Keyway & Pennsyl IntersectionMEMORANDUM
November 12, 2002
TO:The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT:Intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Keyway Drive
Mrs. Norbert Sack requested a review of the intersection safety at Pennsylvania Avenue
and Keyway Drive. Mrs. Sack indicates that numerous accidents have occurred at this
intersection over the 32 years she had lived there. She reports that the fire hydrant has
been hit numerous times. Water Department records confirm that the hydrant has been
hit a total of seven times since it was installed in 1940.
A review of the Iowa Department of Transportation and City of Dubuque accident data
indicates that three accidents have occurred at this intersection since 1996. This is
considered to be a Iow number of accidents considering the volume of traffic entering
the intersection on a daily basis.
Based on the Iow accident rate at this intersection and a traffic study that showed that
35 mph is the appropriate speed for Pennsylvania Avenue, Public Works Director Mike
Koch does not recommend any traffic changes at this time. A capital improvement
project is being prepared to install a storm sewer system to collect the water which
otherwise freezes in the street, causing at lease some of the accidents. The fire hydrant
at this intersection will also be moved to a less vulnerable location
I concur with Public Works Director Mike Koch that no changes be made and this time,
and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
October 28, 2002
TO:Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM:Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:Intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Keyway Drive
INTRODUCTION
The following is in response to a June 7, 2002 request from Mrs. Norbert Sack
for a review of the intersection safety at Pennsylvania Avenue and Keyway Drive.
DISCUSSION
Mrs. Sack lives on the northeast corner of Pennsylvania and Keyway. Her letter
indicates that numerous accidents have occurred at this intersection over the 32
years she has lived there. She reports that the fire hydrant has been hit
numerous times. Water Department records confirm that the hydrant has been
hit a total of seven times since it was installed in 1940.
Keyway Drive slopes downward from the west side to the east side of the street
as it approaches Pennsylvania. Any water that is coming down the west side of
Keyway toward Pennsylvania must cross Keyway just north of this intersection.
This can cause icing problems during certain times of the year. In comparing the
dates of the Water Department repair records, it is possible that perhaps three of
the hydrant hits were the result of icing. The Operations & Maintenance
Department has confirmed the icing problem, and this location is on its list of
streets that receive extra attention for salting.
A review of the Iowa Department of Transportation and City of Dubuque accident
data indicates that three (3) accidents have occurred at this intersection since
1996. This is considered to be a Iow number of accidents considering the
volume of traffic entering the intersection on a daily basis.
The speed limit on Pennsylvania is 35 miles per hour. Speed studies done in
September of this year indicate that the 85th percentile speed is 35.2 miles per
hour for westbound traffic and 36.9 miles per hour for eastbound traffic. This
indicates that a reduction in the speed limit on Pennsylvania Avenue would not
have a corresponding decrese in travel speeds, just as when the speed limit was
raised from 25 to 35 mph in 1981. There was no corresponding increase in travel
speeds. The speed measurements were taken approximately 100 feet either side
of Keyway Ddve. The traffic count indicated 15,653 vehicles dudng a 24-hour
period. Traffic volumes have fluctuated over the last 15 - 17 years probably due
to the completion of vadous phases of the Northwest Arterial. The volumes in
the section of Pennsylvania for which the City has data available are as follows:
1985 14,200
1989 7,480
1993 9,100
1997 17,500
2001 13,800
2002 15,653
The volume on Pennsylvania in 2002 is only about 1,453 vehicles per day more
than in 1985. The traffic volume on Keyway has also only increased slightly
during the same period. It is currently 2,710 per day.
With increased development on the west side of the City, it is reasonable to
assume that traffic volumes will continue to increase on Pennsylvania Avenue. It
is also reasonable to assume that the congestion on Dodge Street is partly
responsible for the increased traffic volumes on Pennsylvania as motorists find
other east-west arterials to avoid Dodge Street. The traffic signal and other
geometric improvements that are planned for the Dodge Street corridor in the
next 2 - 3 years should have a positive impact on Iowedng the traffic volume on
Pennsylvania Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the Iow accident rate at this intersection and the traffic study which
showed that 35 mph is the appropriate speed for Pennsylvania Avenue, I would
not recommend any traffic changes at this time. A capital improvement project is
being prepared to install a storm sewer system to collect the water which
otherwise freezes in the street, causing at least some of the accidents. The fire
hydrant at this intersection will also be moved to a less vulnerable location.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to approve the recommendation.
MAK/vjd
Prepared by Bill Schlickman, Traffic Engineering
Mayor Terry Dugan
cc: City Mgr, Mike Van Milligen
City Engineer, Mike Koch
Gentlemen:
I live at 1700 Key Way Dr. We moved here in 1970 and
watched the area and west side develope.
Our concern with all the traffic from all directions has
become a very dangerous courner.
In the early years a car would on occasion slide into
fire hydrant during icy times. However NOW it happens
often, days, nights, any kind of weather. We are constatly
having to pick up broken glass around hydrant, our yard,
parking, ect. They have hit and taken out one tree and hit
replacements, dislodged fire hydrants, ruined our cars,
planting of evergreens and mangled the replacements.
Something MUST be done!!
If this dangerous corner is not
injured or killed - either in another vehicle, a pedestrian
or maybe plowing into the corner of our house.
Question; How long has it been since a traffic survey
was done here?
I strongly advise this be done and entire situation
recieved.
I feel 35 is to high a speed limit. ( Many go by here
either direction @ 40-45) It is very difficult many hours
of the day to get onto Pa from Keyway.
Respectfully
Mary (Mrs. Norbert) Sack
1700 Keyway Dr
Dubuque, IA. 52002