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MTP - ACTION ITEM: (1) Receive a Status Update on the Connect Culver Boulevard Project; and (2) Provide Direction to Staff.
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Meeting Date: October 16, 2024
Contact Person: Andrew Maximous, Mobility & Traffic Engineering Manager
Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5628
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: E-Mail via GovDelivery (10/11/2024): Meetings and Agendas - Mobility, Traffic & Parking Subcommittee; Notify Me - Construction, Street Maintenance and Closures; Stay Informed - Bicycle & Pedestrian / Culver CityBus / Construction, Street Maintenance and Closures
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (10/11/2024)
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BACKGROUND
In accordance with the City Council adopted Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan the Connect Culver Boulevard Project (Project) proposes to construct a Class II or Class IV bicycle facilities along Culver Boulevard between Duquesne Avenue and Elenda Street. The proposed bike lane would connect the gap between the Move Culver City Project, the existing Class IV facility on Elenda Street, and the existing Class I facility on Culver Boulevard (west of Elenda Street).
The parking area along the south side of Culver Boulevard fronting Veterans Park, the Wende Museum, and Paddle Courts contains 229 spaces.
Between Overland Avenue and Duquesne Avenue, there are 116 on-street parking spaces along the north and south sides of the street.
On January 22, 2024, City Council authorized a professional services contract with Micheal Baker International to begin the design process.
On September 19, 2024, the Project was presented to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). Staff received feedback and comments on concept options.
DISCUSSION
Staff has worked with the consultant to establish three different concept plans that meet the goals of the Connect Culver Boulevard Project and still retain key existing features of the street. They are summarized below and in Table 1.
Option 1 - Class II Bike Lanes
Option 1 allows for Class II bike lanes along Culver Boulevard for the entire segment of the project. This option does not require any modifications to the existing medians and no reduction in the number of on-street parking spaces. The vehicle travel lanes can be narrowed to the minimum allowable width to accommodate a 4’ Class II lane adjacent to existing on-street parking.
Option 2 - Class IV and Class II Bike Lanes
Option 2 allows for Class IV protected bike lanes in both directions between Elenda Street and Overland Avenue. This would require the existing median to be narrowed by a total of 4’ (2’ on each side). In the segment between Overland Avenue and Duquesne Avenue a 6’ Class II bike lane in both directions can be achieved by narrowing the existing median a total of 4’ (2’ on each side). This option does not result in a reduction in the number of on-street parking spaces.
Option 3 - Two-Way Cycle Track
Given the existing Class IV facility on Elenda Street, and the existing Class I facility on Culver Boulevard (west of Elenda Street), it would be ideal to have a Class I or Class IV facility on the north side of Culver Boulevard. However, looking into the variety of needs and the presence of existing medians, it became apparent that this would not be a feasible option. Therefore, option 3 explores the idea of a Class IV two-way cycle track along the south side of Culver Boulevard.
In the segment between Elenda Street and Overland Avenue, this option places the two-way cycle track at sidewalk level within the existing parkway between the roadway and the Veterans Park/Wende Museum parking area. However, this would require the removal of several trees within the parkway and relocation of street lights. The parking lot would be converted to a one-way configuration resulting in a net loss of approximately 70 spaces. No changes to the median or the travel lane widths are required.
In the segment between Overland Avenue and Duquesne Avenue, the cycle track would be at street level adjacent to the curb. Approximately 58 on-street parking spaces would be removed to accommodate this alignment. The travel lane widths of the eastbound lanes would be reduced. No changes to the median are required.
Option 4 - Hybrid Class II and Class IV
A hybrid option 4 for the segment between Overland Avenue and Duquesne Avenue arose from comments from BPAC members. This option would allow for a protected Class IV bike lane along the south side of Culver Boulevard and Class II bike lane along the north side. This option would remove 58 spaces on the south side but keep all 58 spaces along the north side. This option would narrow the travel lane widths but not require any changes to the median.
Total Cost Estimates
Option 1 - $95,000
Option 2 - $914,600
Option 3 - $1,540,500
ATTACHMENTS
2024-10-16-MTP-Mtg-ATT-Culver Blvd Bike Lane Concepts