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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOZ_06058_Kagy+3rd_Final-TAS_Executive-Summary Kagy Boulevard&South 3rd Avenue Site Development TAS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction and Background This traffic impact study summarizes the potential impacts of the proposed commercial site development located at the southeast corner of Kagy Boulevard and South 3rd Avenue in Bozeman, Montana. The purpose of this study is to assess the impacts that this development may have on the surrounding transportation system and to provide recommendations to mitigate any impacts identified. The site is proposed to consist of five new buildings, each of which is proposed to be approximately 5,000 square feet in size. Three of the buildings are proposed for a mixed use of retail and office space. One building is proposed as a possible bank and the remaining building a small,neighborhood style grocery. Traffic Impacts The development of the proposed site development could directly impact Kagy Boulevard and South 3rd Avenue. In addition, the proposed development could also impact Kagy Boulevard and its intersections with South 7th Avenue, South 3rd Avenue/South Willson Avenue, and the drive approach to the Southwood development. Intersection capacity analyses revealed that there are existing operational issues on Kagy Boulevard at its intersections with South 7th Avenue and South 3rd Avenue. At the intersection of Kagy Boulevard and South 7th Avenue, the northbound movements and southbound left turns currently operate at LOS F during both the AM and PM peak hours. At the intersection of Kagy Boulevard and South 3rd Avenue, the through movements on all approaches currently operate at LOS D during the AM peak hour. Additionally, the eastbound and westbound right turns also operate at LOS D during this period. During the PM peak hour, only the eastbound through movement operates at LOS D. All other movements on all approaches at each of the area intersections currently operate at LOS C or better during both the AM and PM peak hours. Engineering, Inc. i Kagy Boulevard&South 3rd Avenue Site Development TAS The proposed site development would include one access onto South 3rd Avenue and one onto Kagy Boulevard. Intersection capacity calculations indicate that the proposed site accesses would operate at acceptable levels of service. The addition of development related traffic would not cause an adverse change in level of service at any of the study area intersections. A preliminary traffic signal warrant analysis for the intersection of Kagy Boulevard and South 7th Avenue was performed for existing conditions using estimated ADT volumes. This intersection does not currently meet traffic signal warrants and would not with the addition of site related traffic. Mitigation Measures At the intersection of Kagy Boulevard and South 3rd Avenue/South Willson Avenue, it is estimated that the current signal timing and phasing plan(s) do not adequately serve traffic during the peak periods. Optimized signal timing and phasing plans for the intersection were evaluated for each of the peak hours and found that they could mitigate the existing operational issues at the intersection. Because it is estimated that the intersection of Kagy Boulevard and South 7th Avenue does not currently meet traffic signal warrants, alternative measures to mitigate the existing level of service concerns are necessary. Evaluations of potential modifications to the intersection geometry were analyzed and found that the addition of a through lane in both the eastbound and westbound directions on Kagy Boulevard combined with a two way left turn lane could improve the level of service for both northbound and nouthbound movements to LOS C or better during both peak hours. Because of safety concerns for crossing pedestrians and bicyclists during low light conditions, intersection lighting should also be incorporated with any improvements. Engineering, Inc. ii Kagy Boulevard&South 3rd Avenue Site Development TAS Conclusions and Recommendations Analysis of trip generation estimates, traffic assignments, and capacity calculations show that the proposed site development would have minimal impacts on traffic operations of the surrounding transportation system. Recommendations for the proposed development include the following: • Full access to the proposed site from Kagy Boulevard with construction of a westbound left turn lane would function within acceptable levels of service and have minimal impact on traffic flow and operations. Therefore, full access should be allowed within the required separation distance of 660-feet along a principal arterial with the proposed uses. • Full access to the proposed site from South 3rd Avenue would function within acceptable levels of service and have minimal impact on traffic flow and operations. The construction of a southbound left turn lane at the approach would not be required to satisfy level of service criteria; however, it would eliminate intersection related delay for southbound through traffic. Therefore, construction of the left turn lane would be optional. • Signal timing and phasing modifications should be made at the intersection of Kagy Boulevard and South 3rd Avenue / South Willson Avenue during the AM and PM peak hours. This study recommends two-phase operation with a 45- second cycle for both peak hours. • Because of MSU related traffic, improvements at the intersection of Kagy Boulevard and South 7th Avenue are necessary to improve operational and safety characteristics. Until traffic signal warrants are met at the intersection, interim improvements could be made allowing all traffic movements on all approaches to function at acceptable levels of service. Kagy Boulevard should be widened in the future to a four lane roadway with a two way left turn lane. Any improvements at the intersection should also include intersection lighting to improve safety for crossing pedestrians and bicyclists. Engineering, Inc. iii Kagy Boulevard&South 3rd Avenue Site Development TAS ® Traffic from the proposed site only represents approximately three percent (3%) of the overall traffic volume at the intersection; therefore, this development should not bear responsibility for any improvements at the intersection of Nagy Boulevard and South 7th Avenue. However, if some responsibility is assigned by the governing body it should be limited to participation only (financial contribution) in any proposed mitigation measures at this intersection. The level of participation should be commensurate with the level of impact from the proposed development, which would be no more than approximately 3% based on estimated site traffic volumes and distributions. If the above improvements are implemented as recommended, any impacts resulting from the proposed developments should be mitigated and traffic should continue operate safely and efficiently. Engineering, Inc. iv