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HomeMy WebLinkAbout102704 Transportation Coordinating Committee Minutes BOZEMAN AREA TRANSPORTATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2004 MINUTES ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE Chairperson Andrew Epple called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m., requested the secretary call the roll, and requested the audience to introduce themselves. Members Present Bob Burkhardt, Designee @ FHWA Andrew Epple, Chairperson, City of Bozeman Director of Planning and Community Dev. Debbie Arkell, City of Bozeman Director of Public Service Ross Gammon representing Joe Olson, Engineering Services Supv., Butte District, MDT Jim Nallick, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Jeff Ebert, District Engineer, Butte District, MDT Chris Kukulski, City of Bozeman Manager Bob Lashaway, Representative, MSU Pat Abelin, Citizen Member, Gallatin County Resident Rob Bukvich, Engineer, Bozeman Div., MDT Kerry White, Representative, Gallatin County Planning Board David Smith, Citizen Member, City of Bozeman Chris Scott, Gallatin County Planning Lee Provance, Gallatin County Road Supervisor Staff Present John Vandelinder, Superintendent, City of Bozeman Streets Department Carol Schott, Recording Secretary Allan VanderWey, MDT Blair Nordhagen, MDT Visitors Present Jeff Key, Robert Peccia and Associates Dan Deutsch, Robert Peccia and Associates ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT {Limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee not on this agenda. Three-minute time limit per speaker} Chairperson Epple called for public comment on any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Bozeman Area TCC and not on the agenda, and, hearing none, he closed the public comment portion of the meeting. ITEM 3. MINUTES OF JULY 28, 2004 Chairperson Epple called for corrections or additions to the minutes, and hearing none, he declared the minutes of July 28, 2004 approved as distributed. ITEM 4. JACKRABBIT LANE RECONSTRUCTION AND ACCESS MANAGEMENT Presentation by Jeff Key, Peccia and Associates Chairperson Epple introduced Jeff Key, who presented a power point discussion on an access control study his firm is conducting for MDT, Four Corners North - Junction 347 to Frank Road. He reviewed the recommendations offered by his firm. Dan Deutsch, Robert Peccia and Associates, noted roadway designs are scheduled to begin this winter. He noted the plan is for a five-lane facility from Four Corners north as far as funding will allow. He noted a public meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2004, 7:00 p.m., at the Monforton School with future public meetings to be scheduled. Mr. Gammon noted the plan is to begin construction in 2007 or 2008. Mr. Bukvich stated the local MDT office is using the draft document as a working document, which is being accepted by developers. He noted the public has previously indicated they don’t want a five-lane facility similar to Huffine Lane. Mr. Scott noted that signalization based on “reactive warranting” limited the County’s ability to move traffic smoothly. He stated developers are ready to install the signals, but weren’t permitted to do so due to warranting requirements. It was noted that unless warranted, signalization may not work efficiently and could even hinder through movements. Mr. Bukvich noted it is difficult to assess the impacts of each development. Rick Hixson, City Engineer, noted impact fees could provide a pot of money to pay for those improvements; however, those funds are still under litigation. Further discussion followed on warrants, improvements, etc. to allow better understanding for the group as a whole. ITEM 5. TCC MEMBER REPORTS A. Transit Report Mr. Smith reported the survey has been completed. He noted Phase 2-implementation ideas are being compiled. B. I-90/Airport Interchange Report – Pat Abelin Ms. Abelin noted the committee has met approximately once a month. She reported the committee has requested to be on the State Transportation Commission agenda on December 10th. She noted the construction of most interchanges approved for the interstate system in Montana have been completed. She stated the proposed interchange would set the precedent for any additional interchanges statewide. Mr. Ebert noted there is a set aside program for proposed improvements; however, this project would be in competition with all other proposed projects. Ms. Abelin noted several State and County members have been very helpful in providing information to the committee. She stated one unsure item is how the new Highway Bill would affect the project. She stated it is important to understand that the project is public, local government, driven; not developer driven. Mr. Ebert stated the interchange would open the land south of the interstate for development. He stated it could take up to six years for approval of a project and another two or more years for construction. Ms. Abelin asked if the City of Bozeman was still in support of the project. She asked if any one from the City had a problem with a presentation before the State Transportation Commission. Mr. Bukvich noted the former City Manager had indicated the City wasn’t interested in funding the study for various reasons; however, the City has been in favor of the interchange. Mr. Kukulski noted he was willing to meet with the committee to discuss the benefits for the community. Chairperson Epple noted the interchange was discussed and adopted by the City Commission in the 2001 Transportation Plan Update as second highest priority on the major improvement list, but that the County has not adopted the document. Mr. Lashaway noted there is a difference between not supporting the funding and not having the funds to support the project. Mr. Kukulski noted funding could be a paramount problem when the proposed interchange currently lies outside the Bozeman City limits. Ms. Abelin asked if the interchange committee should give an update report to the Bozeman City Commission. Mr. Kukulski invited the committee to present an update to the City Commission. Mr. Ebert noted the goal is to look to the beneficiaries of the project to fund it. He stated it was yet to be determined if the City of Bozeman would be one. TSM’s Report Ms. Arkell reported the one-way section of Rouse Avenue between Main Street and Babcock Street has been changed to a two-way street. She noted plans are underway to sign and remove the luminaries on Tamarack Street and North Wallace Avenue to encourage trucks to use the route. She reported the signal at Olive Street and Willson Avenue is installed, the Durston Road/North 15th Avenue signal is operational, and North 15th Avenue between Durston Road and Oak Street is open. She noted the bike route signage is mostly installed. Mr. Bukvich noted the mid-block signal on Main Street at Bozeman High School needs to be interconnected to the other signals on West Main Street as traffic has been backed up to 7th Avenue and 15th Avenue during peak traffic volumes. Mr. Gammon noted the issue will be investigated and remedied. ITEM 6. OLD BUSINESS - None ITEM 7. NEW BUSINESS - None ITEM 8. PROJECT UPDATES - Discussion only as needed MSU Projects Update – No report. Belgrade Projects Update Mr. Bukvich noted MDT is still working on the signalization of Jackrabbit Lane and Main Street. Mr. Ebert noted the signal should be installed next spring or summer. 3. CTEP Projects Ms. Arkell noted the Bike Route signing project is underway; Mr. Vandelinder noted it’s about half completed. Mr. Nallick noted a map would be published next spring for distribution. Mr. Smith offered to include the map in the next Chamber of Commerce brochure, which will be printed next year. Mr. Bukvich asked if the black signal fixtures on Olive Street/Willson Avenue are satisfactory. Ms. Arkell noted they are much better than the galvanized ones on Main Street. Mr. Gammon noted the project to overlay Main Street is on hold until the funding is appropriated, with it possibly being installed in 2006. Mr. Bukvich suggested he meet with Ms Arkell and company to improve the ADA ramps in the downtown area. 4. West Babcock Street Improvements Ms. Arkell noted the designs are completed. She reviewed the progress on right-of-way acquisition and funding for the improvements. She noted the plan is to begin construction the spring of 2005. 5. South 19th Avenue - Main Street to Kagy Boulevard Ms. Arkell noted the plan is completed, with the biggest issue being the intersection of College Street/19thAvenue improvements/right-of-way acquisition. Mr. Ebert noted construction wouldn’t happen before 2006. North 19th Avenue and Main Street Intersection Improvements Mr. Bukvich noted the intersection is open, but all lanes won’t be functioning until South 19th Avenue is widened. Other North 19th Avenue Mr. Kukulski noted the City is waiting for a signature for the SID on North 19th Avenue and Valley Center Road project to proceed. Ms. Arkell reviewed the improvements planned from Baxter Lane to the interchange. Ms. Arkell noted the plan is ready to go to bid as soon as the agreement is signed. Mr. Hixson noted construction wouldn’t start until next spring. Signal Projects Mr. Bukvich noted a public informational meeting was held on the proposed signalization of North 19th Avenue and Springhill Road. He reported the intersection will be signalized, and the temporary signal at the Frontage Road/Springhill Road intersection will be replaced with a permanent signal. He noted MDT would assess the need for a signal at College Street/Willson Avenue and would hold a public informational meeting later this fall. He stated the project is proposed to be signalized with black poles, and includes the widening of the intersection and elimination of the bulb-outs. It is a safety project due to accident history. 9. North Rouse Avenue Mr. Ebert noted these improvements are now scheduled for 2009. He noted HKM has begun the survey work, and a public meeting should be held next summer. He noted the department will have to do an environmental study. Mr. Bukvich noted there are right-of-way issues, which would eliminate houses, parking, the little City park, and the re-alignment of Peach Street. 10. Main Street/Babcock Street/23rd Avenue Improvements – It was the consensus of the group to remove this item from future agendas, unless there is an immediate need for discussion. 11. I-90 Improvements Mr. Ebert noted three major projects are planned for next summer, including: 1) removing or reconstructing the railroad overpass between the Rouse Avenue structure and the East Main Street structure, 2) a paving project from Bozeman to Bear Canyon, and 3) construction of one section of the Rouse Avenue/railroad structure. He noted a future project is to replace the rest of the Rouse Avenue/railroad structure. He noted there has been discussion to replace the railroad structure over the spur line with a concrete box culvert as it would allow a lower ramp for the Rouse Avenue structure. Mr. Bukvich noted MRL has indicated an interest in maintaining the spur line option for future development of properties to the north and south. 12. Other Mr. Provance noted paving has been completed on McIlhatten Road and Love Lane is paved from Valley Center Road to Huffine Lane. Mr. Smith asked about MDT’s philosophy on landscaping interchanges. Mr. Gammon and Mr. Bukvich noted the department is not opposed to it, it was a matter of funding the irrigation system and maintenance of the areas. Mr. Smith asked if it would be appropriate for someone to volunteer to organize the development of wells and installation and maintenance of landscaping. Mr. Bukvich noted this kind of project might be CTEP eligible for either the City or County. Mr. Bukvich noted the Federal Highway Commission is now allowing acknowledgement signs for landscaping, which hasn’t been allowed in the past. Mr. Kukulski announced the State Department of Trans appeared supportive of a measure for legislation to allow bonding of Urban Fund monies to make them more readily available and assist cities to not borrow future Urban Funds. Mr. Bukvich announced that applications are due March 31, 2005 for safety funding projects. He stated those funds are funding the signal at College Street /Willson Avenue. Mr. Provance asked what the speed limit is on North Springhill Road. Mr. Bukvich noted it is currently signed correctly. Mr. Provance noted maintenance people from the golf course are driving across the road and on the shoulders at night without lights. Mr. Bukvich noted it would be an enforcement issue. ITEM 9. DISCUSSION ITEMS ITEM 10. NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - Regular meeting 9:30 a.m. There being no further business to come before the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m. ___________________________________ Andrew C. Epple, Chairperson Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee