CC - Item 6A - Information on Garvey Avenue Regional Access and Capacity Improvement Project Grant Awarded to the City of Rosemead from 2015 LA Metro CALL for Projects RoundsROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GLORIA MOLLEDA, CITY MANAGER }J\
DATE: APRIL 28, 2020
SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON GARVEY AVENUE REGIONAL ACCESS AND
CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT GRANT AWARDED TO THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD FROM 2015 LA METRO CALL FOR PROJECTS
SUMMARY
The objective of this agenda item is to receive
proceed with the Garvey Avenue Regional
purposes of this Staff Report, this project will
Improvement Project".
direction from the City Council on whether to
kccess & Capacity Improvement Project. For
be referred to as the "Garvey Avenue Capacity
If the City Council decides to move forward with the project, staff would seek Council approval
at a later time to amend the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for the inclusion of this project
and begin its implementation.
If the City Council decides not to move forward with the project, the awarded funds by Metro
would be de -obligated.
DISCUSSION
The Garvey Avenue Capacity Improvement Project initiated in 2014 by the Public Works
Department to mitigate traffic congestion along a 2.2 mile corridor on Garvey Avenue between
New Avenue and Sullivan Avenue. Garvey Avenue serves as a major regional arterial which
experiences traffic capacity and traffic flow delays during commute AM and PM peaks with
approximately 30,000 vehicle trips per day. The goal of the project was to mitigate traffic
congestion through capacity enhancements and improved Level of Service (LOS) to better
accommodate both regional trips that traverse the City and for trips generated within the City.
Part of these improvements and capacity enhancements would require parking restrictions during
peak hours on peak flow sides of Garvey Avenue (Monday through Friday). Parking will be
allowed on both sides of the street on the weekends. The suggested times for peak flow parking
AGENDA ITEM 6.A
City Council Meeting
April 28, 2020
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restrictions would be between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All other non -peak
times parking would be allowed on both sides of the street.
In January of 2015, the City of Rosemead applied to Metro's 2015 Call for Projects Grant
Program for the Garvey Avenue Capacity Improvement Project. Metro's Countywide Planning
and Development staff evaluated submitted project applications using the criteria identified in
the approved 2015 Call for Projects Application Package and recommended approval of 84
projects totaling nearly $193 million in funding. In late 2015, the City of Rosemead's Garvey
Avenue Capacity Improvement Project was recommended for funding in the amount of
$2,315,305 in Metro Funds with a Local Match contribution of $992,273 toward the project.
Proiect Location and Proposed Improvements:
Project Location: The Garvey Avenue Capacity Improvement Project is along a 2.2 mile corridor
on Garvey Avenue, between New Avenue to the west and Sullivan Avenue to the east.
On -Street Parking:
THE SCOPE APPROVED UNDER THIS METRO GRANT FUNDING
PROPOSES TO CHANGE THE ON STREET PARKING CONDITIONS ALONG
GARVEY AVENUE AS FOLLOWS:
• AM Peak (Westbound Direction): Parking along Garvey Avenue between the project
limits for the westbound direction would be restricted on the north side of Garvey
Avenue during the AM peak between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. (Monday through Friday). All
other times and on weekends parking will be permitted.
• PM Peak (Eastbound Direction): Parking along Garvey Avenue between the project
limits for the eastbound direction would be restricted on the south side of Garvey
Avenue during the PM peak between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday through Friday). All
other times and on weekends parking will be permitted.
Business Access:
Access to businesses along Garvey Avenue will continue as existing. Based on the submitted
funding application there are no new turning restrictions proposed as part of this project.
The proiect components of the proposed work include the following improvements:
1) Corridor Improvements (Garvey Avenue Corridor): The project will include the
conversion of the existing parking lane to a travel lane during peak hours. During peak
hour times, parking will be prohibited on the peak flow side of the street and used as an
extra travel lane to move traffic through the corridor. The peak hours will alternate during
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April 28, 2020
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AM and PM times; westbound traffic during the AM, and eastbound traffic during the
PM. Parking will be allowed during off peak hours. All transit buses will be encouraged
to use this lane during peak hours. This will be aided by signs and striping. Through this
improvement, the extra travel lane during peak hours will mitigate traffic congestion
through capacity enhancements with an improved level of service (LOS) that would
result in a reduction in Greenhouse gas emissions from idling cars and buses.
2) Intersection Improvements (signalized intersections along Garvey Avenue): The
improvements at signalized intersections will include the installation of pedestrian signal
countdown heads and audible pedestrian pushbuttons, which will aid pedestrians in
determining the amount of time left to cross on the green signal and reducing
pedestrian/vehicle conflicts. Another intersection improvement will be the installation of
missing curb ramps and truncated domes to meet ADA standards.
3) Transit/Bus Stop Improvements (transit/bus stops along Garvey Avenue): Two of
the Metro bus stops along the corridor are missing pedestrian infrastructure. There is a
large number of Rosemead workforce and residents who commute to areas of
employment and activity centers along Garvey Avenue using Metro Bus Line 70, Metro
Rapid Line 770, and Rosemead Explorer Routes 1 and 2 services. There is a combined
total of 35 bus stops along Garvey Avenue. These bus stops will be upgraded to include
benches, pedestrian scale lighting, and a trashcan. Installations of these improvements
enhance transit stops and provide a place for bus patrons to wait, away from the traffic
stream while promoting and encouraging increased ridership. Pedestrian and bicycle
volume at the major signalized intersections range from 1,200 — 1,400 per day, if this
holds for all of the 10 signalized intersections than a total of 12,000 pedestrians (one-way
trips) and 24,000 pedestrians (two-way trips) are potentially using this corridor to
commute, shop, go to school or exercise.
The issues included in the Funding Application as Scope of Work:
1. Intersections Operate at Deficient Levels of Service (LOS) at D, E or F along Garvey Avenue
Many of the intersections on Garvey Avenue in the City of Rosemead currently operate at a LOS
of D or lower from the east city limit to the west city limit. With ambient growth applied to
existing traffic conditions, it is projected that future conditions without the implementation of the
proposed project will worsen on Garvey Avenue. As the region grows, this corridor will operate
at unacceptable and failing LOS. Garvey Avenue continues to be used as a bypass as freeways
and other major East/West arterials become more congested. Four of the signalized intersections
operate at LOS D during AM and PM peak hours under existing conditions and if no
improvements are made in the future, it is projected that by 2040 these same intersections will
deteriorate to LOS levels E and F conditions. Without the roadway improvements along with
pedestrian and transit stop improvements, long queues and significant delay for each vehicle will
occur as well as increased potential for vehicle/pedestrian conflicts.
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To mitigate the traffic congestion, the City's proposed project includes capacity enhancements
that will improve the LOS of intersections and the corridor. The enhancements include the
conversion of the existing parking lane to a travel lane during peak hours, during those times
parking will be prohibited on one side of the street with the extra travel lane used improve the
flow of the traffic through the corridor. This will be aided by parking signs and striping as well
as solar paneled speed feedback signs installed midblock for both directions reminding drivers of
the posted speed limit along Garvey Avenue.
2. Limited Pedestrian Infrastructure along; the Corridor
The proposed project includes multimodal components for pedestrians and transit users as well
as capacity improvements to existing roadway conditions. The project will install pedestrian
countdown heads with audible pedestrian push buttons at each signalized intersection crossing.
This safety improvement is easily understood by all age groups and provides a sense of security
to pedestrians. It also reduces the number of pedestrians stranded in the crosswalk when the light
changes. Any crosswalks that are considered to be faded or need upgrading to ladder patterns is
included as a project component. This will provide for improved visibility and an increased sense
of security for pedestrians.
3. Limited Pedestrian Infrastructure at Transit/Bus Stops
Currently two of the Metro bus stops along the corridor do not have pedestrian infrastructure.
There is a large number of workforce and residents who are commuting to areas of employment
and activity centers along Garvey Avenue using Metro Bus Line 70, Metro Rapid Line 770, and
Rosemead Explorer Routes 1 and 2 services. There is a combined total of 35 bus stops along
Garvey Avenue and those bus stops will be upgraded. Transit stops are a pedestrian traffic
generator, because most transit riders are pedestrians at one end of their trip and frequently at
both ends. Transit users will also benefit, as Metro buses provide service along the arterials
intersecting the Garvey Avenue Corridor. These improvements are an integral component to the
first/last mile and is in line with Metro's First/Last Mile Strategic Plan.
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The below diagrams show the existing and proposed lane configurations for the project:
EXISTING CONDITIONS: TYPICAL CROSS SECTION ON GARVEY AVENUE
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The project improvements primarily consist of restriping which requires the removal of existing
striping and reinstalling new striping to provide a 3rd lane (referred to as a curb lane) during peak
periods. After the existing striping is removed, it was assumed that the street would be paved
with asphalt to visually remove any leftover striping and improve the visual street corridor to
allow for the new striping to be installed. During the preparation of this grant application for the
project, it was assumed that rehabilitation of Garvey Avenue would occur at the same time to be
able to maximize the local funding match since Metro does not cover the street rehabilitation
work. The project budget was prepared assuming these factors, and therefore asphalt overlay was
assumed to cover a limited area of approximately 300,000 SF and the grant budget allocated
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April 28, 2020
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$660,000 of funds to cover overlay work. The remaining overlay work, including removal of
median islands and reconstruction of these areas to create 10 ft. median lanes was completed by
the City as part of the street rehab program. The total assumed SF of Garvey Avenue is
approximately 840,000 SF. The City will overlay the remaining area of approximately 540,000
SF, this would cost the City approximately $1.8M. During the design phase, existing raised
medians will be evaluated to see if they can be saved. It should be noted that to create 10 ft.
lanes as proposed in the application, it may result striping these areas as painted median lanes.
If the City Council decides to move forward with the project, staff would look into various
options such as Slurry Type II or micro -surface for the entire corridor so it would look uniformly
paved since striping will be removed and new striping installed. However, the City may still
need to include additional funds for the work related to the median island areas in order to create
10 ft. lanes. It is anticipated that additional funds will be necessary for the pavement and median
areas work, in the range of $1 M to $1.8M subject to the type of pavement rehabilitation to be
implemented for the changed lane alignment.
EXPLORE OPPORTUNITY WITH 710 FUNDS
Recently, the City of Rosemead received $9M for an adaptive signal system as part of the 710
Funds. This funding covers necessary traffic signal related work for 39 signals along various
corridors (Garvey Avenue, Valley Boulevard, San Gabriel Boulevard, Walnut Grove Avenue,
and Rosemead Boulevard). Garvey Avenue has nine locations covered by the 710 Funds. The
pro -rated amount of the $9M 710 Funding that may apply to necessary traffic signal work for the
nine locations along Garvey Avenue is in the range of $2M.
If the City Council decides to proceed with the Garvey Avenue Capacity Improvement Project
using 2015 Metro Call for Projects Funds, Public Works Staff will explore the opportunity of
combining the current 710 Funding with this project. The 710 Funding covers costs related to
signals/loops, mobilization, site control/maintenance, traffic control, design, etc. Staff will
explore the opportunity with Metro to see if by combining these two projects, some of the
common costs (such as loops, mobilization, site control/maintenance, traffic control, design, etc.)
can be shared, thus, reducing the amount of additional funds needed.
Also, to reduce additional funding needs from City, a reduction for implementing three travel
lanes starting at Walnut Grove Avenue and ending at Del Mar Avenue could be discussed with
Metro. If this is an option the City Council would like to consider, subject to Metro's acceptance
of such limits without changing the total funding amount, staff will seek City Council approval at
a later date to amend the project.
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April 28, 2020
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
In light of the explanations provided which includes parking restrictions, impact on businesses
and potentially additional project costs considerations; staff is seeking direction from the City
Council whether or not to move forward with the Garvey Avenue Capacity Improvement Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City has previously budgeted the required matching funds of approximately $990,000. As
explained in the staff report, additional funds will be necessary should the City Council decide to
implement the project. The amount will depend on the options explored and accepted and
Metro's approval and acceptance of the various options explained above. There will be no fiscal
impact to the General Fund as the Public Works Department will utilize funds from Proposition
C.
STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
Strategy three of the City of Rosemead's Strategic Plan is Beautification and Infrastructure.
Prepared by:
C -n
Chris Daste
Director of Public Works