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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIndependence Boulevard and Wakefield Drive Intersection ProjectIndependence Blvd. and Wakefield Dr. / Paul Revere Rd. Intersection Improvements CIP 100423.106 City Council Briefing OCTOBER 21, 2025 1 Purpose of this Briefing -Provide an overview of the project -Review the purpose and need -Discuss Project History -Public Meeting Summary -Alternatives Analysis -Results -Questions/ Answers 2 Note: This is an information briefing only – no action is required by City Council. Project Location Intersection Location Location Map 3 Project History (pre-2025) •2018: Thoroughgood neighborhood civic league request City to evaluate and address safety concerns. •2018: The Public Works’ Traffic Engineering Division evaluated the intersection and recommended installing a traffic signal. •2018: Recommendation was presented to the stakeholders, and the project was paused pending additional analysis. •2022 & 2024: The City updated the traffic study. The results were the same as the original study. •2024: Design began. Intersection Location 4 Project Purpose and Need •Enhance motorist operations and safety •Provide safe pedestrian and cyclist connectivity across Independence Boulevard for nearby residents and members of the Independence Middle School community Intersection Location 5 Public Engagement A public meeting was held on March 12, 2025, at Independence Middle School. •84 Attendees •45 Comment Sheets Provided at Meeting •106 total public comments provided •96 Comments from Unique Households •61% of commenters were not in support of the project. •63% commenters live in Lake Smith Terrace •32% of commenters live in ThoroughgoodCommenter Locations 6 Project Location Summer 2025 Study Alternatives 1.Modify the signal timings or phasing at existing signals along Independence Blvd. at Ewell Rd. and Haygood Road/ Wishart Road 2.Install signal at Independence Blvd. and at Wakefield Drive/ Paul Revere Road 3.Close the median at Wakefield Drive/ Paul Revere Road 4.Restrict side street left turns and through movements 5.Close access to Paul Revere Road at Independence Blvd. Intersection Locations 7 Alternative 1 •Modify the signal timings or phasing at existing signals along Independence Blvd. at Ewell Rd. and Haygood Road/ Wishart Road •Goal of creating additional gaps in traffic flow along Independence Blvd to facilitate turning movements from Wakefield Dr. 8 Alternative 2 •Install signal at Independence Blvd. and at Wakefield Drive/ Paul Revere Road Current proposed alternative 9 Alternative 3 •Close the median at Wakefield Drive/ Paul Revere Road •Eliminates all left-turn movements. •Eliminates through movements •Vehicles from Wakefield Dr must use the signal at Independence Blvd and Ewell Rd. 10 Alternative 4 •Restrict side street left turns and through movements •Prohibit left turns from Wakefield Dr & Paul Revere Rd onto Independence Blvd. •Allows left turns from Independence Blvd onto Wakefield Dr and Paul Revere Rd. •Vehicles from Wakefield Dr must use the signal at Independence Blvd and Ewell Rd. 11 Alternative 5 •Close access to Paul Revere Road at Independence Blvd. •Install a new signal to accommodate all other movements. 12 Study Results - Delay 13 SCENARIO @ EWELL SB THROUGH @WAKEFIELD/ PAUL REVERE WB LEFT @HAYGOOD SB THROUGH Existing Conditions 42.8 333.1 63.7 Alt. 1 (Corridor Re-timing)108.5 251.6 61.2 Alt. 2 (Corridor Re-timing)114.8 76.7 51.2 Alt. 3 (Corridor Re-timing)84.6 N/A 61.9 Alt. 4 (Corridor Re-timing)79.6 N/A 62.1 Alt. 5 (Corridor Re-timing)108.6 82.1 50 Study Results – Cut Through Traffic Using Streetlight location based historical data from 2024 •Avg. total of 1,112 vehicles travel from Origin Zones to Destination Zone •Avg. of 56 vehicles per day (vpd) (5%) “cut through” Lake Smith Terrace 14 Summary of Effectiveness Improves Wakefield Drive Delay and Queue Distance Indicates how well the alternative improves the delay and queue distance for Wakefield Drive left turns and through movements. Indicates a reduction in delay and queue distance such that a significant reduction in the potential for angle crashes is achieved Indicates some reduction, but not to enough to significantly reduce the potential for angle crashes. Indicates that the left turn and/or through movements have been eliminated at the intersection and will be rerouted to the Ewell Rd signal. 15 Summary of Effectiveness Impacts Southbound Independence Blvd To improve Wakefield Drive Delay and Queue there is a corresponding negative impact on Independence Blvd, especially southbound. This measure indicates how the alternative impacts Independence Blvd. Indicates a negative impact to the delay, queue distance, and travel time of Independence Blvd. No alternatives had a positive impact. 16 Summary of Effectiveness Impacts to other Neighborhood Streets Indicates impacts to other streets within the neighborhood, particularly Ewell Road and Dunstan Lane, if an alternative reroutes traffic by making improvements. Indicates a likely increase in traffic on other neighborhood streets is not expected. Indicates some neighborhood streets are likely to experience an increase in traffic. 17 Summary of Effectiveness Meets Purpose and Need Indicates if the alternative meets the stated purpose of these improvements, which is to improve safety at Independence Blvd and Wakefield Drive and reduce the potential for angle crashes. Indicates the alternative meets that objective Indicates some of the safety objective is met. However, since some Wakefield Dr traffic movements are prohibited, i.e. no left turns, other neighborhood streets will experience more traffic as a result. This is considered a negative impact. Indicates that the objective of the improvements has not been met and that no significant changes have been made to Wakefield Dr delay or queue distance that suggests the potential for crashes has been reduced.18 Alternative 2 is the selected alternative Next Steps •Finalize Design: 100% design plans for new traffic signal Fall 2025. •Pre-Construction Preparation: Confirming quotes and ordering of new signal poles. •Construction Start: Begin construction in Spring 2026. •Project Completion: Target completion of construction Summer 2026. 19 Questions Project Website www.independencewakefieldpaulrevere.com 20