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CC 2015-03-10_10a Alternatives for Brisco Rd Interchange Project PresentationITEM 10.a CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES FOR THE BRISCO ROAD-HALCYON ROAD/HIGHWAY 101 PROJECT AND AMEND CONSULTANT SERVICE AGREEMENT TO EXTEND THE TERM FOR WOOD RODGERS, INC. AND POINT C 1 OVERVIEW Brisco Interchange Project has been underway for 15± Years. Numerous Design Alternatives have been analyzed. Currently we have three alternatives under evaluation. 2 HISTORY In 2001, a Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) was completed to develop alternatives to improve operation of the Brisco Road-Halcyon Road/U.S. 101 Interchange. The project moved from the PSR-PDS phase to the Project Approval and Environmental Determination (PA&ED). In the PA&ED phase, additional design alternatives were prepared. 3 HISTORY In August 2008, design alternatives were presented to City Council. In October 2010, City Council approved including Alternative 4 in the PA&ED process. Alternative 4 involves moving the Brisco northbound on-ramp and off-ramp to Rodeo Drive. 4 HISTORY In March 2012, the California Transportation Commission programmed $5.6 million in construction funding for the project. In December 2013, Caltrans, Consultants and staff met in Sacramento to review comparison interchanges, and geometrics for Alternative 4 and what would be needed for approval of design exceptions. The result of the meeting was the identification of Alternative 4C. 5 HISTORY In March 2014, the City Council approved a revised intersection treatment for Alternative 4C to include a roundabout and consultant contracts to complete necessary studies. In August 2014, an additional $1,000,000 was recommended by SLOCOG to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for the construction phase of the project to increase the total grant funding to $6.6 million. 6 HISTORY In January 2015, the Brisco Subcommittee met with Caltrans and SLOCOG officials. During the meeting Caltrans staff outlined remaining concerns with Alternative 4C. A Project Development Team (PDT) meeting was determined necessary to determine final alternatives that will go out for public review. In February 2015, Caltrans furnished the City feedback on the Design Exception Fact Sheets that caused staff significant concern regarding Caltrans opinion of the viability of Alternative 4C signal and roundabout. This concern is with regard to the posted speed limit on West Branch Street being 40 MPH instead of 35 MPH. 7 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 1 Orient – Grand Ave, 101, Brisco, and Camino Merchado Improvement work at Grand Ave, Demolition work at Brisco, and improvement work at Camino Merchado 8 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 1 Grand Ave Bridge will be widened to create two bike lanes both 8’ wide South Bound on ramp will be relocated to better align with the south bound off ramp 9 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 1 The North bound off and on ramps will be removed at Brisco Road. 10 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 1 Camion Mechado will be widened to include dual left turn movements only 101 north bound 11 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 1 This alternative relives congestion on Brisco Road. Vehicles will be rerouted from Brisco to either Grand Ave or Camino Merchado. Preliminary estimates for this work is $8.4 million. 12 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 1 ROW Alternative 1 will impact the Shell Gas Station on Grand Ave adjacent to the 101 North Bound on ramp. Portions of the Shell gas station property are needed to construct alternative 1. Impacts to business and operation are unknown at this time. One or two driveways maybe lost. Portions of the gas overhead shelter will need to be removed. Gas pump relocation is likely necessary. Site circulation will need to be revised. 13 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 4C SIGNAL Orient – Grand Ave, 101, Brisco, and Camino Merchado Improvement work at Grand Ave, Rodeo Drive, and Grace Lane 14 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 4C SIGNAL South Bound on ramp will be relocated to better align with the south bound off ramp 15 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 4C SIGNAL Brisco road north bound on and off ramps will be removed and relocated to West Branch Street 16 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 4C SIGNAL The intersection of Grace Lane and Rodeo Drive will be realigned. 17 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 4C SIGNAL This alternative relives congestion on Brisco Road. Maintains similar traffic patterns by reestablishment of on and off ramps at West Branch Street. Preliminary estimates for this work is $15.4 Million This alternative may not be viable since the posted speed limit on West Branch Street if 40 MPH and not 35 MPH 18 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 4C ROUNDABOUT Alternate 4C Roundabout is similar to 4C Signal except for the intersection of West Branch Street, Rodeo Drive / Grace Lane Preliminary estimates for this work is $15.7 Million Viability of this alternative is not affected by the existing 40 MPH posted speed limit on West Branch Street 19 ALTERNATIVES – ALT. 4C Alternate 4C will also require ROW acquisition from the County of SLO and parking lot work. 20 WHY ARE WE HERE? Staff will be attending a Project Development Team meeting as a next step.   The PDT will be making recommendation for which project alternatives are available for public review and comment.   Some alternatives may fall out of consideration.   Staff would like Council’s guidance. 21 WHY ARE ALTERNATIVES IMPORTANT? Public review and comment helps to flush out unforeseen issues.   Alternative 1 seems to be the path of least resistance at this point, but future input might be cause to rethink. Alternative 1 impacts on an adjacent shell gas station might prove to be to large and costly or the change in circulation patterns might cause economic impacts to adjacent areas.   Alternatives 4C Signal is currently not considered viable by Caltrans since the posted speed limit on West Branch Street is 40 MPH and not 35 MPH. The speed limit may change on West Branch Street. Proceed to public review without signed Design Exception Fact Sheets with authorization from the District 5 Director. Post the speed limit of West Branch Street at 35 MPH.   Alternative 4C Roundabout while still believed to be viable at this point in time might fall out due to public concern over Arroyo Grande’s first roundabout in a well traveled area.   Having all options available for public comment is transparent, inclusive, and might place the City in the best position if an alternative becomes none-viable. 22 CALTRANS To Discuss Caltrans Process, I would like to introduce Tony Harris with Point C. Tony is a Registered Civil Engineer. Tony has worked for Caltrans for 15 prior to his exit into private consulting. Tony exited the Caltrans organization as the Chief Deputy Director and Acting Director of Caltrans. Tony has been working with the City on this project since 2010. 23 Item 10.a Questions? 24 Item 10.a Hence, listing the comments directly related to each of the Mandatory and Advisory Design Exceptions associated with 4c RAB, and 4c Signal Intersection seems inappropriate. Quantity and magnitude of the number of exceptions should be carefully balanced between with the proposed need to replace the N/B Brisco on and off ramps after closure. 25