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Home My WebLink AboutA036 - June 24, 2025, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:38 DATE:06-24-25 DEPT:PW SUBJECT:PHASING FOR THE 2024-26 TRAFFIC SYSTEM CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (13TH & GRAND) COUNCIL ACTION FORM BACKGROUND: The Traffic Systems Capacity Improvements Program in the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a program that addresses issues identified in the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The 2045 LRTP identified several critical intersections that were at or nearing capacity and needed improvements. The 2024-26 Traffic System Capacity Improvement Program will address the intersection of 13th Street & Grand Avenue. The project will add dedicated left turn lanes and a new traffic signal at the intersection, a shared use path along the west side of Grand Avenue through the project corridor, and a leading pedestrian interval (LPI) at the traffic signal. The City retained WHKS & Co. of Ames, Iowa in August 2024 to prepare the design for this project. The preliminary design is now substantially complete. One of the k e y remaining elements to finalize is the construction phasing plan. In developing this plan, careful consideration has been given to maintaining access for adjacent residents, accommodating necessary construction activities including underground utility work, ensuring the safety of both the traveling public and construction personnel, and completing the project efficiently. Based on these considerations, WHKS & Co. and City staff recommend a phasing plan that would close 13th Street to the east side of Grand while the east 2 lanes of Grand Avenue are being worked on, and close 13th Street to the west side of Grand while the west 2 lanes of Grand Avenue are being worked on. This creates two “T”-shaped phases as shown in the attachment. This approach is expected to significantly accelerate construction while enhancing safety for workers and the public. A critical consideration along 13th Street is maintaining access and operational readiness for Fire Station 1. Staff has met with representatives from the Fire Department to review the proposed phasing and discuss mitigation strategies. The Fire Department has indicated that they can continue to operate effectively under the proposed plan. To further support emergency response, staff will evaluate on-street parking regulations along side streets and may implement temporary changes to ensure sufficient access for emergency vehicles. The alternative to the two "T-shaped" phased approach is to maintain traffic flow in all directions during the project. This approach, however, presents many hazards and practical difficulties. First, although traffic flow would be maintained, the level of service would be severely limited due to lane closures, resulting in major delays. Second, lane widths would be narrowed and workers would be in close proximity to traffic, which would both slow traffic flow 1 and present safety concerns. Third, the project would need to be constructed in an estimated 12 phases, which would substantially increase project costs and the length of time the project is underway. Finally, this many phases would also make it difficult to connect utilities and paving sections in a manner that allows the infrastructure to work as a cohesive system, which can lead to premature failure after construction. For these reasons, staff believes the two "T- shaped" phase approach is preferred. Once the phasing concept is approved by the City Council, the final design process can proceed. Staff will be working with CyRide to evaluate route and stop adjustments. Staff will also meet with adjacent residents to determine any accessibility needs, property access, and construction parking. It is anticipated that the construction will occur in the 2027 construction season. This will allow staff time to complete property acquisition, preliminary utility relocation, and the lead time to procure the signal equipment. ALTERNATIVES: 1. Direct staff to proceed with the attached phasing plan for the 13th Street and Grand Avenue project. 2. Direct staff to proceed with an alternate phasing plan that maintains traffic flow in all directions at all times during the construction of the project. 3. Direct staff to proceed with some other phasing plan. CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION: Closing portions of 13th Street using the two "T-shaped" phasing approach presented by staff and the consulting engineers will significantly reduce the construction timeframe of the project and provide safer construction activities, while maintaining effective access for emergency response vehicles. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted above. ATTACHMENT(S): 13th___Grand_Traffic_Control_Sheets.pdf Grand_13th_Street.pdf 2 Grand Ave. 13 t h S t . Harding Ave. Roosevelt Ave. Wilson Ave. 12 t h S t 245140140 48" x 48" W20-1 WORK ROAD AHEAD 48" x 48" W20-5 LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD 48" x 48" W4-2 NORTHBOUND ADVANCED WARING SIGN SEQUENCE PLACE 250' SOUTH OF FIRST DRUM 250'250' 48" x 48" W20-1 WORK ROAD AHEAD 48" x 48" W20-5 RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD 48" x 48" W4-2 SOUTHBOUND ADVANCED WARING SIGN SEQUENCE PLACE 250' NORTH FROM FIRST DRUM 250'250' 48" x 48" W1-4L 48" x 48" W1-4R48" x 24" G20-2A ROAD WORK END 48" x 24" G20-2A ROAD WORK END 48" x 30" R11-2 CLOSED ROAD 48" x 48" W20-3 AHEAD CLOSED ROAD EASTBOUND ADVANCED WARING SIGN SEQUENCE 300' 48" x 30" R11-2 CLOSED ROAD 48" x 48" W20-3 AHEAD CLOSED ROAD WESTBOUND ADVANCED WARING SIGN SEQUENCE 300' 24" x 12" R9-11 STAGE 1 48" x 48" W20-3 AT CLOSED HARDING 13TH PLACE SIGNS AT 10TH & HARDING & 16TH & HARDING 240'140'245' 200'100' TO ALLEY MAINTAIN ACCESS NOTE: 1. FOR MORE INFORMATION REFER TO IDOT STANDARD ROAD PLAN TC-423 ncollins12:40:26 PM pw:\\whks-pw.bentley.com:whks-pw-01\Documents\Projects\10147\41 CAD\Design\CADD_Files\Sheet_Files\SHT_J_10147.dgn DESIGN TEAM PROJECT NUMBER SHEET NUMBER COUNTY 4/14/2025 ENGLISHFILE NO.98765 WHKS & CO.CITY OF AMES XXX-XXXX-XXX J.2XXX-XXXX-XXXCITY OF AMESWHKS & CO. O 1OOO1OO FEET 3 ncollins12:40:41 PM pw:\\whks-pw.bentley.com:whks-pw-01\Documents\Projects\10147\41 CAD\Design\CADD_Files\Sheet_Files\SHT_J_10147.dgn DESIGN TEAM PROJECT NUMBER SHEET NUMBER COUNTY 4/14/2025 ENGLISHFILE NO. Harding Ave. Roosevelt Ave. Wilson Ave. Grand Ave. 13 t h S t . 12 t h S t . 48" x 48" W20-1 WORK ROAD AHEAD 48" x 48" W20-5 LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD 48" x 48" W4-2 SOUTHBOUND ADVANCED WARING SIGN SEQUENCE PLACE 250' NORTH OF THE FIRST DRUM 48" x 48" W20-1 WORK ROAD AHEAD 48" x 48" W20-5 RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD 48" x 48" W4-2 NORTHBOUND ADVANCED WARING SIGN SEQUENCE PLACE 250' SOUTH OF THE FIRST DRUM 48" x 30" R11-2 CLOSED ROAD 48" x 48" W20-3 AHEAD CLOSED ROAD EASTBOUND ADVANCED WARING SIGN SEQUENCE 300' 48" x 30" R11-2 CLOSED ROAD 48" x 48" W20-3 AHEAD CLOSED ROAD WESTBOUND ADVANCED WARING SIGN SEQUENCE 300' 240 140140 200 9 Devices 245140 48" x 24" G20-2A ROAD WORK END 48" x 24" G20-2A ROAD WORK END 48" x 48" W1-4L 48" x 48" W1-4R 250'250' 250'250' STAGE 2 48" x 48" W20-3 AT CLOSED WILSON 13TH PLACE SIGNS AT 9TH & WILSON & 16TH & WILSON NOTE: 1. FOR MORE INFORMATION REFER TO IDOT STANDARD ROAD PLAN TC-423 100' 140' 98765 WHKS & CO.CITY OF AMES XXX-XXXX-XXX J.3XXX-XXXX-XXXCITY OF AMESWHKS & CO. O 1OOO1OO FEET 4 HARDING AVE ROOSEVELT AVE WILSON AVE HARDING AVE W ILSON AVE 13th STREET GRAND AVE HARDING AVE ROOSEVELT AVE HARDING AVE GRAND AVE 1B 13th STREET AND GRAND AVENUE SCALE IN FEET 0 Date Figure NOT FINAL - SUBJECT TO CHANGE LEGEND PROPOSED PAVEMENT TRAFFIC SIGNAL LOCATION STOP SIGN LOCATION PRELIMINARY PLAN PROPOSED SIDEWALK N Concept - Aerial Photography - 2. 1. Sources: 100 Iowa Geographic Server 2016-2018 March 2022 PAVEMENT REMOVAL Concept Study Grand Avenue - Ames, Iowa HDR, March 2022 5