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Home My WebLink AboutITD Comments 7/3/09July 1, 2009 IDAHO TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 7129 Boise ID 83707-1129 (208)334-8000 itd.idaho.gov John Ringert, P.E. Kittelson and Associates 101 S. Capitol Blvd, Suite 301 Boise, ID 83702 Re: Meridian Town Center Access Permit Application #03-09-061 Dear Mr. Ringert: RECE~vE~ JUL 0 32009 CITY OF ~f „U;;r CITY CLERKS OFFICE On August 4, 2008, the above referenced application was made to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) for access associated with the Meridian Town Center (Center Cal) development at the intersection of Fairview Avenue and State Highway 55 (Eagle Road) near Meridian Idaho. a Six access points were sought: 1. Two right-in /right-out access points (east and west side of Eagle Road) 1/8th mile north of the Fairview /Eagle Road intersection 2. Two right-in /right-out /left-in access points (east and west side of Eagle Road one- quarter mile north of the Fairview /Eagle Road intersection. These access points would be signalized. 3. Two right-in /right-out access points (east and west side of Eagle Road) 3/8th mile north of the Fairview /Eagle Road intersection. ITD reviewed the referenced application and the associated engineering analysis for the requested access in detail. The Department appreciates your willingness to meet on a number of occasions to answer questions and make presentations. This letter serves as the record of decision of the Chief Engineer in accordance with IDAPA 39.03.42 "Rules Governing Highway Right-of-Way Encroachments on State Rights-of-Way." In accordance with IDAPA, Eagle Road is designated as a Type IV highway and the application is for variance in access. The access permit application for this variance was reviewed and evaluated for current access control requirements, deed restrictions, safety and capacity requirements, design and location standards or an approved variance of these standards, environmental impacts, location conflicts and long-range planning goals. Review took into account the total development of Meridian Town Center (Center Cal) as presented in the Traffic Impact Study and associated site plans. During the review process input from our District Three office, City of Meridian and the Ada County Highway District was sought and provided. Considerations from COMPASS were also taken into account. Mr. John Ringert July 1, 2009 Page 2 ITD District Three On August 22, 2008 our District Three office recommended approval of six access points with conditions: 1. The access point 1/8th of a mile north of the Fairview Avenue /Eagle Road intersection on the east side would be restricted to a right-out only. The access point directly opposite (west side of Eagle Road) would be restricted to a right-in only. 2. The quarter mile left-in, right-in, right-out would be unsignalized. 3. The 1/8th mile access points south of River Valley Road on both sides of Eagle Road would be right-in, right-out. 4. The intersection of River Valley Road and Eagle Road would be signalized. City of Meridian On April 23, 2009 the City of Meridian wrote a letter to ITD supporting the access points proposed by Center Cal. The City of Meridian stated they typically concur with ITD access policy and decisions, but they believe that in the case of Eagle Road the "... time for strict adherence to the access management plan prohibiting full-access at the'/4 mile has long since passed." A public hearing was held by the City of Meridian on a variance request for the additional access points and the City Council discussed this issue at length. In the end, the City of Meridian believed the proposed access points would not "... grant a right or special privilege because there are other properties along Eagle Road that have similar, and in many cases worse, conditions than those being proposed." The Meridian City Council determined that a variance did not appear to be detrimental to public safety and welfare and they ultimately approved the variance request. Ada County Highway District On May 28, 2009 the Ada County Highway District (ACRD) met with ITD and Kittelson to discuss Center Cal's proposed access on Eagle Road, proposed access on Fairview Avenue and the proposed Records Road "loop" road that would connect with River Valley Drive. On June 8, 2009 the Ada County Highway District (ACRD) wrote a letter to ITD that reiterated their opposition to the proposed '/ mile signal. Some of their reasons are: 1. The Eagle Road Corridor Plan did not include this site or any other site for a'/4 mile signal. 2. The installation of the'/4 mile signal would set a precedent. 3. ACRD plans to construct Allys Way (a parallel collector to Eagle Road) to aid in the prevention of additional access points or signals on Eagle Road. Mr. John Ringert July 1, 2009 Page 3 4. The proposed '/e mile signal would eliminate the possibility of a Continuous Flow Intersection at Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue. This intersection is recommended by COMPASS in their High Volume Intersection study. ACRD believes the'/ mile signal at this time would be premature and could possibly create negative impacts to the Eagle Road corridor. ACRD states that if a signal is considered then the extension of the Records Road / Allys Way should occur and that a signal should be placed at the intersection of River Valley Road and Eagle Road. ACRD concludes by stating that after all of the roadway and intersection improvements listed in their letter are complete and "... the'/< mile signal is still shown to be needed for the safety of the traveling public, the traffic signal could be reconsidered at that time." Eagle Road Infrastructure Improvements Concept Report A concept report detailing infrastructure improvements was performed in 2005. The concepts, as reported, were approved by the District Three Engineer (at the time Eric Shannon) and Assistant Chief Engineer for Development on July 12, 2005 and August 5, 2005 respectively. The primary purpose of this project was to improve user operating conditions, traffic flow, enhance traffic, pedestrian and bicycle safety and provide visual enhancements. It was stated the purpose of this project was not to improve capacity. Some of the proposed improvements included left turning opportunities at major intersections and at channelized breaks at specified locations in the center median. In addition, a proposal to lower the speed limit to 45 miles per hour was given. River Valley Street was identified as a future location for a traffic signal. A concept plan sheet that is part of this report indicates that a median break for a U-turn was contemplated at the'/4 mile point north of the Eagle Road / Fairview Avenue intersection. Decision Center Cal has requested six permitted accesses to Eagle Road along with deviation from access spacing standards. All of these access points are a variance to a Type IV highway. Center Cal has submitted subsequent information showing the replacement of all free running right turns at the Fairview and Eagle Road intersection with stop conditions, single right turn lanes except for the southbound to westbound move which is addressed with dual right turn lanes would be part of the mitigation associated with the MTC development. Center Cal's plan for Eagle Road also shows three (3) through lanes per direction and placement of dual left turn lanes at all legs of the intersection. This was accompanied by interconnected signalization, geometric changes and installation of raised medians. signalization of River Valley Road is also shown. After consideration of all the information, the following decision is rendered: 1) Anon-signalized access serving the property on the east side of Eagle Road approximately 1/8 mile north of Fairview Avenue limited to right-in /right out movements is approved. Mr. John Ringert July 1, 2009 Page 4 2) Anon-signalized access serving the property on the east side of Eagle Road approximately 1/4 mile north of Fairview Avenue limited to left-in /right-in /right-out movements is approved under the following conditions: • The approach is approved as anon-signalized left-in /right-in /right-out access with an associated full raised median on Eagle Road. • The non-signalized access must be constructed such that cross traffic between this approach and the approach addressed under item five (5) below is prohibited. • Cross traffic from the east side to the west side of Eagle Road will not be allowed in the future. • An internal road to the Center Cal development will be required that directly connects this east side approach to Records Avenue, thus enhancing the internal circulation of the development and improving the movement of vehicles entering and exiting the development. 3) An access serving the property on the east side of Eagle Road approximately 1/8 mile south of River Valley Street limited to right-in /right-out movements is approved. 4) An access serving the property on the west side of Eagle Road approximately 1/8 mile north of Fairview Avenue limited to right-in movements only. 5) An access serving the property on the west side of Eagle Road approximately 1/4 mile north of Fairview Avenue limited to left-in /right-in/ right-out movements is approved under the following conditions: • The access is located directly across from the access described in item two (2) above and is to be part of the non-signalized quarter mile access. • Restricted movements are the same as item two (2) above. • The access will be required to be connected to an internal road that directly connects this approach to a future internal road running parallel to Eagle Road on the west side, thus enhancing the internal circulation of the development and improving the movement of vehicles entering and exiting the development. 6) An access serving the property on the west side of Eagle Road approximately 1/8 mile south of River Valley Street limited to right-in/right out movements is approved. 7) An access on the west side of Eagle Road at River Valley Street and the subsequent signalization of River Valley Street and Eagle Road intersection is approved under the condition that the roadway construction and signalization is done during phase one of the Center Cal development and is complete and fully operational prior to Center Cal opening for business. Mr. John Ringert July 1, 2009 Page 5 8) The connection of River Valley Street and Fairview Avenue via Records Street is required to be constructed during phase one of the Center Cal construction and be completed prior to the development opening for business. Records Street must be fully constructed. 9) A raised median will be required from Fairview Avenue to River Valley Street on Eagle Road with the only opening allowed at the non-signalized approach mentioned in items two (2) and five (5) above. 10) All roadway improvements on both the east and west side of Eagle Road and the improvements at the intersection of Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue must be completed during phase one construction and prior to the opening of the Center Cal development for business. 11) Preservation of aright-of--way corridor must be established prior to issuance of the final access permit. The concept is to preserve right-of-way for the construction of future intersection improvements at Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue. 12) The access at the %4 mile as described in two (2) and five (5) above shall be signalized at the expense of Center Cal when the traffic generated by the Center Cal development warrants signalization. If this decision is acceptable, the final engineering details of all plans, construction of improvements and negotiation of the right-of-way corridor at the intersection of Eagle Road and Fairview Avenue outlined above will need to be completed prior to the start of construction work. Coordination will be managed by ITD's District Three office. If this decision is not acceptable, Center Cal has the right of further appeal in accordance with IDAPA 39.03.42. In order to exercise this right, Center Cal must submit written notice of appeal to the Legal Section of the Idaho Transportation Department within 30 days of your receipt of this letter. Please address correspondence to: Idaho Transportation Department Legal Section Attn: Karl Vogt P.O. Box 7129 Boise, ID 83707-1129 Sinc~ely, Tom E. Zbt'e LS/PE Chief Engineer Cc: City of Meridian Ada County Highway District COMPASS