Once the estimated 20,000 population horizon traffic volumes had been assigned, the results were assessed so as to identify any additional issues regarding the accommodation of expected traffic volumes on the previously approved road network. Note that the analysis undertaken as part of this modeling exercise specifically assumed the following regarding the road network at the 20,000 population horizon:
· All of the short term recommendations had been implemented.
· That C&E Trail had not been reconnected between Woodland Drive and 54th Avenue.
· That 63rd Avenue had been extended west to connect with 58th Street on the previously approved alignment.
· That no south by-pass had been constructed to accommodate trucks or other through traffic.
· That no additional access to the areas west of 58th Street had been provided north of Woodland Drive.
The actual assignment of the traffic volumes was undertaken with/without a continuous Maple Drive, with/without connectivity to Highway 2 at 58th Street and with/without additional and/or improved accessibility to the lands west of 58th Street north of Woodland Drive.
The findings of this sensitivity analysis confirmed the following:
· The disconnection of Maple Drive resulted in awkward access for the College Avenue destined traffic and unnecessarily increased traffic volumes in front of other schools on 50th Street and on 54th Avenue. It also increased traffic on Woodlands Drive and on 63rd Avenue.
Exhibit 8-3
· The elimination of the connectivity to Highway 2 at 58th Street had no significant impact on the overall operation of the road network. However, it did compromise accessibility to areas north of Highway 2 and as well, it reduced the accessibility of the proposed highway commercial land use areas located on the south side of Highway 2 between 58th Street and C&E Trail.
· Woodland Drive west of 58th Street was found to be overloaded given the presence of residential frontage on the roadway.
With this pre-analysis considered, the forecasts developed by Bunt & Associates for the 20,000 population horizon were then analyzed in detail, and a number of longer term emerging issues were identified, as outlined here:
· Roadway Classification: The existing hierarchy of roadways within the Town is effective in most locations to the 20,000 population horizon. However, the analysis identified a number of locations where the intent of the roadway does not appear to match the volume and/or classification of the roadway under the existing plan. As such, an updated road network hierarchy is required.
Also, in order to accommodate the ambient growth in Town-generated traffic as well as through traffic, several roadways within the Town will experience traffic volumes and trip purposes that lend themselves to expansion to four lanes. Included are Highway 12, Highway 2A (as already planned by the Province), Woodland Drive in the new development area between 58th Street and Highway 12, and Wolf Creek Drive between Highway 12 and 46th Avenue. It should be noted that the majority of the growth on the roadways (including Highway 2A and 12) is due to local traffic and not through traffic.
· Displacement of Downtown Parking: Growth in traffic volumes will necessitate four travel lanes on Highway 12 through the Downtown area, thus displacing approximately 200 stalls currently provided along Highway 12 between 58th Street and Highway 2A. While the available supply is expected to adequately accommodate this loss, the Town will need to monitor future land development within the downtown core to be sure that an adequate supply of parking is provided. It was also note that during the second Open House, considerable resistance to the widening of Highway 12 and the corresponding removal of parking was received. The Town should therefore review the feasibility of eventually providing a downtown parking facility placed strategically so as to serve the downtown businesses in as effective a manner as possible.
· Woodland Drive Operating at Capacity: Woodland Drive is expected to be operating effectively at-capacity as a primary collector roadway by the 20,000 population horizon. There is residential frontage on this roadway and locations where the roadway geometry does not lend itself to a roadway of a classification higher than a Primary Collector. Also, the area west of 58th Street and north of the Woodland Drive alignment though not currently part of the Town of Lacombe, though it represents the next logical annexation area for the Town. As such, there will be a need for a road network planned for the 20,000 population horizon that allows for expansion into this area, and will drive the need to construct the 63rd Avenue extension to better service this future development area, in particular to see 63rd Avenue provide a continuous east/west linkage in place of Woodland Drive given the capacity limitations inherent to Woodland Drive.
· C&E Trail/50th Street Nearing Capacity: As was the case for Woodland Drive, C&E Trail north of Woodland Drive, and 50th Street south of Woodland can be expected to function near to capacity at the 20,000 population horizon. Having said this, it should be noted that the section of 50th Street in front of the schools is expected to see double the daily traffic at the 20,000 population horizon as is present today, even with the inclusion of the 63rd Avenue extension west to 58th Street. The fact that C& E Trail is discontinuous through the Town creates some existing traffic management issues. However, growth to the 20,000 population horizon will exacerbate this condition. The review of the proposed road network at the 20,000 population horizon identified considerable benefits to re-connecting this roadway so as to make C&E Trail once again continuous through the Town. This would reduce the forecast traffic volumes on 50th Street and on 54th Avenue, thus reducing congestion and safety concerns adjacent to the schools and recreation centre. This is discussed in more detail later in this summary.
58th Street Connectivity to Highway 2: The future traffic conditions in the Town and the travel demand patterns were found to not be significantly altered with or without consideration of a connection to Highway 2 at 58th Street. As such, maintenance of this connection and/or the development of an interchange are not vital to the success of the Town road network. The maintenance of this connection and/or the development of an interchange at this location are not vital to the success of the Town road network at the 20,000 population horizon.
It is noted that both the concept of an interchange and a slip ramp are contrary to current Alberta Transportation policy and negotiations between the Town and AT would be necessary at such time as these improvements are contemplated.
· A South By-pass: A south by-pass has been talked about for some time, and although not needed to manage traffic volumes at the 20,000 population horizon, it represents a possible means of reducing truck traffic on Highway 12. Although the traffic volumes will not be large, there is also a need for an internal east/west connection through the Town south of Highway 12. This internal connection would differ from the South By-pass in that it would be driven by the desire lines connecting the employment in the southeast area with the residential development in the southwest area (and vice versa). While much of this traffic could be accommodated by Highway 12, to do so would unnecessarily burden the Provincial through route with local traffic and accelerate the need for four lanes. It would also accelerate the point where that roadway would reach capacity as a four lane facility at some point beyond the 20,000 population horizon.
· Signalization: Growth in traffic volumes will clearly necessitate the signalization of a number of key intersections throughout the Town. This will be required as a matter of course and the Town will need to monitor traffic volumes and accident frequency in order to prioritize the signalization process.
· Service Road Operation: The increase in traffic volumes will result in a need to improve the geometry of several intersections along the Highway 2A service road between 54th and 63rd Avenues, in some cases over and above the improvements noted as part of the short term recommendations. A new service road will also need to be constructed along Highway 12 east of 45th Street.
· Intersection Improvements: Although noted in the short term analysis, intersection improvements on Highway 12 at Woodland Drive, 45th Street, Wolf Creek Drive and 32nd Street will not be required until closer to the 20,000 population horizon as development occurs in those areas.
The future issues identified here are illustrated
on Exhibit 8-4.
Exhibit 8-4