HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-11-21 City CouncilCity of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING
DATE:November 21, 1996 CMR:464:96
SUBJECT:Traffic Signal Modification at Alma Street/Churchill Avenue
REQUEST
The purpose of this report is to inform the Council of modifications that City staff will be
implementing to the traffic signal at the intersection of Alma Street and Churchill Avenue,
during the coming weeks.
RECOMMENDATIONS
No council action is required at this time.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
There are no policy implications, other than the City’s general responsibility to address
demonstrated accident problems on City streets.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to monitor, investigate, evaluate, and resolve
accident problems, the intersection of Alma and Churchill has been identified as a location
where the number of accidents warrants some action. The primary type of accidents,
albeit not the only type, involves collisions between southbound vehicles turning left from
Alma Street onto Churchill and opposing northbound through traffic on Alma.
Currently, a left-turn green arrow exists for the northbound traffic turning left onto
westbound Churchill. However, a left-turn green arrow does not exist for the southbound
traffic turning left onto eastbound Churchill. The modification, to be implemented during
the coming weeks, will be to provide a left-turn green arrow for the southbound traffic
turning left onto eastbound Churchill. hi essence, the traffic signal will operate in the
same manner as the traffic signal at the intersection of Alma Street and Meadow Drive,
as well as Alma Street and Charleston Road.
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The physical changes will include: (1) placement of left-turn indications and, (2)
modifications to the existing wiring and controller. The work will be done by City staff,
and the cost is approximately $5,000.
While the addition of the left-turn green arrow is expected to reduce the number of
accidents, and therefore improve safety at this intersection, it will not alter existing traffic
patterns or volumes through this intersection.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this type of traffic signal work have already been budgeted in the Electric Utility
Fund CIP, Traffic Signal Upgrade.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Minor operational improvements to existing facilities are categorically exempt pursuant
to Section 15301 of the CEQA guidelines; therefore, no environmental assessment is
necessary.
PREPARED BY: Ashok Aggarwal, City Traffic Engineer
Department Head Review:
KENNETH R. SCHREIBER
Director of Plmming
and Colmnunity Enviromnent
City Manager Approval:
er
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