Agenda Item #

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

03/11/2014

Agenda Report #


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Two-way traffic flow conversions on 10th Street and 12th Street

INITIATED BY: Doc Dorsey, Traffic Engineer

Recommendation: Approve the adoption of the attached ordinance to delete the one-way traffic flow restrictions on 10th Street between 6th Avenue and Bay Avenue and on 12th Street between 6th Avenue and Veterans Parkway.

Background: The CBD originally had two pairs of one-way streets (9th-10th and 11th-12th). 9th Street was converted to two-way operation in 1991. Since then, there has been continued interest in converting the other one-way pairs to two-way operation. A Traffic Operations Study to evaluate the impacts from a two-way conversion of both streets was prepared for the Columbus Consolidated Government by Wilburn Engineering, LLC in November, 2012. The Wilburn study found an overall improvement would result if these streets were converted to two-way traffic flow. Conclusions and recommendations from the study were presented at two public information meetings held in the Uptown Business District on February 28, 2013 and March 7, 2013.

Analysis: The Engineering Department proposes to convert an eight-block segment of 10th Street between 6th Avenue and Bay Avenue and a two-block segment of 12th Street between 6th Avenue and Veterans Parkway from one-way traffic flow to two-way traffic flow. The current traffic flow on both streets is one-way westbound. The Engineering Department believes the two-way conversion of both street segments will enhance traffic circulation within the Uptown Business District and improve access to the adjoining commercial properties. At this time, 12th Street will remain one-way westbound between Veterans Parkway and Front Avenue.

A Traffic Operations Study to evaluate the impacts from a two-way conversion of both streets was prepared for the Columbus Consolidated Government by Wilburn Engineering, LLC in November, 2012. The Wilburn study found an overall improvement would result if these streets were converted to two-way traffic flow. Conclusions and recommendations from the study were presented at two public information meetings held in the Uptown Business District on February 28, 2013 and March 7, 2013.

10th Street Improvements

The two-way segment of 10th Street will have either one or two traffic lanes in both directions. The number of traffic lanes is dependent upon the street width, the presence and type of on-street parking, and the need for exclusive left-turn lanes at the signalized intersections. The angled parking along the northern curb for westbound vehicles will remain unchanged. The direction of the angled parking along the southern curb will be reversed for eastbound vehicles. Parallel parking along both the northern and southern curbs will remain unchanged. The number of on-street parking spaces and loading zones should not change.

The existing raised median on the northern side of the Veterans Parkway/10th Street intersection will be removed and replaced with a typical left-turn lane for southbound vehicles. A five-section signal display will be installed above the southbound left-turn lane to allow both protected and permissive left turns onto 10th Street eastbound. New traffic signal displays on ornamental metal poles and arms will also be installed at the Broadway, 1st Avenue, 2nd Avenue, Veterans Parkway, and 6th Avenue intersections to provide traffic control for eastbound vehicles. The estimated construction cost for the conversion is approximately $387,000. The required installation of these new traffic signal displays is the primary component of the cost estimate.

12th Street Improvements

The two-way segment of 12th Street will have one lane for eastbound traffic and one lane for westbound traffic. The angled parking along the northern curb for westbound vehicles will remain unchanged. The direction of the angled parking along the southern curb will be reversed for eastbound vehicles. The number of on-street parking spaces should not change.

The existing raised median on the northern side of the Veterans Parkway/12th Street intersection will be removed and replaced with a typical left-turn lane for southbound vehicles. A five-section signal display will be installed above the southbound left-turn lane to allow both protected and permissive left turns onto 12th Street eastbound. A ‘STOP’ sign will be installed for eastbound traffic at the 6th Avenue intersection. The estimated construction cost for the conversion is approximately $13,000.

Preference poll letters were recently mailed to eight adjoining property owners along the two-block segment of 12th Street proposed for the conversion. Six owners responded to the poll, of which five were in favor of the conversion to two-way traffic flow. Only one property owner (Schuster Enterprises/Burger King) was in favor of retaining the existing one-way traffic flow. Burger King presently has one right-in/right-out curb cut on 12th Street. The two-way conversion will enable this curb cut to become fully accessible from both travel directions.

Financial Considerations: $400,000

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: Normal maintenance of roadway and traffic control devices.

Legal Considerations: Action requires approval of ordinance by Council.

Recommendations/ Actions: Adopt ordinance to remove one-way traffic flow restrictions on 10th and 12th Streets.


Uptown Letter of Support.pdf

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