HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-05; Traffic and Mobility Commission; ; BEACH ACCESS REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROJECT No. 3890Item 4
Meeting Date: Oct. 5, 2020
To: Traffic and Mobility Commission
Staff Contact: Emad Elias, Associate Engineer
Emad.elias@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-7558
Subject: Beach Access Repairs and Improvements Project, Capital Improvement
Program Project No. 3896.
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation and provide feedback on staff’s approach to implementing the design of
the Beach Access Repairs and Improvements Project, Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
Project No. 3896 (Project).
Background
The main purpose of the Project is to make necessary repairs and replacements to the beach
access facilities on the West side of Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine Avenue and Tamarack
Avenue. These facilities include the five beach access stairways, elevated upper sidewalk, hand
railings, guardrails, repairs to the seawall and retaining walls. The Project is currently in the 50%
engineering design phase. The repairs and improvements will also upgrade the facilities to
better withstand coastal conditions.
The Project can be broken down into two categories: 1) must-do necessary repairs and
replacements, and 2) potential and desired improvements:
1) The must-do necessary repairs and replacements category includes replacement of the
five deteriorating stairways and landings, replacement of the upper elevated sidewalk,
and repairs to the lower sidewalk and seawall. Preliminary cost estimates for this
category is approximately $5.4 million.
2) The desired improvements category includes widening the upper sidewalk towards the
bluff between Pine Avenue and Cherry Avenue, realigning the raised median island on
Carlsbad Boulevard to accommodate widening the upper sidewalk towards the road
between Pine Avenue and Maple Avenue, and replacing the metal beam guardrail
(MBGR) with bollards. Preliminary cost estimates for this category is approximately $2.6
million.
Existing Conditions
The upper and lower sidewalks, along with the seawall and stairways along the West side of
Carlsbad Boulevard between Pine Avenue and Tamarack Avenue were built between 1986 and
1988. Since then, thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists have enjoyed this ocean front section
of Carlsbad all year round. The upper sidewalk between Pine Avenue and Maple Avenue is
elevated and cantilevered over the bluff, with the existing sidewalk width of approximately
9’3”. There are four elevated stairways within the Project area, and one on-grade stairway near
Tamarack Avenue.
City staff observed deterioration to these existing facilities, warranting further investigation and
repairs. The city hired a consulting team to prepare environmental documents, construction
plans, cost estimates and specifications for the needed repairs. Some of the identified
deficiencies are: deteriorating elevated upper sidewalk structure, exposed and rusted steel
reinforcement, concrete cracking and spalling, and rusting of stairway components.
Figure 1 View Showing Upper Elevated Sidewalk, Lower Sidewalk, and Seawall (Looking South)
During the preliminary engineering phase, staff realized that this project could provide a unique
opportunity for the city to enhance the pedestrian mobility environment by widening the upper
sidewalk, aside from the needed repairs. Replacement of the elevated sidewalk will be a long-
term solution to the existing deteriorated sidewalk. The new structure will have an anticipated
service life of at least 50 years before needing major repairs.
After conducting structural evaluations, it was determined that the new elevated sidewalk
between Pine Avenue and Maple Avenue can be extended by one and half feet towards the
bluff by slightly modifying the new precast replacement beams. Between Maple Avenue and
Cherry Avenue, the existing on-grade sidewalk can also be extended by one and half feet
towards the bluff. Between Pine Avenue and Maple Avenue, the same sidewalk can also be
extended up to three feet towards the roadway by modifying the geometry of the raised
median immediately south of the Pine Avenue intersection, adjusting the roadway striping
without narrowing the existing travel lanes or bike lane, and narrowing the bike lane buffer
from five feet to two feet between Walnut Avenue and Maple Avenue.
The existing surface-mounted aluminum handrail can also be replaced with a side-mounted
handrail, gaining an additional three to four inches of clear walking width.
Pedestrian counts within the project limits conducted in January 2020, have documented
upwards of 6,000 pedestrians per day. One of the benefits of the sidewalk widening is allowing
for a better pedestrian experience along this active scenic beach access corridor. Widening the
existing upper sidewalk will enhance pedestrian mobility and provide a better user experience
for joggers, dog walkers, families with strollers, and sightseers. The wider sidewalk would
create a renewed public space with the the feel of a pedestrian promenade rather than a
sidewalk.
Figure 2 Existing Elevated Upper Sidewalk Illustration - Pine Ave to Maple Ave (Looking South)
Figure 3 Proposed Widening of the Elevated and On-Grade Upper Sidewalk – Pine Ave to Maple Ave
(Looking South)
Figure 4 Proposed Widening of the On-Grade Upper Sidewalk –Maple Ave to Cherry Ave (Looking South)
The following table summarizes the existing and proposed sidewalk widening
Table 1 Summary of Sidewalk Widening
Location along
Carlsbad Blvd
Exist Sidewalk
Walking Width
Expand
Sidewalk
(Towards Bluff)
Expand Sidewalk
(Towards Road)
Move
Handrail
Proposed Total
Walking Width
Pine Ave to
Maple Ave 9'-3" 1’-6” 3’-0” 3” ~ 14'
Maple Ave to
Cherry Ave 9’-3” 1’-6” - 3” ~ 11'
There are significant challenges with implementing the sidewalk widening. Some of the
identified challenges include compatibility with multiple planned long-term and short-term
projects in the vicinity, increased shading of vegetation at the top of bluff, encroachment onto
California Department of State Parks right-of-way, obtaining various agency approvals, and
increased cost.
According to the shading study conducted by the landscape architect for the Project, the
proposed 1.5’ wider sidewalk cantilevering over the bluff would cause a slight increase of
shading on the bluff. Staff is proposing to offset any increased shading by the wider sidewalk,
and even reduce the existing shading effects by using a cable infill handrail system instead of
the existing picket handrails. This would reduce the amount of infill light blocked by existing
and proposed wider sidewalk by approximately 70% to 78%.
Figure 5 Spring Equinox Increased Shadow Shown in Red
The potential use of bollards along the upper sidewalk was considered during the project
initiation phase as a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to the existing metal beam
guardrails (MBGR). Guardrails are commonly designed to prevent a more serious crash for the
vehicle and occupants (i.e. falling off a cliff). MBGR is also designed to yield a certain distance
while absorbing a vehicle’s impact energy, and an errant vehicle could still end up part way into
the upper sidewalk. Traffic rated bollards are typically designed to not yield a significant
distance, so from a pedestrian standpoint, a bollard could offer more protection. Conversely,
the use of bollards may create a potentially higher risk of injury to vehicle occupants due to the
shorter stopping distance.
Figure 6 Site Photo of Existing Carlsbad Blvd MBGR
Figure 7 Visual Simulation of Traffic Rated Fixed Bollard
Based on the gained benefits and potential challenges and constraints of implementing the
project improvements, staff recommends pursuing the upper sidewalk widening towards the
bluff by as much as structurally possible between Pine Avenue and Cherry Avenue. Staff also
recommends switching to a side-mounted cable infill handrail system, potentially gaining an
addition 3”-4” walking surface width. Staff is soliciting the Traffic and Mobility Commission’s
feedback on the Project.
Necessary Council Action
Staff will finalize the Project environmental documents and permits, construction plans,
specifications and cost estimates, and present them to City Council for approval and
authorization to advertise for construction bids in mid-2021.
Next Steps
Staff will address the Commission’s feedback in the design phase and apply for the necessary
permits. Prior to finalizing the Project plans, staff will bring a report to the Commission in mid-
2021 with a recommendation to support staff’s final design and construction plans. Staff will
then return to City Council in mid-2021 with a request to approve the Project plans and
specifications, and authorize the city clerk to advertise for construction bids for the Project.
After the bidding process is complete, the Project will be brought back to City Council with a
request to award a construction contract to the identified lowest responsive and responsible
bidder.
Exhibits
1. Location Map for the Beach Access Repairs and Improvements
PINE AV
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TAMARACK
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CHESTNUT
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WALNUT AV
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SYCAMORE
A
V WASHINGTON
STHARBOR DR
MAPLE AV
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CHERRY AV
JUNIPER AV
HEMLOCK A
V
LINMAR
LN
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V
SEQUOIA A
V
CHINQUAPI
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Oct 2020 Traffic and Mobility Commission Agenda Item Comments
By Commissioner Pete Penseyres
October 5, 2020
Item 4: BEACH ACCESS REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
PROJECT No. 3890
Will any part of the Class 2 Bike Lane or buffer be narrowed as part of this project?
Has the City considered the MMLOS improvements that might be made for all road users if CB Blvd was
redesigned/repurposed to provide one through lane in each direction with roundabouts at each of the
existing intersections from Tamarack to Pine?
Potential benefits:
Time savings for all drivers (motorists and cyclists): Stop and go for motorists and cyclists at the
crosswalks would be reduced. Lt Calderwood explained at our last meeting that motorists and cyclists
must yield and wait until pedestrians completely cross the street. At Cherry, which is typical, this
distance is 72 ft. The design basis pedestrian will take more than 20 seconds to cross (at 3.5 ft/sec). With
a typical roundabout crossing to a refuge in the splitter vane of 11 ft., the same pedestrian would only
interrupt each direction for just over 3 seconds. In most cases this would not require a full stop. It is
likely that transit time for motorists through the corridor would be reduced under most normal
conditions, especially during summer peak pedestrian usage. This time saving could even occur with a
reduction of the speed limit to 25 MPH between roundabouts, where speeds would be reduced to about
15 MPH naturally by the traffic calming effect of the roundabout. It is possible that motorists would be
able to maintain an average speed of 18-20 MPH throughout this street segment. A traffic study would
be required to see if the single lane each way would work without the type of congestion that currently
takes place at CVD and Grand.
Safety for all pedestrians, cyclists and motorists: Moving blind spots created by two lanes of traffic in
each direction results in pedestrians and drivers (motorists and cyclists) not seeing each other. Drivers
waiting in left turn pockets cannot see cyclists in the bike lane or even motorists in the #2 lane if their
view is blocked by a large vehicle in the opposing #1 lane. There have been several pedestrian fatalities
on this segment of Carlsbad Blvd. within crosswalks and between blocks. These would likely be
eliminated entirely with repurposing of this street.
Possible increased parking for motorists: Repurposing the space saved to include wider sidewalks and
bike lanes on both sides could still leave room for more parking on the west side, perhaps even angled
parking.
Possible overall cost savings: If the sidewalk can be moved away from the bluffs into the extra space
provided by the travel lane removal, it may be possible to reduce the overall cost of the project by
eliminating the cantilever portion over the bluff.
Funding sources: Forward looking and innovative projects might have more opportunities for regional,
state and even federal funding.