Staff Report
PREPARED BY: MATT MORLEY
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 01/17/2017
ITEM NO: 11
DATE: NOVEMBER 22, 2016
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC PROJECT 813-0229
A. PROVIDE DIRECTION ON NEXT STEPS TO ADDRESS SUMMER CUT
THROUGH TRAFFIC, INCLUDING DIRECTION FOR THE SUMMER OF 2017
AND POTENTIAL FUTURE CAPITAL PROJECTS.
B. APPROVE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT AND THE APPROPRIATION OF
$9,908 FROM THE TRAFFIC IMPACT MITIGATION FUND TO THE CUT
THROUGH TRAFFIC PROJECT 813-0229.
C. AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH
W-TRANS FOR ENGINEERING CONSULTING SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $66,000.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Provide direction on next steps to address summer cut through traffic , including direction
for the summer of 2017 and potential future capital projects.
2. Approve a budget adjustment and the appropriation of $9,908 from the Traffic Impact
Mitigation Fund to the Cut Through Traffic Project 813 -0229.
3. Authorize the Town Manager to execute an Agreement with W-Trans for engineering
consulting services in an amount not to exceed $66,000.
BACKGROUND:
On June 7, 2016, the Council approved the temporary closure of South Santa Cruz Avenue a t
Wood Road from June 25 through July 10, 2016. On August 2, 2016 the Town Council directed
staff to continue the closure through the Labor Day holiday and to continue traffic -related data
collection. In addition, staff was directed to begin looking at long term options for mitigating
summer cut through traffic.
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DISCUSSION:
Traffic for the duration of the summer proved similar to the early weekends of the closure, with
significant relief to the residential neighborhoods south of Highway 9 and a significant decrease
in traffic in the downtown business area.
Traffic on other local streets demonstrated varied impacts. Streets such as Los Gatos
Boulevard, Highway 9, and University and Santa Cruz Avenues continue d to experience very
impactful cut through traffic. On the worst of days, traffic impacts spilled over onto smaller
residential streets, such as Magneson Loop off of Los Gatos Boulevard or Rose and Andrews
Avenues off of Highway 9. These impacts result ed largely from mapping applications, which
directed traffic to smaller residential streets to achieve incremental reductions in travel times.
This is a phenomenon that many jurisdictions throughout the Bay Area experience in
conjunction with commute traffic. Staff anticipates these traffic patterns to continue.
Resolving these challenges completely may not be feasible. Some minor relief may be possible
through capital improvement projects, such as traffic signal upgrades that move the traffic
more efficiently.
The pilot closures allowed staff to study and collect data on impacts in relation to the closure.
A report from the Town’s consultant, Traffic Patterns, and summarized data are included as
Attachments 1 and 2.
Staff has ensured that Caltrans has been well informed through this pilot program as they must
provide approval for any ongoing closure and Caltrans’ continued support of the Town’s interim
activities is necessary1. Some of the observations and hypotheses from the data collected
through the summer include the following:
Overall, there was a significant increase in traffic entering Los Gatos on Winchester and
Los Gatos Boulevard at Lark Avenue in comparison with 2015 base data.
On southbound Winchester Boulevard at Lark Avenue, a greater number of vehicles
followed the signage towards Highway 17, demonstrating that information may be
working.
On southbound Los Gatos Boulevard at Lark Avenue, traffic continued the trend of going
straight through and not heeding signage directing vehicles back to Highway 17. This
materialized in measured and observed queues along Los Gatos Boulevard, especially
south of Blossom Hill Road.
Left turn movements on southbound Santa Cruz and University Avenues onto Highway 9
have experienced continued heavy traffic as vehicles use those routes to Highway 17.
1 The Town has an agreement with the Santa Clara County Traffic Authority (the predecessor to the V alley
Transportation Authority), that requires the Traffic Authority to provide an agreement with Caltrans to allow for
the management of the South Santa Cruz onramp due to traffic conditions. There is no evidence that such an
agreement with Caltrans was ever executed.
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DISCUSSION (cont’d):
Compared with July data, there were some increases in traffic entering the downtown
from Highway 9, which may demonstrate increased access to the downtown in August
through Labor Day.
Traffic at Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue showed vehicles headed towards parking
areas. Combined with decreased numbers leaving the downtown at Highway 9, these
data may point to visitors staying downtown.
The closure at Wood Road directly impacted the Caltrans onramp to Highway 17 and as a result,
any permanent infrastructure or ongoing closure will require permits from Caltrans. Town staff
has met with Caltrans to begin discussions on how to advance a future project. These steps
outline that process:
1. The Town needs to develop a concept project to include conceptual plans and a
feasibility study for the proposed work, including options for control of the Wood Road
intersection. These would be submitted to Caltrans as preliminary documents for a
permit.
2. Caltrans provides their reaction or input to the permit submittals. This is the first
opportunity for the Town to get documented feedback on whether a project would be
permitted by Caltrans.
3. Assuming a positive review, the Town would develop full plans and specifications for the
project. Caltrans would continue to review the project and refine its input to the permit
request.
4. Once the project scope is fully identified, staff can revise the project cost estimate and
identify funding.
5. The project requires environmental review, including a traffic analysis prior to
construction.
6. After the completion of environmental review and project approval, construction can
begin.
The entire timeline for this process is two to three years. In order to assess the first task, staff
engaged one of the Town’s on call engineering consultants, W-Trans. On call engineering
consultants are selected through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to provide specialized
services on an as needed basis. W-Trans specializes in roundabouts and has extensive local
experience working with Caltrans, making them well qualified for this work. W-Trans estimates
that the cost of steps one and two above is $66,000. If the Council wishes to pursue this project
through steps one and two, funding could be allocated from the remaining Cut Through Traffic
Mitigation Capital Improvement Project (Project Number 813-0229) and through a supplement
of $9,908 from the Traffic Impact Mitigation Fund.
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DISCUSSION (cont’d):
Previous Town efforts identified a roundabout in proximity to the current location as a gateway
project for the Town. That plan, completed in 2003, estimated a project construction cost of
$500,000. With Consumer Price Index adjustments, that anticipated cost today would increase
to $650,000. Additional costs for project design and project delivery could add $250,000 to the
project cost. The overall project scope will significantly influence these costs. The Town will
need to identify funding for this project if the Council decides to move forward with it. Funding
sources may include Traffic Impact Mitigation funds, Town Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
funds, and potential Transportation Initiative funding resulting from the November 2016
Measure B.
Given the projected timeline for this project, the Town may wish to consider other measures
for implementation during upcoming summers:
Street Closure Events.
An event similar to the Spring into Green event held last year, may provide one option. This
event required expenditures of approximately $10,000. Partnerships with downtown
businesses may provide an opportunity to lower these costs. A relocation to a section of Santa
Cruz Avenue would help this type of event serve dual purposes. Similar events that provide
“open streets” or convert parts of the street to pedestrian zones may also be effective. Staff
suggests that closing North Santa Cruz Avenue from Main Street to Elm Street may be a
worthwhile trial, pending coordination with local businesses.
A trial closure of Santa Cruz Avenue to support an event would identif y any unanticipated
impacts, including how traffic reroutes in reaction. Advanced planning would need to occur to
avoid increased cut through in residential neighborhoods. If interest lies in this type of solution,
staff would appreciate Council input on advancing this type of event alone or in conjunction
with a closure at Wood Road.
Ongoing Closure at Wood Road
The Town may wish to consider ongoing summer closures similar to that from last summer,
which will allow for continued data collection and analysis that may be necessary for the
project. The temporary closure, data collection, and study costs over last summer totaled
approximately $160,000. This option is viable in support of a continued effort to install a
permanent roundabout at Wood Road to facilitate ongoing closures, but not as a solution by
itself.
If the Council would like to continue this option, staff will need advance funding for the period
from the Memorial Day weekend through June 30 (11 closure days) and additional funding
allocations
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DISCUSSION (cont’d):
for next fiscal year beginning July 1 through Labor Day (21 closure days). Using expenditures
from last year, the average daily cost is approximately $9,000, which leads to a total estimated
2017 cost of $288,000 ($99,000 in FY 2016/17). Based on Council input, staff could present the
request for these funds as a FY 2016/17 midyear budget adjustment and through the FY
2017/18 Capital Budget program.
Capital Projects
Town staff previously identified capital projects, including signal modifications, lane changes,
and signage to help alleviate traffic beyond the downtown. Staff will provide recommendations
for these projects for Council consideration through scheduled Council Priority Setting Study
Session in January and through the FY 2017-18 Capital Budget Program. Attachment 1 provides
near term and long term options for capital improvements. Council input on the projects could
guide staff in preparation for further review.
CONCLUSION:
The closure of South Santa Cruz Avenue has had a significant impact on traffic in the
downtown. On the positive side, traffic flows have been normalized and congestion within the
downtown is minimized. The solution continues to create a barrier to the downtown at and
approaching Highway 9, making it difficult to enter the downtown area. Additionally, the
solution does not provide relief to the areas of Town north of Highway 9.
It is requested that the Town Council:
1. Provide direction on next steps to address summer cut through traffic, including direction
for the summer of 2017 and potential future capital projects.
2. Approve a budget adjustment and the appropriation of $9,908 from the Traffic Impact
Mitigation Fund to the Cut Through Traffic Project 813 -0229.
3. Authorize the Town Manager to execute an Agreement with W-Trans for engineering
consulting services in an amount not to exceed $66,000.
COORDINATION:
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and the Town Attorney.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
In addition, through the priority setting in early 2017, the Town Council may identify projects or
studies that require additional funding to continue efforts associated with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Highway 17 On-Ramp Extended Closure Observations
2. Traffic Volume Data Comparison
Original Expended/Recommended Total Proposed
Budget Encumbered Available Budget Recommended Project
Fiscal Impact Funding To Date Balance Adjustment Budget Cost
Cut-Through Traffic Mitigation
Project 471-813-0229 215,000$ 158,908$ 56,092$ 9,908$ 66,000$ 66,000$
TOTALS 215,000$ 158,908$ 56,092$ 9,908$ 66,000$ 66,000$
TOTAL EXPENDITURES BY CATEGORY:
Consultation Services 86,008$
Supplies & Equipment 72,900$
TOTALS 158,908$
CUT-THROUGH TRAFFIC MITIGATION
Project 813-0229