The transportation committee met today. Since the committee mostly includes representatives of surrounding neighborhoods, we're now going to deal with more global issues during these meetings, and then I'll stay for a smaller meeting with Catellus and the City to discuss issues that are internal to Mueller. Here are my notes:
Light at Zach Scott & Airport - It sounds like this will happen at some point. Catellus has determined that it is feasible from an engineering standpoint but the City reported that it doesn't yet meet the warrants for a signal. The City will re-evaluate whether signal warrants are met on roughly a 6-month interval. Catellus' consultant has done an operational analysis for the full buildout condition and the intersection should operate well with a signal. They were asked to provide information on anticipated queuing lengths on both ZS and Airport for the full buildout condition, and compare these to the space available between Airport and Tom Miller, and the length of the left turn bay on Airport.
Roundabout Improvements – Included in the November bond package. The City is looking at low-cost immediate improvements including signing, edge markings where approach vehicles enter the roundabout, and adjusting the timing of the signal at Airport and Aldrich to minimize traffic backups. They were not planning to do any striping from 2 lanes to a single lane now but were asked to reconsider that option to improve safety.
Neighborhood signing – The City is re-evaluating the consistency of signing and striping for parking, as well as the need for one-way operations in the alleyways.
Berkman at 51st St – Windsor Park representative stressed the importance of making this crossing of 51st St. safe for bicyclists and pedestrians, since many from across 51st will want to walk to the market district. The current proposal doesn't include any pedestrian improvements on 51st for this crossing traffic. There's also a desire to extend the bike lane from the west all the way to Berkman, and install more visible crosswalk markings (ladder or continental style). Catellus was asked to provide the committee with a copy of the layout currently under consideration.
Cameron at 51st St – The median on 51st is non-existent due to multiple layers of asphalt on the roadway. Concern was expressed for the safety of pedestrians who use this as median refuge to wait for traffic to clear. The City plans to take a look at this area.
Signing on 51st – The connection on 53rd St. from Cameron to the northbound IH 35 frontage road is very congested. The Windsor Park representative suggested that signs could be installed for eastbound and westbound traffic on 51st routing them through the regional retail area to access the northbound frontage road. This might relieve some of the burden on 53rd. The City said they would take it under consideration.
IH 35 northbound frontage road to Barbara Jordan – General complaints were brought forward about the striping out of the right lane in this area. Many people drive over the stripe and they are losing their visibility. Catellus' consultant will discuss this issue with TxDOT.
Northbound IH 35 ramp patterns – Discussion about possibly eliminating the exit near 53rd St., forcing exiting traffic to use the ramp just north of Airport. It was noted that this ramp can be difficult to access from the lower level of IH 35. If that exit were closed, the entrance ramp could be moved forward north near 53rd, serving Mueller regional retail traffic better and lengthening the weave for merging/diverging traffic. The committee will look at this further to determine whether there is a recommendation we want to make to TxDOT in this regard.
Airport “longhorns” – Wilshire Woods and Cherrywood neighbors across Airport Blvd. Generally support keeping these features in place to avoid cut-through traffic in their neighborhoods.
Pedestrian & bicycle crossings of Airport Blvd. – Several mentioned that this issue remains a concern. Crossing at Zach Scott will be easier once a signal is installed. Bicyclists can cross as pedestrians but are legally required to dismount their bicycles and cross as pedestrians. This is due, at least in part, to the fact that there are no approved crossing signals specifically for bicyclists. The City mentioned that Washington, DC is experimenting with a bicycle signal and the City was asked to investigate whether we could do likewise.
TxDOT plans for IH 35 – There was discussion about TxDOT's long term plans for IH 35. There have been previous studies but funding is very limited. For information about ongoing studies and upcoming meetings, go to
http://www.my35.org.
Bus Transportation – The need for a stop of the #350 bus on Airport at Zach Scott was discussed. Wilshire Woods and Cherrywood would support an additional stop. Current northbound stops are at Anchor and north of the fire station. The City explained that Capital Metro has given those requesting this stop some misinformation that they are working to clarify. A sidewalk along Airport is part of the Mueller plan but due to the high speeds, absence of curb on Airport, and drainage ditch, the trail along Tom Miller was developed as an alternative sidewalk. The City and Catellus will discuss this issue further with Capital Metro, and see what sidewalk connections would be necessary to support a bus stop here.
Jughandle – Funding for studying improvements to better serve Windsor Park are included in the November bond package.
Post meeting for internal Mueller issuesCommunication and coordination strategy – Catellus will plan these after meetings to discuss issues specific to Mueller residents. They are also looking at other ways to better communicate with residents on transportation issues.
Parking signing/striping consistency with state law – In some areas, parking signs and/or stripes appear to allow parking in locations prohibited by state law, such as within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or 30 feet upon the approach to a stop sign. Catellus will get with the City to conduct a review and implement changes as needed.
Alley operations – Catellus and the City are discussing the possibility of converting the alleys to 2-way operation. This would eliminate a lot of signs and would be expected to lower operating speeds since people would anticipate meeting another vehicle.
Safety issues with several driveways in the retail area – Catellus is reviewing the operations at several driveways where sight distance is limited and/or speeding on the street is a problem.
Speeding on Zach Scott and Antone – Speeds on these long, straight streets were discussed along with potential solutions such as a 4-way stop on Zach Scott at Camacho, at the entrance to Lake Park. Catellus will seek input from the City on what solutions they might consider. Catellus will also explore the possibility of installing signs such as 'children at play' and emphasize to residents our responsibility to drive with consideration for others. Lowering the speed limit to 25 mph was also discussed as a possibility but no decisions were made.
I think that's about it.... many of these things will take a lot of coordination and many more discussions to resolve. I'm happy to continue collecting input on these issues. Our next meeting will be in late October so I'll need to forward my agenda items to Catellus mid-October.
Betsy
