From: Jennifer Cline
Sent: Tue Dec 22 09:46:24 2015
To: NICHOLS Marlene T
Cc: Randall.Stark@msa-ep.com; Dan Huff; Chris Link
Subject: RE: Molalla Avenue Improvements Project - ODOT Signs
Importance: Normal
Hi Marlene,
Just checking in to see if you have any response back from the traffic office? We would like to get started on making any necessary changes to the plans. Our advertisement for the project is scheduled for January 6th.
Best Regards,
Jennifer Cline, P.E. | Public Works Director
Licensed in OR, WA
117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 * |Molalla, OR 97038
O: 503.759.0218 | F: 503.829.3676
From: Jennifer Cline [mailto:jcline@cityofmolalla.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 2:35 PM
To: NICHOLS Marlene T <Marlene.T.NICHOLS@odot.state.or.us>
Cc: Randall.Stark@msa-ep.com; Dan Huff <dhuff@cityofmolalla.com>; Chris Link <Chris.Link@msa-ep.com>
Subject: RE: Molalla Avenue Improvements Project - ODOT Signs
Hi Marlene,
Please see my reply to the comments in red below. If possible we would like to see any feedback by Friday or early next week.
Best Regards,
Jennifer Cline, P.E. | Public Works Director
Licensed in OR, WA
117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 * |Molalla, OR 97038
O: 503.759.0218 | F: 503.829.3676
From: NICHOLS Marlene T [mailto:Marlene.T.NICHOLS@odot.state.or.us]
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2015 10:20 AM
To: 'Randall.Stark@msa-ep.com' <Randall.Stark@msa-ep.com>
Cc: 'Jennifer Cline' <jcline@cityofmolalla.com>
Subject: FW: Molalla Avenue Improvements Project - ODOT Signs
Here are the comments from Region 1 Engineers regarding the proposed signage…
Marlene T. Nichols
District 2C - Permit Specialist
999 NW Frontage Road, Suite 250
Troutdale, Oregon 97060
Ofc: (503) 665-4006; Fax: (503) 665-4487
From: HILL Merle E
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 11:43 AM
To: NICHOLS Marlene T
Cc: RILEY Kathryn A; DAGNESE Susanne L
Subject: RE: Molalla Avenue Improvements Project - ODOT Signs
The review comments provided on 11/5/15 for the project plan submittal address a number of the items associated with the signing at the intersection of OR211 and Molalla Ave. More specific comments on the existing conditions are provided below.
In accordance with federal regulations the Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) shall be recognized as the national standard for all traffic control devices and each state must be in substantial conformance with the standards issued or endorsed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to obtain basic uniformity of traffic control devices. All Regulatory, Warning and Guide signs are considered traffic control devices and the MUTCD, as well as state policies and guidelines, provides the standards and guidance for placement and design of these installations. One of the guiding principles in the MUTCD is that “Unnecessary traffic control devices should be removed.” The navigation tools available to drivers now have greatly diminished the need for Destination and other general Guide signing. Consequently, the City is to be commended for wishing to reduce the signing clutter at this intersection.
A number of issues and concerns need to be addressed by the sign design for this intersection.
· Signing on the back of a Stop sign is absolutely not allowed except when the sign size fits within the borders of the Stop sign. The can be verified or set as an advanced directional sign on OR 211 both directions.
· The “Dibble House” destination signing needs to be deleted. These signs are not appropriately designed and the destination does not appear to be appropriate for a sign installation. A request could be made to the Oregon Travel Experience office for determination if this destination can be signed under their program.
· The public agency signing for “City Hall” is not allowed per the Sign Policy and Guidelines for the State Highway System. The City Hall sign along with the Police and Library signs may not meet the ODOT Sign Policy and Guidelines, however OR 211 is within the City Limits and at the heart of downtown. This is not a typical highway and should be handled with context sensitivity. Additionally, the project does not propose to replace the sign supports at the NE and SE corners of the project.
· The “Police” destination is also considered public agency signing and should not be signed per Policy. The “Library” destination should use the standard Library (I-8) sign with appropriate Directional Arrow Auxiliary signs.
· Prominent Street Name signs need to be provided at the intersection since these are vital to driver navigation and verification of location. We will look for opportunity to add signing of Molalla Ave for WB facing traffic, E Main St. and W Main St. Molalla Ave signing for EB traffic exists below the Oregon City directional text.
· The Directional signs should be redesigned for appropriate details. The route shield can be included in the Guide sign but should be positioned above the control city on the route and the applicable arrow needs to be off to the side. The “Silverton” destination needs to be deleted since it is not on the designated highway route. No issue with removing Silverton. The “Colton” destination needs to be deleted since neighborhood signing is not allowed per the Sign Policy. Colton is identified an unincorporated community by the state with a functioning post office, fire department and school district. This destination sign should remain. Additionally, this destination has already been removed from the new signing at S Mathias Rd. I would recommend adding Colton back at Mathias.
· A maximum of 4 destinations are allowed on the Guide signs. Choices of those destinations to be provided will need to be made. Using only “Estacada” and omitting “Sandy” is an appropriate reduction in destinations to the north.
· Consider installing signs in advance of the intersection per MUTCD guidance. Advance signing is needed on the approach with the separate right turn lane. Advance signing on the other legs of the intersection are not specifically necessary due to the stop control at the intersection. This project does not include any improvements to Main St./211 at this time. At one time I spoke with a representative at the state who was working a signing project on OR 211. May be the advanced signing should be considered in this project?
To my knowledge the City has not managed these signs in the past, we are simply looking for opportunities to consolidate the signing and make improvements where possible.
Please contact me if there are any questions. Thanks.
Merle Hill, PE, PLS
Region 1 Traffic Investigations Engineer
Telephone: (503) 731-8285
From: DAGNESE Susanne L
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2015 5:01 PM
To: HILL Merle E; NICHOLS Marlene T
Cc: RILEY Kathryn A
Subject: FW: Molalla Avenue Improvements Project - ODOT Signs
Merle is a good person to start with. He may reassign this to Kate.
From: NICHOLS Marlene T
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2015 4:47 PM
To: DAGNESE Susanne L
Subject: FW: Molalla Avenue Improvements Project - ODOT Signs
Who should I send this to for review?
Marlene T. Nichols
District 2C - Permit Specialist
999 NW Frontage Road, Suite 250
Troutdale, Oregon 97060
Ofc: (503) 665-4006; Fax: (503) 665-4487
From: Randall Stark [mailto:Randall.Stark@msa-ep.com]
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2015 3:57 PM
To: NICHOLS Marlene T
Cc: Jennifer Cline; Chris Link
Subject: Molalla Avenue Improvements Project - ODOT Signs
Hi Marlene,
Thank you for your return phone call today to discuss the project.
As we discussed, the City would like to reduce sign clutter at the NW corner of the intersection. One potential way to do this would be to eliminate one sign support holding two City-owned directional signs, and relocate the two signs to two existing ODOT sign supports. Attached is an exhibit showing a proposed re-configuration. We would like ODOT’s input on if the proposal, or some variant, would be acceptable.
Thank you for your assistance with this project.
Sincerely,
Randy Stark, P.E. | Civil Engineer
Licensed in WA, OR
T: 360.448.4230 | F: 360.448.4239 | Randall.Stark@msa-ep.com
400 E Mill Plain Boulevard, Suite 203 | Vancouver, Washington 98660-3492 | www.msa-ep.com
Murray, Smith & Associates, Inc. | Your Public Works Partner
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