CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the preferred alternative and approve the project application for the Highway Safety Improvement Program federal funding for improvements to the intersection of 95th Street and Book Road.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Kelly Dunne, Project Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
On June 6, 2019 the Transportation Advisory Board recommended approval of the of the preferred alternative for improvements to the intersection of 95th Street and Book Road (Approved 8-0); staff concurs.
BACKGROUND:
In 2018, following a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) selection process, the City selected the engineering consulting firm Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly (CMT) to carry out the Phase I preliminary engineering study for improvements to the intersection of 95th Street and Book Road. Design engineering is scheduled to begin in 2019, with construction occurring in 2021.
This intersection had been identified through the Roadway Improvement Plan as a location that would benefit from operational improvements. The intersection currently operates at a Level of Service (LOS) of D (intersection delay of 48.2 seconds) and will operate at an LOS of F (intersection delay of 86.1 seconds) in the design year if no improvements are made. Queues during the peak hours currently block adjacent commercial access points and nearby cross streets. The intersection is currently experiencing approximately 20 crashes per year, which is nearly three times the expected crash frequency of a similar intersection in Illinois.
An initial public meeting was held on May 22, 2018 at the 95th Street Library. The purpose of this meeting was to introduce the project to the public, provide information on the study process and schedule, and receive input from drivers, nearby residents, and nearby businesses. Forty-one members of the public attended the meeting. Exhibits on display at the meeting depicted the existing geometry of the intersection and adjacent land uses, the existing and future traffic volumes, the existing and future level of service (i.e., traffic delay), and the five-year crash history at the intersection.
Attendees were able to discuss their concerns, ideas, and questions with the project team and submit comments for the public record. Comments pertaining to the project included queuing on Book Road during rush hours, congestion due to nearby Neuqua Valley High School, access to/from the existing businesses and residences, and concerns with the impacts of construction. Some members of the public noted that they did not find any issues with the intersection and that the City should not take any action.
A second public meeting was held on September 20, 2018 at the 95th Street Library. This meeting stated the purpose and need of this project, which is to improve the safety and capacity of 95th Street at Book Road and to minimize operational impacts at adjacent full access points. Exhibits that were on display at the meeting described the capacity, operational, and safety issues at the intersection.
Three conceptual alternatives (attached) that addressed the purpose and need statement were presented. These exhibits included proposed geometry, traffic performance measures, safety benefits, impacts to adjacent properties, and cost. All three alternatives provide an improvement in capacity and operations, an improvement to queues blocking access points, and an improvement in safety by reducing congestion.
Alternative 1 consists of a southbound right turn lane on Book Road and an eastbound right turn lane on 95th Street. Alternative 2 consists of the southbound and eastbound right turn lanes, plus an additional northbound and southbound through lane on Book Road at the intersection. Alternative 3 consists of right turn lanes on all four legs, as well as the additional northbound and southbound through lanes on Book Road at the intersection.
Forty-two members of the public attended the meeting. Attendees expressed the greatest support for Alternative 3, citing that it provided the greatest safety improvements, the greatest reduction in delay, and could most efficiently accommodate the future traffic volumes. The majority of submitted comments (attached) were in support of Alternative 3.
Three residents submitted comments expressing opposition to all of the improvements presented, citing that pedestrian safety was not thoroughly considered, that increased traffic on Book Road would make it challenging to exit their neighborhood, or that widening Book Road would result in vehicles being closer to their backyard.
All exhibits from the public meetings are available on the City website at https://www.naperville.il.us/95thbook/.
DISCUSSION:
In addition to the public support received for Alternative 3, City staff also supports this option. Alternative 3 provides the greatest safety improvement and since the Phase I study has revealed the safety concerns at this location, staff is emphasizing the importance of addressing safety as part of the intersection’s improvements.
As outlined in the May 23, 2019 Manager’s Memorandum, in order to meet the application deadline for federal funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), staff submitted the application prior to receiving City Council’s approval. In the event that City Council chooses not to approve the preferred alternative or the application submittal, staff will withdraw the project application. HSIP-funded projects are eligible for up to 90% of the cost. Alternative 3 is the strongest candidate to receive HSIP funds since it provides the greatest safety benefit.
While Alternative 3 does have the largest impact to adjacent properties, staff recognizes the importance of maximizing overall benefits for safety, capacity, and operations at the intersection of 95th Street and Book Road.
Transportation Advisory Board
A public hearing took place on June 6, 2019 in conjunction with the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) meeting. The public hearing presented the preferred alternative and its impacts, provided a forum for the public to give comments, and provided updates on the overall project progress.
Eight members of the public attended the public hearing and three members of the public provided comment on the project. Concerns raised by those opposed to the project included impacts to private property, increased traffic volume and speeds, increased noise, increased congestion, and a lack sufficient information provided about the project.
TAB voted to recommend approval of the preferred alternative. Eight members voted in favor of the recommendation. Draft minutes from the meeting are attached, the presentation and exhibits are available on the project webpage, and a video recording of the public hearing can be viewed through the City’s agenda management system.
Follow-Up Meeting with Neighbors
Following the public hearing, property owners in the unincorporated neighborhood north of the project area (Joyce Lane and Book Road) contacted City staff expressing various concerns with the proposed improvements. These neighbors cited increased traffic on Book Road, increased noise, increased speeding, a lack of sufficient notification or information, and concern that Book Road was being widened beyond the limits of the project. Written comments submitted to the City are attached and will be included in the final project development report when submitted to IDOT for review and approval.
City staff responded to the questions and concerns and attended a neighborhood meeting in order to provide information and clarification. On July 8, 2019, City staff met with 28 members of the public at the 95th Street Library. The neighbors expressed the concerns with increased traffic, noise, and speeding, and insufficient notification about the project. An informal poll was conducted and 22 of 25 attendees voted in support of taking no action at this time, or proceeding with Alternative 1.
Noise Study Results
As part of the preliminary engineering study, a noise study was conducted in accordance with Federal Highway Administration guidance and was reviewed and approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The study concluded that the proposed improvement does not meet the criteria for noise walls or other mitigation.
Speed Limit Study
The City conducted a speed study following the Illinois Department of Transportation’s policy. The results of the speed study show that the current posted speed limit of 40 mph is appropriate. City staff has agreed to collect speed data prior to the beginning of construction in order to establish a baseline condition. After the project has been completed, the City will collect follow-up speed data and will address speeding if it has increased.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total cost of the intersection improvements is estimated to be $2.4 million. This project is eligible for federal funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) for up to 90 percent of the cost.