SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
VTC AGENDA
MARCH 14, 1996
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: February 27, 1996
TO: Vancouver Traffic Commission
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Left-Turn Bays on Terminal Avenue at Cottrell Street
and on Clark Drive at 1st Avenue
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT a left-turn bay be constructed and a traffic signal be
installed on Terminal Avenue at Cottrell Street as described
in this report, to be funded by the developers of the home
improvement centre on 900 Terminal Avenue.
B. THAT left-turn bays on Clark Drive at 1st Avenue be
constructed as described in this report. Funding of $380,000
to be provided by the developers of the home improvement
centre on 900 Terminal Avenue. The balance of funding of
$1.52 million to be provided by the City from Streets Basic
Capital Unappropriated Account No. 12/3/9822/999 - Clark at
1st.
C. THAT the Manager of Properties be authorized to begin
property negotiations to allow for construction of the left-
turn bays on Clark Drive and 1st Avenue, in consultation with
the General Manager of Engineering Services for reports back
as necessary.
COUNCIL POLICY
New roadway geometric designs on major streets are approved by Council.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval to proceed with the
construction of a left-turn bay and traffic signal on Terminal Avenue
at Cottrell Street, and left-turn bays on Clark Drive at 1st Avenue, as
previously required by Council in approving the rezoning of 900
Terminal Avenue.
BACKGROUND
In 1994 Council approved a new traffic signal at Terminal Avenue and
Begg Street as part of the annual traffic signal program. The
installation of this signal was to serve the increased traffic on Begg
Street generated by the new Park Board service centre, as well as other
activities, particularly trucks, in this industrial retention area.
The signal was deferred, with the concurrence of Park Board staff,
since the signal at Terminal and Cottrell was contemplated as part of
the rezoning of 900 Terminal. The signal at Terminal and Cottrell
replaces the signal function at Terminal and Begg and also provides
additional advantages to the Park Board service centre operations. The
funding previously allocated for the signal at Terminal and Begg was
part of the financial agreement for the road works related to 900
Terminal.
On October 4, 1994, Council approved the rezoning of 900 Terminal
Avenue for a home improvement centre (Home Depot). One condition of
the rezoning approval was to provide at no cost to the City the
reconfiguration of Terminal Avenue at the west end of the Grandview
Viaduct [at Cottrell Street] to serve the proposed access to the site .
Another condition of approval was the provision of a northbound to
westbound left-turn bay at Clark Drive and 1st Avenue, in the form of a
$380,000 cash deposit . These measures were found to be necessary
access improvements as a result of an impact study on serving the home
improvement centre.
DISCUSSION
Terminal and Cottrell
The proposed home improvement centre at 900 Terminal Avenue will
generate significant vehicle trips to and from the site. A consultant
analysis recommended several street improvements to safely accommodate
traffic access to the site. The recommended improvements at Terminal
Avenue and Cottrell Street include the installation of a traffic signal
(making the signal at Terminal and Begg unnecessary), a left-turn bay
for westbound to southbound turns, and the designation of the north and
south approaches for one-way operation (see Figure 1). As proposed,
the east approach to the intersection will be widened by about 2 metres
to accommodate the left-turn bay. No property acquisition other than
from the rezoned home improvement site is required. This improvement
is to be totally funded by the developer at an estimated cost of
$250,000.
The improvements at Terminal and Cottrell will improve traffic access
onto Terminal Avenue for other industrial activities, including the
Park Board service centre, and correct existing geometric design
deficiencies relating to truck manoeuvres. In addition, the new signal
will assist pedestrians crossing Terminal Avenue. Unfortunately, curb
lane widths for bike access along Terminal Avenue remain similar to
existing conditions at 3.5 metres because improvements cannot be made
without significant changes to the structure of the Grandview Viaduct.
Currently, Terminal Avenue is part of the 7-11 Bike Route, but this
cycle route may be relocated later this year using funds contributed by
the Provincial Cycling Network Program.
Clark and First Avenue
Traffic generated by the home improvement centre will also affect the
intersection of Clark Drive and 1st Avenue. The intersection of Clark
and 1st has consistently been ranked one of the top five accident
locations in Vancouver over the past five years based on the total
number of accidents. The proposed left-turn bays on Clark Drive will
resolve the following:
* The high incidence of accidents. Overall, a reduction of 30-
50% in accidents is anticipated, leading to cost savings on
accident claims. These reductions are the result of less
lane changing to avoid left turning vehicles and improved
sight lines for left turns.
* The prohibited left turn for southbound vehicles to eastbound
1st Avenue generally leads to shortcutting on local streets
or illegal manoeuvres.
The left-turn bays on Clark Drive will require widening the street and
property acquisition on the west side (see Figure 2). By providing all
widenings on the west side, disruption is avoided on the east side of
Clark Drive, which is generally more developed. The final geometric
design with a raised centre median would have some disruption to
existing buildings along the west side of Clark. To avoid this
disruption, the construction will be staged to allow for the provision
of painted left-turn bays with shorter storage space in the interim.
The total cost of the improvements is estimated at $1.9 million. A sum
of $380,000 will be contributed by the developer of the home
improvement centre on 900 Terminal Avenue. The balance was approved by
Council as part of the 1995 Streets Basic Capital Budget.
Pedestrian and bike access along Clark Drive will be improved with the
construction of concrete sidewalks and wider curb lanes. Widening the
curb lanes from 3.0 metres to 3.7 metres along Clark Drive can be
achieved for cyclists. Although this width is below the desirable
width of 4.3 metres, it does meet the minimum requirements of the
Comprehensive Bicycle Plan. Widening to 4.3 metres is not achievable
over a significant length as the curb lanes narrow back to about 3.0
metres north and south of the left-turn bay improvements. Currently,
Clark Drive between 1st and 3rd Avenue is part of the 7-11 Bike Route,
but this may be relocated later this year, again using funds
contributed from the Provincial Cycling Network Program.
PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The residents and owners of the immediate area were informed of this
proposal by a letter circulated in the immediately affected area and to
non-resident owners. This letter was also mailed to the Grandview
Woodland Area Council. An Open House was held on February 26, 1996 at
the Britannia Community Centre.
The above generated eight respondents. Four requested clarification
about the improvements and were generally not opposed to the proposed
changes. One was concerned about general congestion and safety at the
intersection of Terminal and Cottrell. One property owner on Clark
Drive was concerned about the resulting steep grade to access his
property. This will be resolved prior to construction. Two property
owners were concerned about the restricted left-turn access onto 2nd
Avenue from Clark. The access to 2nd Avenue will be blocked by the
left-turn bay; however, there remain reasonable alternatives to access
the area. Left-turn access onto 2nd Avenue cannot be maintained
without compromising the safety of the intersection and is considered
an improvement over the existing situation.
Development information signs have been installed at both
intersections.
FUNDING IMPLICATIONS
The cost of the improvements at the intersection of Terminal and
Cottrell, including the left-turn bay and traffic signal, is to be
totally funded by the developer of the home improvement centre on 900
Terminal Avenue at an estimated cost of $250,000. This is secured by a
letter of credit.
The cost of the left-turn bays on Clark Drive at 1st Avenue is
estimated at $1.9 million. A sum of $380,000 will be contributed by
the developer of the home improvement centre on 900 Terminal (secured
by a letter of credit). The balance of funds was approved by Council
as part of the 1995 Streets Basic Capital Budget. The funds are
available from Streets Basic Capital Unapproriated Account No.
12/3/9822/999 - Clark at 1st.
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