TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Recommend approval of the preferred alternative 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
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. This intersection had been identified as a location that would benefit from operational and safety improvements.
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 and operational issues at the intersection and noted that 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.
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.
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. Alternative 3 consists of right turn lanes on all four legs, as well as the additional northbound and southbound through lanes on Book Road.
Forty-two members of the public attended the meeting. Of the feedback received on the three alternatives, 70% expressed support for Alternative 3, 20% for Alternative 2, 10% for Alternative 1. Submitted comments showed that Alternative 3 was favored because it provided the greatest safety improvements, the greatest reduction in delay, and could most efficiently accommodate the future traffic volumes.
Three residents were opposed 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 first and second 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 prefers this option.
Alternative 3 provides the greatest safety improvement. 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. Additionally, staff plans to apply for federal funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). HSIP-funded projects are eligible for up to 90% of the cost. Alternative 3 would be a stronger candidate than Alternative 2 to receive HSIP funds since it provides a greater 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.