CC - Item 3G - Review of Traffic Conditions at Walnut Grove Avenue and Marshall Street/First Evangelical ChurchROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: AUGUST 13, 2013
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT WALNUT GROVE AVENUE
AND MARSHALL STREET/ FIRST EVANGELICAL CHURCH
SUMMARY
The Traffic Commission recently reviewed a request to review traffic conditions adjacent
to the First Evangelical Church of San Gabriel Valley (Church) located at the intersection
of Walnut Grove Avenue and Marshall Street. Representatives from the Church
expressed concerns that traffic conditions (road characteristics, high traffic volumes on
Walnut Grove and Marshall, and existing lane configurations) provide for safety concerns
in the area. A traffic study was conducted at the location, including traffic counts and a
review of turning movements during peak traffic times. After studying the location, it was
determined that the installation of traffic controls and markings would improve traffic
safety in this area. Based on this information and input from the public, the Commission
concurred with these findings.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Traffic Commission's
recommendation to:
1. Install "Keep Clear" legends on Walnut Grove Avenue (northbound lanes),
approximately 200 feet south of Marshall Street; and
2. Install approximately 20 feet of restricted parking (red curbing) on the south side
of Marshall Street, adjacent to the First Evangelical Church driveway,
approximately 130 feet east of the Walnut Grove Avenue intersection.
DISCUSSION
Walnut Grove Avenue is a major north /south thoroughfare within the City. The street is
sixty -two (62) feet wide, has two lanes of travel in each direction, and has a posted
speed of forty (40) miles per hour. Currently, there is a center lane to allow for turning
movements into adjacent residential streets. The intersection of Walnut Grove Avenue
and Marshall Street is signalized, with abutting residential and public uses.
ITEM NO. 3C__ � ____
City Council Meeting
August 13, 2013
Page 2 of 3
The First Evangelical Church of San Gabriel Valley (Church) is located at the southeast
corner of Walnut Grove Avenue and Marshall Street. Due to high traffic volumes and the
Interstate 10 Freeway exit adjacent to the location, access to the Church driveway is
sometimes blocked by northbound traffic on Walnut Grove Avenue. A similar problem
exists for the driveway exit on Marshall Street (see Exhibit below).
FXhibit 1
pralect Area Street Map
Recoavmmded Location
of never pn Legend
Seep Clear ad Red
Curt on South aide
4
3rart►211 St
Recommended Location
of near pmment Legend
'teen Clear"
Walnut Gres:
An analysis of existing roadway conditions at the southeast corner of Walnut Grove
Avenue and Marshall Street was conducted on Friday, June 28 during afternoon hours.
The analysis indicates that vehicles turning left from the Church to the intersection of
Walnut Grove /Marshall are faced with an average wait time 17 seconds. It was also
observed that many vehicles exiting the Church turn right in order to avoid waiting
through a very long queue of vehicles heading westbound on Marshall Street. The
following is a summary of the findings:
Table 1: Summary of Turning count
SOUTH DRIVEWAY ON MARSHALL EAST OF WALNUT GROVE
OBSERVATION
TIME
TOTAL NUMBER OF CARS
TURNING
AVERAGE TIME
LONGEST TIME
LT
RT
LT
RT
LT
RT
4.45 PM -026 PM
27
1 42
17 SEC
6 SEC
2 M IN
15 SEC
City Council Meeting
August 13, 2013
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In addition, a review of traffic conditions on Walnut Grove Avenue south of the
intersection at Marshall Street was conducted. The review indicated that vehicle
queuing provides for difficulty with accessing the south Church driveway on Walnut
Grove Ave.
Based on these findings it is expected that the installation of traffic signage and striping
will help improve accessibility and vehicle safety at this location. The installation of a
"Keep Clear" zone in northbound travel lanes of Walnut Grove would provide adequate
spacing for southbound traveling vehicles to turn left into the Church parking lot.
Further, the installation of red curbing directly west of the Church driveway on Marshall
Street will help improve sight visibility when vehicles exit the site.
After reviewing these findings and taking input from the public, the Traffic Commission
concurred with the installation of these traffic improvements. The Commission also
asked that the intersection be further studied and if necessary, to install additional
improvements (possible lane restriping, signage, etc.) in conjunction with the City's
upcoming Safe Routes to School improvement project scheduled for later this fiscal year.
Submitted by:
Chris Nlarcarello
Director of Public Works
Attachments:
(1) Site Conditions and Keep Clear Markings
(?) Draft Traffic Commission Minutes — August 1 1 2013
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�Elem - enn I"
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Exhibit 1
Project Area Street Map
Recommended Location
of new pas emem Legend
- Keep Clear w d Red
Carib on South side
FI F IC
Ir r ,
Recommemded :. ocanou
of near pavement Legend
`leap Clem'
Marshal St
R alnnt Grove
Meeting Minutes for the
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
August 1, 2013
The regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chair Hall at 7:05 p.m. in
the Council Chamber, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
FLAG SALUTE: Chair Hall
INVOCATION: Vice Chair E. Quintanilla
OATH OF OFFICE
PRESENT: Chair Hall, Vice Chair Quintanilla, Commissioners Russell- Chavez, Masuda, and J. Quintanilla.
ABSENT: NONE
COMMISSIONER REORGANIZATION RESULTED IN: Commissioner Russell- Chavez was selected as
Chair and Commissioner Masuda was selected as Vice Chair.
STAFF PRESENT: Public Works Director Marcarello and Administrative Assistant Llamas
1. PUBLIC COMMENT FROM THE AUDIENCE
NONE
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Commissioner Hall motioned, seconded by Vice -Chair Masuda to defer Item A (May 2, 2013 Minutes) and
approve Item B (Installation of Red Curb -Earle Avenue & Grand Avenue), Item C (Keep Clear Markings -
Hidden Pines Place/Valley Boulevard), and Item D (Request for 20 Minute Parking Zone- 8877 Mission
Drive) on the Consent Calendar. Votes resulted in:
Yes: Russell-Chavez, Tang, Masuda, Hall, and Quintanilla
No: None
Abstain: J. Quintanilla
Absent: None
3. NEW BUSINESS
A. REVIEW OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT WALNUT GROVE AVENUE AND MARSHALL
STREET/ EVANGELICAL CHURCH
Ron Esquivel, Rosemead resident, informed the Commissioners that the "Keep Clear" on Marshall Street is
a good idea but also asked that the Commission consider time restrictions in order to avoid long wait times
for cross - traffic on Marshall Street.
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of August 1, 2012
Page 1 of 3
Phyllis Sun, representative from the First Evangelical Church also agreed with adding time restrictions for
the "Keep Clear' markings on Marshall Street. Ms. Sun would like the restrictions to be during business
hours when classes or activities are in session. She further explained the facility's business hours to the
Commission, which include both weekdays and weekends.
Staff provided an overview of the location and field observations that were made in analyzing traffic at the
facility. Additionally, recommendations were outlined to help improve mobility into and out of the facility.
Vice- Chair Masuda asked for clarification on the how the "Keep Clear' would work with time restrictions on
Marshall Street.
Staff informed the Traffic Commissioners that they haven't heard or seen "Keep Clear" areas that have time
restrictions. Staff recommended that the Keep Clear zone on Marshall be further analyzed prior to
recommending the installation of time restrictions. This analysis would include additional discussion with the
Church representatives and further research into additional improvement alternatives.
Commissioner Hall asked that the Marshall Street "Keep Clear' area be deferred to a future meeting to allow
time for further study.
Commissioner J. Quintanilla asked for clarification as to where the red curb would be installed off of
Marshall Avenue.
Staff indicated that the red curbing would be installed directly west of the Church driveway on Marshall
Street.
Commissioner E. Quintanilla asked if the signal loops on Marshall Avenue and Walnut Grove Avenue can
be adjusted with time restrictions. This would include providing for longer phases for east/west traffic when
heavier traffic is present at the intersection. Such adjustment could help to reduce delays. Mr. Quintanilla
also asked if a "No Right Turn on Red" sign with time restrictions could be installed for northbound traffic
turning from Walnut Grove Avenue to Marshall Street.
Commissioner J. Quintanilla motioned that "Keep Clear' markings be installed on northbound Walnut Grove
Avenue as indicated in the staff report. After further discussion, the motion was amended to add the
installation of 20 feet of red curbing on the south side of Marshall Street adjacent to the First Evangelical
Church driveway in order to improve visibility issues. Motion seconded by Vice -Chair Masuda. Votes
resulted in:
Yes: J. Quintanilla, Masuda, Russell- Chavez, Hall, and E. Quintanilla
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
4. STAFF REPORT
Staff provided the Traffic Commissioners with an update on current and upcoming projects throughout the
City.
5. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner J. Quintanilla indicated that he was approached by a resident in regards to adding a stop
sign in the Wal -Mart parking lot heading north and south from the Panda Express towards the Wells Fargo
Bank.
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of August 1, 2012
Page 2 of 3
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for September 5,
2013 at 7:OOp.m., and in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard.
Jean Hall
Chair
ATTEST:
Chris Marcarello
Public Works Director
Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of August 1, 2012
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