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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.f. 4-way Stop Recommendation at Chili - Chippendale - 145th StreetDATE: JULY 15, 1987 TO: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL % ADMINISTRATOR JILK FROM: CITY ENGINEER HEFT RE: ITEMS FOR THE JULY 21, 1987 COUNCIL MEETING NEW BUSINESS 7f. 4 -Way Stop Recommendation at Chili -Chippendale -145th Street West Earlier this spring, I received a request to study the Canada Avenue intersection with 145th Street to see if a 4 -way stop was warranted. I have looked into this and I cannot justify a 4 -way stop at this intersection based on the warrants that must be met to install the 4 -way stop. These warrants being as follows from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is the Bible on traffic control. Any of the following conditions may warrant a multi -way stop sign installation: 1. Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed, the multi -way stop is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the signal installation. 2. An accident problem, as indicated by five (5) or more accidents of a type susceptible of correction by a multi -way stop installation in a twelve month period. Such accidents include a right -and left -turn collision as well as right-angle collisions. 3. Minimum traffic volumes: a. The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at least 500 vehicles per hour for any eight (8) hours of an average day, and b. the combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street must average at least 200 units per hour for the same eight (8) hours, with an average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour. In addition, the multi -way stops should ordinarily be used only where traffic volume on intersecting roads are approximately equal. This intersection, while busy, does not meet any of the above mentioned warrants to install a 4 -way stop. PAGE 2 NEW BUSINESS -ITEM 7f. (Continued) The request made for 4 -way stop was also based on traffic speeds on 145th Street. The manual does not recommend stop signs for speed control. One issue brought up by the party requesting the 4 -way stop was that there was no other stop from the west end of Rosemount until you reach the signal at Highway 3. There are speed limit signs posted for eastbound traffic on 145th Street that do indicate a speed reduction as you approach Chippendale from 40 m.p.h. to 30 m.p.h. Incidently, Chief Staats had speed checks taken at Chippendale & 145th Street West and the average speeds were around 33 m.p.h: An offshoot of this request was that Staff looked at the intersection of Chili and Chippendale with 145th Street. Because Chili and Chippendale are offset by nearly 200 feet and Chili is one of the main bus routes into and out of the high school and we have had numerous accidents at this intersection Staff reviewed this situation. It is the Police Chief's and my recommendation that we install a 4 -way stop at this intersection. The eastbound traffic on 145th Street would be stopped at Chippendale and the westbound traffic on 145th Street would be stopped at Chili. This arrangement would allow school buses easier access onto 145th Street and also reduce the stacking of vehicles on 145th Street when school buses are attempting a left turn onto Chili or a left turn onto Chippendale. I am attaching a sketch of these proposed stop sign locations and a letter from the Director of Transportation of the School District, Gloria Rea, who also feels that the 4 -way stop would be much safer at this intersection. While Staff does recommend the 4 -way stop at Chippendale, Chili and 145th Street, we do so only as a temporary measure. Staff feels a permanent solution to this intersection is to realign Chili with Chippendale. This can be done by realigning Chili westerly and Chippendale easterly so they line up directly. However, while we do have sufficient right-of-way left over from the old Dodd Boulevard to shift Chippendale easterly, we would have to acquire the necessary right-of-way to shift Chili westerly. In addition to this proposed realignment, Staff also proposes on removing the intersection of Dodd Boulevard with Chippendale and using Cimarron as the access point onto 145th Street from Dodd Boulevard. The existing access of .Dodd Boulevard onto Chippendale is much too close to 145th Street to provide a safe access onto Chippendale. I would recommend that Council approve of the installation of a 4 -way stop at the Chippendale -Chili -145th Street intersection. Recognizing there will be a difficult transition period while drivers adjust to the stop sign, I recommend that we install the stop signs by August 1, 1987. Chief Staats indicated he will beef up patrols in the area and I will install the large stop signs with "Stop Ahead" warning signs 300 feet ahead of the stop signs and also arrange for the appropriate traffic marking on the pavement. I will also contact the local papers 4 PAGE 3 NEW BUSINESS -ITEM 7f. (Continued) to see if they will put a short article in the paper regarding the 4 - way stop. I believe these steps will insure the most orderly transition of this intersection for a 4 -way stop as possible. Chief Staats and I will be present at the Council meeting to discuss any aspect of this matter in greater detail if the Council so desires. cc: Chief Staats . 143 RO STREET yV STREc -- UPR 143 Ro. ,Z to } -.cr( 1-` % zs t� ro :'�:� ,cel • t v Q } _ r i �M I I l I i I 1 T7 t t -I N 3 a 43 u w� SiREE t INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 196 14445 DIAMOND PATH ■GLORIA REA ROSEMOUNT. MINNESOTA 55068-4199 DIRECTOR OF' TRANSPORTATION 612-423-9485 July 9, 1987 Mr. Steve Jens City Administrator City of Rosemount 1367 145th Street East Rosemount MN 55068 Dear Mr. J�rfk: We are aware that the intersections of Chili and 145th Street and 145th Street and Chippendale have caused serious congestion problems for some time, especially at Rosemount High School release time. As I understand, you are considering placing a stop sign on the northeast corner of 145th Street and Chili for westbound traffic and on the southwest corner of Chippendale and 145th Street for eastbound traffic. With us having 42 buses for the high school this fall, we feel that this action will help insure not only the safety of our students riding Independent School District 196 vehicles, but the general public using these roadways as well. We feel this is an excellent safety move. Thank you. Sincerely, Gloria Rea Bill Stanley Director of Transportation Safety Supervisor GR-BLS/vmh xc: Tom Nelson