On January 11th and 12th, Los Alamos County and their consultants will hold a series of sessions to get input for the NM502 (Trinity Drive) Corridor Study from business and affected property owners. Watch for information about details from the Chamber. To give our readers a bit of context, MYB spoke with County project manager Betsy Lucido:
MYB: What are the overall goals of the NM502 Project? Are there specific goals relating to business community or property owner interests?
Lucido: The purpose of the project is developing and producing a Transportation Corridor Plan (TCSP) for the 4.2 mile stretch of NM502, also known as East Road and Trinity Drive, from the County line to Diamond Drive. The final report and recommendation of the plan must include considerations that ensure the safety and comfort of every user: Pedestrian, bicyclist, local and regional rider, low speed vehicle and conventional motorist. The improved street, as proposed in the TCSP, would result in an efficient transportation corridor that also supports social and economic vitality in Los Alamos.
MYB: How would the candidate alternatives that came from the Transportation Board affect access to businesses? How would they affect traffic throughput, and the time it takes to travel from one end of town to the other?
Lucido: The Transportation Board recommended forwarding a design option that consisting of 2 travel lanes, a landscaped median, and roundabouts at intersections. An alternative option proposes that existing signals remain but all new controlled intersections be roundabouts. Both of these options address many of the goals cited by business owners at the first stakeholder meeting. Specifically, business owners requested improved aesthetics, safer access to businesses, and improved pedestrian access to businesses. The landscaped median would require out of direction travel. For example, turning left out of business would require a right turn and then a left turn at a roundabout. The roundabouts would be spaced to minimize out of direction travel. If signalized intersections remain, then motorists would u-turn. The time to travel from the County line to Diamond Drive at existing conditions is about 9 minutes. With the roundabout option, the travel time is about 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The travel time with the option that includes a mix of signals and roundabouts is a little more than 8 and a half minutes.
MYB: A key concern expressed in prior meetings was the connections between Trinity and Central and how to improve overall circulation in the downtown through those connections. How is this being addressed?
Lucido: At the stakeholder meetings back in September business owners expressed frustration with both vehicle and pedestrian circulation on and to Trinity Dr. The design option recommended by the Transportation Board considers both of these concerns. Motorists at side street intersections experience D and E levels of service onto Trinity Drive. The levels of service for through traffic are A and B. This means that the street currently works very well for automobiles moving from end to end of the corridor, but not well for traffic entering Trinity off of side streets. It is interesting that approximately 2/3 of the motor traffic on Trinity is destination traffic, even though the street is designed for through traffic. Business owners also noted that pedestrians have major difficulties crossing Trinity. In addition, the pedestrian environment does little to invite pedestrians or transit riders. The two travel lanes provide room for safe and inviting pedestrian facilities, bike lanes, and transit stops. Roundabouts at intersections would allow side street traffic to safely and efficiently enter Trinity Drive. Roundabouts could be constructed at intersections that do not meet warrants for traffic signals and that would provide additional pedestrian crossings. Traffic speeds would be controlled, allowing safe access to and from businesses for all travel modes. In addition, the plan is considering an additional north – south connection between Central and Trinity to access the Trinity Site development.
MYB: What can an individual business or property owner do to learn more and to discuss any concerns they may have?
Lucido: Meetings with directly affected property owners and businesses are being planned for January 11th. A second stakeholder meeting for all business owners and representatives in the community is scheduled on January 12. Five formal presentations are planned on the 12th: 7-8am; 11am-12pm; 12-1pm; 4-5pm; and 5-6pm. The consultants will also be available in between the formal meetings for questions and to hear concerns and suggestions. The meetings will be in the Public Works Conference Room, 2101 Trinity Dr, Suite A2 (in between Jemez Physical Therapy and Foot and Ankle Associates Inc). We will be reporting to the County Council at their meeting on January 25 and we will request Council direction about a preferred alternative for high level analysis. I invite and encourage all business owners to attend these meetings.
There is a project page on the County websiteat http://www.losalamosnm.us/projects/publicworks/Pages/ NM502TrinityDriveCorridorStudy.aspx that has alot of information about the study. In addition, you can send me comments and questions at betsy.lucido@lacnm.us.