HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/1993 Special Meeting 3:34
City of Yakima, Washington
July 20, 1993
SPECIAL MEETING
The City Council met on this date at 7:00 a.m. in Room A at the
Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, Washington to consider a
status report on I -82 /Yakima Avenue /Fair Avenue Interchange.
Council Members present were Clarence Barnett (absent after
8:35 a.m.), Lynn Buchanan, Henry Beauchamp, William Brado,
Skip Semon, and Bernard Sims. Mayor Pat Berndt was absent and
excused. Staff members present were City Manager Zais,
Dennis Covell, Director of Engineering and Utilities, and
Deputy City Clerk Skovald. Others in attendance were Yakima County
Commissioners Charles Klarich, Chairman; Bettie Ingham, and
Jim Lewis; Dan Hesse, Yakima County Public Works; Vern Redifer,
Yakima County Public Works; Leonard Pittman, Washington State DOT;
Greg Stewart, Central Washington State Fair; Joseph
Morrier, Yakima Mall; Al Royal, JEM Development; Chuck Carter,
Cavanaughs; Collie Martin, CH2M Hill; H.E. Jerry Maggard, Advanced
Services; Gary Lukehart, Developer; Steve Thomas, Boise Cascade;
Nick Temple, WA Central Railroad; Rand Elliott, Holiday Inn;
Bill Huibregtse; John Klingele; Kathy Coffey, Executive. Director of
the Yakima Center and John Benson, Yakima Chamber of Commerce.
Council Member Sims opened the meeting and requested those who have
concerns about the design of this project to express them. This is
going to be a rather expensive project in which there are many
partners.
Dennis Covell, Project Manager of the Gateway Project, introduced
Collie Martin, with CH2M Hill. Mr. Martin provided a brief history
of the Yakima Avenue /I -82 interchange project. Using colored
illustrations, he emphasized the importance of the total
configuration and reviewed its major features. The total project
would involve the widening of Yakima Avenue to six lanes, two each
direction with two left turn lane pockets. Fair Avenue would be
extended underneath Yakima Avenue (East Terrace Heights Way) and
connect with the couplet. There would be a new ramp pair that
would bring primarily truck traffic on and off from the north onto
the couplet, and there would be a new flyover ramp, similar to the
northbound off ramp now that drops down from a higher elevation,
only this one would split off and take traffic over to the couplet.
There would be some minor revisions in ramping here. J Ramp would
connect the extension of Fair Avenue up to Yakima Avenue.
Describing Stage 1, again with the aid of illustrations, Mr. Martin
explained that Ramp B (one of the two ramp pairs) would not be
included in the estimate. He listed the major elements to be
constructed for $13.4 million. The list included an extension of
the couplet to connect to Fair Avenue which would provide access to
the proposed retail area. Ramp J would connect Fair Avenue with
the widened Yakima Avenue, and there would be some minor ramp
improvements. Pointing to the illustration, Mr. Martin showed
where the six traffic signals will be added. Mr. Martin stated
335
JULY 20, 1993 'SPECIAL MEETING
that the objectives presented,at the beginning of the project will
be met because there will be another access to and from the
Fairgrounds area by coming up Fair Avenue, connecting on the J Ramp
and getting on the interchange or continuing on around to the
couplet. There will be improved traffic flow from City Center to
I/ Terrace Heights and back. Currently, there is one lane each way.
Stage 1 would provide two lanes each way with two separate left
turn lanes. There will be access to the retail area. There will
be a bicycle pathway, 10 feet wide with separating barrier,
adjacent to the widened Yakima Avenue. Truck traffic would be
reduced on Yakima Avenue by diverting the trucks as quickly as
possible to the couplet. Mr. Martin further commented that there
is a real possibility, with additional funding, to stretch Stage 1
to include temporary Ramp B which would bring southbound truck
traffic off directly onto the couplet; the estimated cost, about $2
million. A signal at Pacific Street would cost about $120,000, and
some additional landscaping would cost about $200,000. There is
$13.4 million available, we think Stage 1 can be stretched to add
the signal at Pacific and Ramp B, but there are other concerns that
need to be taken into consideration. Those include: Fair Avenue
would be improved during Stage 1 to include five lanes with a left
turn lane at an estimated cost of about $1 million. Mr. Martin
further described how the dedicated lane for the Flyover Ramp would
loop around down to the City. It would continue from the east so
that when the Flyover Ramp terminates, it will merge. There will
not be a dedicated lane. There has been a request to include a
long taper down to 8th Street; the estimated cost, another
$600,000. There is some interest on the part of DOT to buy the
right -of -way now for Ramps A and I to be constructed in later
stages of the project; the estimated cost is $164,000. There is
some interest in a traffic signal at 9th Street and Yakima Avenue
intersection as well. These additional elements that have been
requested would cost approximately $2 million.
Mr. Martin explained that once approval to proceed has been
granted, design will begin. Work up to this point has included
environmental assessments and concepts reports. The next major
milestone will be access hearings in September of 1993. Bids
toward the construction project will be advertised in June of 1994.
Access to the retail area would be available via 8th Street by July
of 1995, and via Ramp J by November of 1995. Total construction
(cleanup) would be March 1996.
I/ Mr. Martin stated there have been some concerns expressed about the
number of traffic signals. The alternative to signals is more J
Ramps. It is a compromise. The ramps, along with the right -of -way
factor, are very expensive. The traffic signals will be
synchronized based on how the traffic will be dispersed to the
other improvements. In order to address some other concerns,
-Mr. Martin explained how lanes, including the bike path and a
retaining wall, will be added underneath the existing bridge of the
flyover. Council Member Buchanan commented that he could see a
potential problem with small vehicles and large trucks as well as
2
336
JULY 20, 1993 SPECIAL MEETING
bicyclists in this area. There was discussion concerning
bicyclists having to cross Yakima Avenue and the need to provide
shoulders or a separated pathway for bicyclists to travel on.
Council Member Barnett determined that the free right hand turn
would remain when heading east on Yakima Avenue and then south on
I -82. Mr. Martin explained that Stage 1 is really just an interim
step, and the traffic signal will not be needed after the
I/
construction period, which Leonard Pittman, DOT, stated he would
estimate to be six months. Commissioner Klarich questioned putting
in another light or just using a flagperson during the construction
period. Joe Morrier determined that there would be a traffic
signal before you take a right (south) to get on the freeway when
leaving Yakima. Council Member Buchanan commented about the
problems that can happen when utilizing flagpeople. Addressing a
concern about the J Ramp, Mr. Martin explained that everything that
is being proposed meets state and federal highway standards as far
as turning radius, speed limits and so forth. He explained what a
transverse slope is and estimated the J Ramp's to be no more than
what is standard. Rand Elliott asked what the grade was on the J
Ramp, and Mr. Martin said he would find out. Mr. Martin explained
that because this project is still in the conceptual stage, there
are a lot of details that have not been determined. Commissioner
Lewis referred to access to J Ramp, the different flows of traffic
on Yakima Avenue,- as well as the bike path and asked if all this
meets current DOT standards. Mr. Martin then explained levels of
service and traffic signalization. There was discussion among
Al Royal, Chuck Carter and Mr. Martin regarding how Stage 1 of this
project would relieve truck traffic, particularly at 8th Street and
9th Street. Council Member Beauchamp commented that there will
always be lots of traffic on Yakima Avenue. We will not be able to
solve that problem completely. If we are going to spend this much
money on the interchange project, we need to look at how the Yakima
Avenue flow of traffic will be improved and how the entry- into -the
City flow of traffic will be improved. The design should
accomplish those things. Commissioner Klarich commented that this
project should include good access to the Fairgrounds from
Downtown. We're not getting what we really wanted. Fair Avenue is
not included at all, and that is what the County's $600,000 was
for, to improve Fair Avenue down to the Fairgrounds. Regarding
access into the current downtown area, Al Royal expressed concern
that not having the priority of the flyover ramp as it is today
would be detrimental to the downtown area. The free lane clear to
8th Street and beyond would be turned into a merge lane, and a
light will be added to the free right turn heading south out of
downtown, both of which would make it difficult to access or exit
the current downtown area. There was discussion and comuents among
Dennis Covell, Al Royal and Joe Morrier regarding the flyover ramp
as it is today and the proposed changes as they relate to future
access to the downtown area, and the additional right -of -way and
construction costs of $600,000 that would be added to the project.
Mr. Covell commented about the request by the Chamber and others in
the area to provide a signal at 9th Street which would act as a
relief valve for getting people out of this area during heavy
3
337
JULY 20, 1993 SPECIAL MEETING
- traffic hours. There is a,.variety,of- .opinions regarding the merits
of the signal at Yakima Avenue and 9th Street. He further
commented about the priority of the flyover ramp in relationship
with traffic flow improvement. Using a chart to illustrate the
extra improvements requested to be included in Stage 1 of the
I/ project, Mr. Covell commented about the increased funding ($15.4
million) needed for those extra improvements. He explained that a
new agreement regarding funding participation would have to be
made. He mentioned, in particular, a separate two -way bicycle lane
with an estimated cost of $2.2 million -- too expensive for Stage 1
-- and until that can be funded, there will be a separate bike
access lane. Mr. Covell explained the criteria to be met for TIB
grant funding. He explained that the Master Plan will meet
everyone's needs, but that much money is not available. There is
enough for a first stage and we will continue to look for other
funds. It may take more stages to the entire project. If
the decision is made to make more changes before going into the
design stage, the environmental review will have to be redone.
Gary Lukehart explained how the J Ramp would provide access.
Bob Hall commented about the importance of the signalization
requested. Steve Thomas described the project as a good one and
was confident that the disagreements can be worked out. He
suggested that the project move forward. Gary Lukehart commented
that this is the best alternative and the project should go
forward. Commissioner Lewis expressed concern about the potential
for conflicting flows of traffic which would create a bottleneck
and the possibility of accidents. Commissioner Klarich commented
that the J Ramp would be good access for those coming from Terrace
Heights and going to the new business park. Joe Morrier expressed
concern about the J Ramp which would make egress and ingress into
the downtown area difficult. There was discussion regarding
improving the appearance of the City including comments from
Gary Lukehart and Bob Hall. Greg Stewart expressed concern about
access to the Fairgrounds. City Manager Zais suggested that the
two bodies meet with the engineering staff and decide what
direction to go. After further discussion regarding the the
Flyover ramp, Council Member Sims adjourned the meeting at
8:55 a.m.
READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY: . /1
OUN L ME :ER DATE
JOO
I/
T: - ASSISTANT MLYOR /DATE
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK COUNCIL MEMBER
MINUTES PREPARED BY DEPUTY CITY CLERK SKOVALD.
4