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Authorization to Submit a Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 7 Grant Application for a Protected/Permissive Left-Turn Phase Traffic Signal Upgrade Project.
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Contact Person/Dept: Gabriel Garcia/PW
Phone Number: (310) 253-5633
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: Yes [] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/22/2015);
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson (07/21/15)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to submit a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 7 grant application for a Protected/Permissive Left-Turn Phase Traffic Signal Upgrade Project.
BACKGROUND:
On April 27, 2015, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced a Call for Projects for Cycle 7 of the HSIP. The HSIP is focused on addressing roadway safety issues.
For a project to be eligible for grant funding, an applicant must identify a specific safety concern and substantiate it using historical accident data. The applicant must then propose a project with one or more countermeasures aimed at correcting or substantially improving the condition. Projects are evaluated by weighing their costs against their expected benefits from accident reductions. Applicants can submit multiple projects with a total cost of up to $10 million per agency. A total of approximately $150 million is available statewide for Cycle 7 and applications are due on July 31, 2015.
Last year the City was awarded a $1 million grant for Cycle 6 of the HSIP for new protected/permissive left-turn phasing at 7 intersections.
DISCUSSION:
Staff reviewed citywide accident data to evaluate any potential safety issues and to identify possible projects. Culver City has a low overall accident rate and relatively few areas of safety concern. However, staff has identified the following 12 intersections that could benefit from the addition of left-turn phases to further improve safety and reduce potential conflicts between left-turning vehicles and other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists proceeding straight. The proposed traffic signal locations to include in the project are:
1. Braddock Drive/Sepulveda Boulevard (NB/SB only)
2. Sawtelle Boulevard/Sepulveda Boulevard (NB/SB only);
3. La Cienega Boulevard/Washington Boulevard (EB/WB only);
4. La Cienega Avenue-McManus Avenue/Washington Boulevard;
5. Duquesne Avenue-Hughes Ave/Washington Boulevard (NB/SB only);
6. Overland Avenue/Washington Boulevard (NB only);
7. Sawtelle Boulevard/Washington Boulevard (EB/WB only);
8. Beethoven Street/Washington Boulevard (EB/WB only);
9. Redwood Avenue/Washington Boulevard (EB/WB only);
10. Sawtelle Boulevard/Washington Place (EB/WB only);
11. Culver Boulevard/Elenda Street;
12. Bristol Parkway/Green Valley Circle;
The proposed installation of left-turn phases at the selected locations is associated with a relatively high benefit, as determined by the grant guidelines, and as compared to the project cost. Staff believes that this project is likely to be competitive for grant funding, as well as beneficial to the community. Caltrans will advise applicants of the results in October and staff will inform the City Council of the grant application status shortly thereafter.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed Protected Left-Turn Phase Project is anticipated to cost approximately $2,000,000. Should Caltrans select the grant application for funding, the City will not need to provide local matching funds because the proposed left-turn phasing is a countermeasure that is 100% federally funded.
Staff does not anticipate that the project will result in significant additional traffic signal maintenance costs, as it consists of upgrades to existing signals (the upgrades include new signal standards, indications, detection, and wiring) rather than the installation of entirely new traffic signals.
MOTIONS:
That the City Council
Authorize the City Manager to submit an application for a Protected/Permissive Left-Turn Phase Traffic Signal Upgrade Project from the Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 7 Grant Program.