06 Traffic Improvements Res 2007-410
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS MEMORANDUM ~
May 24, 2007
TO:
Steve E. Sheiffer, City Manager
r
FROM:
Jack D. Messer, PE, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
SUBJECT: City Council consideration of a Resolution regarding the
construction of temporary and permanent traffic improvements at
the intersection of USH 14 and Town Hall Road. (Resolution No.
2007-410)
Over the last several weeks city staff have been in intense negotiations with
WisDOT for improvements to the intersection of Town Hall Road and USH 14 in
conjunction with the Rock Prairie Subdivision. As part of the DOT's review of
this subdivision they are making certain demands for improvements to the
intersection and have requested the City sign the attached memorandum of
agreement (MOA) that identifies the improvements and associated timing. Until
this demand is satisfied by the City, WisDOT staff will not allow the subdivision
plat to move fOlWard for recording purposes.
In 2006 Preferred Homes annexed approximately 365 acres of land and
undertook the development of property east of USH 14 and Town Hall Road. In
August, a traffic impact analysis -(TIA) was completed in accordance with DOT
specifications at the request of the City. The TIA identified certain transportation
improvements that were necessary as part of this development. The traffic
impacts and corresponding traffic improvements identified in the TIA were going
to be realized over an extended timeframe (10 years time period) based on the
pace of development and ultimate build out of approximately 850 dwellings. It
was anticipated that various transportation improvements would be made as the
phases of the development were undertaken. The City submitted the TIA to the
DOT in August 2006 to get their comment.
The City met with the DOT in January 2007 and specifically discussed the
approach and requirements that were placed on the developer. The City and
DOT had a general discussion about the improvements required and eventual
construction of those improvements. There was general consensus that the City
had made sufficient requirements of the developer and no major concerns were
raised by the DOT at that time. The subdivision proceeded and was approved by
the Plan Commission and City Council. The final plat was submitted to the DOT
in February 2007 as required under State Statutes. The DOT is a reviewing
agency for plats at the State level in instances where a plat adjoins a State
Highway, such as USH 14. The DOT initially registered an objection to the plat
based on drainage concerns impacting the Highway 14 right-of-way and some
other technical details restricting vehicular access.
J:\Development\StafflNew City Council Memo Template\052207_SES_Rock Prain'e.doG
May 24, 2007
Council Memo - Rock Prairie
May 24, 2007
Page 2 of3
A revised plat was resubmitted in March 2007, The DOT again filed an objection,
but this time for traffic and additional drainage concerns. At this point, the City
discovered the person performing the DOT review was not at our January
meeting and the DOT had lost the TIA. The DOT's position had become
entrenched in requiring significant intersection improvements at the intersection
of USH 14 and Harmony Town Hall Road which involves establishing turn lanes
and raised median improvements on USH 14. The level of effort required to
complete these improvements would have set the development back significantly
to the point it would not be constructed in 2007. The DOT maintains that they
have the authority to require such traffic improvements at this location despite the
fact that the plat has no access to USH 14 and the nearest and only access
being provided to the plat is located approximately 1,400 feet away from the USH
14 corridor.
Over the past several weeks, city staff has been engaged in continuous difficult
negotiations with the DOT staff over this issue. The DOT staff has indicated they
will not rescind its objection to the subdivision plat unless the city enters into the
attached MOA. The following is a summary of the conditions of the MOA:
. Provide pavement marking on USH14 that provides turn lanes at Harmony
Town Hall and at Humes Road. A preliminary city prepared estimate of
this project is approximately $18,000 and can be completed within the
framework of the overall infrastructure contracts for the Rock Prairie
development.
. Construct a raised median improvement at this location prior to
commencing with Phase II of the development. The estimate of this
project is widely varied. The DOT reports an estimated cost of $132,000.
City staff estimates the cost at greater than $400,000.
. If a crash pattern over a one year period in excess of the existing pattern
develops (3 per year), the DOT may order the City to undertake the raised
median project sooner. From a practical standpoint the next phase of
development is likely to commence before this can be determined.
The City Attorney has advised that the City not enter into this MOA.
The attached Resolution is an alternative staff and the City Attorney are more
comfortable with. It provides for Council authorization of certain traffic
improvements in the development area which include:
. Temporary pavement marking on USH14 as indicated above.
. Construction of permanent improvements involving a raised median and
associated improvements to provide left turn storage and access at
Harmony Town Hall Road and USH 14/Humes Road and construction of a
right turn lane on Harmony Town Hall Road entering USH14.
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May 24, 2007
Council Memo - Rock Prairie
May 24, 2007
Page 3 of 3
. Plans and construction which adhere to requirements of the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation,
. Estimated total cost of the project is $132,000 by the WISDOT, The
project is estimated in excess of $400,000 by city staff. The City will be
responsible for this cost but with intentions to assess the local share to
developing properties in the area.
. Improvements will be completed using the next available STP-Urban
Systems allotment (normally an 80/20 split). This is currently estimated to
be calendar year 2010. If funds become available prior, the allotment will
be utilized sooner.
. An alternative that authorizes $132,000 in funding to the DOT with the
DOT responsible for building the raised median prior to 2017.
Staff's proposal provides for temporary pavement markings as required by DOT
for phase I of the development. It also provides for future improvements to the
USH14/Humes RoadfTown Hall Road intersection and a funding source to
accommodate those improvements, In addition, Preferred Homes has agreed to
pay their share of the traffic improvements when necessary. Staff plans to
propose an area wide assessment to pay for the local share of these traffic
improvements. Considering the Rock Prairie Subdivision is anticipated to be
constructed over a 10 year period, staff believes this proposal represents a
reasonable schedule for implementing the necessary traffic improvements.
The Administration recommends that the City Council support a motion to adopt
Resolution No. 2007-410.
cc: Herb Stinski, Assistant City Manager
Brad Cantrell, Director of Community Development
Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
Bill Bohn, Preferred Homes, Inc.
Bruce Briney, Nowlan & Mouat
3
RESOLUTION NO. 2007-410
A resolution declaring the intent of the Common Council of the City of Janesville to support the future
construction of temporary and permanent traffic improvements at the intersection of USH 14 and
Town Hall Road.
WHEREAS, a traffic impact analysis (TIA) was commissioned by Preferred Homes, Inc. for their
phased 365 acre residential development in accord with Wisconsin Department of Transportation
(WisDOT) specifications which, in part, identified the need for certain transportation improvements to
be constructed at the USH 14 and Town Hall Road intersection by 2017 when the entire development
was anticipated to be completed; and
WHEREAS, the Janesville Plan Commission and the Common Council have reviewed and approved
the final plat of Rock Prairie Subdivision and WisDOT staff is objecting to the subdivision unless the
City enters into a Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA") with WisDOT; and
WHEREAS, the Common Council hereby find that they are authorized by law to express their intent
to implement improvements to the pertinent intersection, highways, and public properties in the
future; and wish to officially adopt and provide this comfort resolution to assure the WisDOT of
Janesville's concurrence with and concern for the public's safety, welfare and benefit at this location
now and in the future.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Janesville, Wisconsin,
that:
1. Each and every of the above findings, public purposes and recitals is reiterated and
incorporated herein as if fully set forth verbatim.
2. The Common Council hereby express their official intent, and hereby authorize the City
Administration, to take appropriate action to plan for the following at the pertinent intersection,
highways and appurtenant real and personal public property located at USH 14 and Town Hall
Road, each of which is subject to and conditioned upon the future consideration, action,
authorization and exercise of discretion in open session by the then seated Common Council
of the City as events warrant:
3. The City's construction of temporary improvements that, in part, involve re-striping the
intersection of USH 14 and Town Hall Road with pavement markings to provide appropriate
tapers and storage for left turn lanes from USH 14 to Town Hall Road and Hurnes Road.
4. The City's provision of permanent improvements that involve the construction of raised median
and associated irnprovements on USH 14 to provide left-turn storage and access on Harmony
Town Hall Road and Humes Road. A right-turn lane on Harmony Town Hall Road entering
USH 14 will also be constructed.
5. Design plans and construction of traffic improvements will adhere to requirements of the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).
6. Funds will be established by using the next available STP-Urban Systems Allotment. This is
currently estimated to be calendar year 2010. If such funds become available prior to that date
the allotment will be utilized sooner.
Page 2 of2
Resolution 2007-410
Page 2 of2
7. As an alternative to iterns 1-6, the WisDOT's current estirnated cost of the traffic irnprovements
is one-hundred-thirty-two-thousand and 00/100 ($132,000.00). The City's estimated cost is in
excess of $400,000. The City Council authorizes the Administration to pay WisDOT $132,000
for improvements that include a raised median with low maintenance surfacing to be
constructed by WisDOT before 2017. WisDOT will then rescind its objection to the final plat
and will not require other improvements to this intersection when future phases of Rock Prairie
are reviewed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Common Council hereby authorize the City Manager and City
Administration to proceed with whatever lawful actions and amendments thereto as the City Manager
may, from time to time and at any time, determines necessary and/or desirable to implement the
improvements in order to facilitate the WisDOT's approval of the Rock Prairie Subdivision.
ADOPTED:
Motion by:
Second by:
Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Brunner
DeGarmo
Loasching
Steeber
Truman
Wellnitz
Williams
APPROVED:
Steven E. Sheiffer, City Manager
ATTEST:
Jean Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
,
M~,? /f'
City Attorney /
Proposed by: Community Development
Prepared by: Community Development and
City Attorney
Word/Waldlresolutions/Preferred Homes Rock Prairie DOT MOA Intent Resolution May 29 2007.doc
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (Department) and the City of Janesville (City) hereby enter
into this agreement in regard to the proposed developments of the Rock Prairie Estates Subdivision -
Phase I located along USH 14 and Harmony Town Hall Road.
The City shall construct a protected left-turn bay and median at the USH 14 intersections with Old
Humes Road and Town Hall Road through the use of pavement marking to safely accommodate
lefHurning traffic & improve flow on USH 14 for the Rock Prairie Estates development Phase 1.
The City will replace the pavement markings with a raised median or alternate long-term
improvement, to safely accommodate left-turning traffic & improve flow on USH 14 as well as
provide a two-stage crossing, as approved by the Department: prior to Rock Prairie development
Phase 2, prior to construction associated with other area developments that will use this
intersection, or as part of any improvements at this intersection by the City, which ever comes
first. A raised median will be constructed more immediately, if this location experiences crashes
beyond what is expected based on historical crash trends regardless of timing related to area
development or planned roadway improvements. Historical crash trends indicate that three (3) or
more crashes at either intersection in one (1) 12-month period would trigger these improvements.
The City shall implement modifications to the existing geometries and signal control at
intersection of USH 14 & CTH A. These modifications shall conform to the recommended
improvements cited by the TIA dated August 8, 2006 and the TIA comment memorandum dated
April 3, 2007 and shared with the City in draft form by WisDOT on the same date. Timing of these
modifications shall also coincide with Rock Prairie development Phase 2 per the TIA.
A work on Right of Way permit is required. Since the City indicated they will be periorming the
improvements this permit shall be requested by the City and submitted to the Department through
WisDOT Maintenance, Alln: Rick Marz, 2101 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704.
This agreement is intended for improvements required to be constructed prior to completing any future
phases of Rock Prairie Estates Subdivision, or any other renamed subdivision of land encompassed by
this subdivision. Additional phases will require Department review and may include separate or revised
improvements to meet traffic operation needs.
All improvements and their costs will be the responsibility of the City. All construction shall conform to
those requirements set forth in the work on right-of-way permit approval process by the Department. The
City shall provide a detailed construction plan with the application for permit to work on highway right-of-
way for any improvements within their corporate iimits.
Jack D. Messer, P.E. Date
Director of Public Works/City Engineer
City of Janesville
Joe Olson Date
Director
Southwest Region - Wisconsin Department
of Transportation