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04/15/1993 - Packet y Y CITY OF TIGARD OREGON 99W TASK FORCE AGENDA THURSDAY, APRIL 15 7:00 P.M. TIGARD CITY HALL - TOWN HALL 13125 SW HALL BLVD. TIGARD, OREGON 97223 1. Call to Order/Introductions 2. Roll Call: Reilly [7f Deuth Gervais 11 Clark IT Cook Moore C3 Holland Edwards Schweitz Hawley Alternates: Carver Hopkins 3. Visitors' Comments 4. 99W STUDY - (Scope of Work and Letter From O.D.O.T. Attached) Action Item 5. Discussion of Future Activities b. Other 7. Adjourn Oi�kon April 5, 1993 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Ms. Carol Landsman, Senior Planner Region 1 City of Tigard 13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223 FILE CODE: Dear Carol: This is to provide you with an update on our corridor planning effort, especially as it relates to your request for ODOT assistance to study OR 99W through Tigard. We recently received approval from the Oregon Transportation Commission to undertake corridor planning and are developing the work program for studying state highway corridors in the region. The study effort and scope of work for each corridor will be based on the level of importance and function of the facility. The"1991 Oregon Highway Plan" includes a Level of Importance (LOI) Policy that has four categories: interstate, statewide, regional, and district highways. The section of OR 99W located west of 1-5 to the Region 1 boundary (in Sherwood) is currently classified as a statewide highway. It is also designated an Access Oregon Highway; a highway which connects the interstate system to urban areas, ports and major recreation areas. According to the LOI policy, the state's management objective for such facilities is to provide for a high to moderate—speed operation with limited interruptions in traffic flow. The first phase of corridor planning will involve the development of corridor strategies based on classification and function of the facility. The strategies will provide a framework for evaluating transportation improvements and land use changes along the corridor. The tasks outlined in your draft scope of work focus on transportation system management solutions (TSM). While we intend to include a TSM component in the corridor studies, we do not want to study such solutions without a context for evaluating their importance. The corridor strategies will provide such a context. We plan to begin collecting data for establishing corridor strategies for several statewide highways in the next month. We will be working closely with affected local jurisdictions in this effort. Development of the corridor strategies will also need to be coordinated with relevant studies being undertaken in the region. The Western Bypass Study includes several alternatives which will affect Tigard and OR 99W. The Region 2040 Study and the High Capacity Transit Study may also affect OR 99W. The future classification and function of OR 99W may change depending on the outcome of these studies. It would be premature, therefore, to initiate a corridor study for OR 99W absent some direction from the Western Bypass Study and Region 2040. 9002 SE McLoughlin Milivaukie, OR 97222 (503) 653-3090 731-1850(12--32) FAX (503) 653-3267 In conclusion,we are not in a position to share in the costs of your study at this time. Please call me at 653-3269 if you have questions. Sincerely, Robin McArthur-Phillips, Manager Land Use/Transportation Planning cc: Bruce Warner Mike Wert Lidwien Rahman Bill Ciz Ed Murphy, Tigard D:\corridor\tigard 99W TSM IMPROVEMENT SCOPE OF WORK Purpose To identify problem areas and points of conflicts on 99W and determine a package of actions and projects to improve mobility and safety while not undermining economic development. These projects will be relatively low cost,use existing capacity more efficiently and will not add new pavement. Study Area: 99W in Tigard. Background: 99W is a major arterial connecting Portland and communities to the southwest; it moves large amounts of commuter and recreational traffic. it is also a major commercial district with many types of busy activities that attract trips, conflicting turns and congestion. The regional transportation plan identified the need for improvements to 99W in Tigard. ODOT has conducted studies of this corridor. The results of the western bypass study will affect traffic on 99W as will the proposed Barbur LRT study. Whatever the results of these studies, mobility and safety need to be improved on 99W. This study will identify low cost interim improvements that will be a part of whatever other improvements other studies recommend. Study: This study will review existing conditions and identify points of conflict, accident locations, and unsatisfactory service levels. It will explore a range of low cost actions and projects to improve mobility, safety and access on 99W and evaluate their costs and benefits. It will involve and inform the business community and general public and build a consensus for a series of road improvements. Options considered in study: • Access management techniques such as consolidating driveways, closing off non essential driveways and streets, adding frontage roads and medians. • Transportation systems management improvements such as modifications to signal system or lane stripping patterns, adding turn lanes. • Pedestrian and bike safety improvements including installation of sidewalks and improved pedestrian crossings, better connections from commercial centers to streets, transit stops, neighborhoods and other commergial centers. • Transit improvements including pullouts,shelters and park and ride lots. • Improved signs to reduce driver confusion and last second lane switching. • Improvements to the aesthetic quality of the street particularly where needed to reduce driver confusion or where other traffic improvements are proposed. Study methodology: • Set goals and decision criteria. • Gather and review all existing studies and information; create database and maps. • Create a public information program. • Review existing conditions. • Identify trouble areas. • Identify range of possible improvements. • Evaluate the possible improvements in terms of mobility, safety, economic development, and aesthetic impact. • Determine costs and benefits. • Develop a package of improvements and implementation techniques. • Hold public hearings. • Adopt a plan. P4JWWSC0P0 Msf March 25, 1993 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Neil Goldschmidt HIGHWAY DIVISION Neil Goldschmidt, Inc. Region 1 222 S.W. Columbia, Suite 1850 FILE CODE: Portland, Oregon 97201-6618 I am writing in response to your letter of March 1, 1993, and our meetings regarding your frontage road proposal. My staff and I have reviewed your February 16, 1993 report. Section 7 presents a new traffic analysis which includes your frontage road design with and without a new east/west road across OR 217 connect- ing the Tigard Triangle and downtown Tigard. The results show slight improvements in level of service and delay at OR 99W/SB OR 217 ramp intersection with Year 2015 interim improvements, and at OR 99W/Hall Boulevard intersection with 2015 ultimate improvements. Our review indicates the traffic volumes used in these calculations assume the following transportation improvements (Section 7, page 3 of your report) are in place: ♦ Construction of at least Phase 1 of a Western Bypass (I-5 to 99W); ♦ Widening of OR 217 to six lanes; ♦ Widening of I-5 (S. Tigard to I-205) (this was completed in 1992); ♦ Widening of OR 99W to six lanes (I-5 to Greenburg); ♦ Completion of Phase 1 and 2 of Kruse Way Interchange: ♦ Widening of Scholls Ferry Road to five lanes (OR 217 to Murray) (this was completed in 1992), and Y ♦ Widening Hall Boulevard to three lanes. 9002 SE McLoughlin Milwaukie, OR 97222 (503) 653-3090 734-1850(Rev.3-91) FAX (503) 653-3267 Neil Goldschmidt March 19, 1993 Page 2 These improvements represent a huge monetary commitment to the southwest area. Ongoing studies will determine which projects will proceed, but many of these improvements will not be completed for a number of years. Two of those projects, the widening of OR 99W (to six lanes) and OR 217 (to six lanes) will involve design decisions which will impact your proposed frontage road and overcrossing. The widening of OR 99W to six lanes is on "hold" for more direction and commitment from the City of Tigard, and widening of OR 217 to six lanes is also on "hold" pending outcome of the Western Bypass Study. During meetings with my staff subsequent to our meeting, a number of other problems and issues were identified. These include: ♦ Impact of frontage road on ramp metering scheduled for this summer (1993); ♦ Impact of frontage road on southbound ramp and possi- ble widening of structure over the creek; ♦ Impact of frontage road and ramp on 72nd interchange reconfiguration included in Kruse Way project. Parts of Kruse Way are scheduled for construction in 1995; ♦ The engineering and environmental feasibility of your frontage road and overcrossing design, (i.e. can it physically be done without major impact to existing buildings and wetlands), and ♦ ODOT policy concerns expressed in Don Adams' August 4 letter to Mayor Edwards (attached). After this review and further discussion, I find that I cannot support a frontage road system in this area until these issues and project-level designs are examined. In other words, the decision to delay the OR 99W and OR 217 project development process was probably not prudent. I intend to discuss our schedules and the status of these projects as we progress through the Six-Year TIP update process. Neil Goldschmidt March 19, 1993 Page 3 I am concerned that the data you furnished does not show real improvements to OR 99W capacity or life with your proposal. Operational improvements and a long-term solution to 99W were the premises behind Don Adams continuing to look at the proposal. Your proposal does not appear to eliminate the need to widen OR 99W. The installation of a median barrier between OR 217 and Hall Boulevard, and improved signage will not be advanced at this time. The status of this project has not changed since our letter of October 2, 1992 to Mayor Edwards. I can understand that the loss of this access would be a major reason for the new access off the southbound OR 217 on-ramp roadway. Access to and from Garden Place will be unchanged (no median) for now. There has been a long history of accidents at this location. If accident frequency and severity increase, we will have to revisit this issue. We still intend to proceed with the widening of Hall Boulevard on both approaches to OR 99W to provide additional turn lanes and signal modifications, and it is progressing in our current Six-Year TIP update. A project prospectus has been prepared. Hopefully, this project would eliminate cut-through traffic avoiding the Hall Boulevard Intersection and improve the operations at Garden Place. In closing, we have learned a great deal from your efforts to solve the City's pressing local circulation problems. I would encourage you to continue working with the City of Tigard. If the new east/west street across OR 217 connecting the Tigard Triangle with downtown solves local circulation problems and is feasible, it should be advanced in the transportation element of their comprehensive plan and to implementa- tion. Allowing Garden Place open for full directional access would not be possible if OR 99W were widened to six lanes due to intersection and signal spacing. However, if it connects to a through road system, a right in/out could be maintained, and/or other mitigation measures applied. Neil Goldschmidt March 19, 1993 Page 4 I hope this letter addresses your concerns about restrictions of access at Garden Place and will allow us to work toward a total integrated system including all parties at this major cross-roads. My staff and I are willing to meet with you and your clients again if you have any questions or concerns. Bruce Warner Region Manager BW:BC:po cc: Ernie Munch Rick Gervais, Spieker Partners Walt Mulvey Michal Wert Don Adams Dennis Mitchell ) Bill Ciz l embcO312.e � n Qil August 4, 1992 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION The Honorable Gerald R. Edwards H1cHIA'AY DIVISION Mayor Region 1 City of Tigard FILE CODE: P.O. Box 23397 Tigard, Oregon 97223 C034-1804 On August 11, 1992,the Tigard City Council will receive a recommendation from the Tigard 99W Task Force for interim improvements to Highway 99W and Hall Boulevard. We appreciated the opportunity to work with the Task Force and generally support the recommendations of the group. However, part of this package includes a proposal to provide access to Park 217 from the southbound on-ramp to Highway 217 from Highway 99W. This proposed access is against ODOT policy and will not be approved by ODOT. Highway 217 is a fully access-controlled facility where egress and ingress is controlled by one-way ramp interchanges. The sole purpose of these ramps is access to and from the mainline of Highway 217. ODOT's policy is that no access to city streets, county roads, or private development will be allowed off of interchange access ramps. This policy is recognized throughout the state to preserve the integrity of the state highway system. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)recognizes this standard as vital to reduce conflicts and to maintain safe and efficient freeway operations. This long-time policy is strengthened with renewed emphasis on protecting the highway infrastructure through access control measures. Therefore, no design solution utilizing an interchange ramp for access to public or private development will be acceptable to ODOT. In a June 24, 1992 report prepared by Ernest R. Munch, there are examples of several other interchange locations around the Portland metropolitan area that allow freeway access from a parallel city street. In every case,these are mitigating measures included as part of a major freeway project to maintain the local circulation of existing city streets while also providing new freeway access to serve a large geographical area. These examples differ from Mr. Munch's proposal in that this is a proposal to serve a local property owner and is not necessary as mitigation for a major ODOT project. 0 9002 SE McLoughlin Milivaukie, OR 97222 (503) 653-3090 4-1850(Rev.3-91) FAX (503) 653-3267 The Honorable Gerald R. Edwards August 5, 1992 Page 2 Based on Mr. Munch's examples, ODOT is being asked to compromise the safety and integrity of Highway 217 so that a private development will have better access. Good access is already provided to the property from Hall Blvd. ODOT's responsibility is to provide a statewide system of transportation to serve the public at large, not to improve access to private developments where they feel their access is inadequate. ODOT cannot compromise the safety and integrity of Highway 217 to provide this individual access. Concern has been expressed that ODOT has not provided alternatives to this proposal. The Tigard 99W Task Force has discussed allowing U-turns at Highway 99W and Hall Boulevard and improving the signing to Park 217 if a raised median is constructed to improve the safety on Highway 99W. ODOT is open to both of these alternatives as part of a package for interim improvements to Highway 99W. The City of Tigard staff report recommendations to the 99W Task Force and ODOT's design represent a good workable solution for interim improvements to Highway 99W. That solution includes widening of Hall Boulevard at Highway 99W to include additional turning lanes onto Highway 99W and a raised median on Highway 99W between Highway 217 and Hall Boulevard. My staff has worked with Tigard City staff and the Tigard 99W Task Force for over a year now. Our participation is to provide technical support and information based on ODOT policies and good engineering practices. We are committed to continue our involvement with the task force, but our commitment is equally strong to not create future problems where they do not exist today and not to preclude future operations and improvements to Hwy 217. blind cc: Michael Hollern Donald R. A ms, P.E. Bob Gettis Region 1 Engineer Dennis Mitchell Dave Williams Ted Spence Robin Mc,Vthur-Phillips TK:po:afm Ron Failmezger TIGARD cc: Don Forbes Bill Anhorn Mike Wert Ted Keasey Bili Ciz Randy Wooley Ed Murphy Ernest Munch Steve Clark, Chair-Tigard 99W TASK Force Rick Gervais, Spreker Parthers Glen Groden, President, Smiths Home Furnishings Walt Mulvy, Chief Operating Office, Smiths Home Furnishings