SR-506-003-02 (3)
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GS:SS:RD:db 05 - 0<... PR 28 1987
Council Meeting, April 28, 1987 Santa Monica, California
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City staff
Subject: Recommendation to Widen Portions of Colorado Avenue
Introduction
This report recommends City council instruct city staff to
widen Colorado Avenue between 9th and 19th streets from the
existing 55 feet to 60 feet curb-to-curb as a part of the
reconstruction of this arterial street. This improvement will
provide for the increase in traffic projected for the office
building corridor area of the city.
Background
During the Council meeting of March 10, 1987, a public hearing
was held regarding the establishment of an assessment district
for portions of the improvements for this Federally-assisted
project planned for portions of Colorado Avenue. The
improvements for which the City Council approved assessments
include sidewalk replacement (where needed) , gutters, and a
portion of the pavement reconstruction. The improvements will
include reconstructing portions of the sidewalks, and the street,
constructing concrete gutters, up-grading the signals and the
widening of Colorado at the intersections of 14th, 17th and 20th
streets to provide left turn lanes. The intent of the original
design was to improve traffic conditions with intersection
widenings but not engage in the significantly higher cost of
complete street widening. Also, staff was conforming to current
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city policy which discourages widening of City streets. As a
result of the public hearing Council directed staff to consider
widening of the entire section of Colorado Avenue proposed for
improvement.
staff has reevaluated the Colorado improvement project and
recommends curb-to-curb widening from the existing 55 feet to 60
feet between 9th and 19th streets. This recommendation is based
on the following facts.
Colorado Avenue is classified by the City as a minor arterial
in the street network. Colorado Avenue has two lanes of travel
in each direction and parallel parking along most of the street.
Most of the intersections do not have left turn lanes. The
average daily traffic volume is approximately 17,000 vehicles per
day. The existing curb-to-curb width between 9th street and
Cloverfie1d is typically 55 feet. This provides a 9 foot number
1 lane (closest to center), a 10 1/2 foot number 2 lane, and an
8 foot parking lane. The exception is the 1900 block of Colorado
which is 62 feet curb-to-curb.
The California Department of Transportation (which is the
agent for Federal Highway Administration) recommends the minimum
curb-to-curb width of 60 feet of a 4 lane urban street that has
parking on both sides. This specification provides for a ten
foot number 1 lane, and a 12 foot number 2 lane and an 8 foot
parking lane. The 60 foot width provides for the safe and
efficient movement along Colorado Avenue of all types of truck,
automobile and bicycle traffic.
As directed by Council, the limits of the original project
have been reduced from C1overfie1d Boulevard to 20th street to
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9th street to 20th street. This change in limits permits the
widening of Colorado Avenue 5 feet with available Federal funds.
Left turn lanes at the intersections will be accommodated by
eliminating several on-street parking spaces at each
intersection. Most of the cOll\lllercial properties in these areas
have off-street parking and will not be impacted by the loss of
several spaces. The widening will be done on the south side by
eliminating the existing parkway. street trees exist along
several portions of this project and most have been set back and
will not have to be relocated.
The Colorado resurfacing project has been on the state
Transportation Improvement Plan for two years. since wilshire
Boulevard Phase II is now complete, this becomes the highest
priority F.A.U. project.
Financial/Fiscal Impact
The city Engineer's estimate for this project is $623,450.
Funds are available for this project in the following accounts:
Acct. No. Amount
43-770-421-000-927 FAU $341,605.77
01-770-421-000-927 Gen.Fund Match $ 51,357.00
43-770-421-000-951 FAU $523,025.00
01-770-421-000-951 Gen.Fund Match $ 76,975.00
FAU (Federal Aid Urban) funds are used to conduct
reconstruction or resurfacing of streets that affect regional
traffic flows as apposed to local neighborhood streets.
Recommendation
It is recommended that city Council instruct City staff to
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widen Colorado Avenue between 9th and 19th streets from 55 feet
to 60 feet curb-to-curb.
Prepared by: Stan Scholl, Director of General Services
Ray Davis, City Parking & Traffic Engineer
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