HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - ISU Research Park Traffic and Pedestrian Crossing Evaluation RESOLUTION NO. 13- 353
RESOLUTION APPROVING INSTALLATION OF PUSH-BUTTON
FLASHING BEACONS ON AIRPORT ROAD
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, on January 22, 2013, City Council referred to staff a letter from Steve Carter,
President of the Iowa State University(ISU)Research Park,requesting that the City study three areas
of concern related to traffic and pedestrian safety and operations along affected sections of
University Avenue and Airport Road; and,
WHEREAS,the concerns generally are related to impacts seen by the significant growth of
WebFilings,both in the number of employees and location of its facilities within the ISU Research
Park; and,
WHEREAS,since the referral,staff has met j ointly on several occasions with Mr.Carter and
other ISU Research Park staff with WebFilings management whom have knowledge of their staffing
and transition to their new facility that is currently under construction at the southeast corner of
University Boulevard and Airport Road; and,
WHEREAS,during those meetings,staff discussed the short-term needs,as well as the long-
term vision—not only for WebFilings, but for the ISU Research Park as a whole; and,
WHEREAS, the three areas of concern are as follows; 1) pedestrian crossing safety at the
intersection of North Loop Drive and Airport Road,2)traffic operations at the University Boulevard
and Airport Road intersection,and,3)traffic operations at the westbound off-ramp of U.S.Highway
30 and University Boulevard; and,
WHEREAS, during the past several months, City staff has collected and analyzed turning
movement counts at intersections along University Boulevard, as well as volume and speed counts
along Airport Road in the area of the north-south pedestrian crossing at the North Loop Drive
intersection; and,
WHEREAS,the data collected during the course of this study does indicate that the sections
of Airport Road and University Boulevard affected by the Research Park are beginning to experience
transportation issues related to congestion, which is typical of areas of larger employment, such as
the case of a research or industrial park; and,
WHEREAS, because there are plans to substantially expand the Research Park in the near
future, staff would suggest that the best course of action at this time is to wait until a Traffic Impact
Study is performed in relation to the proposed Phase 3 expansion of the ISU Research Park; and,
WHEREAS,staff is further recommending that push-button flashing beacons be installed on
Airport Road at this time, noting that as the Research Park grows, the flashing beacons can be
removed and used at another location.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,
that the installation of push-button flashing beacons on Airport Road is hereby approved, with the
funding source being Available Balance in the Road Use Tax Fund.
ADOPTED THIS 23rd day of July, 2013.
600!
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk Ann H. Campbell, Mayor
Introduced by: Goodman
Seconded by: Larson
Voting aye: Davis, Goodman, Larson, Orazem
Voting nay: None Absent: Wacha, Szopinski
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 23rd day of July, 2013.