DATE: August 4, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Four-Way Stop at American Avenue and Cedar Avenue
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution designating the intersection of American and Cedar Avenues a stop intersection and authorizing stop signs at the intersection, stopping northbound and southbound traffic on Cedar Avenue, making it an all-way stop.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the installation of stop signs at this location, improving traffic safety by requiring vehicles on Cedar Avenue to stop in the northbound and southbound directions. This item pertains to Districts 1 and 3.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved by your Board, the traffic controls at this intersection will remain unchanged and American and Cedar Avenues will remain a two-way stop intersection, with Cedar Avenue remaining a “through” street.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The signs will be installed by California High Speed Rail as part of the construction of the American Avenue overcrossing.
DISCUSSION:
American and Cedar Avenues are two-lane county roads that intersect south of the City of Fresno. The intersection is in the County’s exclusive jurisdiction. The terrain is flat and intersects within a rural farming area.
American Avenue has an easterly and westerly alignment consisting of two lanes of traffic. The pavement width measures approximately 22 to 23 feet wide from edge to edge. Signs and pavement markings include a painted yellow road centerline striping, Stop Ahead signs and pavement markings, Stop bar on each approach, flashing Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Stop signs, Cross Traffic Does Not Stop signs, Street Name signs, and Speed Limit signs. Speed Limit signs for 50 MPH are posted on the east and west legs. The traffic volume is between 1,900 and 2,000 VPD.
Cedar Avenue has a northerly and southerly alignment consisting of two lanes of traffic and is the through road at American Avenue. The pavement width measures approximately 28 to 30 feet wide from edge to edge. Signs and pavement markings include a painted yellow road centerline striping. The Speed Limit sign is unposted on Cedar Avenue thereby defaulting to 55 MPH. The traffic volume is between 1,400 and 1,500 VPD.
All-way stop control can be useful as a safety measure at intersections where certain traffic conditions exist. When the Department considers all-way stop control at an intersection, the Department will conduct an engineering study. Based upon the information gathered during the engineering study, the Department will make a recommendation regarding the installation of stop signs. Criteria considered in an engineering study may include collision history, traffic volume, traffic delays, or any combination of the foregoing.
Between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 there were five or more reported crashes in a recent 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by an all-way stop installation.
The study of this intersection was performed by a consultant working on the High Speed Rail project as part of an evaluation to determine the design speed on American Avenue. The study determined that the all-way stop control is warranted based on collision history, and that a stop sign installation for northbound and southbound Cedar Avenue will improve traffic safety at this intersection.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Vicinity Map
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Debbie Paolinelli