HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes1995-091
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Sponsored by: Garzini
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 95-091
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, RECOMMENDING DESIGN REVIEW
COMMENTS ON SEWARD HIGHWAY MILE 0 - 36
REHABILITATION PROJECT NO. 58713
WHEREAS, as the only road serving Seward, the Seward Highway is this community's
economic life link to the Kenai Peninsula and interior Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the Seward Highway is the main local community throughway; and
WHEREAS, community growth has placed more industrial freight and commercial trucks,
school buses, cars, pedestrians and bicyclists on the Seward Highway than ever before; and
WHEREAS, the volume of tourist related traffic consisting of cars, motor homes, tour buses
and motor coaches has dramatically increased since the highway was last upgraded; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is requesting
comments on a proposed rehabilitation project to improve conditions of the Seward Highway from
Mile 0 - 36; and
WHEREAS, based on public, city staff, Planning and Zoning Commission, and City Council
discussion, there are numerous public safety issues that should be considered in the design of the
Seward Highway Mile 0 - 36 rehabilitation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The attached letter, incorporated herewith by reference, reflects the concerns and
desires of the Seward community with regards to the Seward Highway Mile 0 - 36 Rehabilitation
Project and is forwarded to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for
inclusion in the project design.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council ofthe city of Seward, Alaska, this 14th day
of August, 1995.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 95-091
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
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Dave W. Crane, Mayor
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Anderson, Crane, Darling, Deeter, King, O'Brien, Sieminski
None
None
None
ATTEST:
nd S. urphy,
City Clerk
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August 15, 1995
Mr. Vince Rhea, P.E., Engineering Manager
Central Region, Division of Design and Construction
Preliminary Design and Environmental
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage, Alaska 99519--6900
SUBJ: Seward Highway Mile 0-36 Rehabilitation Project Plan Review
Dear Mr. Rhea,
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Seward Highway Mile 0-36 Rehabilitation
Project plans. As noted in the accompanying City Resolution, these comments reflect the
community's needs and desires, and were expressed in various community plans, at public
meetings, and through planning commission and staff review. Where possible, the project
station locations are included for reference.
A. Include a center turn lane from Van Buren Street (Station 60 + 00) to Nash Road
(Station 185 + 00). The Seward Highway is the only route for both local and through
traffic between the small boat harbor and the city limits. A center turn lane would
permit smoother and safer flow of traffic by allowing local traffic to exit the road
without stopping through traffic behind them
B. Provide a safe pedestrian/bike route along the highway, including a pedestrian/bike
path across the three Resurrection River Bridges - project bridges numbers 596, 597
and 598. It is part of the Iditarod National Historic Trail plan to connect the community
bike path to the Iditarod Trail on Nash Road. The critical missing link is a way across
Resurrection River. A number of options have been offered: 1) widen the bridges to
accommodate pedestrian/bike path; 2) "hang" a path on the outside of the bridge; 3)
locate the pedestrian/bike path away from the highway on the old highway roadbed.
C. Enlarge or modify the Lagoon/fish ditch drainage under the highway at Station 65 + 00
to reduce the potential for water backing up in the lagoon and flooding nearby areas
during storm events such as the 1986 flood.
D. Change the name of Airport Road to Port Avenue on the plan maps (between 85 + 00
and 90 + 00). This street was renamed by City Council Resolution in order to more
accurately direct the public to the port area and to avoid confusion with the current
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airport access road. New signs have yet to be installed.
E. Include better highway lighting from Coolidge Drive (station 115 + 00) north to the
Resurrection River bridges. This is an exceptionally dark stretch of road that includes
street intersections accessing the elementary school, a major subdivision and the
borough solid waste disposal site.
F. Improve west to east drainage under the highway between stations 120 + 00 to
150 + 00. The highway has become a barrier to the natural flow of surface runoff
water. There are but four undersize culverts allowing drainage. As the area to the west
of the highway develops the runoff from the military recreation camps, schools, and
Forest Acres Subdivision increases. During flood periods if the south Resurrection River
bridge block up, the area to the south along the west side of the highway down to the
old Dimond Blvd intersection becomes a backup storage area. There needs to be an
improved drainage to get this water across the highway and down to the bay.
G. Improve the Airport Road/Seward Highway intersection (Station 155 + 00) in order to
allow for the development of a viable alternate railroad dock/port area access by
connecting Port Avenue and Airport Road.
H. Your plan calls for widening the bridges at Ptarmigan Creek, Victor Creek, Trail River
and Falls Creek, but nothing about the Resurrection River bridges. Considering the
width and age of these bridges, and the volume of industrial truck and cruise ship bus
traffic from the railroad dock area, these bridges should be considered for widening.
I. The dike on the north side of Resurrection River at 177 + 00 is of interest and deserves
some discussion with regard to river control to the south side of the floodway. There
is a concern that by establishing a barrier along the north side to the river, there is
increased chances of forcing the river to the south side, endangering private industrial
and residential areas.
J. The city's STIP plan proposes a new road at station 150 + 00 to access the borough
sanitary solid waste disposal site, a gravel quarry and as an alternate subdivision
access.
K. Nash Road intersection
1) Include a right hand stacking lane for traffic exiting onto Nash Road (between
Station 180 + 00 and Station 185 + 00). This intersection was improved a few
years ago with a southbound center turn lane; however, northbound through
traffic continues to swing across center lines into the southbound lane to go
around vehicles making a right turn on to Nash Road.
2) Include guard rail at Nash Road (station 180 + 00) to prevent drivers from taking
sharp inside right turn where they dip down into the area between the highway
and the railroad tracks.
3) There is a need for a north bound merge lane for trucks leaving a stop on an
uphill grade on Nash Road into a full 55 mph highway curve.
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Install center turn lane and improved lighting at Exit Glacier Road (station 208 + 00)
intersection. This is an exceptionally busy intersection due to the improved road
conditions, increased summer visitor traffic, increased winter recreation popularity, and
adjacent commercial development.
M. Include a bike path along the highway to the Grouse Lake Road intersection at Station
403 + 00. More and more people are using the highway shoulder for running and
bicycling. A designated separate bicycle path would continue to encourage the
recreation and alternate transportation aspects of running and cycling without
endangering the users.
N. Include a school bus turn out on the west side of the highway near the Lake Drive
intersection at Station 344 + 00. There is not sufficient distance between the highway
and the railroad tracks to allow school buses to cross the tracks to serve the four
subdivisions on the other side of the tracks. All the children walk to the highway to be
picked up by the school bus. A safe turnout to accommodate the bus would alleviate
blocking highway through traffic and/or provide a safe place for children to wait for the
bus.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact City Manager Ron Garzini, City Engineer
Dave Calvert, or myself.
Sincerely,
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
KERRY T. MARTIN
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
cc: P&Z Commission
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