HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/06/1991, 7 - BIKE PATH ALONG CALIFORNIA BOULEVARD MEEnNG DATE:
'1111111111 IJ city of San LUIS OBISpo August 6, 1991
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COUNCIL AG IVDA REPORT
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FROM: David F. Romero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Bike Path Along California Boulevard
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
By motion, direct staff to proceed with plans and specifications
for two-way bike path along California Boulevard, between Foothill
Boulevard and Stafford Street
BACKGROUND:
At its meeting of May 7, 1991, the Council directed staff to
investigate the possibility of constructing a bike path along the
westerly property line of California Boulevard, between Campus Way and
Stafford Street. The Engineering report in response to that direction
is attached.
DISCUSSION:
Currently there are Type II-B bike lanes adjacent to the curb along
California Boulevard from Campus Way to Foothill Boulevard, and from
Stafford Street southerly across the bridge over the 101 freeway. That
portion of California Boulevard, between Foothill and Stafford,
currently has parking along both sides of the street with a wide bike
lane outside of parked cars. It was this risk of conflict with parked
cars that prompted the original Bicycle Committee to recommend that
parking be eliminated in this area to provide for safer bicycle
movement.
As can be seen from the Engineer's report, either a one-way or two-way
bike path can be constructed westerly of the palm trees from Campus Way
to Stafford Street.
One-Aa
If this bike path is designated for southbound movement only, there are
few problems. One area of concern arises. There is already a Type II-
B bike lane between Campus Way and Foothill Boulevard, therefore, this
facility would appear to duplicate an already adequate bicycle
facility. It would appear there are better places to spend bicycle
improvement money than in this particular area.
The bike path behind the trees, between Foothill Boulevard and Stafford
Street, would also duplicate the bike lane on the street, however,
there is somewhat greater risk for bicycle riders when the existing
bike lane is outside of parked cars.
Total costs for a first class one lane facility, including decorative
lighting, is $51, 000 between Foothill and Stafford. It would cost
approximately $21, 000 to construct such a bike path between Campus Way
and Foothill Boulevard. Incidentally, approximately 100 ' of this bike
path would be outside of the city on Cal Poly property. Staff assumes
Cal Poly would grant permission for the construction without charge.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Bike Path
Page Two
Two-Way
The report discusses a two-way bike path, which would be 8 ' wide. This j
alternative also duplicates on-street facilities and, in addition, j
complicates signal operation at Foothill Boulevard. Two-way operation
creates a serious problem for northbound bicycle riders on California j
Boulevard, because riders must cross three lanes of traffic between
Taft Street and Stafford Street in order to use the northbound bike
path. This move would appear to be so difficult that many bike riders
would not attempt it but would prefer to take their chances riding
outside of parked cars as they head northbound on California Boulevard.
i
Costs for a two-way bike path between Foothill Boulevard and Stafford
Street is $73,500. Costs for a two-way bike path from Foothill
Boulevard to Campus Way is $42,500.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION:
I
Currently there are a number of students who park along the west side j
of California Boulevard and walk along the palm trees to the signal at
Foothill. Others living west of the tracks also follow the route along
the palm trees. Finally, a number of bike riders travel along the
railroad right-of-way to and from areas to the south and travel in both
directions along the palm trees south of Foothill. At some future
time, the City may be able to acquire right-of-way and develop a formal
bike path along the railroad right-of-way.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are available for all the alternative improvements within the
Capital Program which has set aside $400, 000 for bicycle improvements.
RECOMMENDATION:
Because of this relatively heavy use and the desirability to provide
for a future bike path along the railroad tracks, staff feels it would
be appropriate to provide for a two-way bike path between Foothill and
Stafford.
Attachment: Engineering report
blkecelM/dh#30
MEMORANDUM
5/30/91
TO: Dave Romero
FROM: Barbara Lynch*
SUBJECT: Bike Path, California Blvd.
Width:
Based on the available right of way between California and the
SPRR, the existing terrain and utilities, there is room for up to
a 10 foot bike path along the west side of California from the Cal
Poly Campus to Stafford. However, the City Limits is south of the
connection to Campus Way. The bike path will either have to end
at the City Limits or an easement be obtained from the University
to extended it to Campus Way. Additional costs to extend the path
to Campus Way are indicated separately in the cost break down.
There is not adequate right of way to allow for even a one way bike
lane between Stafford and Taft.
1 WAY PATH s/B (51AC) (Exhibit A)
Channeliaation:
As shown in Exhibit B, the bike path is turned and brought out on
the California Blvd. frontage to prevent conflicts with the
pedestrians on Foothill Blvd.
signaliaation:
A bicycle push button will be added at the intersection, if the
bike path extends north of Foothill Blvd. If the bike path
terminates at Foothill, the bikes will use existing ped crossings
to return to the correct side of the street.
Costs:
Bike Path SIO Foothill to Stafford - TOTAL $51,.000
Work Includes:
Fill/Excavation/Paving/Ramping for actual path -
$2500/$2500/$17,500/$2000
Grade adjustment of utility valves - $400
Lighting - $20, 000 (standard street lights) $23, 000 (decorative)
Culvert extension - $5000
Bike Path N/O Foothill to Property line Cal Poly - TOTAL $20,000
Work includes:
Excavation/Paving/Ramping for actual path - $1000/$2500/$2000
Culvert Extension/Pipe Extension - $3000/$5000
ATTACH M ENT
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Lighting - $4000 (standard street lights) $5000 (decorative)
Signal modifications - $1000
Bike Path on Cal Poly Property (assumes there will be no charge for
an easement) - TOTAL added - $1300
2 WAY PATH (8' ACI (Exhibit A)
Channeliaation:
N/B cyclists wishing to enter the 2way path at Stafford must
maneuver from the curb side bike lane to a center turn lane across
two lanes of traffic north of the busy right turning movement at
Taft (Exhibit C) .
Signaliaation:
There are two options for the control of the intersection of
Foothill and California. (Exhibit B)
A) Add a crossing on the westerly side of the intersection for
bikes which operates with S/B California. In the AM, when
traffic out of the campus (S/B California) is light, this will
increase the cycle length very little, 5$. In the PM when
outbound traffic is heavier the increase should be negligible.
OR
B) Run a phase for peds and bikes only, between 20 and 30 seconds
(depends on crosswalk configuration) which will add approximately
25% to the cycle length. In the off peaks when only one or two
pedestrians or cyclists are present, I am concerned the
intersection will appear not to be working properly and drivers
will drive accordingly.
Traffic backs up periodically to Stafford, on California, and Casa,
on Foothill during the morning peak. This is also the peak time for
bicyclists. Lengthening the cycle length will result in increased
delay for automobiles as well as bikes. I would recommend
including the bike crossing with the S/B movement. ( A) above )
Costs:
Bike Path SIO Foothill to Stafford - TOTAL $73,500
Work includes:
Fill/Excavation/Paving/Ramping for actual path -
$4000/$4000/$281000/$4000
Grade adjustment of utility valves - $2000
Lighting - $20, 000 (standard) $23,000 (decorative)
Culvert extension - $10, 000
Bike Path N/O Foothill to Property line Cal Poly - TOTAL $40,000
Work includes:
Excavation/Paving/Ramping for actual path - $1000/$3500/$3000
Installation of storm drain to replace existing swale (+fill)
$25,000
Lighting - $4000 (standard) $5000 (decorative)
Signal modifications - $2500
Bike Path on Cal Poly Property (assumes there will be no charge for
an easement) - TOTAL added - $2500
Attachments:
A) Bike Path Detail -
B) Intersection of California/Foothill Detail
C) Striping Detail for NB Bike traffic to Path
D) Preliminary Layout of Bike Path
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-mEETIN AGENDA
lilll�III�I�III�II�I����l�l�II �IUIIIII DATE ffEM #
III 11
city osAn luis oaspo
955 Morro Street • San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
August 1, 1991 ��PIEST�aA��, ❑
=nca 0 CDD DR
SUMMARY OF MEETINGU-JzCA0 ❑ FIN.MIX
LJ.,,A7T � (W PW F
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FROM: Dave Pierce ❑ CLER /ORIC.TEMA 0 �cD�tRL
SUBJECT: Meeting to Review Bike Path on California Blvd. C❑�'�iTnD � �.❑2K21
- _
On July, 29 1991 Dave Romero and Dave Pierce met with the non-staff members of
the ad-hoc committee which had recommended priorities for bicycle projects. Wayne
Williams of the SLO Bicycle Club and Jim Merkel of the Alternative Transportation Task
Force of the Sierra Club were present. Dave Morrow of the Air Pollution Control
District was out of town. The subject of the meeting was also discussed with Julie
Milsap of the Area Coordinating Council who had not been a part of the original
committee.
Class 1 Bike Lane on the west side of California Blvd from Foothill to Stafford
Comments of these bicycle advocates is as follows:
There is no real need for this path. The bike lanes on California adequate. The width
of the existing lanes exceeds the standards established by CalTrans. A bike path
behind the Palm Trees will create many problems without any improvement in bicycle
access through this area. The introduction of a separate bike way into the intersection
of Foothill and California will increase the conflicts between bikes and cars. Wayne
Williams suggested that to avoid these problems a future bikepath along the railroad
could be terminated at Hathway with a signal light at that location which would allow
the bicycles to safely move from a Class 1 bikepath to a Class II bikelane from
Hathway north.
Jim Merkel suggested the following improvements for the existing bikelanes on
California. Public Works will pursue implementation.
a) Removing two or three parking spaces from each side of California just south of
Foothill. Cars parked in these spaces create tight spots within the section where
the lane lines are tapered to create turning lanes at the intersection.
b) Striping a second line in the bikelane/parking area to encourage the drivers to
park as close to the curb as possible. This would be similar to the bikelane on
Higuera from Nipomo to Marsh.
RECEIVED
AU - 91
CI CLERK
LU . OBISPO,CA
Bike Path
Page Two
Considerable time was spent on discussion of the ways to improve bicycle flow
through the,intersection of Foothill and California. This subject will be reviewed every
time work at this location is discusses as there are no accepted practices that
work well within the available width of street. Dave Pierce will coordinate a review of
possible use of signs or street markings that would better explain to the rider and the
driver how a bicycle should negotiate the intersection.
Maintenance Needs for the Class 1 bike lane along Madonna Rd. across Laguna
Lake Park frontage - Staff has proposed major maintenance work to this path
Comments:
This path does not go anywhere and encourages wrong way travel on the
sidewalk or in the bikelane along Madonna Road from Oceanaire to the start of the
path and then from the east end of the path along Madonna Road in front of Carl's
Jr. and the Motels.
Path should be retained for pedestrians and for riders who wish to use it in its
present condition. The main users are pedestrians and riders on fat tired bikes.
No improvements need to be made to accommodate bikes and no attention
should not be called to the path.
Maintenance Needs for the Class 1 bike path through Exposition Park - Staff
has proposed minor maintenance work on this path
Comments:
Construction of ramps across the sidewalks have completed a low traffic street
and off-street bikeway from Higuera to Meadow Street. The route follows Bridge
Street and the paths through Exposition and Meadow Parks. There are no
maintenance needs for this route.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Staff Comments:
The bike path along California was recommended during the environmental study
of implementation of the bike project previously considered by the Council. Staff,
in making its recommendation to construct the path, was attempting to meet the
desires of the bicycle community. At this point, staff feels there is not strong.
support for the new path and recommends that we not proceed.
David Romero, Public Works Dir.