Date: October 22, 2009 To: From: Re: Mayor and City Council Karen Gallagher Transportation Planner Fairview Avenue Concept Design and Access Management Plan Update and Public Outreach Plan Requested Action: Affirm the proposed plan for public outreach. Background: When the Fairview Avenue Concept Design began, it was on a tight schedule, because a few segments of Fairview Avenue were scheduled for design and construction immediately upon its completion. There have been a few changes to that plan, partially due to the following: We ve discussed the efficiencies gained by the reconstructed intersections on Fairview Avenue. Last fall, Boise City recommended postponing designing any Fairview Avenue segments until after the Concept Design is finished. The three public workshops on access management held last August were poorly attended, which was of great concern to the project team and the Policy Committee (includes Council Members Jordan and Clegg, ACHD Commissioners and Council Members from Meridian). The Concept Design is now focusing on the Access Management Plan for the corridor and a second round of public outreach in the form of brochures, surveys, and a website. Lisa Applebee, ACHD s project manager, will present Council with an overview of the project s status and the public outreach plan, which has been reviewed by the Fairview Policy Committee. Attachments: Memo from Lisa Applebee, ACHD Project Manager PowerPoint Slides for October 27, 2009 Work Session
Committed to Service Carol A. McKee, President Sherry R. Huber, 1st Vice President Rebecca W. Arnold, 2nd Vice President John S. Franden, Commissioner Sara M. Baker, Commissioner TO: FROM: Boise Major and Council Members Lisa Applebee, Project Manager DATE: October 27, 2009 SUBJECT: Fairview Avenue Concept Design and Access Management Plan ACHD Project No. 507022 STAFF REPORT, October 27, 2009 Executive Summary The Fairview Avenue, Linder Road to Orchard Street Concept Design project was originally scheduled for completion in FY09. The Concept Design has 2 Phases: Phase I provided three footprint alternatives through a stakeholder input process; whereas, Phase II would recommend a preferred footprint for the Concept Design as well as recommend access management. The Draft Access Management Plan was presented to the Policy Committee in January and March 2009. Subsequently, the Commission directed staff to proceed only with the Access Management portion of the project (and delay the remainder of the project) which would allow the Cities an opportunity to adopt the plan to implement as development occurs. The Committee recommended the team seek further public input because the efforts to date have not resulted in much feedback. But the Committee also suggested caution during the economic downturn. The team seeks further direction relative to proceeding with the Access Management portion of this project. Background The Concept Design, which is the focus of this project, was intended to provide for a long-range transportation facility configuration and provide clear direction for future detailed design phases. The area for the Fairview Avenue Concept Design is defined as Cherry Lane from Linder Road to Meridian Road and Fairview Avenue from Meridian Road to Orchard Street. This segment will hence be referred to as the Fairview Avenue corridor. Traffic estimates along the Fairview Avenue corridor for the year 2035 range from approximately 31,000 to 63,000 vehicles per day. The traffic analysis recommended widening Fairview Avenue from Meridian Road to the I-184 on-ramp east of Curtis Road to seven lanes (three travel lanes in each direction and a center median/turn lane). However, widening a roadway alone is not sufficient. Managing access is an important strategy to ensure capacity, low travel time, and a low crash rate for a principal arterial. In cooperation with Meridian City and Boise City staff, a draft Access Management Plan was prepared as part of Concept Design to optimize the capacity, operations and safety of Fairview Avenue. The goal of the plan is to balance local planning and economic goals with the safe and efficient operation of the Fairview Avenue corridor. Ada County Highway District 3775 Adams Street Garden City, ID 83714 PH 208 387-6100 FX 345-7650 www.achd.ada.id.us
October 27, 2009 Fairview Avenue Access Management Plan
Purpose of Today s Meeting To ask the Boise City Major and Council if the additional public outreach effort approved by ACHD Commission will be sufficient to allow the Cities to adopt and implement the Access Management Plan
Project Purpose The original intent of the project was to produce a Concept Design Report; however, due to revenue shortfalls, the ACHD Commission decided to complete only the Access Management Plan at this time.
Why Access Management on Fairview Avenue Crashes reduced by 30 to 60 percent Capacity increased by 20 to 40 percent
Where we are with the Access Management Plan In collaboration with Boise and Meridian staff, the project team developed a Draft Access Management Plan In early 2009, the plan was presented to the project Policy Committee (2 Boise Council and 2 Meridian Council members) Policy Committee requested additional public outreach to ensure awareness
Fairview Avenue Public Involvement Summary: Survey/open house invite - Aug/Sept 2007 Mailed 29,000 surveys/invites, received 410 surveys Sept 27 th and Oct 1 st open houses (3 hours each)- 75 attendees Business Access Management Workshops 2008 Mailed 2,642 invites, 10 attendees Workshops Aug 10, Aug 20, & Aug 21 (2 hours each)
Recent Events: January 15 and March 2 2009 the Access Management Plan discussed with the Policy Committee Committee members recommended additional public outreach Fact Finding on public outreach efforts by other communities (next slide) June 17, 2009 ACHD Commission work session to convey Policy Committee recommendations October 15, 2009 Policy Committee discusses proposed public outreach
Fact Finding Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, and Florida Department of Transportation Public involvement techniques included mailings, public meetings, etc Received minimal participation and response
Additional Public Involvement Mail Brochure information about access management and how it affects Fairview Avenue Survey available in brochure and/or on web site Brochure available on web site Access Management Plan available on web site or upon request
Scope Outline Milestones City support for adopting Access Management Plan with proposed public involvement Prepare information brochure and survey Present brochure and survey to Cities and Commission Distribute approved brochure and survey Compile results Provide results to Commission and Cities Present results in a Public Information Meeting Address public comments Present results and request adoptions /endorsement of Access Management Plan to Cities and ACHD Commission
What s Next Cities support proposed approach for Access Management Plan Cities recommend alternative to proposed approach to Access Management Plan
Questions? Direction!