CC – Item 5A – Staff Report – Approval of Lane Configuration on Valley Blvd. at Rosemead Blvd. z f\
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TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL �1/
FROM: FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER r
DATE: MARCH 18, 1997
RE: APPROVAL OF LANE CONFIGURATION ON VALLEY BOULEVARD AT
ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD
The intersection of Valley Boulevard and Rosemead Boulevard is the most heavily used
intersection in the City. There are a couple of alternatives to reconfigure the travel lanes
that have been identified during the design phase of the project. Since the alternatives
have different effects on the on-street parking availability, this item is being presented to
the City Council for consideration.
As you are aware, the traffic signal operations and timing are controlled by Caltrans. The
City has been trying to increase the time allotted for the left turn movements on Valley
Boulevard to no avail. Another alternative to reduce the congestion at the intersection is
to install dual left turn pockets on Valley Boulevard in conjunction with the Valley
Boulevard Improvement Project recently authorized by the City Council.
The existing lane configuration consists of two through lanes and one left turn lane in each
direction. In addition, there exists a designated right turn only lane for westbound traffic
to turn north on Rosemead Boulevard. Although there is not a separate right turn only lane
for eastbound traffic, the number 2 lane, or curb lane, is wide enough that it acts as both
a through lane and a right turn only lane.
COUNCIL AGENDA
MAR 2 5 19977
ITEM No.
J
March 18, 1997
Page 2
The preferred alternative (Alternative "A") is to install the dual left turn lanes and stripe
both curb lanes entering the intersection at a 19 foot width. Exiting the intersection the
curb lanes will be striped at 17 feet which is an acceptable two foot transition through the
intersection. Although this is not as wide as the existing curb lane for eastbound traffic,
it will allow for a right turn movement.
Should the Council approve this alternative, on-street parking will be restricted for 180 feet
on the north side of Valley Boulevard west of Rosemead Boulevard, and for 200 feet on
the south side of Valley Boulevard east of Rosemead Boulevard. This would eliminate two
existing parking spaces on the north side of Valley Boulevard in front of the liquor store
and two existing parking spaces on south side of Valley Boulevard in front of Sanwa Bank.
There would not be any on-street parking restrictions on the north side of Valley Boulevard
east of Rosemead Boulevard, or on the south side of Valley Boulevard west of Rosemead
Boulevard.
It should be noted that the reconfiguration described above would require a design
exception from Caltrans. In order to obtain the 19 foot and 17 foot widths for the curb
lanes the number one lanes on Valley Boulevard will have to be striped at 11 feet and the
left turns lanes at a 10 foot width. Caltrans standards call for all lanes to be a minimum
of 12 feet.
Mother alternative (Alternative "B") is to completely eliminate the right-turn movements
and install the dual left turn lanes. This alternative would require the elimination of on-
street parking a distance of 220 feet on both sides of Valley Boulevard west of Rosemead
Boulevard and a distance of 235 feet on both sides of Valley Boulevard east of Rosemead
Boulevard.
Under Alternative"B", three existing parking spaces on the north side and four spaces on
the south side of Valley Boulevard west of Rosemead Boulevard would be eliminated.
East of Rosemead Boulevard one space on the north side and two spaces on the south
side would be eliminated.
A third alternative (Alternative "C") would allow for a striped right turn only lane for
eastbound traffic in conjunction with the dual left turn lanes. This alternative would require
elimination of five existing parking spaces on the north side and two spaces on the south
side of Valley Boulevard west of Rosemead Boulevard. East of Rosemead Boulevard the
one space on the north side would be eliminated. Alternative "C" would also require a
design exception from Caltrans due to the lane widths.
Although the curb to curb width is the same, both east and west of Rosemead Boulevard,
a striped right turn only lane can only serve one side of the intersection due to the required
March 18, 1997
Page 3
alignment of the through lanes. Striping both sides for right turn lanes would require a
transition of 10 feet through the intersection which is not acceptable. The eastbound
direction was selected for striping due to the fact that the number of turning movements
during peak hour traffic is significantly more than the number of right-turns for westbound
traffic
The last alternative (Alternative "D") would be to restripe Valley Boulevard as it exists
currently. This, however, would not improve the existing congestion that exists at the
intersection.
As discussed above, should the City Council approve Alternative "A", a design exception
is required from Caltrans. As you are aware, there are certain time frames the City must
meet to obtain the federal funding for the project. Therefore, staff recommends that the
City Council "pre-authorize" Alternative "B" at this time should the design exception be
denied by Caltrans. The selection of a second alternative will allow staff to continue in a
timely manner to complete the design phase of the project and submit the final plans for
approval.
Written notices were distributed to the fourteen businesses in the area affected by the
proposed reconfiguration to inform them that this item was to be considered at the March
25, 1997 City Council meeting. A copy of that letter has been attached for the Council's
review.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council direct staff to proceed with Alternative "A" and
request a design exception from Caltrans.
If Caltrans denies the design exception for Alternative "A", it is further recommended that
staff be authorized to proceed with Alternative "B".
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ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA 91770
TELEPHONE (B1B) 288-6671
TELECOPIER 8183079218
March 20, 1997
Re: Valley Boulevard Striping at Rosemead Boulevard
Dear Business/Property Owner:
As you are aware, the City of Rosemead is in the design phase for the Valley Boulevard
Improvement Project. One of the issues under consideration is the installation of dual left
turn lanes on Valley Boulevard at Rosemead Boulevard to ease the existing congestion
at the intersection.
On March 25, 1997, at 8:00 p.m. the City Council will consider staffs recommendation
to change the existing striping to install the dual left turn lanes. Each of the alternatives
to be considered will require the establishment of some "No Parking" zones along the
street. You are invited to attend the City Council meeting at City Hall, 8838 E. Valley
Boulevard at the above time and date to provide any input you may have regarding the
striping and on-street parking.
Attached are copies of the three changes to be considered. Staffs recommendation is to
stripe the street as shown on Alternative "A". The fourth alternative would be to replace
the striping as it exists with a single left turn lane.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (818) 288-6671.
Sincerely,
Fred Wickman
City Engineer
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ttrs\projects\valley.lan