ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Public Works Director with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE to RESCIND ORDINANCE No. 10,888 which Amended Schedule “N” of Chapter 28 of the CODE of the City of Peoria, by Designating the Block of NEVADA STREET between Oregon Street and SW Adams Street a ONE-WAY STREET in TRAFFIC SCHEDULE “N”. (DISTRICT 1)
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BACKGROUND: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is undertaking a traffic signal improvement and modernization project along SW Adams Street. The purpose of the project is to replace aging or obsolete traffic signal equipment. During the research and design portion of the project, IDOT identified the signal at the intersection of Adams and Nevada/Ligonier Streets as severely deteriorated and damaged. Further evaluation during the design of this project led IDOT to recommend the removal of this signal because of crash/injury history at the intersection and low volume on Nevada Street. Staff concurs with the IDOT recommendation of removing the traffic signal to prevent future crashes at this location, decrease delay on SW Adams, and to save energy and maintenance cost.
Currently, the traffic at the intersection of Adams, Nevada, and Ligonier runs as follows: Adams runs northeast and southwest, Nevada runs one-way east, and Ligonier runs one-way north. To facilitate the removal of the traffic signal and provide better access to the neighborhood it is proposed to change Nevada Street between Oregon Street and SW Adams Street from one-way eastbound to two-way traffic operation. The change to two-way traffic on Nevada Street requires rescinding Ordinance #10888, as per this request.
Because of the current crash history of left turns at this intersection and the removal of the traffic signal, left turns would be restricted from Nevada Street to SW Adams Street, which will serve to improve safety at the intersection. Left turns from this neighborhood to SW Adams Street can be made at the safer traffic signal at the intersection of SW Adams Street and S Griswold Street. Ligonier Street would not need to change and would continue to be a one-way street running north.
Due to the Covid pandemic the City did not have not had an opportunity to have a public meeting during the design phase. However, letters advising neighborhood residents were sent in May 2020. One comment was received from a citizen asking the City to review parking restrictions after Nevada is changed to two-way traffic. We also received a call asking when the intersection would be removed. IDOT has stated that the contractor plans to remove the signal mid-October. The City would coordinate with IDOT’s project and install proper signage and roadway markings to make Nevada Street from Oregon Street to SW Adams Street a two-way roadway.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Financial impact will be minimal. An estimated $500 to $1000 in material and labor will be required to establish the proper signage and roadway striping for two-way operation. This expense will come out of existing operating funds.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Users of Nevada Street from Oregon Street to SW Adams Street will now be able to enter from SW Adams, creating better incoming access to the neighborhood. Users of Nevada will still be able to turn right from Nevada to SW Adams, but the left turn to SW Adams will be restricted for safely. Neighborhood residents will still be able to turn right onto SW Adams from the safer intersection at SW Adams and Griswold. A letter was distributed to the neighborhood earlier in the year notifying them of the change.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The block of Nevada Street from Oregon Street to SW Adams Street would be designated a two-way street in and removed from Traffic Schedule “N”. Traffic will be allowed to enter on Nevada Street from SW Adams Street westbound. Traffic will also be able to travel eastbound on Nevada Street, however left turns will be restricted onto SW Adams Street for safety purposes.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The block of Nevada Street from Oregon Street to SW Adams Street shall remain one-way operation. Traffic and pedestrians will be managed as it currently is, except left turns will be restricted onto SW Adams Street.
ALTERNATIVES: NA
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: NA
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Safe Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Keep taxes and fees competitive.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works