Open Space Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2017 04 12

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I ` Cityof r Louisville PARKS & RECREATION Memorandum To: Open Space Advisory Board From: Allan Gill, RLA, and Park's Project Manager Date: April 12, 2017 Re: State Highway 42 and Short Street Signalized Intersection Summary: The State Highway 42 and Short Street Traffic Intersection project is a part of proposed Highway 42 improvements. The purpose of the project is to provide a safe pedestrian crossing of highway 42 and providing connections between the Sports Complex on the east side of highway 42 and the remainder of Louisville on the west side of highway 42. Team members include, the City of Louisville, Boulder County, CDOT, Xcel Energy, Pinyon Environmental, Harris Kocher Smith and Sustainable Traffic Solutions. The median for the traffic light and turn lanes extends from Griffith Street about 2,000 feet to just south of South Street. As part of the project an additional access road from the intersection and connecting to the parking lot at the Sports complex has been proposed which includes a walk along the south side to get people to the parking lot. From there pedestrians can access trails to the east or continue through the parking lot and to the ballfields. This proposed eight foot wide walk and traffic light, coupled with the eight foot wide walk that was recently constructed at DELO (on the west side of Hwy 42) and connects to the new South Street Underpass, provides a connection which was identified in the Wayfinding Plan for the "Old Town Link" primary trail. For vehicle circulation the west end of the access road to the Sports Complex needs to align with the traffic signal and the east end needs to safely access the parking lot. With that the end points are in fixed positions. Drainage and topography also need to be addressed. Pros: 1. The signalized intersection not only provides improved pedestrian safety but improves walkability and trail connectivity. 2. The signalized intersection provides improved pedestrian connectivity during tournaments at the Sports Complex and Miners Field. 3. The signalized intersection provides improved vehicle access in and out of the Sports Complex. Cons: 1. A small portion of the road and trail alignment is on open space. As roads are not allowed on open space the alignment would need to be mitigated either through an easement, purchase or other means. Park and Recreation Department Staff supports this project based upon: 13