Traffic Impact Study January 2007Willow Creek Subdivision Kah5pell, Montana
Traffic Impact Study
Willow Creek Subdivision
Kalispell, Montana
A. EXECUTNE SUMMARY
The Willow Creek Subdivision will affect traffic operations along the south Meridian Road corridor
and will require intersection improvements at many intersections in the area. The installation of a
new access onto U.S. Highway 2 will divert a significant amount of the development traffic from
Meridian Road once constructed. After reviewing the traffic information, ATS has assembled the
following recommendations for the Willow Creek subdivision. These recommendations include:
• Install a center left -turn lane along Meridian Road from Center Street to Appleway Drive
with the first 120 units and signalize the intersection of 2'd Street/Meridian Road.
• Construct the noi-thwestern access to the devulopinent situ wia, 120-240 constructed units
and install a designated left -turn lane for westbound traffic and separated left- and right -turn
lanes for northbound traffic at this intersection.
• Construct a designated eastbound right -turn lane on Appleway Drive at Meridian Road with
120-240 constructed units.
• Signalize Center Street with 120-240 constructed units.
• The southbound left -turn lane at 7 1h Street should be constructed in with 120-240 constructed
units. If the southbound left -turn lane can not be constructed, then the intersection will need
to hesignali7ed-
• Install STOP signs on all three legs of this 7 1h Street and Meridian Road and install
northbound right -turn lane between 240-360 constructed units (if not signalized).
• Restrict left -turn movements for westbound traffic at the intersection of U.S. 2 and
Appleway Drive as necessary (between 240-360 constructed units).
• Signalize the intersection of Valley View Road/Foys Lake Road if warrants are met (around
600 constructed units).
B. ProJect Description
This document studies the possible effect on the surrounding road system from a proposed 240-acre
residential development located north of Foys Lake Road in Kalispell, Montana. The document also
identifies any traffic mitigation efforts that the development may require. The property would be
developed to include up to 709 residential units. These residential units would include a variety of
single-family homes, condominiums, and townhouses -
This report builds upon the previous traffic impact study prepared by Robel t Peccia & Associates in
March 2006. The Peccia report identified considerable mitigation efforts that would be required
Abelin Traffic Services I January 2007
Willow Creek Stibdivi5iori Kali5pell, Montana
along Meridian Road based on the original development layout. In order to lessen the overall
impacts the subdivision was redesigned to decrease the overall trip generation and decrease the
dependency on Meridian Road as the primary access to the development. The traffic data and
existing site conditions inforination was taken from the original traffic report and is included in this
document with permission from Robert Peccia & Associates.
C. EXISTING CONDITIONS
The existing transportation system that would serve this site is a mixture of local, collector, and
arterial roadways. The project site is located north of Foys Lake Road, outside the Kalispell City
limits. See Figure 1 for a location map of the proposed development. Roadways that may be
affected by the proposed development include Valley View Drive, Meridian Road, 7'h Avenue West,
7'11 Street West, I I th Street West, 2 d Street West, Appleway Drive, West Center Street, Main Street,
U.S. Highway 2. These facilities are described in further detail below:
Foys Lake Road is an east -west, secondary two-lane highway. It is located difectly south of the
proposed project and will provide direct access for traffic entering and exiting the proposed
subdivision. It has a 50 mph speed limit and serves residents to the south-west of Kalispell. Foys
Lake Road becomes Meridian Road near Ashley Creek. The ADT is 3,400 vpd.
Valley View Drive is a north -south, two-lane roadway classified as a local roadway that
intersects with Foys Lake Road. The roadway has a 25 rnph speed limit and an estimated ADT
of 1,600 vpd.
Meridian Road is a north -south two-lane minor arterial that serves residents and businesses
on the west side of Kalispell. It has a 25 mph posted speed and is a high volume roadway.
The ADT is 5,634 vph-
71h Street West is an cast -west, two-lane minor arterial that connects Meridian Road to 7'h
Avenue West and Main Street. It has a 25 mph speed limit and an estimated ADT is 2,600 vpd.
7th Avenue West is a north -south, two-lane minor collector that connects West Center Street to
1 Ith StrUet West. It 11UN a 25 inph speed limit. The estimated ADT is 2,300 vpd.
2 nd Street West is an east -west, two-lane minor arterial that connects Meridian Road and Main
Street. It has a 25 mph speed limit. The estimated ADT is 2,300 vpd.
1 11h Street West is and east -west, minor arterial that connects 7 1h Avenue West with Main
Street. It has a 25 mph speed limit. The estimated ADT is 6,200 vpd.
Appleway Drive is an east -west, two-lane collector that connects U.S. Highway 2 to Meridian
Road at a "T" intersection. This is a fairly high -volume roadway with an estimated ADT is 3,500
Abelin Traffic Services 2 fanuary 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, Monlana
vpd.
West Center Street is an east -west, two-lane minor arterial that connects Meridian Road and
Main Street. This is a high volume roadway and has a 25 mph speed limit. The estimated ADT is
5,400 vpd.
Main Street (U.S. Highway 93) is a two-lane principal arterial that runs directly through the
center of Kalispell. Main Street serves as one of the major routes accessing much of Kalispell.
This has a 25 mph speed limit- The estimated ADT is 17,700 vpd.
U.S. Highway 2 is the principal cast/west route through northern Montana. The route also
serves and a principal arterial route through the Kalispell. The road has a 45 mph speed limit
north of the developmeiit site which deci-eases to 35 MPH critering Kalh;pell. According to
Abelin Traffic Service,5 3 Jartuary 2007
Willuw Creek Stibdioisiun Kalispell, Montana
MDT the roadway carries 8,800 vpd 1.3 mile west of the Kalispell city limits.
Traffic Data Collection
Robert Peccia & Associates collected turning movement count data and 24-hour hose count data
in January 2006 at critical intersections around the proposed development. This data is included
in Appendix A of this report. The intersections analyzed included:
Meridian Road & Appleway Drive;
Meridian Road & West Center Street;
Meridian Road & 2 nl Street West;
Meridian Road & 7 h Street West;
Foys Lake Road & Valley View Drive;
7t" Avenue West & 7'h Street West; and
Main Street and I Vh Street West.
The raw turning count movement data was adjusted for seasonal variation in accordance with the
data collected from MDT's annual count station located on US Highway 2, 1.3 miles west of
Kalispell (Station A-24). This count station data indicated that data collected in January is
approximately 8 1 % of the AADT (Average Annual Daily Traffic) volume.
Automatic hose counters were placed on both Foys Lake Road (in the vicinity of the project
location) and on Meridian Road (between P Street and 4'h Street). The two hose counters
collected directional ADT volumes, as well as basic directional speed data (i.e. average speed
and 85th percentile speed)- This data is presented in Table 1. Additional traffic data was
collected by Abelin Traffic Services in January 2007 for U.S. Highway 2.
Table 1 - Speed Data Collected By RPA
LOCATION
Posted Speed
(mph)
Average
Speed (mph)
85th
Percentile
Speed (mph)
# of
Vehicles
Observed
Foys Lake Road (in the vicinity
of the pr2ject ocation)
Eastbound
50
48.5 55.6
1687
Westbound
50
46.5 53.8
1734
Meridian Road (between 0' St. and 3rd St.)
Northbound
25
22.8
27.0
2741
Southbound
25
23.6
27.7
2823
As a general rule, speed limits are posted as close to the 85"' percentile as possible. The
recorded speed data from the automatic hose counters placed by RPA show 85'h percentile
speeds for Foys Lake Road and Meridian Road slightly higher than the posted speed limits
Abelin Traffic Service5 4 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kali5pell, Motitarta
(5.6 mph higher for eastbound traffic and 3.8 mph higher for westbou-nd traffic for Foys
Lake Road and 2.0 mpb higher for northbound traffic and 2.7 mph higher for southbound
traffic on Meridian Road).
Level of Service
Using the data collected forthis project, ATS conducted a Level of Service (LOS) analysis at
the intersections within the area of impact. This evaluation was conducted in accordance
with the procedures outlined in the Transportation Research Board's Highway Capacity
Manual (HCM - Special Report 209 and the Highway Capacity Software (HCS) version 5.2.
Intersections are graded from A to F representing the average delay that a vehicle entering
an intersection can expect. Typically, a LOS of C or better is considered acceptable for
peak -hour conditions.
Table 2 shows the existing 2006 LOS for the AM and PM peak hours without the traffic
from the Willow Creek Subdivision. The LOS calculations arc included in Appendix C.
Table 2 - 2006 Existing Traffic Level of Service (LOS) Surnmary
INTERSECTION
AM Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delay
LOS
V/c
Delay
LOS
We
Meridian Road & Appleway
Drive
20.4
C
N/A
19.0
C
N/A
Eastbound LeftlRight
20.4
G
0.58
19.0
C
0.44
Northbound LeftlThru
8.6
A
0.14
9.4
A
GA9
Meridian Road & West Center
Street
38.97
E
N/A
84.01
F
N/A
Eastbound LeftlThrulRight
11.55
B
N/A
12.40
B
N/A
Westbound Lef&ThLu�fiht
14.51
B
N/A
18.14
C
N/A
Nnrthbound LeflIThnilRight
25 36
n
N/A
26.02
D
N/A
Southbound LefbThrulRight
60-36
F
N/A
149.01
F
N/A
Meridian Road & 2"Street
West
19.81
C
N/A
29.83
D
NIA
Eastbound LeftlThrulRight
10.12
B
N/A
10.82
B
N/A
Westbound Leftl'rhrulRight
11.49
B
N/A
11.88
8
N/A
Northbound LeftlThrulRight
25.05
D
N/A
15,03
C
N/A
Southbound LeftlThrulRijht
16.62
C
N/A
43.91
F-
NA
Meridian Road & 7'" Street
West
15.7
C
NIA
16.3
C
NIA
Westbound LeftlRight
15.7
C
0.31
16.3
C
0.30
Southbound LeftffhrulRight
9.0
A
0.14
8.0
A
0.10
Foys Lake Road & Valley View
Drive
13.9
B
NIA
12.1
B
NIA
Westbound LertlThru
8.5 1
A
0.06
7.7
A
0.06
Southbound LeftlThm�ht
13.9 1
6
0.26
12A
B
0.15
Abelin Traffic Services larivary 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kulibpell, Muntanu_
INTERSECTION
AM Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delav
LOS
V/c
Delay
LOS
NVC
7 1h Avenue & Ph Street West
10.6
B
N/A
11.0
B
N/A
Eastbound Left/ThrulRlght
7.3
A
0.01
7.3
A
0.01
Westbound LeftlThrulRight
7.4
A
0.00
7A
A
0.00
Northbound LeftlThrulR�ght
11.0
B
0,20
11.1
B
0.19
Southbound LeIVThrulRight
10.2
B
0.08
10�8
9
0.18
Main Street & 11 th Street West
29.2
C
N/A
33.8
C
N/A
Eastbound Lef&ThrulRight
21.3
C
0.50
24.4
C
0.63
Westbound LeftlThrulRight
18.5
B
0.32
24.2
C
0,56
Northbound ThrulRight
41.7
D
0.96
24.6
C
0.80
Northbound Left
18A
B
0.38
35.7
D
0.55
Southbound ThLt�J ht
M7
C
0.71
48.4
D
0.99
Southbound Left
11,9
B
0.05
12.1
B
0.08
U. ighway 2 & Appleway Dr.
21.6
C
0.41
28.8
D
0.59
Westbound Le� �jht
21.6
G
0.41
28.8
D 1
0.59
Southbound Left
9.2
-A
O�O
81
A 1
0.0
Table 2 shows that most of the critical intersections in this area are functioning adequately,
with some exceptions. The intersection of Meridian Road and West Center Street is not
fanctioning at acceptable levels of service for the AM and PM peak hours and the intersection
of Meridian Road and 2 d Street West is not functioning at an acceptable level of service for
the PM peak hour. Adding left turn lanes on Meridian Road at both intersections northbound
and southbound would improve the levels of service at both of these intersections. Table 3
shows the mitigated levels of scivice for both intersections.
Table 3 - Mitigated Level of Service (LOS) Summary
INTERSECTION
AM Peik Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delay
I J�OS
V/c
DelaX
LOS
We
Meridian Road & West Center
Street
17.63
C
N/A
22.43
C
NIA
Eastbound LeftlThrulRight
10-59
B
N/A
11.52
B
N/A
Westbound LeffiThrufflight
13.42
8
N/A
17.73
C
N/A
Northbound Lert
9.61
A
NIA
10.24
B
N/A
Northbound ThrulRiqht
2134
C
N/A
23.40
C
N/A
Southbound Left
15.96
C
N/A
16.01
C
N/A
Southbound ThrulRight
15,78
C
N/A
30.25
D
N/A
Meridian Road & 2ndStreet
West
15.04
C
N/A
16.18
C
N/A
Eastbound LeftlThrulRight
9�57
A
N/A
10.13
B
N/A
Westbound LeftfVhfulRight
10.(1
b
N/A
10.92
B
N/A
Northbound Left
8.78
B
N/A
9.07
A
N/A
Northbound ThrulRight
19.37
C
N/A
14.34
B
N/A
Smiffibmind /-Pft
q.ql
A
N/A
'q - 3
A
N/A
Southbound Lx�J ht
1Z84
B
N/A
21.08
C
N/A
Abelin Traffic Services 6 January 2007
Willow Creek Szibdivision Kalisall, Montana
Right-of-way issues along Meridian Road may make adding northbound or southbound left -
turn lanes difficult through most of this corridor. If no additional northbound or southbound
lanes can be constructed then the Center Street and 2 nd Street intersections would need to be
signalized to improve the level of service.
D. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The development currently under consideration for this site includes 240 acres of land north of Foys
Lake Road which would be developed into a residential subdivision. The development would have
709 residential units, 426 of which would condominiums or townhouses. The development would
connect with Foys Lake Road at two separate intersections and would provide an additional access
onto U-S- Highway 2 which would be constructed when needed. The eastern access onto Foys Lake
Road would line up with Valley View Drive and the western access would be located 1/4mile to the
west of Valley View Drive. The project would be constructed in six phases with approximately 100
units built each year for six years. Full build -out of the property would likely occur by 2013. The
layout of the proposed subdivision is shown in Figure 2.
The developer requested a review of the possible impacts on traffic from two different north/south
routes that would be accessible from the development site. Either of these two routes would help
decrease the dependence on Meridian Road. The first of these routes is the new street connecting
the northwestern comer of the development site to U.S. Highway 2 which would be constructed by
the developer. This route would provide easy access to U.S. Highway 2 and would encourage a
considerable amount of traffic from the development site to bypass Meridian Road.
The other new route is the U.S. Highway 93 bypass which is currently planned to run alon ' g the
eastern side of the proposed development site. The bypass would have grade separated interchanges
at both U.S. Highway 2 and Foys Lake Road. This portion of the bypass is currently scheduled for
construction by MDT in 5-7 years.
Both of these new routes would benefit traffic flow in this area. The developer could contribute to
the funding of the Highway 93 bypass and use this route to alleviate possible mitigation
requirements on Meridian Road. However, tying the development to the construction of the 93
Bypass could be problematic if the construction of the bypass is delayed. In addition, while the
bypass would provide a useful new route to access areas farther north in Kalispell, the bypass would
not provide a significantly better route for accessing Downtown Kalispell and Highway 2 than using
Meridian Road. The Highway 93 bypass may ultimately improve the traffic conditions on Meridian
Road by diverting some of the existing traffic from this road onto the new bypass. Overall, a new
access from the development site onto U.S. Highway 2 would provide more relief on Meridian Road
than relying on the bypass. It should also be noted that any new access onto U.S. 2 from the
development site should be located as far frorn the proposed bypass alignment as possible to provide
appropriate intersection spacing.
Abelin Traffic Services 7 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivi,5ion Kalispell, Mordana
Figure 2 - Proposed Development
R
f d
(U
0 r;
MMO lou
Abelin Traffic Servicc5 8 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispcil, Montana
E. TRIP GENERATION AND ASSIGNMENT
ATS performed a trip generation analysis to determine anticipated future traffic volumes from the
proposed development. ATS used the trip generation rates contained in D-ip Generation (institute of
Transportation Engineers, Seventh Edition). These rates are the national standard and are based on
the most current information available to planners. A vehicle"trip" is defined as any trip that either
begins or ends at the development site. Judging from field observations and the typical nature of
residential developments, ATS determined that the critical traffic impacts on the intersections and
roadways would occur during the weekday morninR and evening peak hours. At full build -out in
2013 the proposed development would produce 339 AM peak hour trips, 508 PM peak hour trips,
and 5,204 daily trips. The trip generation rates and totals are shown in Table 4. This is a 30%
decrease in traffic from the original development plan -
Table 4 - Trip Generation Rates
AM Peak
Total AM
PM Peak
Total PM
Hour Trip
Peak
Hour Trip
Peak
Weekday
Total
Ends per
Hour Trip
Ends per
Hour Trip
Trip Ends
Weekday
Land Use
Units
Unit
Ends
Uri!(
Efids
per Unit
Trip Ends
Single Family
283
0.75
212
1�01
286
9.57
2,708
Residentiaf
Condominiums
348
0,44
153
0.52
181
5.86
2,039
Townhouse
78
0.44
34
0.52
41
5.86
457
Total
709
_1
399
508
5,204
Additional Developments
Two additional subdivisions are currently under construction in the vicinity of the proposed
development which will increase traffic on the surrounding road system. The Lonepine Meadows
subdivision currently has all 77 lots available for development. The second, Stoneridge, is a 38-lot
subdivision that currently has 32 lots available for development. The trip generation characteristics
of both subdivisions are shown in Table 5.
iame
o - inp ueneratlon
aTes (Lo Ine a 5T neriage bwawision�
AM Peak
PM Peak
Hour -
AM Peak
Hour -
PM Peak
Weekday -
Avg. Trip
Hour —
Avg. Trip
Hour —
Avg. Trip
Weekday
Land Us
Ends per
Trip
Ends per
Trip
Ends per
Trip
(ITE Code)
Units
Unit
Ends
Unit
Ends
Unit
Ends
LONEPINE
77
0.75
58
1.01
78
9�57
737
STONERIDGE
32
0.75
24
1,01
33
9.57
307
Total
82
i'll
1,044
Abelin Traffic Services 9 January 2007
Willow Creek- Subdivi5ion Kali5vell, Montana
From the information contained in Table 4 and Table 5, a new "net" traffic impact to the
surrounding transportation system can be calculated. The number of additional trips expected on the
surrounding transportation system at "full" build out of all three developments is presented below:
(Willow Creek + Lone Pine + Stone Ridge = Total)
AM Peak Hour Trip Ends: 399 + 58 + 24 = 481
PM Peak Hour Trip Ends: 508 + 78 + 33 = 619
ADT Weekday Trip Ends: 5,204 + 737 + 307 = 6,248
Abelin Traffic Services gathered historic Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes for the area from
the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). This evaluation is based on MDT permanent
count station A-24 located on U.S. Highway 2, 1.3 miles west of Kalispell. The data indicates an
annual avcrage traffic growth rate in this area of 2.6//o.
Table 6 - U.S. Highway 2 Historic Average Daily Traffic Data
Location
1996 1997
1998 1999
2000 2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
U.S. Highway 2*
6,967 1 7,064
1 7,279 1 7,524
7,504 1 7,909
8,3654
1 8,511
1 8,749
1 8,741
*Based on MDT permanent count station A-24 located on U.S. Highway 2, 1.3 miles west of Kalispell
F. TRIP DISTRIBUTION
The traffic distribution and assignment for the proposed subdivision was based upon the existing
ADT volurnes along the adjacent roadways and the peak -hour taming volumes. Traffic is expected
to distribute 50% to/from the north on U.S. Highway 2 and 50% to/from the south on Foys Lake
Road. From U.S. 2 and Foys Lake Road 40% of the traffic will be distributed east on Center Street,
2 d Street and 7'11 Street, 52% will distribute north on Meridian Road and cast on U.S. 2, and 8% will
disti-ibute west using U.S. 2 wid Foys Lake Road. The u-1p diArIbuLlun Is shown graphically in
Figure 3.
Abelin Traffic Services 10 January 2007
Wdlow Creck Subdivi5ioii Kalispell, iWontatia
5%
Figure 3 —Trip Distributions
A, 52%
U.S. HIghway 2
50% 10%
West Center Street
Proposed
Development
10%
Site nd
2 Street West
P 20%
3% 15% 3 5:/-"� 7 1h Street West
Foys Lake Road
G. TRAFFIC IMPACTS OUTSIDE OF THE DEVELOPMENT
Using the trip generation and t6p distribution numbers, ATS detennined the future Level of Service
I
(LOS) for the intersections along Wisconsin Avenue, The anticipated LOS at these intersections for
201 -1 condition- with the proposed development is shown inTnble 7- These calculations are based
on the projected model volumes included in Appendix B of this report.
Table 7 — 2013 Level of Service Summary
With The Willow Creek Subdivision
INTERSECTION
AM Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delay
LOS
V/c
Delay
LOS
V/c
Meridian Road & Appleway
Drive
55.7
F
N/A
51.4
F
N/A
Eastbound LeftlRight
55.7
F
0.91
51.4
F
Mi
Northbound LeftlThru
9.1
A
0.19
10.9
B
0.30
Meridian Road & West Center
Street
51.32
F
N/A
90.21
F
N/A
Eastbound LeftlThrulRight
11.93
B
NIA
13.82
B
_N_/A
Westbound Leftl'ThruARight
18.34
C
N/A
40.08
E
N/A
Northbound Le��krqR�ght
101.55
F
N/A
88.35
F
NIA
Southbound LeftlThrulRight
26.59
N/A
121,66
F
NIA
Abelhi Traffic Services 11 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdiulsiort
Kuli,spell, Muntana
INTERSECTION
IAM Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delay
LOS
N/c
Delay
LOS
V/C
Meridian Road & 2 ,dStreet
West
49.25
E
NIA
59.48
F
N/A
Eastbound LeftlThrufLght
1 0�86
B
N/A
11.88
6
N/A
Westbound LeftlThrulRight
13.41
B
N/A
15.33
C
N/A
Northbound LeftlThrulRight
86,43
F
N/A
31-09
D
N/A
Southbound LeftlThrulPight
16.gg
C
N/A
93,91
F
N/A
Meridian Road & 7 1h Street
West
51,3
F
N/A
110.6
F
NIA
Westbound LeftlRight
51.3
10.9
F
B
0.76
0.22
110.6
8.6
F
A
1.03
Southbound LeftlThru
0.14
Foys Lake Road & Valley View
Drive
100.35
F
NIA
31.6
D
NIA
Ed�ilbuurid L&fVrhT2LRJ21?i
7. f)
A
0.00
8.5
A
0.0 f
Westbound LeftlThrulRight
9.3
A
0.08
8.0
A
0.09
Northbound LeftlThaLRiqht
24.5
C
0.51
23.7
C
0.40
Southbound Leftl'ThrulRiqht
176.2
F
1.10
39.4
E
0.45
7 1h Avenue & 71h Street West
12.3
B
NIA
13.7
B
NIA
Eastbound LeftlThrulRight
7.3
A
0.01
7.5
A
0.01
Westf)ound LettlThrulRqht
T7
A
0.00
7.5
A
U.00
Northbound LeftlThrulRight
13.1
B
0.29
14.7
B
0.35
Southbound LeftlThrulRight
11.5
B
0.11
12.6
B
0.26
Main Street & 11 th Street West
31.3
C
N/A
49-5
D
N/A
Eastbound LeftlThrulRight
32.6
C
0.77
39.1
D
&87
Westbound LeftlThrulRight
25.4
C
.053
70.7
E
0.98
Northbound ThrulRight
44.1
D
1.00
25.3
C
.087
Northbound Left
17.4
C
0.47
50.9
D
0.73
Southbound ThrulRight
16.9
B
0,73
68.2
E
1.07
Southboond Leff
8.6
A
0.06
11.5
D
OA3
U.S. Highway 2 & Appleway
Drive
56.6
F
NIA
186.8
F
N/A
Westbound LeFVR�2ht
56,6
F
0.77
186.8
F
1.25
Southbound Left
10.4
B
0.00
&5
A
0.0
U.S. Highway 2 & Northwestern
Access
3-5.2
E
N/A
21 . 8
C
N/A
WGstbound LeftlThrij
10.0
A
0.06
89
A
0.."
Northbound LeftlRight
35.2
E
0.62
21.8
C
0.15
oys Lake Road & Southwestern
Access
18.0
C
N/A
14.8
B
N/A
Eastbound LeftlThru
T7
A
0.0
8.3
A
0.0
Southbound LeftlRight I
__jl.
C
0.19
14.8 1
a
0.10
Table 7 indicates that the Willow Creek Subdivision would negatively affect the LOS at many of the
adjacent intersections, particularly along Menidian Road. The only intersections that would not
require mitigation measures would be the intersection of Foys Lake Road/New Southwestern Access
and the intersection of 7"' Avenue/7"' Street.
Abelln Traffic Services 12 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivi5ion Kali5pell, Mori turtu
It may be difficult to widen Meridian Road within the existing right -of way. For this reason, the
developers requested that the necessary mitigation measures be developed to tiy and minimize the
widening needs.
The following is a list of mitigation measures that would need to be completed prior to fall build -out
of the Willow Creek Subdivision so that all of the area intersections would continue to function at
acceptable levels of services. If these mitigation measures are installed the intersections would
function as shown in Table 8. The required mitigation measures include:
a Appleway Drive & Meridian Road - Install a designated northbound left -turn lane and a
designated eastbound right -turn lane.
* Center Street & Men'dian Road - Install a southbound left-wrn lane and signalize.
* 2 d Street & Meridian Road - Install a traffic signal.
0 7"' Street & Meridian Road - Install STOP signs on all three legs of this intersection and a
designated southbound left -turn lanes and northbound right -turn lane.
0 Valley View Road & Foys Lake Road - Signalize if warrants are met.
* U.S. 2 & New northern development entrance - Install a designated left-tum lane for
westbound traffic and separated left- and right-tum lanes for northbound traffic
* U.S. 2 & Appleway. Restrict left -turn movements for westbound traffic at this intersection,
Table 8 - 2013 Level of Service Summary
With The Willow Creek Subdivision - Mitigated
Meridian R ad & Appleway
Drive
24.4
C
N/A
24.4
C
NIA
Northbound Left
9.1
A
0.19
10.5
B
0,29
Eastbound Left
63.3
F
0.27
75.1
F
0.20
Eastbound Right
22.1
C
0.65
21.3
C 1
0.53
Meridian Road & West Center
Street
15.5
B
N/A
19.1
B
N/A
Eastbound LeftlThLL�J ht
163
B
0.04
14.1
B
OW
Westbound LeffiTha�f�t
32.8
C
0.77
27.4
C
0,75
Nofthbound LeftlThmlRlght
92
A
0.58
13.5
B
0.55
Southbound Left
21.8
C
0.79
25.1
C
0.74
Southbound ThrulRight
7.0
A
0.39
15.8
B
0.67
Meridian Road & 2ndStreet
West
10.6
B
N/A
10.5
a
NIA
Eastbound LeftlThrulMght
18.9
B
0.06
19.1 1
6
0.08
Westbound LeftlThrulRight
22.4
C
0-34
26.9
b.
0.55
Northbound I hrulHight
9.3
A
0.62
6.7
A
0.40
Southbound Thr
ulR�ght
9.0
A
0.56
12.3
B
0.73
Abelin Traffic Services 13 Jurtuary 2007
Willow CTeck Subdivision KalisEell, Montana
Meridian Road & 71h Street
W03t
22.74
C
NIA
22.26
C
N/A
Wastbound LeftlRight
12.19
B
N/A
15.16
C
N/A
Southbound Left
11.50
B
N/A
12.14
B
NIA
Southbound Thru
Northbound �ht
11,32
9.28
B
N/A
35.59
E
NIA
A
N/A
9.56
A
N/A
Northbound Thru
37.36
E
N/A
15.54
C
N/A
U.S. Highway 2 & Northwestern
Access
24.8
C
NIA
18.4
C
N/A
Westbound Left
10.0
A
0.06
8.9
A
0.15
Northbound Left
31.8
D 1
0,17
1 50.4
1 F
0.19
Northbound Right
23.6
C 1
0.45
1 121 1
B
0.15
Table 8 indicates that with the recommended mitigation measures, most of the area intersections
would fimetion at acceptable levels of service -
If the necessary right-of-way can not be acquired to provide lane widening at the intersection of
Meridian Road and 7'11 Street, this intersection would need to be signalized. If signalized, the
intersection would function at LOS B with 12.4 seconds of delay without any additional lanes.
The intersection of Valley View Road/Foys Lake Road may experience poor levels of service by
2013 with the additional traffic from the proposed development. However, the intersection may not
meet any warrants for signalization. In addition, the plans for U.S. 93 bypass project include
severing Valley View Road which would substantially decrease traffic volumes at this intersection
and would likely eliminate the need for mitigation.
Similarly, the intersection of Main Street/l I 1h Street West may also fall below LOS C by fall -build -
out of the development. However, the percent of entering traffic volume from the Willow Creek
Subdivision will be less than I% of the overall traffic at this intersection. The U.S. 93 bypass will
also substantially decrease traffic volumes at this intersection and eliminate the need for any
mitigation.
The intersection of U.S. Highway 2/Appleway Drive will fall to LOS F by 2013 regardless of the
construction of the Willow Creek Subdivision. The proximity of this intersection to the proposed
U.S. highway 93 bypass aligntn"t will likely prevent the possibility that this intersection could be
signalized. The only way to fix the problem would be restricting left -turn movements at the
intersection or creating a grade separated left-tum.
H . MITIGATION SCHEDULE
ATS reviewed the build -out schedule to predict when the various mitigation measures would be
required and to determine when the new access to U.S. Highway 2 should be constructed. It is
recommended that the center left -turn lane be installed along Meridian Road between Appleway
Drive and Center Street with the first 120 units constructed. In addition, a traffic signal would need
Abelin Traffic Services 14 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kulibpull, Mantana
to be constructed at 2 d Street. This would take care of the existing LOS problems along this
conidor.
Between the construction of 120-240 units of the Willow Creek Subdivision, Meridian Road will
begin to have operational problems once again and the connection to U.S. Highway 2 to the north
should be constructed. The additional recommended lanes should be installed at this intersection
with the 'initial construction. The new eastbound right -tarn lane should also be installed lanes at the
Appleway Drive/Meridian Road intersection at this time along with the traffic signal at Center
Street. The southbound left -turn lane at 7"' Street should also be constructed at this level of
development (120-240 units). If the southbound left -turn lane can not be constructed, then the
intersection will need to be signalized.
Between 240-360 constructed units it is likely that all of the additional mitigation measures will
need to be completed. This will include the 3-way Stop at 7'1' Street. It may be of value to re-
evaluate area traffic volumes between Phases 2 and 3 to reconfirm the required initigation measures.
The signalization of Valley View DriveXoys Lake Road would not need to occur until 600 units
have been constructed.
1. IMPACT SUMMARY
The Willow Creek Subdivision will affect traffic operations along the south Meridian Road corridor
and will require intersection improvements at many intersections in the area. The installation of a
new access onto U.S. Highway 2 will divert a significant amount of the development traffic from
Meridian Road once constructed.
The intersection of Foys Lake Road and Valley View Road may experience poor levels of service at
full build -out and may requiresignali7ation- However, the curi-ent I I-S- 91 bypass plans to sever the
Valley View Road connection would substantially decrease the traffic volumes at this intersection
and may eliminate the need for signalization. The intersection should be monitored through full
build -out and signalized only if warrants are met.
The intersection of Appleway Drive and U.S. Highway 2 is currently experiencing operational
problems and will fall to LOS F by 2013 regardless of the construction of the pioposcd Will Creek
Subdivision. Due to the proximity to the proposed U.S. 93 bypass alignment it is not likely that this
intersection could be signalized. The only feasible way to correct this problem would be to restrict
left -rum movement from Appleway Drive or construct a grade separated left-tum lane.
J. RECOMMENDATIONS
After reviewing the traffic information, ATS has assembled the following recommendations for the
Willow Creek subdivision. These recommendations include:
Abelln Trafric 5ervices 15 januaTy 2007
Willuw Cruek Subdivi,-iiun KalisEell, Montana-
• Install a center left -turn lane along Meridian Road from Center Street to Appleway Drive
with the first 120 units and signalize the intersection of 2 d Street/Meridian Road.
• Construct the northwestern access to the development site with 120-240 constructed units
and install a designated left -turn lane for westbound traffic and separated left- and right -turn
lanes for northbound traffic at this intersection.
• Construct a designated eastbound right -turn lane on Appleway Drive at Meridian Road with
120-240 constructed units.
• Signalize Center Street with 120-240 constructed units.
• The southbound left -turn I ane at 701 Street should be constructed in with 120-240 constructed
units. If the southbound left -turn lane can not be constructed, then the intersection will nccd
to be signalized.
• Install STOP signs on all three legs of this 7 1h Street and Meridian Road and install
northbound right -ram lane between 240-360 constructed units (if not signalized).
• Restrict left-tum movements for westbound traffic at the intersection of U.S. 2 and
Appleway Drive as necessary (between 240-360 constructed units).
• Signalize the intersection of Valley View Road/Foys Lake Road if warrants are met (around
600 constructed units).
Abelin Traffic Service5 16 January 2007