12. Resolution 4654 - Four-way Stop 5th Ave WN & Wyoming StCity of Kalispell Public Works Department
Post Office Box 1997, Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7720, Fax (406)758-7831
REPORT TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jim Hansz, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: STOP Sign Installation at Fifth Avenue WN and Wyoming Street
MEETING DATE: September 4, 2001
BACKGROUND: Late last year property owners living in the vicinity of this intersection
approached the City to request installation of a four-way STOP sign at the intersection. Their
concerns related to the excessive speeds of vehicles and a desire to reduce accidents and improve
safety at the intersection. In response to their request the Police and this Department reviewed
accident data and traffic data to determine whether the conditions warranted installation of all -
way control. Accident history at this intersection does not satisfy the warrant.
Traffic data was collected and then, forwarded to Morrison Maierle for analysis
following MUTCD and HCM procedures. The results of this independent analysis are attached.
This showed that existing conditions did not satisfy all the warrants for all -way STOP control.
Only the volume warrant was met. The delay warrant was not met. In fact, the traffic count data
indicated a justification to reverse the existing STOP arrangement. This is something that Public
Works and the Police Department would not recommend because it could adversely affect safety
near Russell School and would likely cause an increase in accidents at Fifth WN and Wyoming.
Morrison Maierle also indicated that a new edition of the MUTCD would include a
revision of the all -way STOP analysis criteria. This new edition is available and the situation has
been re-examined. As before, the volume warrant is met but the delay warrant is not met. In
other words, regardless whether old or new criteria are used, conditions do not satisfy all the
required warrants for an all -way STOP installation. However, the new MUTCD offers some
additional latitude to justify this installation.
The new MUTCD includes several other new criteria listed as optional considerations for
making this specific decision. One of these options deals with the "intersection of two residential
neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where
multiway stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics through the
intersection. " I believe the intersection of these two streets can be reasonably determined to fall
into this category.
Morrison Maierle have performed an all -way STOP analysis that shows the operation of
this intersection is improved by the installation of all -way stop control. Therefore, an installation
of all -way STOP control is justifiable.
RECOMMENDATION: Install all -way STOP control at the intersection of West Wyoming
Street and Fifth Avenue West North.
ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to authorize installation of all -way STOP control at the
intersection of West Wyoming Street and Fifth Avenue West North.
FISCAL EFFECTS: None.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Council
Respectfully
James C. Hansz, P.E.
Director of Public Works !
Attachment: Warrant Analysis Data
Chris A. Kukulski
City Manager
Report compiled August 29, 200I
RESOLUTION NO. 4654
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PLACEMENT OF A STOP SIGN IN THE NORTH
AND SOUTH BOUND LANES ON FIFTH AVENUE WEST NORTH AT ITS
INTERSECTION WITH WEST WYOMING STREET AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. That vehicles, including motor vehicles, bicycles,
or other vehicles shall be required to stop in the
North and South bound lanes of Sth Avenue West
North at its intersection with West Wyoming Street.
SECTION II. The Chief of Police is authorized and directed to
erect a stop sign at the above location.
SECTION III. This Resolution shall become effective immediately
upon its passage by the City Council and approval
by the Mayor.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF
KALISPELL, THIS 4TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2001.
Wm. E. Boharski
Mayor
ATTEST:
Theresa White
City Clerk