HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-03; Traffic and Mobility Commission; ; Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail ProjectItem 2
Meeting Date: May 3, 2021
To: Traffic and Mobility Commission
Staff Contact: Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
Nathan.schmidt@carlsbadca.gov, 760-637-7183
Subject: Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail Project
Recommended Action
Receive a presentation, receive public comments and provide input on the conceptual plan for
the Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail project.
Summary
In July 2017, the City of Carlsbad was awarded an Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant by
Caltrans to construct a portion of the Coastal Rail Trail along Avenida Encinas between Carlsbad
Boulevard and Cannon Road, which the local and regional community identifies as a high
priority. The Coastal Rail Trail is a planned regional bikeway that includes a 44-mile regional
bikeway that connects six coastal cities throughout San Diego County. The project plans to
construct over 2.5 miles of new enhanced bicycle facilities, pedestrian ramps, new sidewalks
where there are missing gaps, enhanced intersection treatments for improved bicycle and
pedestrian safety, and traffic calming with a road diet at select locations along the corridor.
This item is intended to provide the public and the Traffic and Mobility Commission the first
opportunity to review the proposed project improvements at a conceptual level of detail. After
this initial review staff will work with a consultant to develop detailed engineering plans and
specifications which will be presented to the public and Traffic and Mobility Commission for
additional feedback in the fall of 2021. In addition, staff will develop a project website as a
source of information with project design updates, public meetings, and with directions on how
to provide additional public feedback throughout the design process.
Discussion
In 2017, the City of Carlsbad was awarded an Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 3 grant
to construct a portion of the Coastal Rail Trail along Avenida Encinas between Cannon Road and
Carlsbad Boulevard. Since approval of the ATP grant, the city has constructed a portion of the
project improvements proposed in the original grant application between Cannon Road and
Palomar Airport Road under a separate CIP project including a road diet with buffered bike
lanes. In addition, an enhanced intersection improvement was proposed at the intersection of
Avenida Encinas and Cannon Road has been removed from the project scope of work as this
feature will be constructed by a separate city funded capital improvement project, the
Terramar Coastal Improvement project, within the next 3 to 4 years.
Because the segment between Cannon Road and Palomar Airport Road has been constructed in
line with the original ATP grant application it will be removed from the project scope of work.
The removal of this segment will allow the city to reallocate a portion of the project funds to
improvements along the remainder of the corridor such as additional enhanced intersection
treatments along the portion south of Poinsettia Lane as discussed below.
Existing Conditions
This segment of Avenida Encinas between Palomar Airport Road and Carlsbad Boulevard is a
major public transit corridor that includes five NCTD transit stops including the Poinsettia
Regional Transit Station located at the center of the project corridor. The Poinsettia station
includes bicycle racks and secure bike lockers that bicycle commuters may use while taking the
NCTD COASTER to destinations throughout the region. In addition to transit access, the project
corridor is widely used to access three schools, recreational centers with youth and adult gyms,
residences, major employment centers, medical and commercial offices, South Carlsbad State
Beach, and retail shopping. Although there are numerous community destinations directly
along the project corridor, the missing bike and pedestrian facilities often make vehicle trips a
more convenient and safer choice. According to the Pedestrian Master Plan, located along the
project corridor is one of the highest concentrations of employees, walking commuters,
pedestrian-dependent sub-populations (youth and elderly), disabled persons, and pedestrian
generators in the city. Due to these land use and demographic factors, there is a major
potential for the local community to make convenient walking and biking trips, rather than
driving, for everyday activities. Regionally, more people will also be encouraged to bike and
walk to and from the regional transit station to the many nearby visitor serving destinations.
Proposed Project Improvements
The proposed Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail project will provide enhanced connections for
bicycles and pedestrians to the variety of land uses and destinations along the project corridor
including the regional Poinsettia Transit station. The overall project goals are to improve
walkability and bikability with streetscape and traffic calming improvements that are intended
to enhance safety for all modes, reduce vehicle speeds, encourage new active transportation
users, and promote healthy lifestyles through the city and the San Diego Region.
Improvements along the project corridor include the following features as identified in the
conceptual plan map provided in Exhibit 1:
• Approximately 2.5 miles of new Class-II buffered bike lanes
• New sidewalks and pedestrian ramps where there are missing gaps
• Enhanced intersection treatments including curb extensions, traffic calming measures,
and high visibility crosswalks at the following intersections on Avenida Encinas:
o Palomar Airport Road
o Poinsettia Lane
o Portage Way
o Dory Lane
o Carlsbad Boulevard
• Traffic calming with a road diet between Poinsetta Lane and Carlsbad Boulevard
• Enhanced midblock pedestrian crossings (potentially with pedestrian actuated signs and
median refuges) along Avenida Encinas at the following locations:
o Poinsettia Station Driveway: Pedestrian Hybrid Beach (HAWK) crossing
o South of Poinsettia Lane at the Poinsettia Village Shopping Mall
As shown in the proposed roadway cross sections diagrams provided in Exhibit 2, most of the
roadway segment level improvements will be implemented through roadway restriping.
However, there are portions of the project corridor between Palomar Airport Road and the
Poinsettia Station which will require widening of the existing roadway in order to accommodate
new sidewalks and wider bikeway facilities.
Next Steps
Following the Traffic and Mobility Commission’s initial review of the proposed project
improvements, staff will select a consultant to develop more detail concept plans and later
project construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates. In addition, staff will create a
project website to inform the community about project updates, concept plans, public
meetings, and as a source to provide feedback. After development of the refined conceptual
plans staff will return to the Traffic and Mobility Commission for final review of the project prior
to finalizing the engineering designs and project construction.
Exhibits
1. Proposed Project Improvement Map
2. Proposed Conceptual Cross Section Diagrams
Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail and Pedestrian Improvements March 2021
Poinsettia
VillageHotel Cluster
Hotel
Cluster
Encinas Wastewater
Authority
Restaurant Plaza
Employment Center
Employment
Center
Carlsbad
Premium Outlets
Carlsbad
Flower Fields
LEGOLAND
Costco Recreational Complex
Halstrom Academy
South CarlsbadState Beach Campground
Terra Mar Point
Coaster Station
5
Overall Improvements Map with Project Revisions
E
E
E
B
B
Hotel
Cluster
1.5 Miles to Downtown
Village and State BeachCannon RdAvenida Encinas
Paseo Del Norte Batiquitos Dr
Avenida Encinas Palomar Airport RdPointsettia LnCarlsbad Blvd
Carlsbad Blvd
With New
Pedestrian
Ramps and
Enhanced Crossing
E
E
A
A C
C DDE
E
Exhibit 1
Removed Portion bet. Cannon Rd.
and Palomar Airport Rd.:
Constructed by City through separate CIP
Poinsettia Station to Poinsettia Ln:
Restripe with Buffered Bike Lanes
Poinsettia Ln to Windrose Cir.:
Implement Road Diet and
Restripe with Buffered Bike Lanes City
Bus Stop
Trail Head
Beach Access
Proposed Improvements
Road Diet w/ Enhanced Class II Bike Lanes
New Sidewalk
Roadway Widening(to Fit Bike
Facilities)
Enhanced Pedestrian Crossing
(such as potential Pedestrian Actuated Signal
and Median Refuge)
Regional
Future Final Coastal Rail Trail -
Multi-use Path
0 500 1,000 FT
E
Existing Bike Lane - Class III
Gap Closure
Bicycle Facility Gap
Sidewalk Gap
Connection to Existing Regional
Coastal Rail Trail Bikeway
Connection to Regional Transit
Nor th County Transit District
Coaster Station
Enhanced Class II Bike Lanes
City and Regional
Existing Bike Lane - Class II
Existing Coastal Rail Trail
Major Employment Centers:
Encina Wastewater Authority
San Diego Gas and Electric Services
Go Pro
Recreational Complex:
Playwerx
Vital Climbing Gym
YMCA
Gracie Jiu Jitsu
Faction Martial Arts
Cross Fit 760
Agility Studio
Kaia Fit North County
Ikm Defense School
Noonan Family Swim School
Hotel Cluster:
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Ramada Carlsbad
Motel 6
Holiday Inn Express 2 Suites
Hyatt Hotel
West Inn & Suites
Legend
Yellow highlights indicate revisions
from the original project description
Enhanced Intersection
(to follow FHWA best practicies such as
corner bulb-outs)
Roadway cross section locations
(See attached)A
A
Enhanced IntersectionEnhanced Pedestrian Crossing
•
• •
• • •
1111111111
•
--
J
0
(ctyof
Carlsbad
Ca I i f' a r n I .a
Section A-A : Avenida Encinas South of Palomar Airport Road
Existing:
Proposed:
*Cross sections are not to scale. Dimensions are approximate and for conceptual analysis only. Exhibit 2
Requires roadway widening by approximately 9 ft.
7'
Bike lane
,~ •
'
6' 7'
Sidewalk Bike lane
11'
Drive lane
s
2' 10'
Drive lane
11'
Center turn lane
11'.91
10'
Center t urn lane
•
11'
Drive lane
•
10'
Drive lane
5'
s
2' 7'
Bike lane
6'
Sidewalk Made
1
6'
Sidewalk Made
Section B-B : Avenida Encinas North of Poinsettia Station Driveway
Existing:
Proposed:
*Cross sections are not to scale. Dimensions are approximate and for conceptual analysis only. Exhibit 2
Requires roadway widening by approximately 30 ft.
• •
12½' 12½'
Drive lane Drive lane Made with
• 9
r:r -• • 't' I
I I
6' 7' 3' 11½' 11½' 3' 7' 6'
Sidewalk Bike lane Drive lane Drive lane Bike lane Sidewalk Made
Section C-C : Avenida Encinas South of Poinsettia Station Driveway
Existing:
Proposed:
*Cross sections are not to scale. Dimensions are approximate and for conceptual analysis only. Exhibit 2
No roadway widening required.
,.. n
6'
Sidewalk
,..
0
'
6'
8'
Parking lane
' -
7'
Sidewalk Parking lane
8'
Bike lane
s
2' 6'
Bike lane
s
2'
11'
Drive lane
10'
Drive lane
10'
Center turn lane
....
10'
Center turn lane
• •
Drive lane
• ■
s
10' 2'
Drive lane
Bike lane Parking lane
SI
6' 2' 7'
Bike lane Parking lane
6'
Sidewalk
6'
Sidewalk
Made
Made
Section D-D : Avenida Encinas North of Windrose Circle
Existing:
Proposed:
*Cross sections are not to scale. Dimensions are approximate and for conceptual analysis only. Exhibit 2
Implement road diet. No roadway widening required.
' 6'
Sidewalk
' 6'
Sidewalk
5'
• rr
8'
Bike lane
----
14'
Drive lane
~
12'
Buffer
12'
Drive lane
.a.I; --•
-
18'
Planting strip
-• -
18'
Planting strip
-
--
12'
Drive lane
----• •
11'
Drive lane
14'
Drive lane
~
12'
Buffer
5'
8'
Bike lane
n
6'
Sidewalk
"
'
6'
Sidewalk
Made
Made
Section E-E : Avenida Encinas South of Windrose Circle
Existing:
Proposed:
*Cross sections are not to scale. Dimensions are approximate and for conceptual analysis only. Exhibit 2
Remove center left turn lane. No roadway widening required.
6' 4'
Sidewalk
i,
6' 8'
Sidewalk Bike lane
12'
Drive lane
!I
4'
j Buffer [
11'
14'
Center turn lane
11'
Drive lane Drive lane
12'
Drive lane
!I
4'
j Buffer J
4'
8'
Bike lane
i
'
6'
i
'
6'
Sidewalk
Made
Made
Comments and Questions on Agenda Item 2 Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail
1. Is Avenida Encinas planned to be the permanent Coastal Rail Trail from Cannon to Coast Hwy? If
it is temporary, what other paths are being considered? (e.g. NCTD ROW? Carlsbad Blvd?)
2. What are the plans for the other gaps in Carlsbad’s Coastal Rail Trail? (e.g. Tamarack to Cannon?
Avenida Encinas to La Costa?)
3. Exhibit 1:
Is the type of “Enhanced Intersection” picture insert that shows two cyclists riding across a
dashed green painted crossing to be used at 5 intersections along this corridor? If not, should
the picture be removed?
The photo shown is for a “protected intersection” which places cyclists on the right of right
turning motorists and requires them to complete left turns as “two stage” turns. To prevent
right hooks, are drivers are expected to yield after they make their turns? Will motorists have
time to react to the sudden presence of a 20 to 28 MPH E-bike or even a fast pedal powered
bike rider? Will there be separate signal heads for cyclists to give them an exclusive green “head
start” into the intersection? Will motorists be restricted from Right Turn on Red when cyclists
have the protected green light? If this type of protection is planned, will it occur immediately
when the facility is opened? Will public education be provided via portable message trailers to
prepare drivers and cyclists for these “First of a kind” intersection treatments in Carlsbad?
Will faster riders still have Class II Bike Lanes on the left side of Right Turn only lanes? Or at least
Sharrows in the rightmost straight through lane and rightmost left turn only lane? There is a
Legend typo near the bottom where the green dashed existing Class III Bike Route on Palomar
Airport road from Carlsbad Blvd to Avenida Encinas is incorrectly called a Bike “Lane”.
4. Section A-A:
Parts of this section of road are very wide and parking is currently allowed in these areas on
both sides. Will parking be removed, and the roadway narrowed in these wide sections to make
it consistent? If parking is allowed, will there be a minimum 3’ wide door zone buffer to the right
of the 7’ Class II Bike Lane along with the 2’ left side buffer?
Could the two-way continuous turn lane be minimized and replaced by a median and perhaps
one traffic circle/roundabout, so the all turns are right in-right out at the driveways? This would
further enhance the safely of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians by elimination of left crosses.
This is especially true for cyclists who can be screened from view by moving blind spots caused
by motorists passing on their left.
5. Section B-B:
This section is currently a pinch point for cyclists who have no type of bicycle facility on
pavement. The lanes are too narrow for a cyclist and motorist to share side by side safely. A
cyclist requires a minimum of 4 ft of operating space here and motorists are required to give a
minimum of 3’ of clearance per CVC 21760. Can a work order be used to install Sharrows and
Bikes May Use Full Lane signage until this CIP will be completed?
This is the best proposed section along the entire project due absence of a two-way left turn
lane along with the buffered Class II Bike Lanes and Sidewalks. Since this is primary bike
commuter route from the Poinsettia Train Station and the neighborhood to Palomar Airport
Road and points north, can it be prioritized if the project is constructed in phases? Can this be
considered a “first-mile, last mile” mobility element priority? It could be helpful for TDM, CAP,
and VMT as well.
6. Section C-C:
Could the 2’ Door side Bike Lane Buffers be widened to a minimum of 3’? The left side buffer
could be narrowed or eliminated in favor of an extra 1ft of Bike Lane width. This would allow
cyclists to ride out of the door zone and closer to passing traffic, which makes them more visible
and has a calming effect on passing motorists. Cyclists who wish to ride further right or side by
side within the bike lane could still do so.
Please also consider the same comments/questions in Section A-A regarding the two-way left
turn lane.
7. Section D-D:
The NB section of this road south of Poinsettia currently has 3 travel lanes and no Bike Lane.
Since it is planned to reduce this to one lane each way, can the three-lane section be reduced to
two lanes and a Class II buffered Bike Lane with a Work Order. Alternatively, can the #3 lane
have temporary Sharrows and Bikes May Use Full Lane signage via Work Order?
Can the proposed 12’ wide buffer to the left of the Bike Lanes be split to provide a double width
bike lane or at least provide part of the buffer against the curb. There are tree roots in the
southbound section of the Class II Bike Lane that have caused “heaves” in the pavement, several
of which have been dug out and repaved. There are also several sloped drains that protrude
across most of the existing Bike Lanes. A very wide curb side buffer would increase cyclist’s
visibility to passing motorists, discourage use of the buffer as a #2 lane, and minimize city
maintenance costs near the curb. It would also allow for Right Turn Only lanes so that motorists
could make right turns legally and allow cyclists to continue straight to their left without risk of
right hook crashes.
8. Section E-E:
This section also has several existing concrete sloped drains across much of the existing Bike
Lane. Could the left side buffer be reduced to 3’ to keep cyclists far enough right to allow safe
passing but not so far away as to be less visible and more prone to right hooks, left crosses,
drive outs and even overtaking?
With a total of 12’ of space for bikes on each side, can the stripping approaching every right turn
be dashed 200’ before the turn to allow motorists to yield to any bikes in front of them and the
slow down and move as close to the right hand curb as practicable to make a legal right turn?
Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail
Project
5/3/2021 T&MC meeting
Commissioner Steve Linke
Avenida Encinas Transit Stops
Carlsbad
Pacific
Center
Encinas
Wastewater
Authority
Poinsettia
Coaster
Station
Carlsbad
Blvd
Intersection
With New
Pedestrian
Ramps and
Enhanced Crossing
•Carlsbad Pacific Center (SB): ~0.85 miles north of Poinsettia Station, near
PAR (National University, TD Ameritrade, etc.); 1 boarding/day
•Carlsbad Pacific Center (NB): ~0.85 miles north of Poinsettia Station, near
PAR (National University, TD Ameritrade, etc.); 1 boarding/day
•Encinas Wastewater Authority (SB): ~0.35 north of Poinsettia Station;
0 boardings/day
•Encinas Wastewater Authority (NB): ~0.35 north of Poinsettia Station;
0 boardings/day
•Carlsbad Blvd intersection (SB): ~1.2 miles south of Poinsettia Station;1 boarding/day
•Carlsbad Blvd intersection (NB): ~1.2 miles south of Poinsettia Station;1 boarding/day
Transit priority/LOS
•Streets within ½ mile of transit stations are
prioritized for transit
–Includes Encina Wastewater Authority stops
•Improvements should be made to all stops