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City Council <br />Meeting Minutes <br />January 8, 2019 <br />Page 4 of 8 <br />Director Kowar reviewed the options at Helca and Hwy 42 The underpass here is on <br />track to be bid out. The signal at Hecla has not met CDOT's signal warrants so it can't <br />currently be built. ADA accessibility is being studied at the intersection He stated a <br />flashing beacon is not generally considered with multiple lanes in each direction on high <br />speed/volume roads. There are some options for other intersection work and pedestrian <br />refuges that can be considered. He stated people have asked for a reduction in speed <br />there. CDOT will not change the speed without a speed study It is likely if a speed <br />study is performed the overall speed limit would remain at 45 mph <br />Director Kowar reviewed the corridor character and the adjacent uses. He added <br />Lafayette has plans to use the area to the east for a sports complex which will also <br />affect the area <br />Councilmember Stolzmann asked if deciding on the signal at Short Street precludes the <br />City from installing other signals in the future. Director Kowar stated possibly as it will <br />affect traffic warrants for other intersections. <br />Councilmember Stolzmann asked if Short is the right place to put in a traffic signal She <br />noted perhaps Griffith Street would be the place for the signal as it is a street that <br />crosses the railroad tracks. <br />Public Comments <br />John Leary, 1116 LaFarge Street, stated the decision to divert traffic to side streets in <br />neighborhoods was a policy adopted at the time of the 42 redevelopment plan That is <br />now not happening so it seems common sense that a three -lane option will not work in <br />this area. It is a reality that it has to be five lanes. <br />Randy Caranci, 441 Elk Trail Lafayette, stated he supports an underpass on Hwy 42 <br />near Pine Street. An underpass here could utilize the ballfields for parking for <br />downtown, if Lafayette builds its sports complex it would be great to have direct <br />pedestrian access to downtown Now is the time to do it. <br />Councilmember Keany stated he supports the five -lane option given the increase in <br />traffic. He is encouraged by this discussion He supports building the Short Street signal <br />with five lanes in mind He supports an underpass in the corridor as well Citizens would <br />appreciate improved traffic flow here. <br />Mayor Muckle stated he too supports the five -lane configuration. He supports moving <br />pedestrians and bikes into the open space on multi -use paths. He stated the rural <br />character does matter, but that is a design question that can be addressed <br />