Item C: Agate/Fairmount Transportation Study Update

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engineering firm DKS Associates to conduct technical analysis of both the functionality of Agate Street and neighborhood cut-through traffic and make recommendations to address both issues. The final results of the DKS study are available by visiting the City web portal at www.eugene-or.gov/pwprojects and selecting “Agate/Fairmount.” DKS modeled three different scenarios and tested how well these each addressed the goals of the study: th ?Traffic calming on neighborhood streets: Villard, Orchard, Walnut, and 17 ththth ?Signalized pedestrian crossing at Agate and 14 as well as additional signals at 15 and 18 ?Combination of traffic calming and signalized pedestrian crossing Based on their analysis, DKS recommended the following mitigation strategies: ?Install traffic calming in the Fairmount neighborhood. th ?Install a pedestrian signal at 14 Avenue and Agate Street. th ?Install pedestrian crossing enhancements at 14 and Agate. thth ?Install coordinated signals at 15 and 18 avenues. ?Reevaluate the signal timing along Agate Street after the installation of new signals. DKS also recommended that these projects be implemented one or two at a time and that the City measure the benefits of each project to determine whether additional implementation steps are necessary. With the analysis and recommendations from the DKS study in hand, staff worked with the University and Fairmount Neighbors Traffic Calming Committee to develop a practicable plan for addressing the goals of the project. The basic elements of the plan are as follows: ?The traffic calming elements will be constructed in two phases. The first phase, which consists of speed humps and speed tables, will cost approximately $45,000 and will be implemented using City traffic calming funds. Construction will take place no later than next summer but possibly this year; the timing is dependent on issues related to circulation during the Olympic Trials. ?The second phase of the traffic calming plan entails enhanced traffic calming elements that will reinforce the first phase, improve pedestrian safety, provide aesthetic and stormwater th benefits, and create a more defined edge for the neighborhood along 15 Avenue. This phase would likely cost over $200,000 and could potentially be funded by different means including creation of a local improvement district and through mitigation related to a major nearby development such as a new arena. th ?Improvements to the pedestrian crossing at 14 and Agate that create a two-stage crossing and narrow the driving lanes. These improvements, which are estimated to cost around $100,000, would enable traffic to flow more freely during times of light to medium pedestrian traffic and still maintain a safe crossing for pedestrians. A source of funding has th not yet been identified to pay for the crossing improvements at 14 and Agate. However, there is a placeholder for this project in the current CIP. RELATED CITY POLICIES In July 2002, TransPlan was adopted by Eugene and its regional partners. TransPlan contains 38 policies within nine different categories. Transportation System Improvement Policy #1, Transportation Infrastructure Protection and Management, states: Protect and manage existing and future transportation infrastructure. L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070709\S070709C.doc