PURPOSE:

Staff requests that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution authorizing an alignment change of the Beachwood Enhanced Class III Bikeway Project and direct staff to enter into an amended Caltrans Agreement to continue to be eligible for a previously-awarded Caltrans Bicycle Transportation Account Grant in the amount of $265,500, with a local match requirement of $29,500 for construction of the project.  This report also outlines implementation status of a number of additional bicycle projects outlined in the Bicycle Master Plan.

BACKGROUND:

On January 25, 2005, City Council directed staff to accept a Caltrans Bicycle Transportation Account grant in the amount of $295,000 with a local match of $29,500 to construct an Enhanced Class III Bikeway along Mariposa Street and Beachwood Drive between Chandler Boulevard and Riverside Drive.  The purpose of this route is to connect the Chandler Bikeway with the Riverside Drive Bike Lanes, providing a bicycle-friendly north-south connection through the City along residential streets that would cater to the more novice bicyclist who may be uncomfortable bicycling on arterial streets.  This route will also serve as a critical gap closure in the regional bicycle network, as it will connect the Los Angeles River Bike Path with the Chandler and Orange Line Bikeways via Riverside Drive.  This connection will become even more important when the City of Los Angeles extends the LA River path north of its current terminus at Victory Blvd and the City of Burbank considers a bicycle-pedestrian connection across the River near the terminus of the Beachwood Bikeway to meet this extension.

A critical component of the Beachwood Bikeway is to facilitate bicycle travel across the various arterial streets that it crosses.  The current design calls for new traffic signals with bicycle detection at three intersections:  Beachwood Drive / Olive Avenue, Beachwood Drive / Verdugo Avenue, and Beachwood Drive / Alameda Avenue.  A major design consideration in installing these traffic control devices is that delay on the intersecting arterial street be minimized.  During initial development of the project, Planning and Transportation staff, in consultation with Public Works Traffic Division staff considered the possible delay at these intersections upon installation of traffic signals and determined that delay could be minimized with effective signal design.  However, as final design work on the project has begun, it has been determined that the delay introduced by adding signals at Beachwood / Olive and Beachwood / Verdugo, particularly in close proximity to the existing signal at Olive / Verdugo will be unacceptable to the vehicle progression along Olive Avenue.  Therefore, upon further discussion, staff from both departments feels that a project alignment change is necessary to implement the project while keeping affects to vehicle traffic at a minimum.

DISCUSSION:

Staff is proposing a change in the bikeway alignment to provide arterial crossings that accommodate bicyclists while still providing adequate vehicle progression on the cross-streets.  The proposed alignment would follow Sparks Street from Chandler Boulevard to Oak Street, Oak Street from Sparks Street to Beachwood Drive, and Beachwood Drive from Sparks Street to Riverside Drive.  The attached Exhibit A illustrates this proposed new alignment in relation to the currently approved route.  This alignment has the advantage of crossing both Olive Avenue and Verdugo Avenue at a single intersection with Sparks, rather than at the two closely-spaced intersections at Beachwood.  This intersection is currently signalized, and the signal timing and detection will be adjusted to accommodate bicycles.  Because the route would be relocated from Beachwood Drive and Mariposa Street to Sparks Street along this northern segment, a traffic signal will need to be installed at Magnolia Boulevard and Sparks Street to facilitate bicycle crossings (rather than using the existing signal at Mariposa and Magnolia).  Also, because the route will intercept the Chandler Bike Path  where currently no street crossing exists, the route terminus will need to be designed to allow bicycles to transition from the bike path to the new bikeway, crossing Chandler at the Sparks/Chandler intersection. The route below Oak Street would remain unchanged, and a new signal at Beachwood Drive / Alameda Avenue would be installed to accommodate bicycles at this intersection.  Finally, the existing signalized intersection at Beachwood Drive and Riverside Drive would be used at the route�s terminus.

This new alignment retains many of the existing positive features of the original alignment, while allowing for a more efficient crossing of Olive and Verdugo.  It still provides a direct connection between Chandler Boulevard and Riverside Drive to provide a high-class, bicycle-friendly north-south route.  The route makes one small �jog� at Oak Street between Sparks and Beachwood, and in fact is a more direct route that the original alignment.  It avoids using Mariposa Street, which is a slightly busier collector street, and instead uses Sparks and Beachwood; both of which are quieter local streets. The route provides access across all major arterials utilizing signalized intersections (existing and new signals) and introduces virtually no additional delay at Olive and Verdugo other than to provide a slightly longer green time on Sparks Street if a bicycle is detected.  Finally, because of the route�s use of two streets (with a jog at Oak Street) and the fact that Sparks does not allow vehicular through traffic at Chandler, the route will minimize vehicle cut-through traffic onto these local streets with the introduction of new signals at Alameda and Magnolia because the breaks in the alignment (at Chandler and at Oak) will prevent vehicles using a single street as a through street.  Also, use of signal timing at the new signals will discourage through vehicle movements if no bicycle is present.

This new alignment was not initially considered during the initial feasibility process because it did not intersect Chandler at its current terminus at Mariposa.  This would have allowed the Beachwood Bikeway to intersect with other potential Class III routes connecting Chandler to Downtown and the Lake Street neighborhoods to the south.  Also, staff had not originally considered connecting any new route to the Chandler path at a location without an existing street crossing.  However, Traffic Engineering Division staff feels that intersection treatments can be designed to allow bicyclists to access the new bikeway from the Chandler Bikeway at Sparks.

Caltrans Bicycle Transportation Account staff has approved the alignment change and requires the City execute an amendment to the Local Agency � State Agreement that was executed in January 2005 to receive grant funds for the project (attached as Exhibit B).  If Council approves this alignment change, Staff will execute this amendment with Caltrans and resume design work in anticipation of a construction start in Spring 2006.

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION:

Staff presented the proposed change in alignment to the Transportation Commission at their regular meeting of October 17, 2005, where they expressed support of the new route as a safer and more direct alternative than what was originally proposed.

ANALYSIS:

The proposed alignment change for the Beachwood Bikeway Project is needed to accommodate arterial crossings of two major streets without introducing unacceptable delay for vehicles on the cross streets.  The new alignment was chosen so as to take advantage of the existing traffic signal at Olive Avenue and Verdugo Avenue so as to not introduce additional signalized intersections in close proximity to this existing signal.  This route change accomplishes this while also preserving many of the goals of the original project, which are to provide a direct, bicycle-friendly north-south connection between the Chandler Bikeway and Riverside Drive, with continuing connection to the LA River Bike Path.  It is intended to cater to novice cyclists who are comfortable on bicycle paths and low-volume residential streets but not on busier arterial streets.  The new alignment also minimizes the potential for cut-through traffic into residential neighborhoods by staggering the route across two streets and utilizing existing signalized intersections and using a �mid-crossing� location at Chandler to act as a further barrier to through traffic.  The project has been accepted by Caltrans as meeting the original goals of the grant application

FISCAL IMPACT:

The current grant provides $265,500 and requires a local match of $29,500 for a total of $295,000.  The new alignment reduces the number of traffic signals needed from three to two, but adds additional cost for treatments to the intersection of Sparks Street and the Chandler Bikeway.  It is expected that the overall project cost will remain the same.  The total project cost will be fronted by Fund 127 Development Impact Fees and reimbursed by the grant.  The local match will be paid for by State Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds already allocated by Council for this project.

BICYCLE MASTER PLAN UPDATE:

In addition to the Beachwood Bikeway project, a number of other bicycle projects have either been recently completed, are under construction, or are pending grant application approval to implement the Bicycle Master Plan adopted by City Council in December 2003. Below is a brief summary of staff�s ongoing efforts.  Exhibit C to this staff report is a map that illustrates the implementation status of various bicycle routes.

Third Street Bikeway

The first project to be completed under the Plan, the Third Street Bikeway installed bicycle lanes on Third Street between Burbank Boulevard and Verdugo Avenue. This was accomplished as part of the Third Street reconstruction and involved modifying striping and removing a travel lane in some locations to accommodate the bike lanes.  This project was funded by Transportation Impact Fees.  Staff is developing cost estimates to extend the lanes north to McCambridge Park (Amherst Drive and Third Street) to complete the route, which will most likely require pavement rehabilitation.  This project will be brought back to Council for approval at a future date.

Safe Routes to School Class III Bikeway Project

This project is currently under construction, and will add 11 miles of Class III bicycle routes along various streets connecting many of the City�s Elementary schools.  This project includes route and directional signage, storm drain grate replacement, and signal modifications at a number of intersections throughout the City to detect bicycles.  This project was funded through a Safe Routes to School Grant, with a local match funded by the City�s TDA funds allocation.

Chandler Extension

Staff continues to work on one of the more important proposed bicycle connections outlined in the Bicycle Master Plan. The Chandler Extension would extend the Chandler Bikeway from its current terminus at Mariposa to the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station along the northern edge of the active freight spur between  Mariposa Street and the Burbank Western Channel and then south along the channel to the Station.  This project would be built as a �rail-with-trail� project, as the bikeway would be located approximately 9 feet from the rail centerline of this active spur.  Union Pacific, who currently operates on the spur and owns portions of the right-of-way, is currently not in support of the project because of the proposed distance from centerline and the need to cross the tracks (either at grade or via an underpass).  Staff is currently working with Union Pacific staff to determine if mitigations or changes in the project can be developed to address their concerns.  If headway can be made with Union Pacific, staff will embark on more detailed design work to determine project feasibility and cost.

Verdugo Avenue Bikeway

One of the projects identified in the Master Plan calls for the study of installing a Class II Bikeway along Verdugo Avenue Between South Victory Boulevard and the western City Limit.  This project would reduce travel lanes from two lanes in each direction to one, with a center turn lane, right turn lanes, and bicycle lanes.  Engineering studies show that this configuration change, sometimes coined a �road diet�, has the potential to improve operations on streets with moderate Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes by providing a refuge for left-turning vehicles, and can also slow speeds and make vehicle progression on the street more uniform.  A change to this configuration would also facilitate the addition of a left turn lane at the intersection of Pass Avenue and Verdugo, and would match the alignment of Verdugo in the City of Los Angeles (as Camarillo Street). Staff would like to explore the feasibility of implementing this improvement, particularly with respect to the intersections of Verdugo with Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Way.

Other Downtown Bikeways

Staff is considering implementing additional bicycle lane mileage on streets in the Downtown that will improve bicycle circulation.  As part of a planned signal installation at Third Street and Verdugo, Public Works Traffic Division staff will consider a �road diet� project along Verdugo between Glenoaks and First Street, adding bicycle lanes and a center-turn lane along the street.  Verdugo Avenue along this segment experiences fairly low ADTs and will be able to support these striping modifications.  This route is important to the bicycle system in that it provides a connection between Downtown and the Metrolink Station via a short Class III connection along Front Street.  Finally, there are plans to stripe bike lanes on Orange Grove Avenue (between Kenneth Road and Third Street) to connect the hillside area with Downtown.

Bicycle Parking

One critical component of an effective bicycle system is the availability of bicycle parking facilities.  Staff has plans to install additional bicycle parking in a number of areas throughout the city.  The City currently has eight bicycle lockers available for rent at the Downtown Burbank Metrolink Station to be used by Metrolink commuters who either begin or end their weekday commute via bicycle.  Early next year, bicycle racks will be installed along Magnolia Boulevard in various locations between Buena Vista Street and Pass Avenue.  Staff is currently looking at locations to place racks in the Downtown in selected locations along San Fernando Boulevard. Also, the South San Fernando and Burbank Boulevard Streetscape projects both include the installation of bicycle racks.

Pending Grant Projects and Studies

In addition to the projects described above, staff is currently applying for, or awaiting decision on, a number of grants to implement other bicycle projects.  These projects include: extending the Main Street bicycle lanes north to Verdugo, installing bicycle lanes on Hollywood Way north of Pacific Avenue including modifications to the underpass at Vanowen Street, and installing bicycle lanes on Victory Boulevard between the western City Limit and Burbank Boulevard with the potential to extend lanes over the Burbank Boulevard Bridge to Third Street.  Finally, as part of the Interstate 5 / Empire Avenue Interchange Project, staff is working to ensure new street designs for Victory Place can accommodate either bicycle lanes or a dedicated path along the street to potentially become part of the proposed San Fernando Bikeway between a planned bikeway in Los Angeles and the Downtown Burbank Station.

Bicycle Recognition

Efforts at expanding Burbank�s bicycle network were recently recognized by the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.  In October, the Coalition announced that the City of Burbank has been named the Most Bikeable City in Los Angeles County for 2005.  With this recognition, Burbank joins with Pasadena and West Hollywood as cities that are committed to planning and implementing projects that better accommodate bicycle travel.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends that City Council adopt the proposed resolution approving the Beachwood Bikeway alignment change and direct staff to enter into an amended agreement with Caltrans modifying the grant project description.

Exhibits

Exhibit A:  Alignment Change Map

Exhibit B:  Exhibit A to Caltrans �Local Agreement � State Agreement� for the Beachwood Enhanced Class III Bicycle Transportation Account Project

Exhibit C:  Bicycle Master Plan Implementation Status Map

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