Agenda Item:               8

 

                            COUNCIL COMMUNICATION

                                      City Manager’s Office

 

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Agenda Date:                01/24/05                                                                        Communication No.: 05-033      

Agenda Item Type:        Resolution                                                                     Roll Call No.:                           

 

Submitted by:                Jeb E. Brewer, P.E., City Engineer

 

 

SUBJECT—

Approving and authorizing the execution of Iowa Department of Transportation Agreement for E 14^th Street and E 15^th Street (US 69) between Court Avenue and Walker Street Traffic Signal Improvements.

 

 

SYNOPSIS—

The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) has prepared an agreement between the City of Des Moines and IDOT for E 14^th Street and E 15^th Street (US 69) between Court Avenue and Walker Street Traffic Signal Improvements.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT—

The total estimated cost is $245,000. The Iowa Department of Transportation has approved $145,000 from the Traffic Safety Improvement Program and $38,500 from the Urban-State Traffic Engineering Program for this improvement.  The City’s estimated cost is $61,500.

 

Funding for this project is available in the current Capital Improvements Program, Citywide Signals, Channelization, and School Crossing Protection Program, Fund CP038, Organization ENG990000, Project TFC091, Activity ID 04-2005-009.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION—

Approval

 

 

BACKGROUND—

The project will enhance safety on this heavily traveled corridor by improving the visibility and number of traffic signal heads at eight existing signalized intersections in the vicinity of the Iowa State Capitol.  It will include the addition of overhead signals on the side-street approaches to these locations, along with installing new traffic signal hardware on the existing poles, including signal backplates, and side-of-pole signal indications.  New fiberoptic interconnect cable will also be installed.

 

There were a total of 239 reported crashes at these intersections over the three-year study period between 1998-2000.  Of these, 108 crashes were personal injury crashes involving 189 injuries.  The proposed improvements are expected to significantly reduce the number and severity of crashes at these locations. On August 11, 2003, by Roll Call No. 03-1855, City Council authorized the City Manager to submit an application for this project to the Iowa Department of Transportation for Traffic Safety Funding.