Title
Update on Traffic Relief on Island Drive. (Public Works 310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Elizabeth D. Warmerdam, Interim City Manager
RE: Update on Traffic Relief on Island Drive
BACKGROUND
The Public Works Department has been tasked to investigate and bring back to the City Council an update on traffic relief on Island Drive, including:
1. Extend the left turn lane on Island Drive at Robert Davey Jr. Drive.
2. Renegotiate the operating hours for the Bay Farm Island Bridge so that it only opens for emergencies between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
3. Work with the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) to change the start time of Lincoln Middle School to 8:10 a.m. thereby allowing a better flow of traffic up Island Drive with better traffic flow for drop off at Amelia Earhart and Bay Farm Island elementary schools.
4. Check signal synchronization from Island Drive, Fernside Boulevard, and Otis Drive to Broadway.
DISCUSSION
Staff has reviewed and analyzed traffic operations in this area. We have determined:
1. The northbound left-turn lane on Island Drive at Robert Davey Jr. Drive will be extended from its current 160 feet to 210 feet. Staff will design, prepare plans and specifications for this project, and go out to bid this fiscal year.
2. Per the U.S. Coast Guard’s Code of Federal Regulations section 117.193, the Bay Farm Island Bridge “shall open on signal, except that, from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the draw must open on signal if 12 hours notice is given”. Amending the code of federal regulations is an involved process that can take years and is at the exclusive discretion of the U.S. Coast Guard.
3. Changing the Lincoln Middle School bell schedule is unlikely, as it would require input from the Parent Teacher Association and a renegotiation of the memorandum of understanding between the School District and Alameda Education Association. Michael Hans, Lincoln Middle School’s Principal and a member of the Transportation Commission, is continuing to work with Lincoln Middle School families to encourage walking and biking as a means for children to get to school without increasing traffic congestion. This item was discussed at the AUSD and City joint subcommittee meeting on September 16, 2015.
4. Currently, the signals along Island Drive, Fernside Boulevard, and Otis Drive to Broadway are synchronized. Public Works will continue to monitor the signal operations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This informational report has no financial impacts.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This informational report does not affect the Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) this item is exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15306 as it consists of data collection and planning studies. Projects resulting from this effort will undergo CEQA review prior to approval.
RECOMMENDATION
Update on traffic relief on Island Drive.
Respectfully submitted,
Liam Garland, Interim Public Works Director
By,
Virendra Patel, Transportation Engineer
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director