ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Public Works Director with a Request to ADOPT AN ORDINANCE Amending SCHEDULE "N" of CHAPTER 28 of the CODE of the City of Peoria, by Designating the 1000 Blocks of North Underhill Street and North Bourland Avenue (from West Russell Street South to the Alley) ONE-WAY STREETS in TRAFFIC SCHEDULE "N". (DISTRICT 2)
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BACKGROUND:
As part of the design of the Main and University intersection improvements, City of Peoria staff held several meetings with area residents. The residents were concerned that the "road diet" on Main Street and University Avenue would cause more traffic to cut-through their neighborhoods. A portion of the budget for the Main and University project was reserved for working with the neighborhoods to calm the traffic and to help discourage cut-through vehicles.
One of the residential areas that staff met with was the West Bluff. These residents were concerned with increased traffic from motorist bypassing Main and University, as well as speeding traffic. In discussions with the residents staff determined that to help discourage additional traffic the city would need to install several traffic calming measures. These included adding stop signs at strategic locations, adding a speed hump crosswalk on Columbia Terrace east of University, replacing the existing traffic calming diverter islands with neighborhood traffic circles, and restricting the 1000 blocks of North Underhill Street and North Bourland Avenue to one-way operation, southbound from West Russell Street to the alley. This last measure was determined to be essential in preventing motorist that want to go from westbound Main Street to northbound University Street from bypassing the intersection by cutting through this neighborhood. The restriction would help to keep this thru traffic on Main Street and not in the neighborhood. These roadways will remain two-way from Main Street north to the alley to allow vehicle access to the businesses and parking lots.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Financial impact will be minimal. An estimated $500 in material and labor will be required to establish the proper signage for the one-way operations. This expense will come from existing traffic control operating funds. City staff will install the traffic control measures.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Along with the improvements at the intersection of Main and University, several recent meetings have been held with area residents concerning cut-through traffic. Designating these two roadway sections one-way, going south, was seen as a way to deter neighborhood cut-through.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The 1000 blocks of North Underhill Street and North Bourland Avenue would be designated one-way streets in traffic Schedule "N" and will be changed from two-way to one-way operations heading southbound from North Russell Street. This will discourage traffic cut-through in this neighborhood, promoting pedestrian safety.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The 1000 blocks of North Underhill Street and North Bourland Avenue will remain two-way operation.
ALTERNATIVES: NA
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: NA
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
2. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
2. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works