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BOOK _10i, PACE 87 Director Davis defined and pointed out the differences between a collector road and a local road. He then reviewed a memorandum dated March 26, 1997, on page 36 and discussed each of the options and why staff did not recommend them. TO: James W. Davis, P.E. Public Works Director FROM: Christopher R. Mora, P.E. County Traffic Engineer DATE: March 26, 1997 SUBJECT: 16th Street and 58th Avenue Dr. & Mrs. Robert H. Vinson Letter Dated March 11, 1997 The Traffic Engineering Division has reviewed and evaluated the three options listed in the subject letter with regard to the Proposed widening of the 16th St/58th Av intersection. In our analysis, we assumed the following: ** 1998 traffic volumes ** 58th Avenue widened to 4 -lane divided between 26 St. & 16 St. ** 43rd Avenue unimproved Option #1: Remove 16th Street Bridge at 58th Avenue Removal of the 16th Street bridge would effectively close 16th Street immediately east of 58th Avenue. The closure would affect an estimated 330 P.M. peak hour trips on 16th Street. These trips would be diverted onto 43rd Avenue, SR 60, 58th Avenue and 12th Street. Residents of 16th Street who wish to travel to the Mall, Target, Ryanwood and other commercial areas along SR 60 would be forced to travel east to 43rd Avenue, north to SR 60, and then west to 58th Avenue. The section of 43rd Avenue between SR 60 and 16th Street, which is already at capacity, would become even more heavily congested. Approximately 180 vehicles per hour, which would normally turn right from westbound 16th Street onto northbound 58th Avenue, would be forced to travel east to 43rd Avenue, and then north to SR 60. The additional traffic would cause the SR 60/43rd Avenue intersection to fail, going from level -of -service (L.O.S.) "D" to beyond "F" (see attached). Vehicles would be forced to wait several light changes to maneuver thru the intersection. Traffic Engineering does not recommend Option #1, because of the increased traffic congestion caused by vehicles diverted from 16th Street. Option #2• Add "STOP" signs or speed bumps to 16th Street between 43rd and 58th Avenues The installation of "STOP" signs or speed bumps along arterial roadways is not a recommended practice. Arbitrarily -placed "STOP" signs tend to do more harm than good. Studies have shown that "STOP" signs placed for speed or volume control encourage drivers to violate them, thereby resulting in accidents. Speed bumps can also be dangerous by causing a loss of control in certain vehicles such as motorcycles or emergency vehicles. 20 April 8, 1997