HomeMy Public PortalAbout2018-11-01 rbspacmQ6�Is
TOWN OF TRUCKEE
Reimagine Bridge Street Advisory Committee
MEETING MINUTES
November 1, 2018
5:30 p.m.
Town Hall -- Prosser Room
10183 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee, CA
1. INTRODUCTIONS
CALL TO ORDER — Jessica Thompson, Senior Engineer, called the meeting to order at
5:35 p.m.
Committee members present: Judy Zachariasen, Stefanie Olivied, Bill Kenny, Michael
Monroe, Jason Hansford, Phoebe Landre, Bill Quesnel, Stefan Schuster, Morgan
Goodwin.
Project consultants present: Katie Shaffer, East River PR; Debbie Jenkins, Eastern
Sierra Engineering; and Loren Chilson, Traffic Works.
Absent: Paul Schectman.
Staff present: Dan Wilkins, Director of Public Works/Town Engineer; Becky Bucar,
Engineering Manager; Jessica Thompson, Senior Engineer; and Kelly Larson,
Administrative Technician.
Members of the public: Bob Haley, Nancy Costello, Tanzy Maxfield, Anna Klovstad
and Carmen Carr.
2. BRANDING AND OUTREACH LOGO
Katie Shaffer provided ten logo options (on file with the Town Clerk) for the committee's
consideration. Logo options were developed based on direction from Town staff
regarding color and to ensure the logo encompasses project concepts including street
crossings, railroad/railroad tracks, two intersections, improving safety, and
accommodating pedestrians.
Jessica Thompson asked for committee discussion to encourage group input on the
design elements of each option emphasizing that it would be key for the logo design to
convey a positive message. Overall, the group agreed using the railroad image for this
particular project might invoke thoughts of being stopped, delayed, and inconvenienced.
Katie Shaffer explained logo options nine and ten were developed to keep the railroad
concept but not the train itself.
Town of Truckee
November 1, 2018 Reimagine Bridge Street Project Advisory Committee
Page 1
The committee voted to select logo option ten with some suggested modifications such
as to increase the size of the bike, pedestrian, and car symbols as in logo option six.
Katie Shaffer will revise logo option ten.
3. RE -CAP OF MINIMUM PROJECT REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA
Jessica Thompson briefly outlined minimum project requirements including: crosswalks
(minimum of one at each intersection), sidewalks on each side of Bridge Street, quiet
zone improvements, cars not to be trapped on the tracks and that traffic flow with and
without a train would be maintained or improved.
4. INTERSECTION SCENARIOS — PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION
Jessica Thompson introduced Loren Chilson from Traffic Works to present sixteen
varying ideas and potential intersection improvement solutions in order to show
everything that could be a reality for the Reimagine Bridge Street Project (presentation
on file with the Town Clerk). Jessica Thompson asked the group to discuss and provide
feedback on each option. Loren said there is a great deal of flexibility within each option
where different elements from each option can be mixed and matched. Loren requested
that the group flag fatal flaws as soon as identified.
Dan Wilkins explained that he wants to work with the committee to pare the options
down to a three to five option presentation at which point Engineering staff would
present to Town Council to see if Council agrees that the right options have been
selected for consideration. The Town has five million dollars in traffic impact monies that
can be utilized to obtain needed resources for this process.
As a follow up to comments made during the first Reimagine Bridge Street meeting,
Stephanie Olivieri stated that, considering so much of the area is already historic
property, it is unlikely the Town would go to the extent of imminent domain. Dan Wilkins
responded that the intention would be to acquire land through willing sellers only as
needed for the project.
Prior to discussions beginning, Loren Chilson stated that grade separation alternatives at
the railroad crossing were considered but were deemed not feasible. Dan Wilkins
explained why an option for vehicle travel under the tracks was not included; explaining
that there would have to be a minimum of a sixteen (16) foot clearance resulting in a
twenty to twenty five percent (20-25%) grade. The sub option would entail tunnel design
for vehicles 10-11 feet tall, which would accommodate ninety to ninety five percent (90-
95%) of the vehicles travelling through the intersection. In general, the group felt it is
undesirable to create that degree of steepness into an intersection.
16 ALTERNATIVES
The group discussed each of the alternatives as presented in their ten percent (10%)
design phase (presentation on file with the Town Clerk or via the Project website page).
Following are the items of importance discussed.
Town of Truckee
November 1, 2018 Reimagine Bridge Street Project Advisory Committee
Page 2
First image — Illustrates map plot of existing conditions with new Railyard
development for current frame of reference.
• No protected East 1 West crossing.
• No sidewalk on one side of the road.
Alternative Al -- Quiet Zone and Sidewalk (4 Railroad Crossing Gates)
• Heavy traffic turning left from northbound Bridge Street onto westbound West
River Street.
• Heavy traffic turning left from westbound West River Street onto northbound
Bridge Street.
• Heavy traffic heading northbound on Bridge Street.
• When railroad safety gates are down, traffic would block intersection quickly.
• This option would not help with the left turn movement.
Alternative A2- Quiet Zone and Sidewalk (With Medians)
• Possible future discussions to extend island to protect pedestrian crossing.
• Adding a nose to the front of the intersection would improve safety.
• If the group settles on an option that includes a median, the safest width would
need to be determined.
Alternative B — Free Northbound Right Turn
• Pedestrian crossings on northbound and southbound Bridge Street could restrict
traffic and potentially trap vehicles at railroad crossing.
• Doesn't do anything for West River Street.
• Need to address the left turn from West River Street onto to northbound Bridge
Street.
• Pushes traffic out of downtown into other places.
• Questioned whether diversion is good or bad.
• Could add stop signs east and westbound on Donner Pass Road (DPR).
• Could move traffic to Church and West River Streets.
• Without stops on DPR, speeds will increase.
• This option is not a group favorite, but want to see all the options before crossing
any off.
Alternative C1 — Three -Way Stop
• Some decrease in travel movements from northbound Bridge Street at River.
• Double 3 -way stop may create twice the confusion.
• Council Member Goodwin and Dan Wilkins said this is one of the safest
intersections in town because people slow down when they are confused.
• How long of a queue is acceptable?
Alternative C2 — Three -Way Stop (Added Crosswalks)
• Pedestrian crossings on northbound and southbound Bridge Street could restrict
traffic and potentially trap vehicles at railroad crossing.
• How can we tell pedestrians to wait while traffic clears out? Loren Chilson and
Jason Hansford talked about having medians set back from the drawing where
the gates could shift laterally in front of the crosswalk. This would create a divider
Town of Truckee
November 1, 2018 Reimagine Bridge Street Project Advisory Committee
Page 3
to prevent any ability for pedestrians to walk or go around. When pedestrians are
crossing, cars would back up but not over the tracks. Moving the gates back
would allow fewer cars to go through but would address the pedestrian issue.
Alternative D — Dog -Bone Roundabout
• Restricts access to the gas stations.
• Very tight fit to adjacent buildings means there could be impacts to those
buildings.
• Cars not being able to move directly through roundabouts would reduce vehicular
conflicts as this model reduces the left turns and manages vehicle capacity.
• This situation could be undesirable to send DPR traffic eastbound to come back
west. With the train, traffic could be stopped for five minutes.
• The full barrier would be a way to pattern traffic to flow smoothly without
signalizing roundabout.
Alternative E1 — Mini Roundabouts
• Restricts access to the gas stations.
• Traversable island three to four inches high.
• Questioned how this would operate in snow.
• Would be easily passable for larger trucks.
• Questioned whether there would be a desire to deter large trucks.
Alternative E2 — Roundabouts
• Restricts access to the gas stations.
No traffic operational difference between E1 and E2.
• One hundred feet is the smallest diameter for a raised center island.
Right of way impacts would affect property owners differently.
Alternative F — Multilane Roundabouts
• Removes businesses on both intersections.
• Footprint too large.
• Train can go all day but traffic keeps flowing.
• Not favored by group.
Alternative G1- Traffic Signals (Permissive Lefts)
• Conflict between pedestrians crossing West River Street and northbound
vehicular travel on Bridge- Street that turns left onto West River Street.
• Moves more traffic than stop signs.
• More efficient than a single lane roundabout.
• Questioned what would happen when Amtrak stops for five to fifteen minutes.
• Intersection could operate like a `T' intersection when a train is present.
• Very adjustable: can run a variety of different scenarios with traffic signals.
• If power goes out there is a battery back-up, 3 -way flashing red and one flashing
yellow. Run time on battery back-up is approximately two hours.
Alternative G2 — Traffic Signals (Protected Lefts)
• Is the conflict with pedestrians acceptable?
Town of Truckee
November 1, 2018 Reimagine Bridge Street Project Advisory Committee
Page 4
" I f p o w e r g o e s o u t t h e r e i s a b a t t e r y b a c k - u p , 3 - w a y f l a s h i n g r e d a n d o n e f l a s h i n g
y e l l o w . R u n t i m e o n b a t t e r y b a c k - u p i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y t w o h o u r s .
" W o u l d l i k e t o s e e G 1 a n d G 2 c o n s i d e r e d a s o n e o p t i o n .
A l t e r n a t i v e G 3 T r a f f i c S i g n a l s ( R i g h t T u r n O v e r l a p )
" I n l o o k i n g a t r e g i o n a l t r a f f i c p a t t e r n s , f r e e m o v e m e n t s c o m i n g i n t o d o w n t o w n
T r u c k e e w i l l i n f l u e n c e d r i v e r b e h a v i o r . I t w o u l d b e i d e a l f o r b u s i n e s s e s t o
i n c r e a s e f l o w i n e a s t - w e s t d i r e c t i o n .
" I n t h e f u t u r e , d r i v e r s m a y a v o i d g o i n g t h r o u g h t w o t r a f f i c s i g n a l s w h e n i t w o u l d b e
e a s i e r t o t a k e t h e b y p a s s .
" S i g n a l i s t h e o n l y s c e n a r i o c u r r e n t l y w h e r e t h e w a l k s i g n i s u p .
A l t e r n a t i v e G 4 T r a f f i c S i g n a l s ( A d d R i g h t T u r n L a n e s )
" G 1 - G 3 a r e m o r e a c c e p t e d b y t h e g r o u p t h a n o p t i o n G 4 .
" T h i s a l t e r n a t i v e w i l l m o v e a l o t o f t r a f f i c , b u t d o y o u w a n t t h a t m u c h t r a f f i c
d o w n t o w n ?
" R i g h t t u r n s c o u l d b e p h a s e d .
A l t e r n a t i v e H 1 E a s t C o u p l e t
" L o t o f t r a f f i c d i v e r s i o n .
" D i m i n i s h e d p e d e s t r i a n s a f e t y .
" S i m i l a r D P R / J i b b o o m S t r e e t c o u p l e t w a s n o t w e l l r e c e i v e d i n l a t e 8 0 ' s .
" P r i o r i t i z e s t r a f f i c f l o w .
" E a s i e r n o r t h - s o u t h p e d e s t r i a n c r o s s i n g .
A l t e r n a t i v e H 2 W e s t C o u p l e t
" M o r e p e d e s t r i a n c r o s s i n g a t W e s t R i v e r S t r e e t d u e t o r a i l r o a d f e n c e
" T h e n e w c r o s s i n g w o u l d n e e d t o b e a p p r o v e d b y U n i o n P a c i f i c R a i l R o a d
( U P R R ) .
" T h e g r o u p a s k e d a b o u t a p e d e s t r i a n o v e r o r u n d e r c r o s s i n g a n d D a n W i l k i n s
r e p l i e d t h a t a n u n d e r c r o s s i n g i s m u c h m o r e f e a s i b l e .
A l t e r n a t i v e s W r a p - U p D i s c u s s i o n
M i c h a e l M o n r o e s a i d t h a t t h o u g h o p t i o n s H 1 a n d H 2 i m p r o v e t r a f f i c f l o w , t h e y w o u l d h u r t
b u s i n e s s e s d u e t o t h e o n e - w a y t r a f f i c f l o w . T h e r e f o r e , t h o s e o p t i o n s s h o u l d b e
e l i m i n a t e d o n t h e b a s i s o f o n e - w a y t r a f f i c f l o w .
J u d y Z a c h a r i a s e n q u e s t i o n e d b r i n g i n g i n p e d e s t r i a n o v e r a n d / o r u n d e r p a s s o p t i o n s . S h e
a l s o s t a t e d t h a t s h e w o u l d l i k e t o s e e A l t e r n a t i v e F e l i m i n a t e d . M o r g a n G o o d w i n a l s o
r e q u e s t e d t h a t a p e d e s t r i a n t u n n e l b e c o n s i d e r e d a s p a r t o f t h e c o u p l e t s t r a t e g y .
D a n W i l k i n s a g r e e d a n d s a i d w e c o u l d d o a m i n i c i t i n g a l t e r n a t i v e s a n a l y s i s . T h e
D o w n t o w n S p e c i f i c P l a n e n v i s i o n s c r o s s i n g w h e r e t h e r e i s a v a i l a b l e l a n d f o r t h a t t o
o c c u r . D e s i g n c a n b e e a s y t o e n a c t , b u t p e r m i t t i n g m a y n o t b e a n o p t i o n a s i t c o u l d b e a
t e n m i l l i o n d o l l a r p r o j e c t d i f f e r e n t i a l . T h e r e m a y b e a f a t a l f l a w b u t w e w o u l d n ' t w a n t t o
r e s i g n o u r s e l v e s t o t h a t a t t h i s p o i n t . W e c o u l d s q u e e z e i n d e s i g n a n a l y s i s b u t t h e
T o w n o f T r u c k e e
N o v e m b e r 1 , 2 0 1 8 R e i m a g i n e B r i d g e S t r e e t P r o j e c t A d v i s o r y C o m m i t t e e
P a g e 5
question is how far we go once we have some preliminary information? The pedestrian
tunnel(s) might need to be evaluated as a related but different project.
Loren Chilson stated that the alternatives showing couplets (H1 and H2) are a free for all
and may not meet the project's pedestrian criteria.
Dan Wilkins helped to conclude discussion by emphasizing how the initial design
process is the result of Town staff and consultants brainstorming. We don't want to close
the door on ideas, and would like the committee to ruminate over the different
alternatives discussed. If there are obvious alternatives to remove, then let's do that.
Jessica Thompson facilitated a voting process where the committee members
designated a yes, no, or maybe vote on each alternative.
Voting results:
Alternative
Options
YES
votes
NO
votes
Maybe
In regards to G4, Dan Wilkins indicated that lanes could be added, and Loren Chilson
stated this option moves the most traffic. Dan says this option is phase -able and asked
the group if G4 is it worth looking at further. Bike lanes currently exist.
5. UPCOMING MEETINGS
Committee Direction: Send any ideas or further options to Jessica Thompson.
ADJOURNMENT
To the next meeting of the Reimagine Bridge Street - Linking Downtown Project
Advisory Committee, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, 5:00 p.m. in the Prosser Room
at 10183 Truckee Airport Rd., Truckee, CA 96161.
Town of Truckee
November 1, 2018 Reimagine Bridge Street Project Advisory Committee
Page 6
Approved:
Jessi Thompson, Committee Chair
Respectfully submitted by:
II
KellTrso % ommittee Secretary
,
--vim
Town of Truckee
November 1, 201.8 Reimagine Bridge Street Project Advisory Committee
Page 7