Resolution 14-049 Support for ADOT/PF Traffic Control at Intersection of Main Street and Sterling Highway

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                                                 City Manager

RESOLUTION 14-049

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES (ADOT/PF) SELECTED ALTERNATIVE FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MAIN STREET AND THE STERLING HIGHWAY; A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITH A RIGHT HAND TURNING LANE.

               WHEREAS, An intersection traffic study conducted by ADOT/PF in 2005 indicated that traffic control measures were necessary and justified at the intersection of Main Street and the Sterling Highway; and

               WHEREAS, The Homer City Council has been advocating for traffic control at this intersection for many years and has taken the position that the intersection is dangerous and that improvements should be installed as quickly as possible to reduce the hazard to both drivers and pedestrians; and

               WHEREAS, The City of Homer and ADOT/PF have worked together on a number of strategies to address this problem but were unsuccessful for a wide variety of reasons; and

               WHEREAS, In late 2012, ADOT/PF informed the City that it had an opportunity to apply for Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program Funds (HSIP) that could be used for traffic control improvements at both the Main Street and Sterling Highway and Main Street and Pioneer Avenue intersections; and

               WHEREAS, ADOT/PF indicated that if it received these funds, it would be the fastest way to get improvements installed at this intersection and further, that it would have sufficient funds to make significant, long term improvements; and

               WHEREAS, The City endorsed the application for funding, ADOT/PF received the funds, and it has been working on engineering, design, and a set of alternatives for the past year; and

               WHEREAS, In late March, ADOT/PF held an Open House in Homer to present the alternatives and take public comment; and

               WHEREAS, On April 10, ADOT/PF notified the City that it had selected an alternative which is a traffic signal and a right turning lane on Main Street; and

               WHEREAS, ADOT/PF indicated to the City Manager that it would like to receive an endorsement or some type of feedback from the City on this decision so that it can proceed with the next steps in the process.

               NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby approves and expresses support for the ADOT/PF selected alternative for traffic control improvements at the intersection of Main Street and the Sterling Highway; a traffic signal with a right turning lane on Main Street.

               BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council finds that maintenance and operation of the traffic signal is a State responsibility and maintenance and operation costs should not be imposed upon the City.

               PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 28th day of April, 2014.

CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                          ______________________

                                                                                          MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: