AgdaPkt 2002-11-18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 18, 2002 Subject Approval of Plan to relocate mid-block crosswalk in front of the Library, and modify the traffic lane configuration on Middiefield Road between Jefferson Avenue and Main Street. Recommendation Approve the Plan to remove the existing mid-block crosswalk and pedestrian signal on Middlefield Road between Jefferson Avenue and Main Street, install a new high- visibility, painted crosswalk at a new mid-block location, and modify the lane configuration to one lane in each direction approaching the new crosswalk. Background The "Place-Making Game" facilitated by "Project for Public Spaces" (Fred Kent) generated many ideas for creating "nice places" at various locations in the Downtown area, emphasizing goals such as activity centers that attract people to gather, and pedestrian-friendly streets. A number of the ideas involve places along Middlefield Road and Winslow Street between Main Street and Broadway, and Council has approved the Middlefield-Winslow Downtown Place Improvement Project as a budget item in the 2002-03 Capital Improvement Program. One of the focus areas of the Place-Making Game was the Library/City Center Plaza area on Middlefield Road. The plan described herein implements some of the ideas generated at this location, by improving the pedestrian connection across Middlefield Road and moving traffic away from the sidewalks and plaza areas. Staff proposes to relocate the crosswalk and modify the lane configuration on Middlefield Road between Jefferson Avenue and Main Street, (as described in the recommendation above, and as shown on the attached plan), to facilitate and enhance the safety of mid-block pedestrian crossings between the Library and City Center Plaza. The new crosswalk, which will be located about 50 feet north of the existing crosswalk location, will be positioned to provide a more direct pedestrian connection between the front of the Library building and the entrance to the City Center Plaza area. The lane configuration in the southbound direction will be modified from two lanes to one lane approaching the crosswalk, and will open up into two lanes past (south of) the crosswalk. In the northbound direction, the oversized single lane approaching the crosswalk will be narrowed to a standard lane width to slow traffic and channelize vehicles away from the sidewalk and angled parking area. The lane configuration and