SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 2
VTC AGENDA
NOVEMBER 9, 1995
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: October 25, 1995
Dept. File No. 120 640
TO: Vancouver Traffic Commission
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Cypress Street Traffic Calming and
Burrard Street Left-Turn Bays
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT affected residents and merchants be balloted to determine
support for traffic circles on Cypress Street at 2nd Avenue
and at 3rd Avenue, and peak hour left-turn restrictions from
eastbound 4th Avenue to northbound Cypress, including removal
of some parking on 4th Avenue 3-6 p.m., with the results of
the ballot reported back;
B. THAT left-turn bays be constructed on Burrard Street at First
Avenue as provided in the Kitsilano Plan, and southbound left-
turn bays be constructed at Second and Third Avenue, subject
to the balance of funding ($900,000) being approved in the
1996 Streets Basic Capital Budget;
C. THAT the Manager of Real Estate Services be authorized to
conclude property negotiations required for the construction
of left-turn bays on Burrard Street at 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Avenues for report back to Council;
D. THAT the pedestrian signal at 1st and Burrard be upgraded to a
full signal, when the left-turn bays are installed, with
funding provided from the left-turn bay project;
E. THAT the proposal to install a left-turn bay from
northbound Burrard to westbound Cornwall be evaluated further
for possible inclusion in the 1997 - 1999 Capital Plan.COUNCIL
POLICY
Council has a long standing policy of protecting neighbour-hoods
from shortcutting.
Council policy requires that design reports be submitted for
modifications on major streets.
Cypress Street, between 4th and Cornwall, was classified as a
collector street in the 1977 Kitsilano Area Plan and this was
intended to provide Kits Point access from the south. The
collector status was reconfirmed in the Kitsilano Traffic, Cycling,
and Parking Plan of 1992.
SUMMARY
A traffic calming plan for Cypress Street is proposed and includes the
following measures:
- A traffic circle at Cypress and 2nd
- A traffic circle at Cypress and 3rd
- No Left-turn 7-9:30 a.m., 3-6 p.m., Monday to Friday from eastbound
4th Avenue to Cypress Street
- Allow left-turns 3-6 p.m., Monday to Friday , from eastbound 4th
Avenue to Burrard Street (with some parking removed from the south
side of 4th Avenue, 3-6 p.m.)
- A pedestrian/cyclist signal at 4th and Cypress
The pedestrian/cyclist signal request is being investigated as part of
the proposed bicycle route on Cypress Street. The traffic circles and
turn restrictions will be evaluated through a public opinion survey and
the results will be reported back.
Left-turn bays on Burrard at 1st were approved as part of the Kitsilano
Plan, and supported at the Open House. It is recommended that Council
approve the design, including southbound bays at 2nd and 3rd Avenues as
shown on YD632-1 (Figure 2), and that negotiations commence for the
required property. It is also recommended that the pedestrian/cyclist
signal at Burrard/1st be upgraded to a vehicle signal with a north to
westbound left-turn flashing arrow.
It is also recommended that further study be done on a proposed left-
turn bay from northbound Burrard to westbound Cornwall, for possible
inclusion in the 1997 - 1999 Capital Plan.PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to recommend implementing a traffic plan
for Cypress Street subject to a neighbourhood survey, and to recommend
proceeding with previously planned left-turn bays on Burrard Street at
1st Avenue.
BACKGROUND
KITSILANO PLAN - 1992
The following are recommendations from the Kitsilano Plan:
- That north and southbound left-turn bays be installed on Burrard at
1st.
- That the status of Cypress Street as a collector and access to
Kitsilano Point be reconfirmed.
- That Cypress Street be designated as a bicycle route north of 4th
Avenue (in principle).
- That a four-way stop sign be reviewed at Cypress Street and 2 n d
Avenue.
CURRENT SITUATION
- Cypress Street north of 4th Avenue functions as a collector street
for the neighbourhood west of Burrard and as an important connection to
Kitsilano Point.
- There is a component of shortcut traffic that travels on Cypress
Street from 4th Avenue to Cornwall to access the Burrard Street Bridge.
- A pedestrian signal was installed at 1st and Burrard in May of
1994. This intersection has experienced congestion and in the past five
years 106 accidents have occurred.
- Residents along Cypress Street have noted concerns about the amount
and speed of traffic on Cypress Street, and traffic
calming measures have been proposed.DISCUSSION
PROPOSED MEASURES
The proposed measures involve both arterial improvements on Burrard and
traffic calming measures on Cypress. This combination is intended to
improve safety and alleviate the traffic concerns.
Left-turn Bays on Burrard at 1st
- This left-turn bay is part of the Kitsilano Plan and is recommended
to proceed in 1996. A primary reason is to reduce accidents. Left-
turn bays improve visibility for left turners and also reduce rear
end and lane change accidents. Implementation of the left-turn bays
is expected to reduce overall accidents at this location by 25 to
50%.
- The northbound bay will also provide an alternative route to Kits
Point, thus potentially reducing volumes on Cypress Street south of
1st Avenue.
- The design also includes southbound left-turn bays at 2nd and 3rd
Avenues. These bays will provide safer access to the area to the
west of Granville Island. Northbound left-turn bays will not be
provided at 2nd or 3rd Avenue because they could increase traffic
volumes on these two Avenues, and on Cypress Street.
- Other features of the design include:
- Narrowing of southbound Burrard at Cornwall from four lanes
to three, in the section north of 1st Avenue.
- Reducing pavement area at the northwest corner of
Burrard and 1st, which will make this corner more
pedestrian friendly by reducing the crossing distance and
slowing the speed of right turners.
- The left-turn bay design is shown on Figure 2. A strip of
property on the west side of Burrard is needed to construct
the bays, and subject to Council approval, property
negotiations will begin immediately.
Proposed Traffic Calming Measures (see Figure 1)
- Traffic circles on Cypress at 2nd and 3rd.
- Turn restrictions 7-9:30 a.m. 3-6 p.m., Monday - Friday, from
eastbound 4th Avenue to northbound Cypress Street.-
Allow left-turns from eastbound 4th Avenue to northbound Burrard in
the p.m. peak period, with some parking removed from the south side
of 4th Avenue.
The Kits Plan proposed four-way stops at Cypress and 2nd; instead, after
discussions and an Open House, traffic circles are proposed to slow
traffic on Cypress and provide a more residential appearance and feel to
the street. The turn prohibitions at Cypress would prohibit the traffic
which is shortcutting to the Burrard Bridge.
Since left-turns from eastbound 4th to Burrard are currently banned in
the afternoon, the 3-6 p.m. turn prohibition from 4th to Cypress by
itself would simply shift traffic to Arbutus and Maple Streets.
Therefore, it is recommended that the left-turns from eastbound 4th to
Burrard be allowed full-time. In order to prevent back-ups on 4th,
which could cause new shortcutting problems, it is also recommended that
some parking be removed from the south curb lane, from Cypress to Pine.
However, this parking serves the adjacent businesses so it is
recommended that the businesses be consulted.
Signal Upgrade at 1st and Burrard
A further measure which has been requested is to upgrade this signal
withvehicleactuation anda northboundtowestbound left-turnflashing arrow.
- Residents east of Burrard Street, near the 1st/Fir intersection,
have requested that the pedestrian/cyclist signal at 1st and
Burrard be changed to a vehicle signal.
- Residents have also complained about noise from trucks on Fir. An
upgraded signal would allow trucks and other Molson's vehicles to
use Burrard Street to exit the area and reduce impacts on Fir
Street. This signal would also improve access for residents west
of Burrard who wish to travel to and from Granville Island.
- This signal change is recommended, and would be installed when the
left-turn bays are installed on Burrard. It is also recommended
that a left-turn flashing arrow be installed from northbound
Burrard to 1st Avenue. This was requested by some of the
residents and would encourage vehicles to follow Burrard (instead
of Cypress) to 1st Avenue.RESULTS OF OPEN HOUSE
An Open House was held on June 21, 1995. Residents and businesses were
invited from the area bounded by Maple, Pine, 4th Avenue and Cornwall,
and from Kitsilano Point (approximately 2000 invitations were
delivered). The Open House focused on two main issues, left-turn bays
at Burrard and 1st, and traffic calming measures on Cypress
Street.
An example of both the questionnaire and information sheet given out at
the Open House is shown in Appendix A. The measures on the
questionnaire and the preferences are shown below:
- Cypress and 2nd Traffic circle 35 (66%)
4-way stops 11 (21%)
No change 7 (13%)
- Cypress and 3rd Traffic circle 36 (65%)
4-way stops 13 (24%)
No Change 6 (11%)
- Prohibit left-turns yes 50 (86%) no 8 (14%)
eastbound 4th Avenue to
northbound Cypress in
the rush hours
- Allow left-turns 3-6 p.m. yes 49 (86%) no 8 (14%)
from eastbound 4th Avenue
to northbound Burrard with
some parking removed on the
south side of 4th Avenue
- In favour of a Burrard/1st left-turn bay 35 (63%)
Opposed 21 (37%)
- In favour of a new connection Burrard to Cornwall
In favour 48 (87%)
Opposed 7 (13%)
A summary of the comments received is shown in Appendix A. The most
common comments are highlighted below:Close Cypress Street between 1st
and York Avenues - A number of attendees at the Open House requested
that Cypress Street be closed north of 1st Avenue, with a mini-park.
Although this measure would reduce traffic on Cypress Street, it would
increase traffic on Maple Street, Arbutus Street, and 1st Avenue west of
Cypress, which are all local residential streets. This proposal would
also eliminate Cypress Street as an access to Kitsilano Point, and would
be inconsistent with the approved Kitsilano Plan. Therefore, the
closure of Cypress Street is not recommended.
Cypress/4th Pedestrian signal - A number of residents commented that a
pedestrian signal should be installed at 4th and Cypress. This request
will be investigated as part of the bicycle route on Cypress. The
location is a good candidate for a pedestrian/bicycle signal.
Left-turn bay from northbound Burrard to Cornwall - A new connection is
supported in principle since it would provide an improved link to
Kitsilano Point and would reduce traffic on Cypress Street. There are a
number of different methods to accomplish this new connection, although
each has limitations. One method is to extend Fir Street to connect
with Vanier Park; however, some of the land needed is the subject of
Indian land claims. Many responses specifically mentioned that the
connection should be accomplished with a left-turn bay from northbound
Burrard to westbound Cornwall. This proposal (shown on Figure 3) would
provide an arterial/arterial link between Burrard and Cornwall. However,
this is a major project which would impact all modes of travel on the
Bridge. Therefore, it is recommended that this project be reviewed in
more detail, once the pedestrian and cyclist upgrades to the Burrard
Bridge are finalized, for possible inclusion in the 1997 -1999 Capital
Plan.
Resident Parking - Some residents also commented that more resident
parking is needed. City staff have recently installed some resident
parking only (RPO) zones at locations in Kitsilano. However, there have
been many requests throughout the area and an overall study will begin
soon to address parking issues in Kitsilano.NEXT STEPS
In view of their popularity at the Open House, it is recommended that
traffic circles on Cypress at 2nd and 3rd Avenues, and left-turn
restrictions from 4th to Cypress, 7-9:30 a.m. 3-6 p.m., Monday - Friday,
be evaluated by a public opinion survey. The 3-6 p.m. restriction would
require the removal some parking on the south side of 4th, between
Cypress and Pine, and this will also be included on the ballot.
It is proposed that the survey cover a wide area (the same area that was
covered by the Open House Invitations - See Figure 1). This will
include all affected residents and merchants. The results will be
reported back.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The proposed measures and estimated costs are as follows:
- Left-turn bays on Burrard/1st $1,470,000
- Upgrade pedestrian signal at Burrard/1st $30,000
$1,500,000
- Traffic circles and No Left-turn signs $16,000
City Council has already provided preliminary funding for the left-turn
bays in the amount of $600,000. The balance of $900,000 (for the left-
turn bays and signal improvements) can be included as a submission in
the 1996 Streets Capital Budget. Funding for the traffic circles and
signage changes will be addressed when the results of the public opinion
ballot are reported back.
* * * * *
General Mgr./Dept. Head: Report dated: October 25, 1995
Date Author: Mark Zaborniak
Phone:7336 IRTS Number:
This report has been prepared Concurring Departments
in consultation with the
depart- ments listed to the
right, and they concur with its
contents.
MRZ/sf
Attach