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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
April 1, 2004 | |
Author: |
Geoff Rice | |
Phone No.: |
604-871-6279 | |
RTS No.: |
4144 | |
CC File No.: |
5553 | |
Meeting Date: |
May 4, 2004 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic |
FROM: |
General Manager of Engineering Services |
SUBJECT: |
Cycling Facility Improvements - East 22nd Ave. at Boundary Rd. |
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the installation of a bicycle loop detector, bicycle slot and bicycle permeable diverter as described in this report be approved.
B. THAT funding of $7,500, be provided from the Streets Basic Capital Account CB2EA2E (Bicycle Network) subject to the approval of the 2004 Streets Basic Capital Budget.
C. THAT commencing in 2005, the annual Traffic Operating Budget for signage, signal and paint be increased by $800 without offset and subject to 2005 Budget Review, for the maintenance of the measures.
COUNCIL POLICY
· Council approved the 1997 Vancouver Transportation Plan that emphasizes the need for developing more bikeways and ranks cyclists second priority after pedestrians.
· Council approved the 1999 Bicycle Plan that outlines the goal to develop the bicycle network in the City to ensure a grid of bikeways approximately 1km apart.
· Council approved the recommendations of the 1992 Bicycle Network Study that recommended giving the priority to integrate bicycles on local streets through the construction of locally integrated bikeways.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to implement cycling facility upgrades as described in this report.
BACKGROUND
22nd Ave. is a secondary arterial street with wide travel lanes well used by cyclists. Many of these cyclists cross Boundary Rd. to or from Burnaby, where the corresponding street, Elmwood, gives access to Smith St., a designated bikeway. Presently, this intersection is very difficult for cyclists to negotiate and there are no cyclist push buttons on either side of the intersection to facilitate crossing. East-west through movements are prohibited to motorists by the presence of an existing right-in /right -out diverter. East bound motorists turning north don't expect conflicting through cyclists because of the diverter and existing prohibitions. Currently the existing diverter does not meet the standards required to facilitate cyclist through movement.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project involves modifying the current diverter on the east side of Boundary Rd. at the intersection of 22nd / Elmwood/ Boundary in order to improve east/west bicycle access through the intersection. On the west side of Boundary a corresponding bike slot will guide cyclists safely to a loop detector at the intersection in order to activate a semi-actuated signal. See Figure 1. It is anticipated that further changes may be made in the future, such as installing bike lanes in place of the existing wide curb lanes on 22nd Ave.
CONSULTATION
The proposed changes to 22nd Ave at Boundary Rd were developed in consultation with the Bicycle Network Subcommittee of the Bicycle Advisory Committee to Council.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The projected cost of the upgrades is $30,000. The City of Burnaby and Translink are willing to cost share with us on these improvements. Translink has tentatively committed a contribution of $15,000 towards the project, while Burnaby will provide $7,500 and the City of Vancouver the remaining $7,500. Funding will be allocated from the Streets Basic Capital Account Group CB2EA2E (Bicycle Network), subject to the approval of the 2004 Streets Basic Capital Budget. There should also be increases to the Traffic Operating Budget ($800.00) for the maintenance of signage, signal and paint at the intersection. All the preceding annual maintenance costs are without offset, commencing in 2005 and subject to the 2005 Budget Review.
CONCLUSION
The 22nd Ave. to Elmwood corridor is an attractive cycling connection between Vancouver and Burnaby. The proposed cycling facility improvements at E. 22nd at Boundary Rd. are recommended based on the increased safety benefits provided to cyclists and the reduction of conflicts between turning motorists and through cyclists at the intersection.
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