HomeMy WebLinkAboutPOUDRE VALLEY HOSPITAL A-WING REPLACEMENT - PDP - PDP140019 - CORRESPONDENCE - TRANSPORTATION ISSUE (3)Ted Shepard
From: Martina Wilkinson
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 9:00 AM
To: Ted Shepard
Subject: RE: PVH Emergency Department/Parking Lot P.D.P.
Hi Ted —
Thanks so much for checking in on this. Matt's conclusions are often pretty much cut and paste without much specific
detail — or information that is really relevant to decision makers or citizens. Here's the key things that I think about for
the project:
Key Transportation Findings:
• The Traffic Impact Study for this project is a little different from typical, as it analyzed the change in traffic
patterns since the emergency traffic is moving to Doctors Lane and the main entrance traffic is moving to
Robertson. Also, the analysis is considered to be conservative since it was assumed that the new wing would be
all new uses (new traffic) when in reality much of the new wing will be relocated traffic.
• The study showed that the existing roadway network, geometry and control can accommodate the hospital
traffic and meet City standards. The signals at Doctors and Robertson should remain.
• City staff worked with hospital emergency personnel to plan for Ambulance access on Lemay. The exit on Lemay
is very close to Doctors Lane, and the signal will be rebuilt to accommodate specialized pre-emption for
emergent vehicles leaving. A variance is needed for access spacing for this exit.
• City staff is requiring a northbound right turn lane to be built on Lemay for Robertson. Since the main entrance
for the hospital to moving to Robertson, vehicle volumes for this movement will be high, and a lane is
warranted. City staff is working with the applicant on the design of this lane, as available space is limited and a
design variance for the lane length is needed.
• City staff is requiring an 'enhanced' pedestrian crossing be built on Doctors Lane to connect the new emergency
department with the public parking lot that serves it. Bike parking will be provided. Sidewalks will also be built
along the property frontage and new curb ramps that meet current standards installed at Lemay and Doctors.
• There were substantial citizen comments at the neighborhood meeting about potential traffic impacts to the
neighborhood. Very similar concerns were raised with the last (and much more significant) expansion of the
hospital. Before and after studies were completed with that expansion that showed there was very little traffic
impact in the adjacent neighborhood. Additional studies can be completed with this project as well if
needed.
• Careful thought will be need to be given to clear and appropriate signage for the project. An entire wayfinding
system will be needed to get visitors to use Robertson, private vehicles looking for the emergency department
to Doctors, and no one but ambulances to use the new access on Lemay. This effort will be finalized during final
design.
Let me know if you have any questions, or if I missed some things. Thanks for sending this over! m