HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/1 ITD Comments
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
Charles Winder
Chairman
John X. Combo
Wee Chairman
District 6
John McHugh
District 1
Bruce Sweeney
District 2
Monte McClure
District 3
Gary Blick
District 4
Neil Miller
District 5
David Ekern, P.E.
Director
Sue Higgins
Board Secretary
IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
P.O. Box 8028
Boise. 10 83714-8028
(208) 334-8300
itd.idaho.gov
April 25, 2006
VIA FAX: 208-888-6854
City of Meridian Planning Department
660 E. Watertower, Ste. 202
Meridian, ill 83642
RECEIVED
MAY 01 2006
RE:
REVISED PRELIMINARY PLAT
Route: US Highway 20/26
Location: SE Comer ofTen Mile & 20/26
Name: Irvine Subdivision (Dyver Development, LLC)
City Of Meridian
City Clerk Office
Dear Ms. Canning,
- - - ~
Thank you for allowing the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) the opportunity to comment on
the applicant's preliminary plat for the property located at the SE comer ofN. Ten Mile & ChiDden
Blvd. (US 20/26), Meridian, Idaho.
Please note prior ITD comments send in August and October of2005 and February of2006. In
addition, ITD offers the following comments regarding the setback:
ITD has requested a 100' setback for the US 20-26 corridor. The Irvine developer has asked that
this distance be reconsidered. It was qonsidered again, and ITD wishes to continue requesting the
100' setback. This setback has the support of the Consultant Engineer (Parametrix) for the US 20-26
Corridor Study and ITD management.
We know this corridor will be an important regional transportation route for the future.
Communities in Motion has designated it as an expressway. The route is, overall, undeveloped at
this time. We still have reasonable opportunity to preserve this corridor for the long range future.
The preliminary traffic forecasts for US 20-26 range between 40,000-52,000 by the year 2030.
According to the caMP ASS planning thresholds, four lanes, with 40,000 average daily traffic,
would generate a level of service E. In other words, even after widening to four lanes, the highway
will reach capacity by or before 2030.
It is important that we keep our options open. Future options could include six lanes of traffic or
room for bus rapid transit. The 100' -setback will allow the flexibility to phase those improvements,
building what we need, while allowing for future expansion.
Some time ago, setback requests of 70' were requested and approved. Despite that, I think it is still
best to move forward, rather than further constrain the future options. I believe we can work around
those locations.
Idaho does not have development concurrency requirements. Development can proceed well in
advance of the infrastructures ability to keep up. It is unfortunate we are unable to get in front of the
development as other states do, but it is the reality. Due to the immediate needs for setback
distances, the consultant and I drafted a variety of tentative options. They all came around to
approximately 200' of right of way.
A few developers have questioned why we had not proposed an 'urban' section which would require less right of way.
A 70' setback would accommodate a four lane curb and gutter section. From the highway perspective, the cost, design
complexities and future maintenance of a stonn sewer system are negatives. They did not offset the right of way cost
benefit. It is a less flexible design for future expansion of the highway. Nevertheless, it is important to note, the project
development process will determine the [mal product. The setback we determine now will allow us a better range of
options, for the next widening and future improvements.
Please also note that the road will not weave in and out to accommodate additional width at the intersections. This
would not meet geometric alignment standards. For certain, the highway lanes will stay straight, and the left turn lanes
will be absorbed in the median width. In other words, the tapered setback shown on the Irvine plans do not provide
much benefit except as a potential stonn retention area.
Emerging nationwide transportation discussions are about sustainability. Many areas are now thinking about the
benefits of planning for longer horizons. We have the opportunity to do this here and now.
If you have questions, please contact me (208)334-8955.
Sincerely,
~ S/l~
L
Sue Sullivan
Sr. Transportation Planner
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