ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: March 1, 1999

Author/Loc.:L. LaClaire/6440

RTS No. 573
CC File No. 5809

Council: March 30, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Widening of Oak Street North of 41st Avenue

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Oak Street, at the northeast corner of 41st Avenue, be re-constructed to widen the sidewalk by 0.95 m and the roadway by 1.20 m at a total cost of $93,000, with BC Transit contributing $13,000 and with the City of Vancouver contributing $80,000, to be funded from the 1999 Streets Basic Capital Budget.

COUNCIL POLICY

The Vancouver Transportation Plan, adopted in 1997, identified pedestrian, cyclist, and transit modes as the first, second, and third priorities.

The City has adopted 3.7 m as the minimum curb lane width on arterial streets to accommodate a vehicle/bicycle shared lane.

Council approves the design of all street widening.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is seek approval for minor widening of Oak Street for one half block north of 41st Avenue.

DISCUSSION

This project was initiated by a request from BC Transit who identified the northbound curb lane on Oak Street north of 41st Avenue as deficient in width. BC Transit has experienced 20 to 25 contacts (minor collisions) per year related to the substandard width at the northbound bus stop.

BC Transit has also requested that the existing southbound to eastbound left-turn bay be widened. They estimate that about five contacts per year are related to the existing substandard width of this lane.

The City has identified the need to improve the transit passenger waiting area at this bus stop. The bus stop is currently located at a narrow sidewalk (2.15 m) between two gas station driveways. The existing bus shelter is small for the number of transit passengers who use this shelter when transferring from route #41 to northbound route #17.

The City has acquired a 2.15 m wide strip of land from the adjacent property. It is proposed that this additional width be distributed to both the sidewalk and roadway as follows:

· Increase the width of the sidewalk by 0.95 m, from 2.15 m to 3.10 m.
· Increase the width of the curb lane by 0.90 m, from 2.80 m to 3.70 m.
· Increase the width of the left turn bay by 0.30 m, from 2.70 m to 3.00 m

The wider sidewalk would accommodate a new, longer bus shelter at this location, improving transit passenger comfort at this busy bus stop. The wider curb lane and left turn bay would address some of BC Transit’s concerns with the existing street geometry at this intersection and improve the conditions for cyclists sharing the curb lane with vehicles. The width of the remaining driving lanes would not be adjusted.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The total cost of these modifications is estimated at $93 000. BC Transit will pay for the construction of new pole foundations, install new trolley poles, and transfer trolley overhead wires, and guys, estimated at $13,000. The City would be responsible for relocating all of its infrastructure from the old poles to the new poles, along with reconstruction of all other civil works including curb, sidewalk, and driveways, estimated at $80,000. Funds are available for this propose in the 1999 Streets Basic Capital Budget.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver