5.2 Ohio Street Raised Median
CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
02/27/12 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: FISCAL APPROVAL:
5
NO:
BY:
PUBLIC WORKS
FINAL APPROVAL:
ITEM
NO:2
BY: Daniel R. Stack BY:
Page 1
ITEM:
Public hearing and report on extending the raised median protection through the Prescott Avenue
intersection at Ohio Street.
BACKGROUND:
Crawford Street is a principle ar terial running east and west through the center of the city. Ohio
Street is a principle arterial running north and south in eastern Salina. The intersection of these two
four-lane streets handles in excess of 33,000 vehicles daily. The Oh io and Prescott intersection is
located approximately 260 feet north of the traffic signal controlled intersection at Ohio and Crawford.
Two traffic studies have analyzed this area; one in 1999 by Bucher Willis & Ratliff (currently Lochner,
BWR Division) and one in 2012 by Wilson & Company (WCEA). Each study has been in conjunction
with pavement improvements to the Ohio and Crawford intersection.
The 1999 BWR study reported the evening peak hour southbound queues for both lanes exceeding
500 feet. This report showed that both the eastbound and westbound evening peak hours at Prescott
received a level of service (LOS) rating of “F”. A LOS rating of F describes a condition of excessively
high delay (greater than 80 seconds) and is considered unacceptable to most drivers.
The 2011 WCEA report included the results of a traffic simulation program of the Ohio and Crawford
intersection. The computer simulation also predicts the southbound que ue to stack beyond the
Prescott Avenue intersection. Observed queues in the field confirm the computer simulation.
The existing raised median on Ohio ends at the south edge of Prescott. Left turns onto Prescott from
Ohio are prohibited by signage at the end of the median. On the southbound leg of Ohio, a “Do Not
Block Intersection” sign is located just north of the Prescott intersection. The queue for both
southbound legs will stack beyond Prescott during the peak hour. This reduces the visibility and the
open gap entices motorists to shoot through or turn left from the eastbound leg of Prescott. Review
of the traffic accident history of the past three years, 12 of the 30 (40%) crashes could be eliminated
at this intersection if the raised median on Ohio Street extended through Prescott Avenue and limiting
Prescott to right turn in and right turn out.
A similar situation occurred south of this area at the intersection of Ohio a nd Faith Drive. The City
worked with the developer of the McDonald’s property to extend the median in 2002 and eliminate the
accidents associated with vehicles trying to cross northbound traffic from the west or east.
FISCAL NOTE:
The extended median is a part of the recently awarded Project 10-2815, Ohio and Crawford
Intersection Improvements. No additional expendi tures would be necessary to build the raised
median. If the median is not cons tructed, this bid item would be underrun resulting in a savings of
about $1,500.
CITY OF SALINA
REQUEST FOR CITY COMMISSION ACTION DATE TIME
02/27/12 4:00 P.M.
AGENDA SECTION ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: FISCAL APPROVAL:
5
NO:
BY:
PUBLIC WORKS
FINAL APPROVAL:
ITEM
NO:2
BY: Daniel R. Stack BY:
Page 2
CONFORMANCE WITH STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal 3: The City will provide the highest quality of services, consistent with governing body direction,
available resources and staff commitment to quality.
RECOMMENDATION:
Engineering staff offers the following options for the City Commission:
1. The City Commission approve the extension of the raised median through the Ohio and
Prescott intersection.
2. The City Commission deny the extension of the raised median from the project plans and
leave the intersection in its current condition.
3. The City Commission provide fu rther direction to City Staff.
Staff recommends Option 1 as the best engineering option for the improvement of the intersection
and safety of the citizens of Salina.
Attachments: Public Comments (Scott, Nutter, Hassman, Wilson)
Area Map
From:
Nutter, Larry [Larry.Nutter@usd305.com]
Sent:
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 3:09 PM
To:
Nelson, Wayne
Subject:
City Project No. 10-2815
Wayne,
Concerning City Project Ns. 10-2815, median extension at Ohio & Prescott, as I am unable to attend the City
th
Commission meeting on February 27, I will respond this way.
I appreciate the effort to make the Prescott & Ohio intersection safer, however, by alleviating one problem I am
concerned that you will be aggravating another, namely the traffic flow at LeFran & Crawford. As one who
lives in this neighborhood, I am already frustrated at times when I travel eastbound on Crawford and try to
make a left turn onto LeFran. Two factors make this difficult, traffic flow can periodically be heavy on Crawford
coming from the east. Also, traffic can back up at the Crawford & Ohio intersection forcing drivers to wait for
the intersection to clear (unless westbound drivers stop prior to the intersection at LeFran allowing those
waiting to turn to proceed). Of course, all this is done without the benefit of a center turn lane, so I am
frequently forced to come to a complete stop before completing my turn. Approximately two years ago, I was
rear-ended while waiting to make just such a left turn. An inattentive eastbound driver had cleared Crawford &
Ohio and was not expecting anyone to stop so soon. It concerns me that this proposed change will funnel
even more people into this left lane of traffic on Crawford to turn into my neighborhood. Coming from the north
on Ohio, I feel much safer (and it is much easier) to wait in the center turn lane on Ohio at Prescott to get to my
home.
As one who frequents Braum’s and occasionally crosses Ohio at Prescott, I am also against this median for
convenience reasons, but I understand that safety is the primary concern. Still, I am concerned that the
solution being presented will only aggravate the issue at Crawford & LeFran.
If you wish to visit further, feel free to contact me using the information below.
Thank you,
Larry Nutter
646 Rockview
785-826-1994
larry.nutter@usd305.com
Biology Instructor
Salina High School South
__________________________________________________________________________________________
From:
Mark Hassman [mark@hassmantermite.com]
Sent:
Monday, February 20, 2012 5:04 AM
To:
Nelson, Wayne
Subject:
City Project 10-2815
Mr. Nelson,
I am writing in full support of the proposed extension of the median at the intersection of East Prescott Rd and
South Ohio Street. This is long overdue. Even though the signs are posted to restrict left hand turns from the
north bound lane it still happens all too frequently and allows traffic to back up at an already heavily used
intersection. The Salina Police Department has handed out numerous citations over the illegal turns and yet
they still persist. Having the median in place is the only way to rectify the problem. I realize that the traffic
from East Prescott will be inconvenienced but it is al ready necessary that we use East Crawford when
accessing South Ohio. Our business is one block directly east of the intersection. This project has as much
impact on us as anyone.
Thanks for your time.
Mark Hassman
Hassman Termite and Pest Control Inc.
February 22, 2012
4:43 pm CST
Project No. 10-2815
Ohio and Crawford Intersection Improvements
Telephone call with Harris Wilson of Braums, OKC
Discussed the extension of the raised median on Ohio Street from the existing
location approximately 75 feet north. This action would block turning movements
on Prescott.
Mr. Wilson had no objection to having the median extended, as it does not
interfere with access to the north driveway of Braums.
Mr. Wilson will contact R. Braum to s ee if he might have any questions. If so,
Braum’s will call.
Wayne E. Nelson
µ
Extended Median