7(a) Downtown Plan Update - Neighborhood Evaluation

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The Traffic Study analyzed the traffic volumes at the intersection of Front Street and Patriot Avenue and found they are very low throughout the day. Because the intersection is not highly utilized and the angles lead to challenging or high speed turns, it could be considered for closure. Both the north and south legs have alternative routes within approximately 300 feet that could be taken, so there would be little impact to travel times. It is recommended that a temporary closure of the Front Street legs be conducted. Using parries,the legs of Front Street can be temporarily closed and operations be monitored to determine how drivers adapt to the change. Patriot Avenue and Main Street The Traffic Study considered lane layouts and control types at the intersection of Main Street and Patriot Avenue. It was recommended that the right turn lanes on Patriot Avenue at Main Street be removed, allowing Patriot Avenue to be narrowed in the area around Main Street. With the desire to keep heavy vehicle traffic on Patriot Avenue and not use alternate routes through Pequot Lakes, adding on-street parking on Patriot Avenue is not recommended. Parking would cause more interruptions in the traffic flow and create a confined feel, negatively impacting how truck drivers view the corridor. The Traffic Study also analyzed the existing signalized control. The existing turning movement volumes at the intersection do not meet the warrants for signal installation. Other options for traffic control are an all-way stop and roundabout control. Traffic volumes are too high and balanced to consider side- street stop control. The benefits of all-way stop over a signal is usually seen during off-peak times when vehicle volumes are lower. The same is true for a roundabout. Roundabouts can handle higher traffic volumes than all-way stops and have been proven safer than traditional intersections, preventing most serious injury and fatal crashes. Due to the targe construction costs for a roundabout, it was determined that the timing on the existing signal could be updated. Patriot Avenue and Woodman Street This intersection is under side-street stop control with Patriot Avenue free-flowing. Two-way left turn lanes are provitted on Patriot Avenue. The Traffic Study found there are longer eastbound queues in the afternoon peak hnur. These queues are generally not long lasting as they are due to traffic coming from the school as the school lets out for the day. Over 10%of the daily eastbound traffic on this eastbound approach occurs in one 15-minute period in the afternoon peak hour. Once the school traffic passes the queues on Woodman Street are relatively short. The Traffic Study found no mitigation measures would be recommended to accommodate the vehicle traffic on Woodman Street. Due to the close proximity to the school,there are pedestrians that cross Patriot Avenue at this intersection. The Traffic Study found that while the pedestrian crossing volumes are moderate, about 40 crossing Patriot Avenue per day,the proximity to the high school makes this location a desirable place to cross and pedestrian crossing improvements would be beneficial. This location is approximately 680 feet south of the pedestrian crossing at the signal at Patriot Avenue and Main Street. With a sidewalk on the north side of Woodman Street west of Patriot Avenue, a crossing across Patriot Avenue on the north side of this intersection would be the appropriate location. The Traffic Study recommends pedestrian crossing signage and striping to communicate to drivers and pedestrians the location of the crossing. In-road pedestrian crossing signs placed on the lane lines would further communicate to drivers on Patriot Avenue that they may need to stop in a location they previously may not have anticipated stopping. Curb landings with ADA compliant ramps are recommended on either side of the crossing.