HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7158 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7158
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 25, 1986
Subject: TRAFFIC ANALYSIS - PROPOSED CLOSURE OF SPANISH TRAIL
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BETWEEN EL CAMPO DRIVE ANDFE-RSHING AVE_N_UE____-
At the Council meeting of October 28, 1986, the City Council instructed the
Traffic Engineering Division to conduct a study of the area contributing to
the heavy traffic volumes being experienced on El Campo Drive, Spanish
Trail and Pershing Avenue. The Council also instructed staff to provide the
results of the traffic study on November 25, 1986 with a recommendation
from the City Traffic Engineer concerning the closure of Spanish Trail .
Shortly after the October 28, 1986 Council meeting the Traffic Engineering
staff began collecting traffic data in the area bounded by Interstate 30 on
the south, Merrymount Street on the north, Westridge Avenue on the west and
Horne Street on the east.
Accident statistics, peak hour turning movement counts and traffic volume
counts for most streets in the area were collected. While collecting data
regarding traffic volumes, major volume changes have occurred since our
last traffic counts were conducted several weeks before.
Further investigation revealed that the SDHPT had re-opened Camp Bowie
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Boulevard west bound under 1-30 thereby permitting previously detoured
op, traffic that used Birchman Avenue to Horne Street to once again use Camp
Bowie Boulevard. As a result, the intersection of Horne Street and 1-30
became less congested thereby permitting smoother traffic flow on Horne
Street. This action resulted in a reduction of traffic on Spanish Trail
from 1204 vehicles per day collected on Tuesday, September 30, 1986 to 727
vehicles per day collected on Tuesday, November 4, 1986.
Additional meetings with the Resident Engineer for the 1-30 Freeway widen-
ing project revealed that several significant changes during project recon-
struction would continue to create significant variations in the amount of
traffic being experienced through this as well as other neighborhood areas
along both the north and south sides of the Freeway. Examples of events
which will have material effects on the temporary use of the residential
streets in the area under study are:
November 7, 1986 closure and demolition of the Merrick Street
bridge over 1-30. New bridge to be reopened in approximately 22
to 24 months.
November 10, 1986 closure and reconstruction of the west bound
frontage road north of 1-30 between Horne Street and Guilford
Road. Reconstruction of the new Frontage Road to be completed in
10 to 12 months.
November 14, 1986 closure and demolition of the Horne Street
P•I bridge over 1-30. New bridge to be completed in 10 to 12 months.
October 1987, closure and demolition of the Guilford Street
bridge. New bridge to be reopened in 10 to 12 months after
closure.
-ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7158 - p.2
�,Apyl*,a To the Mayor and Members of the City Council November 25, 1986
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10711 TRAFFIC ANALYSIS - PROPOSED CLOSURE OF SPANISH TRAIL
BETWEEN EL CAMPO DRIVE AND PERSHING AVENUE
The impact of these events as well as other day to day construction
activities that will divert traffic for short periods of time presently
make it impossible to accurately conduct a traffic study in this area. The
Traffic Engineering Division, although it has no control over the actual
West Freeway project work sequence, will continue to work with the State
Department of Highway and Public Transportation officials and affected
citizens in mitigating the negative impacts on the surrounding communities.
It can be noted that a significant portion of the 1204 vehicles per day
counted on Spanish Trail on between Pershing Avenue and El Campo Drive was
a direct result of the Camp Bowie Boulevard west bound traffic being
diverted to Horne Street via Birchman Avenue. This diversion caused heavy
congestion and long delays at 1-30 and Horne Street thereby causing many
drivers to search for alternate routes through the neighborhood.
Although the Freeway reconstruction experience will not be a pleasant one
for residents surrounding the West Freeway, the end result of the new west
Freeway will be beneficial to the neighborhoods. Access to the freeway from
Guilford Road and from Horne Street will be improved substantially through
enhanced intersection design and signal operations. The west bound frontage
road north of the freeway will be widened to three lanes and constructed in
a continuous manner between Horne Street and Westridge Avenue. The present
frontage westbound road is either narrow, discontinuous or non-existent in
this area.
In essence, well designed and operating Freeways and arterials will result
in fewer traffic "short-cuts" or "by-passes" through neighborhood streets.
As a result of the significant changes being experienced in this neighbor-
hood, the City Traffic Engineer recommends that the closure of Spanish
Trail be denied until such time as the West Freeway project is completed,
new traffic patterns have been established, and an accurately determination
of the impacts of this project can be accurately measured.
Should the Council desire any additional information in this regard, the
staff will be pleased to provide it upon request.
�ouglas Ha man
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, 7 City Manager
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-ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS