HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCDC Resolution 2007-22 12/03/2007RESOLUTION NO. 2007-22
PETALU~AA CONInl1UIVITY DEVELOPMENT COMAAISSION
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO PURSUE A DESIGN EXCEPTION
FOR RAINIER AVENUE INTERCHANGE/CROSS-TOWN CONNECTOR WITH CALTRANS
AND NOT ENDORSING CALTRANS' ALTERNATIVES FOR EITHER A
COLLECTOR/DISTRIBUTOR (C-D) SYSTEM OR BRAIDED RAMP
WHEREAS, the need for a Highway 101 /Rainier Avenue Interchange, established as the
only viable location for across-town connector along the downtown Highway 101 corridor, was
identified in the Petaluma General Plan in 1965, again in 1987, and approved by voters in 2004;
and,
WHEREAS, when it was determined that spacing would be less than one mile between
Rainier and the East Washington Interchange, the Rainier location was re-reviewed in 1992,
whereupon Caltrans headquarters' geometrician approved it, conditioned upon auxiliary lanes,
which Caltrans' Highway Design Manual identifies as a way to improve traffic operations
between closely spaced interchanges; and,
WHEREAS, in order to consider afull-access interchange option, a mandatory design
exception to complete the approval process, begun in 1992, is required; and,
WHEREAS, in comparing design exception alternatives, the City's traffic consultant
investigated three options for the north-bound (NB) weaving on US 101 between East
Washington Street and Rainier Ave., which is the key area of interest:
Auxiliary Lane Scenario: An additional lane segment on NB US 101 between the East
Washington and Rainier Ave. interchanges, intended for vehicles entering NB US 101 from
East Washington Street and exiting the highway at Rainier Avenue.
2. Collector-Distributor Road Scenario: Acollector-distributor roadway on NB US 101
between the East Washington Street and Rainier Avenue interchanges, which would be
a separate two-lane roadway parallel to the highway from WB/NB Washington Street on-
ramp to the Rainier Avenue off-ramp.
3. "Braided" Ramp Scenario: Grade-separated, NB on-and off-ramps parallel to the
highway between the WB/NB Washington Street on-ramp to the Rainier Avenue off-
ramp; and
WHEREAS, a detailed microsimulation analysis concluded that the NB auxiliary lane
scenario would be the preferred option for Petaluma because there would be fewer geometric
constraints, environmental issues, and right-of-way issues stemming from nearby property
impacts; and,
WHEREAS, although Caltrans reviewed the weaving analysis report and concurred with
the findings that a full access interchange using the auxiliary lane scenario at Rainier would not
degrade the mainline (US 101), their geometrician recently stated that the only way to address
the spacing issue would be to study either acollector/distributor (C-D) system or braided ramp.
PCDC Resolution 2007-22 Page 1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Petaluma Community Development Commission
of the City of Petaluma:
Directs the City staff to continue to pursue with Caltrans a design exception for the
less than one mile interchange spacing.
Does not endorse Caltrans' alternatives for either acollector/distributor (C-D) system
or braided ramp.
ADOPTED this 3~d day of December, 2007, by the following vote:
Commissioner Aye No Absent Abstain
Barrett X
Freitas X
Harris X
Vice Chair Nau X
O'Brien X
Rabbitt X
Chair Torliatt X.
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
~~o ti ~~~~,~~
Deborah Padovan, Recording Secretary Eric Danly, Genera Counsel
PCDC Resolution 2007-22 Page 2