1. Memo & Executive SummaryWorks Department
MUNTA 1VA
MEMORANDUM
February 22, 2012
To: Charles Harball, Interim City Manager
Bill Shaw, Director of Public Works
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From: Fred Zavodny, Project Ma-nU
Re: Meridian Road Traffic Study — Analysis and Recommendation
Attached is the Meridian Road Traffic Study prepared by Stelling Engineers. The primary
purpose of the study was to evaluate and recommend solutions to relieve traffic congestion at the
intersection of Meridian Road and Appleway Drive. Traffic counts and intersection turn
movement data was obtained along Meridian Road between US Highway 2 and Fourth St. West.
The analysis of this data represents the various levels of service (LOS) within the study area. The
LOS is the average vehicle delay time in seconds experienced before the desired traffic
movement at an intersection can be negotiated.
The Executive Summary from the Traffic Study is attached to this Memorandum. The summary
includes both current and long term recommendations. The current recommendation is to
construct a 150 foot long left turn lane serving southbound Meridian Road traffic to eastbound
Center Street. This left turn lane will permit vehicles to turn left onto Center Street an average of
36 seconds sooner than they do now which relieves stacking and congestion at Appleway Drive.
It is unknown if adequate right-of-way exists between Center Street and the Railroad Tracks to
construct a center southbound left turn lane. The next step is to locate the right-of-way,
easements, and plat restrictions to determine what may be required to proceed.
If the City Council wishes to proceed, I recommend the City obtain the services of a Land
Surveyor to locate the right-of-way, easements, and plat restrictions. The findings will determine
if right-of-way acquisition is required, or if the City has adequate right-of-way to proceed with
the design and construction of the left turn lane.
2011'Avenue East, P.O. Box 1997, Kalispell, MT 59903 Phone (406) 758-7720 — Fax (406)758-7831
www kalispelLcom
Meridian Road Traffic Study
Traffic Study
Meridian Road: US 2 to 4th Street West
1. Executive Summary
As part of enhancing economic development within the Westside Tax Increment Financing
District, The City of Kalispell (City) requested Stelling Engineers, Inc (SEI) to evaluate traffic
congestion on Meridian Road between US Highway 2 and 4u' Street W with a focus upon left
turn movements at Appleway Drive and W Center Street intersections. This Traffic Study
identifies future channelization options to ease Meridian Road congestion.
The Highway Capacity Manual defines Level -of -Service (LOS) for unsignalized intersections (2-
way and 4-way stops) as a function of the average vehicle delay experienced through the
intersection. LOS was calculated per -movement and per -approach for this study.
Throughout the 10-year planning horizon, intersections within the study area provide a Level of
Service (LOS) "C" except at W Center Street and Appleway Drive.
Under existing conditions, the intersection of Meridian Road and W Center Street operates at a
Level of Service (LOS) "F" during the PM Peak Hour with an average vehicle delay exceeding
56 seconds. It is recommended to construct a 150-foot long left turn lane serving SB Meridian
Road to EB Center Street. This change decreases vehicle delay to approximately 20 seconds
with an intersection LOS "C" for 2012.
By 2022, the Appleway Drive approach to Meridian Road operates at a LOS "E" during the PM
Peak Hour. It is recommended to construct a 50-foot long left turn lane serving NB Meridian
Road to WB Appleway Drive. This change decreases vehicle delay to approximately 20 seconds
with an intersection LOS "C" (Appleway Drive approach) for 2022.
At Center Street, various lane configurations for the intersection were evaluated, but no
combination resulted in better than 26 seconds of vehicle delay (LOS "D"). If traffic volumes
grow as projected, a traffic signal warrant analysis is recommended to improve LOS further.
The recommended queue lengths as described above along Meridian Road fit within the
available distance to construct left turn lanes between Appleway W Drive and Center Street.
Therefore, relocation of the Appleway Drive intersection to the north is not recommended.
Stelling Engineers, Inc.
Z:1Project-Active12012112-0021ReportslTraffic Study Report.doc