CC - Item 3L - Striping ModificationsROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OLIVER CHI, CITY MANAGER &(;--e%
DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2009
SUBJECT: HELLMAN AVENUEIRAMONA BOULEVARD AT WALNUT GROVE
AVENUE STRIPING MODIFICATIONS
SUMMARY
The Traffic Commission reviewed a request to make street striping modifications on
Ramona Boulevard at Walnut Grove Avenue. Commissioners expressed concerns that
existing street striping conditions at this location cause delays due to the lack of
separate left and right turning lanes. After visiting this site, staff concurred with these
findings and recommended that striping modifications be made to create a dedicated
right-turn lane and a combined left-turn/through traffic lane.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Traffic Commission's
recommendation and authorize staff to take necessary steps to implement traffic safety
enhancements at the intersection of Ramona Boulevard and Walnut Grove Avenue.
DISCUSSION
Field review of the intersection of Walnut Grove Avenue and Ramona Boulevard
showed that westbound vehicles experience traffic delays when waiting for left turning
vehicles. Currently there is no street striping to delineate left turning traffic from through
or right turning traffic. In the event that a left turning vehicle is waiting at a red light this
prevents other right turning vehicles from proceeding and making a right turn.
Based on field observations at the location, the City's traffic engineer agreed that the
existing street markings do impede the flow of traffic for right turning vehicles. If
approved, staff will proceed with the following traffic improvements:
• Modify street markings to create one dedicated right turn lane and one left
turn/through traffic lane.
• Install signage to correspond with street markings.
• Add red curbing to create adequate room for right turning vehicles.
ITS e
APPROVED FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: V
City Council Meeting
February 10, 2009
Page 2 of 2
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Funding for this work is included in the Fiscal Year 2008-09 budget.
Public Notice
This agenda item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared by:
M
Chris Marcarello
Deputy Public Works Director
Su
Bri
City Manager
Attachments:
(1) December 4, 2008 Traffic Commission Agenda Report and Minutes
(2) Intersection Diagram with Proposed Modifications
ATTACHMENT 1
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONERS
FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DEPUTY
DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2008
SUBJECT: HELLMAN AVENUE►RAMONA BOULEVARD AT WALNUT GROVE
AVENUE - STRIPING REVISION
SUMMARY
Commissioner Lewin requested staff review the striping at the intersection of Hellman
Avenue/Ramona Boulevard at Walnut Grove Avenue. Commissioner Lewin specifically
was concerned with the striping on the east leg (westbound traffic) of the intersection.
He indicated there appears to be a need to provide additional travel lanes on Ramona
Boulevard to allow right turning vehicles and through traffic the ability to travel around
left turning vehicles.
Staff Recommendation
It is staff's recommendation that the Traffic Commission concur with the proposed
change in the striping on Ramona Boulevard to provide a westbound left turn lane and a
shared through-right turn lane at Walnut Grove Avenue. It is further recommended that
staff be directed to have the striping modification placed on the schedule for striping
crews.
BACKGROUND
The intersection of Walnut Grove Avenue and Hellman Avenue/Ramona Boulevard has
been reviewed and analyzed several times over many years. More recently, the traffic
signal operation was modified to provide as much time as possible to traffic traveling on
Walnut Grove Avenue. Due to the nature of the intersection and Caltrans' control over
the ramps on Hellman Avenue, the City has made several adjustments to the traffic
signal timing.
As part of the signal modifications, traffic striping was also modified. The northbound
left turn pocket on Walnut Grove Avenue at Hellman Avenue/Ramona Boulevard was
lengthened. The Traffic Commission also approved the lengthening of the southbound
left turn pocket which the City Council also approved. The southbound lengthening
Traffic Commission Meeting
December 4, 2008
Page 2 of 2
requires modification to the raised center median and was to be included in appropriate
capital improvement projects of the City Engineer.
Discussion
Field review of the intersection of Walnut Grove Avenue and Hellman Avenue/Ramona
Boulevard indicated that westbound vehicles do experience "problems" if left turning
vehicles are stopped. There is no striping to delineate left tuming vehicles from through
or right tuming vehicles. Therefore, if a left turning vehicle is waiting at the red light, a
right turning vehicle cannot turn until a green light comes on.
The proposed striping modification on Ramona Boulevard at Walnut Grove Avenue
would provide for two westbound travel lanes. One would be a dedicated left turn lane
and the other would be a shared through-right turn lane. Exhibit A will be available at
the Traffic Commission meeting to depict the recommended striping modification.
Staff Recommendation
It is staffs recommendation that the Traffic Commission concur with the proposed
change in the striping on Ramona Boulevard to provide a westbound left tum lane and a
shared through-right turn lane at Walnut Grove Avenue. It is further recommended that
staff be directed to have the striping modification placed on the schedule for striping
crows.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Submitted by::
Joanne Itagaki
Traffic Engineering Deputy
Exhibit A: Striping Modification on Ramona Boulevard at Walnut Grove Avenue (available at the
Traffic Commission meeting)
Minutes of the Regular
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING
December 4, 2008
The regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Vice-Chairman
Masuda at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
FLAG SALUTE: Commissioner Deary
INVOCATION: Commissioner Lewin
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Masuda, Commissioner Deary,
Commissioner Lewin, Commissioner Russell
OFFICIALS ABSENT: Chairman Knapp
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Deputy Public Works Director Marcarello, Field Services Manager
Ornelas, Senior Management Analyst Hentabli, and Traffic Engineer Itagaki.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 6, 2008 - Regular Meeting
Commissioner Lewin made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Deary, to approve the
minutes along with clarifications. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Deary, Lewin, Masuda, Russell
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Knapp
2. PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE AUDIENCE -None
3. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS
A. JACKSON AVENUE/GARVALIA AVENUE - PROPOSED STOP SIGN INSTALLATION
SUMMARY
In September 2008, the Traffic Commission reviewed a request regarding speeding on
Jackson Avenue between Fern Avenue and Graves Avenue. Residents also asked for the
installation of stop signs to slow traffic. Staff analyzed the intersection of Jackson
Avenue/Garvalia Avenue for the installation of a multi-way stop. The California Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) guidelines were not satisfied.
However, after discussion regarding the intersection of Jackson Avenue/Garvalia Avenue,
the Traffic Commission determined that vehicles traveling on Jackson Avenue could not be
seen from Garvalia Avenue. Based on those concerns staff concurred that there were
existing visibility constraints at the location and based on that finding, it was initially
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Minutes of December 4, 2008
Page I of 4
recommended that the stop signs not be installed. These issues could not be addressed
through the installation of parking restrictions or the trimming of trees. Therefore, the
Traffic Commission recommended to the City Council the installation of STOP signs on
Jackson Avenue at Garvalia Avenue.
The City Council has requested that this item be brought back to the Traffic Commission.
Staff Recommendation
Based on the discussion made by the Traffic Commission and field observations of the
intersection in September 2008, the Traffic Commission recommended the City Council
install STOP signs on Jackson Avenue at Garvalia Avenue. City staff concurs with the
recommendation of the Traffic Commission.
Commissioner Lewin made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell, to direct City
Staff to place an Intersection Advance Warning Signs near Jackson Avenue and Garvalia
Avenue; to talk to corner neighbors and ask them to trim down trees and shrubs; and to talk
to appropriate neighbors about parking on Garvalia Avenue instead of Jackson Avenue. In
addition the Traffic Commission asked that after the installation of the sings and trimmings
of the trees had been completed that Staff bring this item back for further review and
discussion. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Deary, Lewin, Masuda, Russell
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Knapp
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. HELLMAN AVENUE/RAMONA BOULEVARD AT WALNUT GROVE AVENUE -
SUMMARY
Commissioner Lewin requested staff review the striping at the intersection of Hellman
Avenue/Ramona Boulevard at Walnut Grove Avenue. Commissioner Lewin specifically
was concerned with the striping on the east leg (westbound traffic) of the intersection. He
indicated there appears to be a need to provide additional travel lanes on Ramona
Boulevard to allow right turning vehicles and through traffic the ability to travel around left
turning vehicles.
Staff Recommendation
It is staff's recommendation that the Traffic Commission concur with the proposed change
in the striping on Ramona Boulevard to provide a westbound left turn lane and a shared
through-right turn lane at Walnut Grove Avenue. It is further recommended that staff be
directed to have the striping modification placed on the schedule for striping crews.
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Minutes of December 4, 2008
Page 2 of 4
Commissioner Lewin made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Deary, to accept staff's
recommendation with the modification to add a Left Turn and Through Lane combined and
dedicate a Right Turn Only Lane with the appropriate signs posted. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Deary, Lewin, Masuda, Russell
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Knapp
5. STAFF REPORTS
Deputy Public Works Director Marcarello introduced to the Traffic Commission the new Associate
Engineer Rafael Fajardo.
Mr. Marcarello also mentioned to the Traffic Commission that the next Regular Traffic Commission
meeting was scheduled for January 1, 2009 and asked that the meeting be cancelled due to the
holidays. He suggested that the meeting be adjourned to January 14th or January 151h.
6. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner Deary advised the Traffic Commission of his visit to 4824 Earl Avenue and Mission
Inn and reported that the stories Sheryl Blum had told during a previous meeting were true. He felt
there was a lot of miscommunication between Mrs. Blum and representatives from the Mission Inn.
Deputy Public Works Director Marcarello stated he had spoken to Mrs. Blum and advised her that
the City was still working on this issue.
Commissioner Lewin wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Vice-Chairman Masuda advised the Commission that the pavement markers had been placed on
Walnut Grove.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. The next meeting will be scheduled on a later time and will
take place at the Rosemead City Hall, City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard.
Howard Masuda
Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Chris Marcarello,
Deputy Public Works Director
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Minutes of December 4, 2008
Page 3 of 4
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Minutes of December 4, 2008
Page 4 of 4
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