HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/1995, C-1 - INSTALLING ""DOWNTOWN"" EXIT SIGNS ON ROUTE 101"11M%11$11$11141 U city of San LUIS OBISpo �=
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT 'r°'" NUMBER: e/ f—/
Michael McCluskey, Public
SUBJECT: Installing "Downtown" Exit Signs on Route 101
CAO RECOIVEWENDATION: By motion, authorize:
(1) The Public Works Director to request that Caltrans
install "Downtown" exit signs on Route 101 at a
cost to the City not to exceed $4,000.
(2) The use of funds already appropriated to the
Economic Development Program for the $4,000
City contribution.
A. DISCUSSION
1. Background
Last year, Caltrans installed signs on Route 101 in Pismo Beach that direct travellers to that
community's "downtown." BIA officials talked with City Administration about the possibility
of having a similar installation in San Luis Obispo. Staff supports the concept.
2. Evaluation
Staff contacted Caltrans District 5 officials who provided the following information:
❑ . Caltrans will fabricate and install the signs. Since "Downtown" signs are non - standard,
the cost of fabrication and installation must be borne by the City. Caltrans officials
estimate that it will cost about $1,500 per sign. Caltrans will keep track of their costs
and bill the City when the work is completed.
❑ The City must identify the desired locations for the signs. Staff recommends that a sign
viewed by northbound traffic be placed prior to the Marsh Street off -ramp, and a sign
viewed by southbound traffic be placed prior to the Buena Vista off -ramp. Caltrans has
full authority to approve or deny proposed sign locations.
Other locations discussed with Caltrans but rejected include:
The Osos Street northbound off -ramp is separated from the travel lanes by an
auxiliary lane which would make signage less visible. Also, Osos Street is a less
obvious entryway into the downtown.
The Broad Street northbound off -ramp would direct traffic through a residential
area. The Circulation Element calls for the closure of these ramps.
The Santa Rosa southbound off -ramp system is already confusing and additional
signage could be a problem.
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ni;s COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
u L aitrans approves
and install the signs.
B. FISCAL MPACTS
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Staff recommends that the City Council appropriate $4,000 from the unappropriated balance of
the Economic Development Program, which has a current balance of approximately $27,000.
C. ALTERNATIVES
The standard signs used by Caltrans are "business district" signs installed at appropriate freeway
exits. If the City requested standard signage, Caltrans will install the signs at no charge to the
City.
Since there are a number of "business districts" that are accessible from Route 101, the City
would need to decide which ones warrant directional signs on Route 101. Caltrans standard
signs would not necessarily alert travelers to routes to the central business district.
D. CONCURRENCES
The BIA supports the concept of installing "downtown" signs on Route 101.
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