RPVCCA_CC_SR_2012_12_04_F_Metro_Call_Crenshaw_And_Crest_Traffic_ImprovementsCITY OF
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
HONORABLE MAYOR &CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
JAMES HENDRICKSON,INTERIM DIRECTOR OF QAAA/
PUBLIC WORKS r
DECEMBER 4,2012
METRO CALL FOR PROJECTS APPLICATION FOR
TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF
CRENSHAW BLVD AND CREST ROAD
CAROLYNLEHR,CITY MANAGER c9--.
Project Manager:NICOLE JULES,SENIOR ENGINEER IIi?'
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize staff to submit a Metro Call For Projects application for traffic improvements
at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Crest Road.
BACKGROUND
'.
LA Metro (Metro)is responsible for allocating discretionary federal,state and local
transportation funds to improve all modes of surface transportation.Metro also
prepares the Los Angeles County Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).A key
component of the TIP is the Call for Projects program which is a competitive process,
where applications are accepted every other year,that distributes discretionary capital
transportation funds to regionally significant projects.
The City has customarily applied for the Call for Projects program in past years.Some
of the projects funded include:
•Palos Verdes Drive South Bike Compatible Roadway Safety Project
•Hawthorne Boulevard Pedestrian Safe Bus Stop Linkage Project
Staff is seeking Council approval to apply for the Call For Projects program to fund
proposed traffic improvements at the Intersection of Crenshaw Blvd and Crest Road.
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DISCUSSION
The intersection of Crenshaw Blvd at Crest Road is an important element of the City's
circulation system.Not only does the intersection provide direct access to primary
roadways north and east of the Peninsula,it's also a key entryway to the Palos Verdes
Nature Preserve trailhead located adjacent to Del Cerro Park at the end of Crenshaw
Blvd and it provides major access to the City of Rolling Hills.
During the AM peak hours,the intersection operation is severely impaired due to heavy
left turns from eastbound Crest Road onto northbound Crenshaw Boulevard and heavy
right turns in the opposite direction,from southbound Crenshaw Boulevard to
westbound Crest Road.The eastbound lanes of Crest Road are particularly affected,
with the left turn lanes backing up past Mela Lane.To avoid the excessive delays,
some motorists pull out of the left-turn traffic back-up,and instead,make right-turns
onto Crenshaw Blvd and then make U-turns (which are prohibited)to then go
northbound on Crenshaw Blvd.The illegal u-turns are made at the driveway to Saint
John Fisher Church and at the intersections of Valley View Road and San Clemente
Place.This continuous stream of illegal traffic movements negatively affects the
access and quality of life of the residents in this area.
Furthermore,there are major improvements planned for future development in this
area.In addition to the construction of a new church building at Saint John Fisher
Church,other projects including the Crestridge Senior Homes project and Highridge
Condominium project will contribute project-related trips to this intersection,thus
resulting in increased traffic and longer delay.
To eliminate this issue,staff would like to improve the operations at the intersection of
Crenshaw Blvd and Crest Road.Potential improvements could include construction of
a roundabout to improve safety,traffic flow and aesthetics and reduce delay and
collisions.Roundabouts are becoming a widely used operational solution due to the
multiple opportunities to improve safety and efficiency.According to the US
Department of Transportation,Roundabouts are safer than traditional intersections due
to:
-90%reduction in fatalities
76%reduction in injuries
-35%reduction in all crashes
The construction costs for a roundabout ranges from $200,000 to $400,000 depending
on the site conditions,amenities and landscaping.Considering the soft costs which
include design services and construction management costs,the total project cost could
range between $600,000 and $800,000.Figure 1 shows a typical roundabout layout.
W:\Pam\Staff Reports\2012\12-04-12\2013 Metro CFP Application\Metro call for projects_Crenshaw at Crest Road.doc F-2
No need to
ehangelanes
to exit
Yield signs
at entries
I
Geomet.ry that
forces slow
speeds
Figure 1 -Typical Roundabout Layout
The City's consulting traffic engineer prepared a traffic analysis of the intersection to
explore potential alternatives to improving operations.The report analyzed three
options:
•Installing a Traffic Signal
•Extending the eastbound left-turn lanes
•Constructing a roundabout
Based on the draft report and preliminary conversations with community members in
the area,constructing a roundabout would be preferred over the other two options.
Consistent with the City's Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program,roundabouts are
viable traffic operational controls.Although,not used in Rancho Palos Verdes to date,
they do exist at 2 locations nearby including,the intersection of Drybank Drive and
Deep Valley Drive (near Promenade on the Peninsula)and Calle Mirf.imarJPaseo De La
Playa and Esplanade in Redondo Beach.Roundabouts are also used in many other
Cities in Southern California including,Santa Monica,Culver City,City of Los Angeles,
and City of Long Beach.
The Call for Projects application deadline is January 18,2013.Should council agree to
submit a project application,staff will immediately employ grant writing expertise from
Blais &Associates to assist with the application preparation and submission process.
ALTERNATIVES
As an alternative,council may choose not to submit an application at this time and the
project will remain in the 5-year CIP as an unfunded project.
W:\Pam\Staff Reports\2012\12-04-12\2013 Metro CFP Application\Metro call for projects_Crenshaw at Crest Road.doc F-3
FISCAL IMPACT
Considering the anticipated project cost to be between $600,000 and $800,000,the
Call for Projects program is an 80%funding grant with a 20%local match.Should the
council agree to submit an application for the project,staff will budget the project cost
during the next budget cycle if the City is successful in being awarded the grant.The
City's contribution towards the total cost of the project would be between $120,000 and
$160,000 (20%).This project is currently included in the 5-year CIP as an unfunded
project.It is anticipated that selected candidate projects will be notified in July,2013.
Attachment
P:\FORMS\Staff ~eport Template (Memo).doc
W:\Pam\Staff Reports\2012\12-04-12\2013 Metro CFP Application\Metro call for projects_Crenshaw at Crest Road.doc F-4
RECEIVED
Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metro
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles,CA 90012-2952
213.922.2000 Tel
metro.net
October 2012
Dear Interested Parties in Los Angeles County:
OCT 04 2012
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)has initiated the 2013
Call for Projects process.Attached for your information and use is the 2013 Call for Projects
Draft Application Package Working Document.
MTA has scheduled the 2013 Call for Projects "Applicant Workshop"to assist Cities,the
County,Transit Operators and other eligible sponsors in preparing their Call for Projects
appliqtions.The purpose of this workshop is to provide information regarding the eligibility
of transportation projects and programs,new Call for Projects program requirements,and the
evaluation criteria and schedule.
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday,October 10,2012
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Metro Gateway Headquarters Building
One Gateway Plaza,Boardroom (3rd Floor)
Los Angeles,CA 90012
MTA staff has consulted with MTA's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)and its
Subcommittees in the development of the application package.Through this involvement,the
application has been developed to be responsive to the concerns of local jurisdictions,
municipal transit operators,and other potential project applicants.
The 2013 Call for Projects Application Package will be presented to the MTA Board for
adoption on October 25 th •Following the MTA Board meeting,we will notify you if a
supplement to the application package is necessary.
MTA encourages project sponsors to start work on their project applications,as well as their
Project Study Reports (PSRs)jProject Development Supports (PDSs)or Project Study Report
Equivalents (PSREs),as soon as possible.Applications must be received by MTA noiater than
3:00 p.m.on January 18,2013.If you have any questions,please contact the'af'propriate MTA
staff identified on page 24 of the Application Package.
To view this document online,please go to metro.netjcallforprojects.
Sincerely,
~Jf/tlllhHI/
Martha Welborne,FAIA
Executive Director,Countywide Planning
Attachment
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