HomeMy WebLinkAboutBELLA VISTA - PDP - 45-01A - CORRESPONDENCE - TRAFFIC STUDYSteve Olt - Re: Spindrift Court/Horsetor _ medians (Bella Vista) Page 1
From: Eric Bracke
To: Marc Virata
Date: 11 /15/02 8:21 AM
Subject: Re: Spindrift Court/Horsetooth medians (Bella Vista)
All my books are packed up for our move next week. Grab an old copy of the Lemay design that Matt
Baker is working on and look at the intersection design at the new Park entrance. This is the type of
channelized "T" was referring to. The final design has eliminated the channel.
Eric
>>> Marc Virata 11 /14/02 04:50PM >>>
I'm not too familiar with AASHTO, in looking at pages 563-567 of AASHTO 2001, it appears to me that a
channelized "T" intersection doesn't provide the protective storage/accel vehicular refuge that some of the
Spindrift homeowners were looking for. I'm assuming you're referring to Exhibit 9-3 or 9-4 (p. 563) as
examples, which don't provide the accel/storage lane for the left -out movement? If this is the case, I will
refer Eldon Ward to these types of designs to look at and will let them know that the design they came up
with last night won't work. Thanks, Marc
>>> Eric Bracke 11/14/02 04:02PM >>>
The design as shown will cause problems. If they were to build a median to accomplish the left in/left out,
it should be designed as a channelzed "T" intersection. This will provide the mass and safety required.
Eric
>>> Marc Virata 11/14/02 02:23PM >>>
Hi Eric,
At the second neighborhood meeting for Bella Vista last night, traffic issues were raised by residents living
in the Cove Island neighborhood. They expressed concerns regarding their ability to turn left from
Spindrift Court to westbound Horsetooth, as well as situations where vehicles traveling east on Horsetooth
looking to head north on Stover will use the reversible left turn lane early before passing Spindrift Court
and potentially creating a head-on collision issue for westbound Horsetooth vehicles looking to turn into
their development.
It was suggested that a raised median(s) be put on Horsetooth west of their entrance for a few reasons.
In their view: 1) It will prevent vehicles from using the reversible turn lane until after the Spindrift Court
intersection. 2) It could be designed to allow them to have a protective pocket to make lefts out of their
neighborhood, "vehicular refuge". 3) By having the area raised rather than painted it will also serve as
protection for those heading eastbound turning left into Bella Vista.
The Developer indicated that they would be in favor of the residents requests. I indicated that we typically
don't like to install medians for short stretches but will check with you on this.
Attached is an image file of what the residents were proposing (with the exception of the second northern
"ribbon" median which I drew in, recalling something you sketched on Lemay when discussing Fossil
Creek Community Park.) Is this concept, to provide a vehicular refuge for Cove Island, something that
could be looked at in your view? If not, what are the issues so that we can formally get back to the
neighborhood on this? If this is a possibility, then what are the design parameters? (with regards to
minimum median widths? is only the southern median sufficient? 12 foot minimum lane? etc.) (I think if
you agreed to do this, the Developer will find that it involves much more right-of-way and design work, and
they'll back off from being as agreeable to the neighborhood.)
Thanks!
Marc