DATE: December 4, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: All-Way Stop at American Avenue and Golden State Boulevard
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
TITLE
Adopt Resolution designating the intersection of American Avenue and Golden State Boulevard a stop intersection and authorizing additional stop signs at the intersection, stopping southbound and northbound traffic on Golden State Boulevard, making it an all-way stop.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the installation of additional stop signs at this location, improving traffic safety by requiring vehicles on Golden State Boulevard to stop. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
If the recommended action is not approved by your Board, the traffic controls at this location will remain unchanged and Golden State Boulevard will continue to be the through road with traffic on American Avenue stopping.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The estimated cost for the all-way stop is $250 for materials and $100 for equipment and labor performed by Department of Public Works and Planning staff. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Department’s Roads Org 4510 FY 20118-19 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
American Avenue and Golden State Boulevard are county-maintained roads that intersect south of Fresno. The intersection of American and Golden State is under the County’s exclusive jurisdiction. The posted speed limit on the west leg of American Avenue is 50 MPH whereas the speed limit on the east leg of American Avenue is 55 MPH. The posted speed limit on Golden State Boulevard is 65 MPH. The surrounding area is rural-agricultural in nature. Traffic signs on American Avenue consist of a Stop Ahead sign, and stop bar in each direction of travel. American Avenue consists of a single 11-foot travel lane in each direction of travel. Golden State Boulevard consists of two 12-foot travel lanes and a bike lane in each direction of travel, separated by a 40-foot dirt median. The combined traffic volume on American Avenue and Golden State Boulevard is approximately 2,950 vehicles per day (VPD) and 7,000 VPD, respectively. Currently, traffic on American Avenue yields to traffic travelling on Golden State Boulevard.
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 the collision history, traffic volume, traffic delays or any combination of the foregoing. The Department’s engineering study for this intersection included collision history and traffic volumes. Between February 1, 2012 and February 7, 2017, there were 24 collisions that may have been correctable by a stop sign, which meets the minimum threshold for a stop sign installation. The current traffic volume on both American Avenue and Golden State Boulevard also meet the minimum in which stop signs are considered.
The foregoing studies indicate that the traffic collision history at this intersection justifies the installation of stop signs, pursuant to guidelines in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Furthermore, the studies indicate that stop sign installation for southbound and northbound Golden State Boulevard will improve traffic safety at this intersection.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Vicinity Map
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa