TC - Item 2C - Highway Safety Improvement Program Funding - Intersection of Valley Boulevard and Mission DriveROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
TO: TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: CHRIS MARCARELLO, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: MAY 2, 2013
SUBJECT: HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING —
INTERSECTION OF VALLEY BOULEVARD AND MISSION DRIVE
SUMMARY
Each year, the State of California provides grant funding under the Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP) to improve traffic safety on streets and public right -of -way
areas. The program has several project categories, including intersection safety
improvements, road widening projects, traffic calming improvements, railroad crossing
safety improvements, signage /marking /lighting improvements, and traffic enforcement
activities, among others. The Traffic Commission has expressed concerns with traffic
safety at the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive. Under the HSIP program,
the City may apply for competitive grant funds to make traffic signal improvements at this
intersection.
It is recommended that the Traffic Commission authorize support of the proposed HSIP
grant application and authorize the Chair to sign a letter of support for the project.
ANALYSIS
Based on recent concerns from the Traffic Commission, staff has been working on
improvement options for the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive. Concerns
expressed include traffic signal timing, roadway strip ing /signage, and pedestrian safety
concerns. Below is a brief summary of the steps that will be taken related to this proposed
grant application:
• Field identification and evaluation of traffic safety controls and pedestrian crosswalks
at the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive.
• Identification of all accidents occurring at the subject location shall be conducted for
a period of no less than 3 years.
• Collision diagrams of accidents occurring at the subject location will be depicted on a
map with a legend identifying type of collisions.
• Field photos of the subject location showing high crash locations.
Traffic Commission Meeting
May 2, 2013
Pace 2 of 2
• Field inventory of traffic control infrastructure and proposed intersection and
crosswalk improvements.
• Average daily traffic roadway data volumes and radar speed survey if available.
As proposed, the project will enhance vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle safety in the vicinity
of Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive. If awarded, the grant funds would be used to
supplement other grant monies that were awarded to the City for improvements in this
area. Part of the project will include the following:
• Realignment of the "T" intersection at Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive;
• Addition of safety median islands to simplify turning locations;
• Curb extensions to shorten crosswalk distances;
• Other improvements will help to enhance traffic safety as well as improve
pedestrian access along the two major corridors.
It is requested that the Commission provide a letter of support for the City's grant
application. The letter will be included as part of the application which is due later this
summer.
Submitted by:
Chris Marcarello
Public Works Director
Attachment 1: Letter of Support
Attachment 2: Location Map
[Place on Letterhead]
May 2, 2013
California Department of Transportation
Local Assistance, District 7
100 S. Main Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012FIoor
RE: Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant Cycle 6
To Whom It May Concern
On behalf of the Rosemead Traffic Commission, I would like to express my strong
support for the City's grant application for Cycle 6 of the federal Highway Safety
Improvement Program (HSIP). This grant will provide funding to enhance vehicular,
pedestrian, and bicycle safety between Encinita Avenue and Rio Hondo Avenue along
Mission Drive and Valley Boulevard. This transportation corridor is a heavily travelled
transportation corridor linking the Rosemead commercial district with downtown Los
Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley communities.
For many years, the City was faced with unusually high traffic accidents involving
motorist/bicyclist and motorist/pedestrian collisions. Past traffic studies found that high
traffic speeds, complicated geometric intersection configuration and inadequate line -of-
sight may cause the traffic accidents at or near the Rio Hondo Avenue, Valley Boulevard
and Mission Drive intersections. In addition, many bicyclists and pedestrians travel
through this intersection on a daily basis.
The realignment of the "T" intersection at Valley Boulevard and Mission Drive, addition
of safety median islands to simplify turning locations, curb extensions to shorten
crosswalk distances, bicycle lanes to provide safety buffer, and advance dilemma
Detection Zones to improve motorist safety and other improvements will help to
enhance traffic safety as well as improve bicycling and walkability along the two major
corridors.
The Rosemead Traffic Commission strongly endorses the City's application for the Cycle
6 HSIP grant.
Sincerely,
Jean Hall, Chair
Traffic Commission
City of Rosemead
Neighborhood Diagram
Mission Drive at Valley Boulevard