CC 2016-02-23_11a Brisco Road Ramps Temp Closure UpdateMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: TERESA MCCLISH, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BY: MATT HORN, CITY ENGINEER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS
FOR THE BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-
RAMPS AND CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE
CURRENT RAMP CLOSURE
DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2016
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council:
1) Receive and file an update on the Test Closure Traffic Study Results for the Brisco
Road at US 101 Northbound on and off-ramp closure; and
2) Direct staff to research the feasibility of an extended closure beyond the 6-month
time frame and through construction.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
As of February 16, 2016, the project budget has an unencumbered balance of
$1,402,305.
Phase Budget Total
Expended
& Committed
Balance Remaining
Study $ 100,000 $ 76,211 $ 23,790
Design $ 303,900 $ 265,785 $ 38,115
Contract Administration $ - $ - $ -
Construction $ 1,340,400 $ - $ 1,340,400
Total $ 1,402,305
Test closure cost to date as follows:
Item Estimated To Date
Permitting $ 15,000 $ 10,000
Analysis $ 40,000 $ 52,000
Closure $ 45,000 $ 14,211
Total $ 100,000 $ 76,211
Item 11.a. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 2
BACKGROUND:
The Brisco Road-Halcyon Road/U.S. 101 Interchange project has been underway
since the late 1990s. Currently the project is in the Project Approval and
Environmental Determination (PAED) phase with three project alternatives under
review: Alternative 1, Alternative 4C Roundabout (RAB), and no-build. Alternative 1
includes the following improvements:
• Closes the northbound on and off-ramps at Brisco Road and US 101
• Completes intersection improvements Camino Mercado and US 101
• Completes intersection improvements at Grand Ave and US 101
• Completes bridge widening on Grand Ave
Alternative 4C RAB includes the following improvements:
• Relocates the northbound ramps at Brisco to West Branch Street at Rodeo
Drive
• Completes intersection improvements at Grace Lane and Rodeo Drive
• Complete intersection improvements at Grand Ave and US 101
On June 23, 2015, City Council directed staff to pursue a test closure of the US 101
northbound on and off-ramps at Brisco Road.
The purpose of the closure and study was to simulate the built condition of Alternative
1, the lowest cost build alternative, in order to verify the proposed improvements would
address shifting traffic patterns. The timeline of activities related to the ramp closure is
as follows:
Date Activity
• September 8, 2015 City Council Approved Closure Plan. Closure
beginning on September 21 and ending on November
30, 2015.
• September 29, 2015 US 101 northbound on and off-ramps at Brisco Road
closed.
• October 27, 2015 City Council extends closure termination date from
December 7, 2015 to January 11, 2016.
• December 17, 2015 City Council revised the test ramp termination date
until July 11, 2016 to allow additional time for
presentation of the ramp closure study data and
discussion by the community.
Traffic Counts
Traffic counts were obtained prior to the closure of the US 101 northbound on and off-
ramps at Brisco Road. The locations of traffic counts were the anticipated location of
changing traffic patterns. Below is a display that shows the general location of the
traffic counts.
Item 11.a. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 3
Pre-closure traffic counts were obtained starting on September 17 and ending on
September 24, 2015. On September 29, 2015 the ramps were closed and the traffic
was given time to normalize. Post ramp closure counts were obtained starting on
November 15 and ending on November 21, 2015. Supplemental counts were required
due to rain-fouled or damaged counter tubes for certain segments. Those
supplemental counts were obtained from December 9 through December 15, 2015.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
Volume of Traffic
By closing the US 101 northbound on and off-ramps at Brisco Road, those vehicles
that used these ramps are assumed to use other on and off-ramps in the general
vicinity. Table 1 below shows ramp volume for the morning, mid-day, and evening
peak travel time before the ramp closure as well as during. These volumes only
account for vehicles getting on or off of US 101.
Item 11.a. - Page 3
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 4
TABLE 1
NORTHBOUND US 101 RAMP VOLUME COMPARISONS
Camino Mercado at US 101 showed the largest increase in traffic volumes. Less
vehicle trips were counted in the study area during the closure than prior to the closure.
This change was most apparent in mid-day. Explanations for these reduced volumes
include:
• Seasonal traffic changes
• More Nipomo based commuters using Willow Road Interchange
• Commuters adjacent to US 1, using US 1 to Pismo Beach and finally to US 101
• Reduced need to travel to Five Cities Center, possibly due at least in part to,
elimination of grocery store
• Reduced local traffic getting onto and immediately off of US 101 as a quicker
alternative to using local roads
In addition to US 101 on and off ramp traffic counts, intersection traffic counts were
also completed. Table 2 shows a comparison of the volume of traffic prior to and
during the closure.
AM Peak Hour Mid-Day Peak PM Peak Hour
Diff.Diff.Diff.
Northbound Ramp Location
Ramp
Volume
Ramp
Volume
Ramp
Volume
Ramp
Volume
Ramp
Volume
Ramp
Volume
Oak Park Blvd On-Ramp 615713985185664846554580
Camino Mercado On-Ramp 109305196182350168218340122
Camino Mercado Off Ramp 339457118392397 5 295440145
Brisco Rd On-Ramp 466 0 -466278 0 -278310 0 -310
Brisco Rd Off-Ramp 293 0 -293272 0 -272288 0 -288
E Grand Ave On-Ramp 627620 -7 5375662949458692
E Grand Ave Off-Ramp 2703649424325310237344107
Traffic Way Off-Ramp 370390202202503037038010
Total ramp volumes 30892849-24026422382-26026772635 -42
Total On-Ramp -179 -33 -16
Total Off-Ramp -61 -227 -26
ClosureExistingClosureExistingClosureExisting
Item 11.a. - Page 4
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 5
TABLE 2
INTERSECTION VOLUME COMPARISON
The largest total intersection traffic increases were seen at:
• 3 - West Branch Street / US 101 / Camino Mercado
• 4 - West Branch Street and Town Center Drive - through movement to and from
Camino Mercado / US 101
• 11 - US 101 Northbound Ramps at Grand Ave.
The largest decrease in traffic occurred at El Camino Real at Brisco Road.
Level of Service
While peak traffic volumes may have increased in some intersections, the capacity of
those intersections must be calculated individually. Some intersections may have
sufficient capacity to support a large increased demand and operate at an acceptable
Level of Service (LOS) while some intersections may see a modest increase in
demand and operate at an unacceptable Level of Service.
VolumeVolume VolumeVolume VolumeVolume
1 El Camino Real & Oak Park Blvd1,956 2095139251726281112826286236
2 W Branch/NB Ramp & Oak Park Blvd2,195 2368173267228371652832286331
3 W Branch St/US 101 NB
925 12263011455168923415111712201
4 W Branch & Town Center Dr 472 72124992511842591063114481
5 W Branch St & Rancho Parkway651 88223114041502981414147258
6 El Camino Real & Brisco Rd 1,479 1247-23216821582-10017031557-146
7 W Branch St & Brisco Rd 912 103612414551514591366138721
8 US 101 NB Ramps & Brisco Rd1,261 N/A 1413 N/A 1430 N/A
9 W Branch St & Rodeo Dr 615 597 -18 73079666574542 -32
10 US 101 SB Ramps & E Grand Ave1,835 19127720422079371923197249
11 US 101 NB Ramps & E Grand Ave1,812 2147335222022644419982136138
12 E Grand Ave & W Branch St 1,899 1856 -43 22232162 -61 1931195120
13 Traffic Way/Wesley St/W Branch St 1,990 1884-10622882206 -82 20312011 -20
#Intersection
AM Peak Hour MID Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
ExistingExisting
Closure Volume
Change
Existing
Closure Volume
Change
Closure Volume
Change
Item 11.a. - Page 5
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 6
TABLE 3
INTERSECTION CAPACITY BEFORE AND DURING CLOSURE
Before
Closure
During
Closure
No. Intersection Ta
r
g
e
t
L
O
S
AM
Mi
d
-Da
y
PM
AM
Mi
d
-Da
y
PM
Im
p
a
c
t
?
1 El Camino Real & Oak Park Blvd C B C C B C C No
2 West Branch St/101 NB Ramp & Oak Park Blvd D B B B B B B No
3 West Branch St & 101 NB Ramps/Camino Mercado D B C B C C D Yes
4 West Branch St & Town Center Drive C A A A A A A No
5 West Branch St & Rancho Parkway C A A B A B B No
6 El Camino Real & Brisco Rd C D D D D D D No
7 West Branch Street & Brisco Rd C B B B B B B No
8 101 NB Ramps & Brisco Rd D C C C - - - No
9 West Branch Street & Rodeo Drive C B B B B B B No
10 101 SB & East Grand Ave D B B B B C B No
11 101 NB & East Grand Ave D C B B C B C No
12 East Grand Ave & West Branch St C F F F F F F Yes
13 Traffic Way/Wesley St & West Branch St C C C C C C C No
14 Traffic Way & Fair Oaks Ave C D C D D C D No
The following intersections are impacted by the closure, but not below LOS policy
levels:
• 5 - West Branch Street at Rancho Parkway
• 10 - 101 Southbound at East Grand Avenue
• 11 - 101 Northbound at East Grand Avenue
Intersection number 3, West Branch Street at Camino Mercado, US 101 Northbound
Ramps is impacted in the PM Peak with an additional 30.6 seconds of delay.
Intersection 12, East Grand Avenue at West Branch Street, is impacted due to the
closure with an additional 3 minutes of delay for drivers. All other intersections are
operating an acceptable LOS.
Item 11.a. - Page 6
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 7
Forecasted Level of Service
While the existing operation of each intersection is important, it is also important that
these intersections operate well into the future. Modeling the improvements of
Alternative 1, no build, and no build but maintaining the ramp closures at Brisco Road
and US 101 forecasted into the year of 2035, the following results are achieved as
shown in Table 4.
TABLE 4
FORECASTED INTERSECTION CAPACITY
No
Build
Alt 1.
Build
With
Closure
No. Intersection Ta
r
g
e
t
L
O
S
AM
Mi
d
-Da
y
PM
AM
Mi
d
-Da
y
PM
AM
Mi
d
-Da
y
PM
1 El Camino Real & Oak Park Blvd C C C D C C C C C C
2 West Branch St/101 NB Ramp & Oak Park Blvd D B B C C C C C C C
3 West Branch St & 101 NB Ramps/Camino Mercado D C C C C C C D C D
4 West Branch St & Town Center Drive C A A A A A A A A A
5 West Branch St & Rancho Parkway C A B B A B B A B B
6 El Camino Real & Brisco Rd C D E F C C C D F E
7 West Branch Street & Brisco Rd C B B B B B B B B B
8 101 NB Ramps & Brisco Rd D C C D - - - - - -
9 West Branch Street & Rodeo Drive C B C B B C B B C B
10 101 SB & East Grand Ave D B B C B C B B C B
11 101 NB & East Grand Ave D C B B B B B D C C
12 East Grand Ave & West Branch St C F F F F F F F F F
13 Traffic Way/Wesley St & West Branch St C C D C C D D C D D
14 Traffic Way & Fair Oaks Ave C E D F E E F E E F
The improvements associated with Alternate 1's construction eliminate the following
intersections from performing below policy LOS:
• 1- El Camino Real at Oak Park Boulevard
• 6 - El Camino Real at Brisco Road
Item 11.a. - Page 7
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 8
Regardless of build or no build alternatives, the following intersections are forecasted
to operate at a reduced LOS than policy objectives:
• 12 - East Grand Avenue at West Branch Street
• 13 - Traffic Way at West Branch Street
• 14 - Traffic Way at Fair Oaks Avenue
Feedback
The City has established an email address for the users of the Brisco Road area to
provide feedback: brisco@arroyogrande.org.
Photo of Feedback Signage at Brisco Road / West Branch Street
Additionally, the City has established a web page in order to provide information about
the Brisco Interchange project and information on the Test Closure. The web page
may found on the City website:
http://www.arroyogrande.org/561/Temporary-Ramp-Closure-at-Brisco-Road
To date, the City has received 257 contacts either by phone or email:
• 187 or 72.8% of contacts have been positive towards the closure;
• 43 or 16.7% of contacts have not been in favor of the closure; and
• 27 or 10.5% of contacts have requested operational changes or recommended
other project alternatives.
Police and Fire Service input has been requested and received concerning the closure.
Generally, emergency services support the closure of the Brisco on and off-ramps.
Item 11.a. - Page 8
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 9
Conclusion
Based on available data, the closure of the US 101 at Brisco Road on and off-ramps is
successful. Communications received indicate majority support for this change. The
traffic counts, forecasted volumes, and anticipated improvements with Alternative 1
indicate that planned improvements in the work area will improve traffic flows for twenty
plus years. Three identified intersection outside the work area of Alternative 1 perform
below policy levels. Those intersections are as follows:
1. West Branch Street at Traffic Way
2. West Branch Street at East Grand Avenue
3. Traffic Way at Fair Oaks Avenue
Staff recommends moving forward to complete the Project Approval and Environmental
Document (PAED) phase of the project. If after the PAED phase is complete, it is
recommended that other Level of Service improvements for the Brisco Interchange
Project be considered by the Council, selected improvements may be included in a
Supplement Project Report.
Additionally, Staff also recommends continuing discussions with Caltrans regarding a
further extension of the temporary closure beyond July 11, 2016.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
• Receive and file report.
• Provide direction to staff.
Postive, 72.8%
Negative,
16.7%
Other,
10.5%
Item 11.a. - Page 9
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF TEST CLOSURE TRAFFIC STUDY RESULTS FOR THE
BRISCO ROAD AT US 101 NORTHBOUND ON AND OFF-RAMPS AND
CONSIDERATION OF FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT RAMP
CLOSURE
FEBRUARY 23, 2016
PAGE 10
ADVANTAGES:
The Test Closure Traffic Study results provide valuable data to assist the City in
evaluating the project alternatives.
DISADVANTAGES:
None known at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
This project is subject to both the California Environmental Review Act (CEQA) and
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The City is the lead agency for CEQA and
an Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared. Caltrans is the lead
agency for NEPA and Caltrans and has determined the project’s environmental
document should be a Environmental Assessment with Findings of No Significant
Impact.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted in front of City Hall on Thursday, February 18, 2016. The
Agenda and staff report were posted on the City’s website on Friday, February 19,
2016. Email notifications were sent to all that provided comments to
brisco@arroyogrande.org, and a Press Release was issued on Friday, February 19,
2016. A static construction sign was placed at the intersection of West Branch Street
at Brisco Road.
Attachments:
1. Technical Memo
2. brisco@arroyogrande.org email
Item 11.a. - Page 10