gift Road side at this time, without the ability to implement frontage roads, would have numerous impacts July 2, 2010 Deschutes County Commission Page 3 of 3 (which will take quite some time to understand and measure) to traffic typically making left turns into and out of Gift road, along with properties at or near US 97. As noted above, we continue to evaluate long term options to address the overall safety of this section of US 97. • The other means of attempting to make "right -in -right -out -only" function effectively, is to use barrier that is designed with openings in such a way that it restricts left turns from one side of the highway (Pleasant Ridge) but allows left turns for only one direction on the other side (northbound or southbound for Gift). There is not a reasonable configuration of barrier at this intersection that would restrict one side for left turns and allow left turns in both directions for the other side. As noted above, any restriction of left turns for Gift Road would have significant impacts. We will continue to follow-up with those we have been in contact with along these lines, particularly with those who have raised concerns. We would also be happy to provide additional public involvement as you request or recommend. We will be involving the public as we progress through recommendations for longer term options to improve safety for the overall coiTidor. If you approve this request, our plan is to move forward and implement the closure as soon as possible, mostly likely in the Fall of 2010. We will continue to work with County staff and emergency service representatives to make sure the design elements of the closure meet their requirements and expectations. The design will also include changes to striping and signing on both US 97 and the surrounding County roads. Construction of the changes would also be preceded with thorough and effective public and stakeholder notice of the change in travel patterns during and following completion. I would appreciate your consideration of this request, and given our interest in implementing this safety improvement prior to this winter, it would be helpful to have a response as soon as is reasonable. I would also be more than willing to visit with you and your constituents, or provide additional information to help with your decision-making. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you. cerely, obert W. Bryant, P Region 4 Mane Enclosures A, B, C, D, E, F, G Cc: Tom Blust, Deschutes County Roads Director Gary Farnsworth, ODOT Central Oregon Area Manager Pat Creedican, ODOT District 10 Manager Joel McCarroll, ODOT Region 4 Traffic Manager Enctosun6 74 - STATE OF OREGON DRAFT MEMO Department of Transportation Region 4 Traffic 63055 N Hwy 97 Bend, Oregon 97701 (541) 388-6180 FAX (541) 388-6231 Date: April 22, 2010 TO: Joel McCarroll Region 4 Traffic Manager FROM: Mike Condon Traffic Analyst Region 4 Traffic SUBJECT: US 97 @ Pleasant Ridge/Gift Roads Crash Data Memo The purpose of the US 97 and Pleasant Ridge Road/Gift Road project is to address the safety hazards associated with this at -grade intersection. US 97 is a five -lane Statewide Expressway with a 2008 average daily traffic volume of 25,800 at this intersection. With five lanes on US 97, Pleasant Ridge Road to the east, and Gift Road to the west, drivers encounter 42 total conflict points through the intersection. Page 1 of 3 The purpose of this document is to show the crash analysis results in relation to these existing unsafe conditions described above. This is an existing conditions memo and does not include potential build -out of approved developments. Impacts of such developments will be addressed in a future conditions memo. US 97 Crash Summary (MP 128.48 —128.68) 1/1/1999 — 12/31/2008 In the ten year study period (1/1/1999 — 12/31/2008) there were 34 reported crashes from MP 128.48 to MP 128.68. Crashes during this study period are higher than average based on the number of crashes and crash severity for an at -grade intersection on a rural principal arterial. Gleaned points of the 34 crashes in the last full ten years of available data (1/1/1999 — 12/31/2008): • 26% were turning crashes (3 Injury A) • 15% were crossing crashes (1 Fatal) • 47% injury crashes (35 people injured) • 3% were Fatal (1 Fatality) • 29% occurred on a Wednesday 28 of the 34 crashes in this section are related to the Pleasant Ridge Road and Gift Road intersection with US 97. • 36% of the intersection crashes were due to left turning vehicles, including vehicles in the process of turning. Of these, 30% resulted in severe injury. • 18% of the intersection crashes were crossing crashes. Of these, 20% were fatal. Number of crashes varies by year over the ten-year period ranging from one to seven per year with the highest number in 2001 o 1 crashes in 1999 o 2 crashes in 2000 o 7 crashes in 2001 o 1 crashes in 2002 o 5 crash in 2003 (1 Inj A) o 3 crash in 2004 o 6 crashes in 2005 (2 Inj A) o 3 crashes in 2006 (1 Fatal) o 3 crashes in 2007 o 3 crash in 2008 Safety Priority Index System (SPIS) The Safety Priority Index System (SPIS) is a method developed in 1986 by ODOT for identifying potential safety problems on stated highways. The SPIS identifies locations based on three years of crash data and considers crash frequency, crash Page 2 of 3 rate, and crash severity. A roadway segment becomes a SPIS site if the location has three or more crashes or a least one fatal crash over the three-year period. The intersection of Pleasant Ridge Road and Gift Road with US 97 was listed as a top 5% SPIS site in 2006, 2007 & 2008, top 15% in 2009, top 20% SPIS site in 2005, Safety Improvement Program (SIP) This project section has a 2008 Safety Investment Program (SIP) category ranking of 3 for MP 125 to 130, on a 1 to 5 scale, five being the worst case. This section has a SIP Category 4 rating for 2001, 2002, and 2006 and a SIP Category 3 rating for 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007. Page 3 of 3 EAT.1-0 o se re 5 US 97 @ Gift/Pleasant Ridge Roads - Crash Data MP 128.48 to MP 128.68 - 1 Jon 1999 to 31 Dec 2008 Crash Summary: Total Crashes - 34 Intersection Cr -ashes - 28 Due To Left Turn - 36% (10) Crossing - 18% (5) Closure of Pleasant Ridge Rd will prevent 10/28 intersection crashes including 2 Injury A crashes. Tynlnr+O01j 7/3 /02 & 11/05/08 1 mp cros 1 1 P00 5/31/06 6 H/16/01 Riont Turn 1110/25/09 Fix P00 j -7 12/29/01 LEGEND: PDO = Property. Damage Only Severe Inj Injury A Mod. Inj = Injury B Minor Inj = Injury C Fix Obj = Run off Road SS -0 = Side Swipe Overtaking = Severe Injury/Fatal = Alcohol Involved *= Icy Road Conditions 0= Preventable Crash (w/Closure) *Note - Drawing is Not To Scale 6/13/03 2Woli�i 2/8/018 2/17/07 Rear p 0End 12/17/08 Re%( -_End 5/2/05 Fix Obi P00 6/03/04 CrOSSInq 10901 8/30/06 Anima u/�/001 55-0 5ii/03 Overturn ; 12/200/01 Leff Turn Severe Inj 8/26/05 TO REDMOND • R or -End minor Inj 9/3/03 • "tik �� 001 Reor-End minor Inj 9/11/05 Reor_ end 10/ 1/05 / 11)148,10!75 ;r 1/13/04 Rear- nd 9/26/07 Leff Turn 510/14/05j UOTTuln 9/2d3/01 Fixed 0oj %t 3/P31049 • Animal 10/203 Rear -End 0 07 Heeed On 1/19/00 Left Tturn 12/113/03 5 50/10/01 Poo 12/24/010 US 97 at Gift/Pleasant Ridge Road Intersection, 24-hour Traffic Count Transportation Development Division Transportation System Monitoring Unit Vehicular Volume Time settings Date: 3110/2010 Hours: 6:00 AM -6:00 PM Weather: Clear Source Site Nurnber: 9032010 Mile Point: 128.58 Street Number: 004 Vehicle Type: Vehicles Crossing Flow: Pedestrians Source Description Location Description: US97 @ 61 st St(Gift Rd.) c@ Pleasant Ridge Rd. County: City: site 647 - north leg Deschutes RURAL US 97 To Redmond US 97 To Redmond E.nC.t .0 ) re Pleasant Ridge Rd. 01 TI UI O1 I aI IN .---••• ---- • • -t; Left -Turn r......�.��....�..r�"• Diverge I � APPROACH A Existing Condition APPROACH A 4-- • • . • , I V 1U IQ ID I D! la IQ APPROACH B Left -Turn n Diverge 42 Total Conflict Points US 97 To Bend Gift Rd. With Closure of Pleasant Ridge to US 97 - •` APPROACH B 4 ` Left -Turn . .--•" " ° Diverge . �i- k ,. -4-4 1 {l-� _• 1....-e•-.- •S 1 1- .` 1 1 I'♦ . I , , . I , t1 11 11 Ii il 8o I = I0 I0 IQ' 1 Q. i1 �r Gift Rd. 11 Total Conflict Points US 97 To Bend -F1(\ciDSolre_ OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION US 97 at Pleasant Ridge - Traffic Distribution to Deschutes Market Road Area Prep. 13y: Joel McCarroll, P Traffic Redistribution to Deschutes Market Road Area NO ZN NORTH Rev. By: SCALE Nichols Mkt. Rd. 1 Dejch 2 Tp iiiu . tea Q4 / utej P/ easarit Rid A 3 d es%Ufes�r kf Key: Total Ent. Vol. Before/Total Ent. Vol. After % Increase in Traffic US97 & Tumalo Rd & Tumalo Rd & Deschutes Pleasant Ridge Rd & Nichols/Deschutes Mkt. Rds Nichols Mkt. Rd Deschutes Mkt. Rd Tumalo Rd 1 2 3 4 jf 4h-45/8 48% !!r 1,385/1,429 1,995/2006 490/534 740/795 550/572 3% Increase 0.5% Increaseo 7% Increase 8% 4% Increase Increase OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION US 97 at Pleasant Ridge - Traffic Distribution to Deschutes Market Road Area Prep. 13y: Joel McCarroll, P FIGURE 1 Date : 5/28/10 Rev. By: -YICI oc)r2 �-- US 97APleasant Ridge Contact Tom Blust*/George Kolb (County) DuPont (Property Owner) Ashenfelter (Funny Farm) Clay Penhollow (DCSO-P) Bruce Hunt (CEC) Shafer (Property Owner) Bowers (Property Owner) Jerimiah Fender (COID) Jack Killion (PPL) Shane (United Pipe) Jack Robinson (Jake) Willamette Graystone (Rex) Cliff Houck (Oregon State Parks) Tom Fay - Fire Department Redmond School District Transportation Dept. *Collaborated with other County Depts