Traffic Impact Study January 2007Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, Montana
Traffic Impact Study
Willow Creek Subdivision
Kalispell, Montana
A. EXECUTIVE 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'a 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 Iane 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 71h Street should be constructed in with 120-240 constructed
units. If the southbound left -turn Iane can not be constructed, then the intersection will need
to he signalized_
• Install STOP signs on all three legs of this 71h 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 Robert Peccia & Associates in
March 2006. The Peccia report identified considerable mitigation efforts that would be required
Abelin 'Traffic Services T January 2007
Willow Creek Satbdivisiori Kalispell, 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 infortrtation 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, 7th Avenue West,
7'11 Street `Blest, i l th Street West, 2nd 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 -lade highway. It is located directly 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 mph 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.
7`h Street West is an east -west, two-lane minor arterial that connects Meridian Road to 7th
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 lth Street West. It liar a 25 inph speed limit_ The estimated ADT is 2,300 vpd.
2nd 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.
111h Street West is and east -west, minor arterial that connects 71h 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, Montana
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 development site which decreases to 35 MPH entering Kalispell. According to
Abelin Traffic Services 3 January 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" d Street West;
• Meridian Road & 7th Street West;
• Foys Lake Road & Valley View Drive;
• 7t" Avenue West & 7th Street West; and
• Main Street and l lth 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 81 % 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 4th 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 location
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
2893
As a general rule, speed limits are posted as close to the 85th percentile as possible. The
recorded speed data from the automatic hose counters placed by RPA show 85th percentile
speeds for Foys Lake Road and Meridian Road slightly higher than the posted speed limits
Abelin Traffic Services 4 January2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, Motitarta
(5.6 mph higher for eastbound traffic and 3.8 mph higher for westbound traffic for Foys
Lake Road and 2.0 mph 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 (HC142') - 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 fours without the traffic
from the Willow Creek Subdivision. The LOS calculations are included in Appendix C.
Table 2 - 2006 Existing Traffic Level of Service (LOS) Summary
INTERSECTION
AM Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delay
LOS
Vic
Delay
LOS
We
Meridian Road & Appleway
Drive
20.4
C
NIA
19.0
C
NIA
Eastbound Left/Right
20.4
C
0.58
19.0
C
0.44
Northbound Left/Thru
8.6
A
0.14
9.4
A
0.19
Meridian Road & West Center
Street
38.97
B
NIA
84.01
F
NIA
Eastbound Left/ThrulRi ht
11.55
B
N/A
12.40
B
NIA
Westbound Lef&Thru/Ri ht
14.51
B
NIA
18.14
C
N/A
Northbound Left/ThnilRi ht
25.36
D
N/A
26.02
D
NIA
Southbound LefbThru/Ri ht
60.36
F
NIA
149.01
F
NIA
Meridian Road & 2"dStreet
West
19.81
C
NIA
29.83
D
NIA
Eastbound LeftlThru/Ri ht
10.12
B
NIA
10.82
B
NIA
Westbound Left/ThrulRi ht
11.49
B
NIA
11.88
B
N/A
Northbound Left/ThrulRi ht
25.05
D
NIA
15.03
C
NIA
Southbound Left/Thru/Ri ht
16.62
C
N/A
43.91
i=
NA
Meridian Road & 7t Street
West
15.7
C
NIA
16.3
C
NIA
Westbound Left/Right
15.7
C
0.31
16.3
C
Southbound LeftlThrulRi ht
9.0
A
0.14
8.0
A
_0.30
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 Left/ThrulRi ht
13.9 1
B
0.26
12.1
B
0.15
Abelin Traffic Services S lartuary 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, Muntunu
INTERSECTION
AM Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delay
LOS
V/c
Delay
LOS
V!c
71" Avenue & Ph Street West
10.6
B
NIA
11.0
B
NIA
Eastbound Left/Thru/Ri ht
7.3
A
0.01
7.3
A
0.01
Westbound LeftlThrulRi ht
7.4
A
0.00
7A
A
0.00
Northbound Left/Thru/Ri ht
11.0
B
0.20
11.1
B
0.19
Southbound LeIVThrulRi ht
10.2
B
0.08
10.8
8
0.18
Main Street & 11 th Street West
29.2
C
NIA
33.8
C
NIA
Eastbound Lef&ThrulRi ht
21.3
C
0.50
24.4
C
0.63
Westbound LeftlThru/Ri ht
18.5
B
0.32
24.2
C
0.56
Northbound ThrulRi ht
41.7
D
0.96
24.6
C
0.80
Northbound Left
18A
B
0.38
35.7
D
0.55
Southbound Thrt ht
20.7
C
0.71
48.4
D
0.99
Southbound Left
11.9
B
0.05
12.1
B
0.08
U.S. Highway 2 & Appleway Dr.
21.6
C
0.41
28.8
D
0.59
Westbound Left/Ri ht
21.6
C
0.41
28.8
D 1
0.59
Southbound Left
9.2
A
0.0
8.1
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
functioning at acceptable levels of service for the AM and PM peak hours and the intersection
of Meridian Road and 2nd 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 service for both intersections.
Table 3 - Mitigated Leval of Service LOS Summary
INTERSECTION
AM Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delay
LOS
V/c
DelaX
LOS
We
Meridian Road & West Center
Street
17.63
C
NIA
22.43
C
NIA
Eastbound LefflThru/Ri ht
10.59
B
N/A
11.52
B
NIA
Westbound LefiiThru/Ri ht
13.42
B
N/A
17.73
C
NIA
Northbound Lert
9.61
A
NIA
10.24
B
NIA
Northbound Thru/Ri ht
23.34
C
NIA
23.40
C
NIA
Southbound Left
15.96
C
NIA
16.01
C
NIA
Southbound ThrulRi ht
15,78
C
NIA
30.25
D
NIA
Meridian Road & 2"dStreet
West
15.04
C
NIA
16.18
C
NIA
Eastbound Left/ThrulRi ht
9.57
A
NIA
10.13
B
N/A
Westbound Lef fVhru/Ri ht
10. `1
B
NIA
10.92
B
NIA
Northbound Left
8.78
B
NIA
9.07
A
NIA
Northbound Thru/Ri ht
19.37
C
NIA
14.34
B
N/A
Southbound !_Pt`t
q.A1
A
NIA
9.73
A
NIA
Southbound ThLx ht
12.84
B
NIA
21.08
C
N/A
Abelin Traffic Services 6 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, Montana
Right-of-way issues along Meridian Road may make adding northbound or southbound left -
turn Ianes difficult through most of this corridor. If no additional northbound or southbound
lanes can be constructed then the Center Street and 2nd 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 '/a mile 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 corner 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 along 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 from the proposed bypass alignment as possible to provide
appropriate intersection spacing.
1lbelin Traffic Services 7 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, Mordana
Figure 2 - Proposed Development
1lbelin Traffic Services 8 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispeil, 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 "L i-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 morning 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
Lana Use
knits
Unit
Ends
Unit
Ends
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
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.
Jame
o - inp uenerarlon
Kates (Lone Ine a 5T neriage bwarnslons
AM Peak
PM Peak
Hour -
AM Peak
Hour -
PM Peak
Weekday -
Avg. Trip
Hour —
Avg. Trip
Hour —
Avg. Trip
Weekday
Land Use
Ends per
Trip
Ends per
Trip
Ends per
Trip
iTE Cade
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
111
1,044
Abelin Traffic Services 9 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalisvell, 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 2.63o.
Table b - 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 7,064
1 7,279 7,524
7,504 1 7,909
8,364
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 volumes along the adjacent roadways and the peak -hour turning 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,
2nd Street and 7`1' Street, 52% will distribute north on Meridian Road and east on U.S. 2, and 8% will
distribute west using U.S. 2 aria Foys Lake Road. The trip disl.ribuliun is shown graphically in
Figure 3.
Abelin Traffic Services 10 January 2007
'ir dlow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, iWontatra
5%
Figure 3 -Trip Distributions
• 52%
U.S. Highway 2
50% ,�
1 �q 101 °lo
West Center Street
Proposed C
Development (i%
Site 2"d Street West
5% 2a°e°
�% 35/a 7cn Street West
Foys Lake Road
G. TRAFFIC IMPACTS OUTSIDE OF THE DEVELOPMENT
Using the trip generation and trip distribution numbers, ATS detennined the future Level of Service
(LOS) for the intersections along Wisconsin Avenue. The anticipated LOS at these intersections for
2013 condition- with the proposed development is shown in Table 7_ These calculations are based
on the projected model volumes included in Appendix S 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 & Appieway
Drive
55.7
F
NIA
51.4
F
NIA
Eastbound LeftlRi ht
55.7
F
0.91
51.4
F
0.81
Northbound LeftlThru
9.1
A
0.19
10.9
B
0.30
Meridian Road & West Center
Street
51.32
F
NIA
90.21
F
NIA
Eastbound LeftlThrulRi ht
11.93
B
NIA
13.82
B
NIA
Westbound LeftlThrulRi ht
18.34
C
NIA
40.08
E
NIA
Northbound Left/ThrulRi ht
101.55
F
NIA
88.35
F
NIA
5outhbound LeftlThrulRi ht
26.59
D
N/A
121,66
F
NIA
Abelin Traffic Services 11 January 2007
Willow Creed Subdiulsiurt
Kulispell, Muntunu
INTERSECTION
AM Peal* Hour
PM Peak Hour
Delay
LOS
N /c
Delay
LOS
V/c
Meridian Road & 2,dStreet
West
49.25
E
NIA
59.48
F
NIA
Eastbound Left(Thruf ght
10.86
B
N/A
11.88
B
N/A
Westbound Leftl fhrulRi ht
13.41
B
NIA
15.33
C
NIA
Northbound LeftlThrulRight
86.43
F
NIA
31.09
D
N/A
Southbound Left/ThrulPi ht
16.99
C
NIA
93.91
F
N/A
Meridian Road & 71h Street
West
51,3
F
NIA
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 LefflThru
0.14
Foys Lake Road & Valley View
Drive
100.35
F
NIA
31.6
D
NIA
Eastbuurrd LefVrhrulRi Irf
7.6
A
0.00
8.5
A
0.0 i
Westbound LeftlThru/Ri ht
9.3
A
0.08
8.0
A
0.09
Northbound LeftlThrulRi ht
24.5
C
0.51
23.7
C
0.40
Southbound LefflThrulRi ht
176.2
F
1.10
39.4
E
0.45
71h Avenue & 71h Street West
12.3
B
NIA
13.7
B
NIA
Eastbound LeftfThrulRi ht
7.3
A
0.01
7.5
A
0.01
Westbound LettlThrulRi ht
T7
A
0.00
7.5
A
U.00
Northbound LeflThru/Ri ht
13.1
B
0.29
14.7
B
0.35
Southbound LeftlThrulRi ht
11.5
B
0.11
12.6
B
0.26
Main Street & 11th Street West
31.3
C
NIA
49.5
D
NIA
Eastbound Left/ThrulRi ht
32.6
C
0.77
39.1
D
&87
Westbound LeftlThrulRi ht
25.4
C
.053
70.7
E
0.98
Northbound ThrulRi ht
44.1
D
1.00
25.3
C
.087
Northbound Left
17.4
C
0.47
50.9
D
0.73
Southbound Thru/Ri ht
16.9
B
0.73
68.2
E
1.07
Southbound Left
8.6
A
0.06
11.5
D
0.13
U.S. Highway 2 & Appleway
Drive
56.6
F
NIA
186.8
F
NIA
Westbound LeftlRi ht
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
35.2
E
NIA
21.8
C
NIA
Westbound Left/Thru
10.0
A
0.06
8.9
A
0.."
Northbound LeftlRi ht
35.2
E
0.62
21.8
C
0.15
Foys Lake Road & Southwestern
Access
18.0
C
NIA
14.8
B
NIA
Eastbound LeftlThru
T7
A
0.0
8.3
A
0.0
Southbound Lef lRight I
18.0
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 Meridian 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.
Abelin Traffic Services 12 January 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, 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 try and minimize the
widening needs.
The following is a list of mitigation measures that would need to be completed prior to full 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:
• Appleway Drive & Meridian Road - Install a designated northbound left -turn lane and a
designated eastbound right -turn lane.
Center Street & Meridian Road - Install a southbound left -turn lane and signalize.
• 2nd Street & Meridian Road - Install a traffic signal.
• 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 -turn lanes for northbound traffic
U.S. 2 & Appleway. Restrict left -turn movements for westbound traffic at this intersection:.
Table S - 2013 Level of Service Summary
With The Willow Creek Subdivision - Mitigated
Meridian Raad & 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 R West Center
Street
15.5
B
NIA
19.1
B
N/A
Eastbound LeftlThLL i ht
16.3
B
0.04
14.1
B
OW
Westbound LeftlThau f ht
32.8
C
0.77
27.4
C
0.75
Northbound LeftlThrulRl ht
9.2
A
0.58
13.5
B
0.55
Southbound Left
21.8
C
0.79
25.1
C
0.74
Southbound Thru/Ri ht
7.O
A
0.39
15.8
B
0.67
Meridian Road & 2" Street
West
10.6
B
NIA
10.5
B
NIA
Eastbound LeftlThrulM ht
18.9
B
0.06
19.1 1
B
0.08
Westbound LeftlThrulRi ht
22.4
C
0.34
26.9
C
0.55
Northbound I hru/xi ht
9.3
A
0.62
6.7
A
0.40
Southbound Thru/Ri ht
9.0
A
0.56
12.3
B
0.73
Abelin Traffic Services 13 jurcuary 2007
Willow Creek Subdivision Kalispell, Montana
Meridian Road & 71h Street
wait
22.74
C
NIA
22.26
C
N/A
Westbound Left/Right
12.19
B
N/A
15.16
C
N/A
Southbound Left
11.50
B
NIA
12.14
B
NIA
Southbound Thru
Northbound Ri ht
11.32
9.28
B
N/A
35.59
E
NIA
A
_
NIA
9.56
A
NIA
Northbound Thru
37.36
E
NIA
15.54
C
NIA
U.S. Highway 2 & Northwestern
Access
24.8
C
NIA
18.4
C
NIA
Westbound Leff
10.0
A
0.06
8.9
A
0.15
Northbound Left
31.8
Di 1
0.17
1 50.4
1 F
0.19
Northbound Right
23.6
C 1
0.45
1 12.1 1
B
0.15
Table S indicates that with the recommended mitigation measures, most of the area intersections
would function 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 7'1' 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 cn Street West may also fall below LOS C by full -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 passibility 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 -turn.
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
Wallow Creek Subdivision Kulis,pell, Muntanu
to be constructed at 2❑d Street. This would take care of the existing LOOS problems along this
corridor.
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 -turn 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 triitigation measures.
The signalization of Valley View DriveXoys Lake Road would not need to occur until 600 units
have been constructed.
I. 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 require signaii7ation_ However, the current T1_S_ 93 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 proposed 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 -turn movement from Appleway Drive or construct a grade separated left -turn lane.
J. RECOMMENDATIONS
After reviewing the traffic information, ATS has assembled the following recommendations for the
Willow Creels subdivision. These recommendations include:
Abelln Trufric Services 15 January 2007
Willucu Creels Subdivisiun Kalispell, 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 2nd 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 -torn lane 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 need
to be signalized.
• Install STOP signs on all three legs of this 71h 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).
Abelin Traffic Services 16 January 2007