HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06] Pedestrian Crossing StudyMEETING DATE: August 7, 2017
AGENDA ITEM: Pedestrian Crossing Study
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
Council Agenda Item 6
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: The City along with the St. Cloud APO and Stearns County
commissioned a study to review enhancing and creating safe crossing over CSAH 75.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: SRF was retained as the consultant to complete the study and will
be presenting the final report.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT:
ATTACHMENTS: SRF Summary Document
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Acceptance of the Report
NE N G I N E E R S
LINP ERIVNERS
DESIGNERS
Consulting Group, Inc.
About the Study
■ • CSAH 75 Pedestrian
++ Crossing Study
CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study
Findings and Recommendations
The Saint Cloud Area Planning Organization (APO), the City of Saint Joseph
and Stearns County have united in a Pedestrian Crossing Study along CSAH
75 in Saint Joseph.
This study focused on five (5) pedestrian crossings: four (4) major at grade
intersections and a potential location for a grade separated crossing.
1. College Avenue (CR 2)
2. 4th Avenue (Northland Drive)
3. 12th Avenue (CR 133)
4. 20th Avenue (CR 134
5. Grade Separated Location
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to:
• Understand existing conditions;
• Evaluate the feasibility of ways to improve safe pedestrian and
bicyclist crossing of CSAH 75 in St. Joseph;
• Enhanced at -grade crossing treatments and grade separated
concepts were considered;
A report has been prepared documenting findings and recommendations for
further study.
Bicycle & pedestrian
Movements
ADA Accessibility
Safety Improvements
August 7, 2017 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.htmi
CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study
Pedestrian Generators
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Pedestrian and Bicyclist Counts
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August 7, 2017 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.htmi
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Pedestrian and Bicyclist Counts
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August 7, 2017 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.htmi
CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study
Safety Analysis
Page 3
Key Issues
Key issues were identified through a combination of observations, discussions with the PMT, and
from public input.
• Lack of grade -separated crossing
• High speeds on CSAH 75 make it unsafe to cross
• Lack of or gaps in the sidewalk connectivity and bike lanes (in the City in general)
• Proximity of the Cedar Street/Frontage Road north to the CSAH 75 and 4th
Avenue/Northland Drive intersection.
• Pedestrian walk time to cross CSAH 75 at the 12th Avenue/CR 133 intersection is not long
enough to cross both directions of travel in one cycle.
August 7, 2017 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.htmi
CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study
Grade -Separated Crossing
Four key factors were considered for a grade -separated crossing:
• General Feasibility
• Pedestrian /Bicyclist usage
• Safety Issues
• Connections
Page 4
When designing a grade -separated crossing, the following should be considered to encourage use of
the crossing:
• Accessible to all pedestrians, including those in wheelchairs.
• Studies have shown that if the walking time to use a grade -separated crossing is 50 percent
longer than crossing the street at -grade, the grade -separated crossing will likely not be used.
• Crossing should be located/ designed to minimize the travel required to access it.
• Grade -separated crossings are best suited for areas where the topography allows for a structure
without ramps.
• Underpasses work best when they can be designed to feel open, well -lit, and safe.
To help determine the alignment of the grade -separated crossing, key pedestrian/bicyclist users were
also considered:
• Children — there is a desire for a safe crossing option for children.
• Lake Wobegon Trail users — residents should have easy access to/from the trail and the
crossing should attract trail users to visit the downtown commercial area.
• College students — not likely to use the crossing (College Avenue is closer).
• Snowmobile users — the Lake Wobegon Trail is a snowmobile route during winter months.
Desirable to keep the existing trail alignment the same to avoid issues/safety concerns with
snowmobiles.
The preferred alternative is an underpass west of 4th Avenue/ Northland Drive. This
alternative encourages trail users to use the crossing, potential to provide connections to both
the neighborhood and 4th Avenue, compatible with snowmobile traffic, and potential to
maintain a connection to Cedar Street and the Boulder Ridge Apartments to/from the Lake
Wobegon Trail. Estimated costs range from $2,500,000 to $3,000,000.
August 7, 2017 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.htmi
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CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study
Intersection Assessment and Recommendations
1st Avenue
Page 6
• Higher than expected pedestrian volumes were observed during data collection, which was a
Saturday during an event. This is considered a -typical, considering Friday pedestrian crossing
volumes at this location were relatively low. It is understood the event occurring this weekend,
significantly contributed to the increased volumes.
• In the event pedestrians consistently cross at this location (five or more per hour), additional
pedestrian crossing treatments may need to be considered.
• Pedestrian crossing volume is not expected to meet a pedestrian signal warrant.
• No recommendations, continue to monitor.
College Avenue
• No recommendations
August 7,17 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.html
CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study
4th Avenue/Northland Drive
Page 7
• Consider a phased approach — first implementing at -grade crossing improvements and then
constructing the grade -separated crossing once funding is available.
• At -grade recommendations include:
o Restrict/ discourage pedestrian crossing on the west and north approaches.
o Enhance/improve pedestrian crossing on the east and south approaches including:
■ Marked crosswalks, push button activators on separate poles, truncated domes,
median pedestrian refuge island, stop bar for traffic on CSAH 75, sidewalk
connectivity (a trail spur connection is recommended north of CSAH 75 on the east
side connecting CSAH 75 and the Lake Wobegon Trail (this could also be a sidewalk
connection) and sidewalk is recommended south of CSAH 75 on the west side
connecting CSAH 75 and Minnesota Street), and Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS).
• Long-term: consider restriping 4th Avenue/Northland Drive to provide on -street bike lanes.
August 7, 2017 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.htmi
CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study
12th Avenue/CR 133
• At -grade recommendations include:
Page 8
o Push button activators on separate poles, relocate marked crosswalk to align through the
center median or extend the center median, increase pedestrian walk time clearance to
allow pedestrians to walk across both directions on CSAH 75 (at a minimum increase walk
time during non -peak time periods), and APS.
• There are multiple upcoming projects that have identified improvements /modifications to
this intersection, these include:
o Lake Wobegon Trail Extension Project plans to realign the trail to the north approach of
the intersection (controlled crossing with signal) and removing the midblock crossing
(snow mobiles will continue to cross midblock).
o Stearns County resurfacing project plans to extend the eastbound left -turn lane.
o Stearns County is planning to submit a federal funding application for intersection
improvements (considering dual eastbound left turns, two northbound receiving lanes
from CSAH 75 to Elm Street).
August 7, 2017 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.htmi
CSAH 75 Pedestrian Crossing Study
20th Avenue/CR 134W
• At -grade recommendations include:
Page 9
o Option 1: Remove the pedestrian push buttons and install no pedestrian crossing signage
(assumes no future plans to construct sidewalk connections north or south of the
intersection).
o Option 2: Pedestrian signal heads with countdown timers; push button activators on
separate poles and truncated domes only if sidewalk connections are planned to be
provided in the future, and APS.
August 7, 2017 http://www.stcloudapo.org/st joseph-pedestrian-crossing-study.htmi