Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 - Adopting the General Plan Circulation Element Update (PA2017-141) - Staff MemoI ►41 :8 J, KOJI ITMOXI�IJ WT Date: October 25, 2022 To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Via: Grace Leung, City Manager'l/' From: David A. Webb, Public Works Director Brad Sommers, Principal Civil Engineer Subject: Follow-up to Councilmember Dixon's Request for Information on Bicycle Master Plan Implementation At the October 11, 2022 City Council Study Session, the Public Works Department presented the Circulation Element as part of the ongoing General Plan Update. Staff noted the 2014 City of Newport Beach Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) will be incorporated into the Circulation Element. During the discussion, Councilmember Dixon requested an update on implementation of the programs and projects listed within the BMP. The BMP provides a 20-year vision, including strategies and actions to continue the development of the City's comprehensive bicycle network and to encourage safe and responsible cycling within Newport Beach. The document was developed by the Bicycle Master Plan Oversite Committee through public engagement, an extensive review of the City's infrastructure and application of best engineering, planning and enforcement practices. The BMP identifies 126 possible infrastructure projects that intend to improve approximately 46 miles of roadways and trails along with 24 specific "site" locations. To date, 29 of the projects have been completed while another 16 are ongoing (in concept development, design, or construction). Combined, the completed and ongoing projects account for approximately 29 miles of improved facilities within Newport Beach. A sample of completed projects are listed below: • Back Bay Dr - Multi -modal restriping improvements; • 32nd St — New bike lanes with green markings; • Newport Blvd — New bicycle lanes with green markings; • East Coast Hwy Alternative Bike Route signage through Corona del Mar; • Seashore Trail Connector — Extended the Seashore Trail to Balboa Blvd; • Avocado Ave — Traffic calming and new buffered bike lanes; • Bayside Dr — Bike lane gap closure, sharrows and green markings; Bayside Dr North — Enhanced bike route with sharrows and trail guidance; • Clay Ave — New bike route with green sharrows; • G St — Enhanced crossing and awareness striping/sign treatments; San Joaquin Hills Rd — Bike lane gap closure and buffered bike lanes; • Superior Ave — Enhanced bike lanes with buffers and green markings; • East Coast Hwy (City) — Bike lane gap closure with buffers and green markings; • East Coast Hwy (City) — Enhanced Corona del Mar sharrows with green markings; • Lido Island Bridge — Enhanced bike route with sharrows; • Irvine Ave — Enhanced bike lane with buffers; 0 Jamboree Trail Improvement —Widened trail at San Diego Creek Trail; Civic Center Dr — Traffic calming and new buffered bike lanes; and • Dover Dr — Enhanced bike lanes with buffers. In addition to the above completed projects, the list below details a sample of ongoing projects that are in concept development, design, or construction: • Superior Ave Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge; • Oceanfront Trail Concept Development — Trail alignment in Newport Pier area; • Westbound Coast Hwy bike lane improvement at Old Newport Blvd (Caltrans); • West Coast Hwy (Caltrans) — New and enhanced bicycle lanes; • East Coast Hwy (Caltrans) — New and enhanced bicycle lanes; • Newport Coast Dr — Enhanced bike lanes with buffers and green markings; • East Balboa Blvd — Enhanced bike route with green sharrows; • Coast Hwy/Dover Dr - Undercrossing Trail Improvements (Caltrans); and • Pelican Hills Rd North/South — New buffered bike lanes with green markings. Delivery of BMP projects is subject to available resources, current priorities, and feasibility of the project. Other variables, such as the project being within State of California right of way or a shift in community desires can lead to revised scopes, delays or even cancelled projects. Implementation of these bicycle improvement projects is generally included in related Capital Improvement Projects when possible. In addition to physical infrastructure improvements, the BMP includes several programmatic items that have been implemented in various forms. A recent example is the City partnership with the school district, local bicycle shops and other agencies to develop the framework for youth bicycle education and enforcement within the Newport -Mesa community. BMP programs that have been implemented or currently being considered include: • Continue involvement and coordination with other agencies and organizations; • Continue staff education of emerging bicycle design, planning, construction practices; • Seek partnerships with Newport Mesa Unified School District and private organizations; • Monitor and adapt programs/infrastructure to emerging technology (i.e., electric bicycles); • Develop youth bicycle education programs; • Install bicycle parking/racks; • Update City's bicycle safety website and media; • Update Bicycle Sidewalk Riding Policy; • Considering Police Ticket Diversion Program; • Maintain a neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy; • Develop a Complete Streets Policy; • Develop Suggested Routes to School plans; and • Implement bicycle traffic signal detection and timing. The BMP is intended to be a living document. It continues to provide vision and guidance to staff to facilitate meaningful projects and programs. Staff continually references and reviews the document when considering projects and improvements throughout the City. Considering this, the BMP is current and does not require an update at this time. Future updates may evolve to further encompass non -vehicular mobility, such as a Complete Streets Plan or Active Transportation Plan. For further discussion or to answer any specific questions related to the BMP, please contact Brad Sommers, Principal Civil Engineer, within the Public Works Department at bsommers@newportbeachca.gov or 949-644-3326.