3/24/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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sootYvc Glenn W. Legwen noted that the reference on Page 2 of his letter of March 19, 1998 to 26 Street (Walker Avenue) should refer to 33`d Street, which is Cherry Lane. He asked whether stop lights could be installed on 58' from Oslo Road and questioned how many more people have to die before the Board will take some action. Commissioner Ginn wanted to know how many deaths occurred between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 1997, and Mr. Legwen did not believe there were any but did not get those figures from the Sheriff's department. He stressed that cars are racing up and down 58'1 as well as trucks going to the Landfill. It is a very scary highway. Commissioner Macht noted that he has had occasion in the last 3 months to cross 58`h on 8' Street and at certain times of day traffic is backed up as far as 10 to 15 cars. It is very difficult to see what is coming and a very dangerous situation. He felt that it was time to consider a light at least on 81' with perhaps a flashing light on 4. Public Works Director Jim Davis stated the County is working on Kings Highway. Phase I to widen the road is now under construction. An accident analysis has been done and the accident history is declining at that intersection. The intersection was ranked #1 in accidents in 1996 and is now ranked at #52. They do not count injuries or deaths as extra points but when they find that is the case, they do take a hard look at the intersection. County Traffic Engineer Chris Mora noted that 2 studies were done in the past at this intersection in June, 1993 and December, 1996. In both cases a full traffic signal was not warranted. There are certain requirements which must be met before installing traffic signals. You must have a traffic load of 600 cars per hour with a minimum volume on the side street of 200 per hour for 8 hours per day. The side street volume can be reduced a level if the main street has 900 cars per hour. Chairman Tippin questioned when the bridge will be built, and Director Davis noted that the bridge at 8t` Street will be in Phase 2 of the project which will probably go to bid late this year or early in 1999. Staff is still hying to accomplish right-of-way acquisitions. In 1993 there were 9 accidents at that intersection; in 1994, 8 accidents; in 1995, 5 accidents; and in 1996, 4 accidents. No fatality analysis has been done. Mr. Legwen believed the statistics not to be current as the figures were from 1996 before the new Mall opened. Mr. Mora, in response to Mr. Legwen's question, stated there are 2 types of traffic counts and 1 is the machine count of vehicles on 8' Street and Kings Highway. Mr. Legwen noted that he had traveled on 58' from Oslo to SR -60 and did not see any traffic counting devices. MARCH 24, 1998 -36-