12th & Bluff Intersection SignaMEMORANDUM
October 29, 2002
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Twelfth Street and Bluff Street Intersection
Engineering staff has conducted traffic studies at the intersection of Twelfth and Bluff
Streets over the past years due to several complaints regarding driver expectancy of
right-of-way. The disproportionate traffic volumes on Bluff versus Twelfth Street would
indicate a preference to stop Twelfth Street traffic and allow the southbound Bluff Street
traffic to have the right-of-way.
Public Works Director Mike Koch recommends a change of stop sign designation at
Twelfth and Bluff Streets by removing the stop signs on Bluff Street and adding a stop
sign for westbound traffic on Twelfth Street. This would make the intersection a
conventional two-way stop intersection for eastbound and westbound traffic.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
October 28, 2002
TO:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:Twelfth Street and Bluff Street Intersection
INTRODUCTION
The following is in response to several requests to change the assignment of
right-of-way signs at the intersection of Twelfth Street and Bluff Street.
BACKGROUND
Currently stop signs are posted at right angles to each other, one for southbound
Bluff Street and one for eastbound Twelfth Street traffic.
Engineering staff has conducted traffic studies at the intersection of Twelfth and
Bluff Streets over the past years due to several complaints regarding driver
expectancy of right-of-way. Traffic counts indicate that four times as many
vehicles enter the intersection on Bluff than on Twelfth Street. In 1992, Twelfth
Street, which had extended from Bluff Street to Kerper Boulevard, was severed
between Elm and Pine Streets for construction of US 61/151. Since that time
Twelfth Street has not functioned as the east-west connector that it once had.
The accident data indicates that six accidents have occurred at this intersection
since 1995. Five of the six accidents were right-angle accidents involving
southbound and westbound vehicles.
The disproportionate traffic volumes on Bluff versus Twelfth Street would indicate
a preference to stop Twelfth Street traffic and allow the southbound Bluff Street
traffic to have the right-of-way.
The accident data would seem to indicate one or both of the following:
1. The southbound traffic on Bluff Street does not anticipate having to stop at
a cross street because of its appearance as a one-way arterial street.
2. The westbound traffic is confused as to the right-of-way because of the
stop sign for eastbound traffic on other side of the intersection and also
the perception that the one-way southbound Bluff Street traffic should not
have to stop.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend approval of the change of stop sign designation at Twelfth and Bluff
Streets by removing the stop signs on Bluff Street and adding a stop sign for
westbound traffic on Twelfth Street. This would make the intersection a
conventional two-way stop intersection for eastbound and westbound traffic.
Red flags will be posted on the new stop sign for Twelfth Street during the initial
few months of this conversion.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I recommend adoption of the enclosed ordinances making the above changes in
stop sign control and through street designation at the intersection of Twelfth
Street and Bluff Street.
MAK/vjd
cc: Bill Schlickman, Engineering
ORDINANCE NO. 93-02
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, BY DELETING A PORTION OF WEST
TWELFTH STREET FROM SUBSECTION (b) OF SECTION 32-213
THEREOF PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THROUGH
STREETS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1.
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
be amended by deleting West Twelfth Street from
Subsection (b) of Section 32-213 thereof as follows:
Sec. 32-213.
Thmuqh Streets.
(b)
Section 2.
Twelfth Street, West, from the west property line of Central
Avenue to the west property line of Bluff Street.
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
be amended by adding West Twelfth Street to Subsection
(b) of Section 32-213 thereof as follows:
Sec. 32-213.
(b)
Throuqh Streets.
Twelfth Street, West, from the west property line of Central
Avenue to the east property line of Bluff Street.
2002.
Passed, approved and adopted this 4th day of November, 2002.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Karen M. Chesterman, Deputy City Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 94-02
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, BY MODIFYING SUBSECTION (b) OF
SECTION 32-214 THEREOF PROVIDING FOR THE ADDITION OF A
STOP SIGN ON WEST TWELFTH STREET AT BLUFF STREET
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1.
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
be amended by deleting West Twelfth Street from
Subsection (b) of Section 32-214 thereof as follows:
Sec. 32-214.
Stop Intersections.
(b)
Eastbound
Section 2.
Bluff Street and West Twelfth Street
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque, Iowa,
be amended by adding West Twelfth Street and Bluff Street
to Subsection (b) of Section 32-214 thereof as follows:
Sec. 32-214.
(b)
Stop Intersections.
Eastbound and Westbound
West Twelfth Street and Bluff Street
2002.
Passed, approved and adopted this 4th day of November ,
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Karen M. Chesterman, Deputy City Clerk
PURPOSE:
12th and Bluff Streets