Title
Follow-up Presentation on Grand Canyon Drive Intersection Analysis for White Rock Citizens’ Petition
Recommended Action
Option 1: I move that Council take no further action in this matter.
OR
Option 2: I move that Council direct the County Manager to implement the proposed staff recommendations in Attachment A.
OR
Option 3: I move that Council direct the County Manager to further evaluate the proposed staff recommendations including a briefing to the Transportation Board for additional discussion and input.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve Option 2 or Option 3 as presented.
Body
A Citizens’ Petition signed by 18 individuals was received on May 22, 2024, and presented to County Council on June 11 by Richard Skolnik. The petition requested that the County analyze three intersections along Grand Canyon Drive at Sherwood Boulevard, Rover Boulevard, and Aragon Avenue for improved road and pedestrian safety improvements (See Attachment B). It additionally requested a traffic signal be installed on New Mexico State Road 4 at Sherwood Boulevard. This final request is not part of this presentation or analysis, as State Road 4 is a state-owned highway and installation of a traffic signal at this intersection has already been approved by the New Mexico Department of Transportation with a design underway by the developer for the Mirador Mixed-Use Development.
County Council requested that Public Works staff review the petition and analyze the three intersections along Grand Canyon Drive. Traffic and pedestrian counts during the school year were required to analyze these intersections. Staff performed these counts two weeks after the first day of school, during the week of August 19.
Public Works staff contracted with Wilson and Company, an engineering on-call to perform the analysis. The analysis included field observations and data collection, sight distance analysis, signal warrant analysis, all-way stop control warrant analysis, and a pedestrian hybrid beacon warrant analysis. The intersection safety analysis also included crash data analysis.
The summary of the analysis has indicated that the three intersections meet minimum safety standards and that all-way stop control warrants are not met if sightlines are maintained through the removal and maintenance of vegetation on the intersection corners. No traffic signal warrant or pedestrian hybrid beacon warrants are met at these intersections. Crashes in the area are minimal (2 reported crashes between 2018 and 2023), with none occurring at the intersections. Additionally, no pedestrians were involved in any of the reported crashes in the time period analyzed.
The following recommendations have been made and are being evaluated by staff for possible implementation:
1) Removal and relocation of flashing school zone lights near Sherwood Boulevard;
2) Update of signage at Sherwood Boulevard;
3) Re-striping of crosswalks at Rover Boulevard; and
4) Installation of crosswalk signage and pavement markings at Aragon Avenue.
Additional traffic calming measures, enhanced pavement markings, and signage will continue to be investigated by staff at each of the intersections. Staff has already trimmed vegetation that impeded sight distance at the Rover Boulevard intersection and is in the process of evaluating the extent of required vegetation trimming at the Sherwood Boulevard intersection. Staff will work with adjacent homeowners as necessary to ensure that sight distance can be maintained now and into the future.
This study was funded by an approved FY 2024 Council Budget Option for Transportation Planning. See Attachment C - Fee Proposal from Wilson and Co. in the amount of $33,992.42 plus NMGRT.
Attachments
A - Presentation Grand Canyon Drive Intersection Analysis
B - Citizens Petition regarding road and pedestrian safety in White Rock
C - Final Report - Wilson and Co.