Approve and authorize the Chairman to accept a Speed Cushion Pilot Project Program/Funding for various locations throughout the County in the amount of $72,000.00. Countywide (Jean Jreij, Public Works Director)

Traffic Engineering is proposing the following four (4) locations as part of its speed cushion pilot project: 

1. Pisgah Drive (District 3):  Roadway is 1,300 feet in length with daily traffic volumes of 1,375.  Significant speeding issue - posted speed of 25mph and 85^th-percentile speed of 34mph.  Two calming devices required at an estimated cost of $12,000.  Residents to survey – 12. 

2. Lincoln Heights (District 5):  Project would likely need to address multiple roadways and the entire community.  Only one roadway (Truman Blvd) has traffic volumes above previously established Traffic Calming program minimum of 500.  Minor speeding issues on 3 of the 5 roadways and more significant speeding issues on the 2 more major roadways:

   1. Truman Blvd: volume – 732, posted speed – 25mph, 85^th-percentile speed – 33mph

   2. Lincoln Ave: volume – 325, posted speed – 25mph, 85^th-percentile speed – 33mph

   3. Coolidge Ave: volume – 221, posted speed – 25mph, 85^th-percentile speed – 29mph

   4. Harding Ave: volume – 140, posted speed – 25mph, 85^th-percentile speed – 29mph

   5. Knox Ave: volume – 170, posted speed – 25mph, 85^th-percentile speed – 29mph

A minimum of 6 calming devices required at an estimated cost of $36,000.  Residents to survey – 93. 

1. 8^th Street (District 1):  Roadway is 1,300 feet in length.  Daily traffic volumes of 227 are below previously established Traffic Calming program minimum of 500.  Minimal speeding issue - posted speed of 25mph and 85^th-percentile speed of 26mph.  Two calming devices required at an estimated cost of $12,000.  Residents to survey – 28.  

2. Gum Street (District 3):  Roadway is 1,200 feet in length.  Multiple requests for traffic calming over the years, but no current volume and speed information available (will collect within next 2 weeks).  Two calming devices required at an estimated cost of $12,000.  Residents to survey - 28.

The project cost, assuming all four get the necessary 65% resident approval to move forward, would total a maximum of $72,000.  Once the Board approves this project, we will move forward with the mailings to try and obtain the 65% approval.  We will be following the MSBU procedure for mailings and allow 30 days for a positive or negative response.  No response constitutes a “no” vote.  If and when each location is approved, we will move forward with ordering the necessary number of cushions and arranging installation.  The equipment turnaround for the cushions is only 2-3 weeks.  The project will be funded through the 2001 Infrastructure Sales Tax Fund  

Staff Recommends the Board approve and authorize the Chairman to accept a Speed Cushion Pilot Project Program/Funding for various locations throughout the County in the amount of $72,000.00.