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Home My WebLink About20063110.tiff • CORRESPONDENCE RESPONS DEPARTMENT OF 11 IL7Yq j.)1,4E; 14-4- * * * I PLEASE RESPOND WITHIN THREE DAYS* * * IF RESPONSE WILL BE DELAYED, PLEASE NOTIFY "CTB GROUP" BY E-MAIL OF EXPECTED DATE FOR RESPONSE. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Narrative:---/ �" / cc�ree GL-/ �� Pit ‘1' .51"15 fF'4 f/ of f-4—4e ran d/ c , bt/e_ Gv(7/ (Jon 4,1 kee 1 e, flue., /c�r a idfiiel e ls , e 4 S /7 ekr-47 e 7/a /ML' 1D y e /677<or <<// c/ GIL) BOARD ACTION: (Initial by Approval) MG RM BJ DL GV Agree with Recommedation !�',LC�_ _1!(h� ? 1 _ Q I � N/A Worksession METhOD OF RESPONSE: - Board Action Work Session Letter (Attached) - Telephone Call - No Response (explain) Department Head Signature N, M:\CAROL\OPMAN\RDCOM P2 '-4eAgernom ( i e4(/ 2006-3110 // -S-C PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1111 H STREET P.O.BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 IWEBSITE:C. PHONE (970) 35 3750 FAX: (97(970))30 304-6497 COLORADO November 1,2006 Mr. Jon Schmidt 10146 WCR 84 Ault,CO 80610 RE: Weld County Rd 84 Traffic Safety Concerns Dear Mr. Schmidt: Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your review of our evaluation of traffic conditions on the above referenced roadway.We appreciate the insight that can only be provided by the people who observe activity on their road everyday. Our depattinent is responsible for approximately 2500 miles of unpaved roadway and 700 miles of paved roadway so, obviously, input from the traveling public is invaluable. While our survey was only 72 hours long, it represents an accurate picture of traffic patterns on the road and we will be diligent in recording future counts when necessary. Given the amount of roadway that we are responsible for, I'm sure you can appreciate the importance of applying consistent standards when deciding where the best,most effective use of traffic control devices should be.We can only evaluate existing conditions regarding speeds,volume,roadside conditions and accidents.While growth in the County is inevitable,we should not place signs based on future projections.Appropriate signage consistent with the MUTCD will be posted as conditions dictate. At the present time, however, it appears that none of these minimum requirements referenced in the August 29,2006 technical memorandum are being met. Please be assured that as Public Works professionals,we are committed to protecting the health and safety of everyone utilizing our roadway system. This can only be accomplished through the consistent application of accepted traffic engineering standards. Enforcement of these standards is a key part of instilling respect from the motorist and Ken Poncelow at 970-304-6467 ext 2802 in the traffic unit of the Sheriff's Department is responsible for this aspect. Thanks again for your sincere interest in safety on your roadway and please do not hesitate to call me at 970-304-6496 ext 3726 to discuss this or any other concern you have.I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Scot K. Lewis,P.E. Sr.Traffic Engineer Pc: David Long,Commissioner Ken Poncelow,Commander of Traffic Unit M:A—Active Projects\Mfsc Projects\Traffic Studies\WCR 19 and WCR 84 stop sign A Oc106followup.doc Mr. David Long Weld County Commissioner District One We are sending you a copy of a letter from the Weld County Public Works Department responding to our Request for a four way stop at County Road 19 and a speed limit on County Road 84 between County Roads19 and 23. We are also sending you a copy of our original letter and petition signed by the concerned neighbors in our area. Based upon a 72 hour study the Public Works Department determined that all of our requests be denied. [Please see the attached Memorandum dated August 29, 2006.] I had a telephone conversation with Mr. Wayne Howard concerning his findings and told Mr. Howard that those of us who live here 24/7 365 days of the year disagree with his study and the reasons stated in his letter. He responded by saying that the bottom line is we have not had enough fatalities or accidents on County Road 84 to warrant a speed limit or stop signs. He did acknowledge there is a problem with people speeding, running stop signs and drinking drivers using our county road,but he still believes more signs will not help. I then requested traffic patrols from the County Sheriff's Office and was told that would not happen as we only have four traffic Officers for the entire county. What a sad commentary for Weld County, a county that is larger than some states in the United States! We disagree with Mr.Howard's findings. He contends that speed limits and signs really don't control speed. If this is true why do we spend our tax dollars on traffic control devises?Why do we waste our time by having traffic laws at all? We feel that speed limits will slow down the drivers who obey the law. This will help in controlling the clouds of dust coming off County Road 84 which create a health hazard for people and livestock.Most drivers will be courteous if they know there is a speed limit and that pedestrians are present. We all know there is a group of drivers that are never going to obey the law,but I feel they're a small minority and can be dealt with. I have observed that there are several repeat offenders that speed down our road and run the stop signs. Our neighbors are willing to report their license numbers if the County Sheriff or State Patrol will follow up with an appropriate response. We know that the state speed limit on gravel roads in Colorado is 55 miles per hour. This may be fine for rural roads in sparsely populated areas,but our population in this area has grown dramatically and continues to grow. We have four housing developments planned between County Roads 17 and 21 which will double or triple traffic in our area. There is a growing amount of truck traffic both commercial and private coming out of Fort Collins going to the landfill on County Road 25. County Road 84 is now becoming the fast track for commuters into Fort Collins during rush hours. Twenty five concerned neighbors that signed a petition feel that a 72 hour study does not address the growing problem of traffic safety in our neighborhood. The county needs to be proactive in addressing this traffic problem by protecting the health and safety of the citizens in our neighborhood before it is too late. Waiting for the body count and accident rates to go up is not good planning! Sincerely, o � Jon Schmidt 10146 WCR 84 Ault, Co. 80610 [970-674-0355] Cie o .v. vuvuo,:o v y :76. 48,.° G*�i}y� ° "y t.o >.A _t 'i m E v i o 0 ak F. FE. CU •yy 'O O CU).,`�. O. 'w O l A q gYi „ ONgW yN 5M CA 0 w a >ar v 8 vy A v.4 O . Ca oV y.na .V. 2-1:1.1)2-1:1.1) Oda>iA uv t . z- 0 7 -eazi.v5. ULOdEu 3.g agi�� vzwv ,9. 4c., 2-43N % • ' .t •A 1 aao.$ v h HI Ili • v 'g y Q A 4, bt u b o 7 •0 .C 'w .5 J P.y CC'.S C u VJ'D R A ��y a P.,2.0 w4-0 Aix w � © 2 0 > , ..2% s .�.� t' V `nq y•s .1 F'� A_ �paqi O L a. 0 O.C O l E O.L; O q A -, .I '5b�h i 9G Fax. g ' v N -c-re vp .dv v -6.Jq 07F. UU N as 3Y ar� O. 0 a Z•w^0Opp 0 O�O40A `. pR Q c v3l•�: v9A9 ��3 0 ! �W y Y (Uvp 'u 9.d v q o $ �g77royog tti � Ati.- .40.200.01 dF4t'9ice+ '.tNN� AO— OL gg U cs A'5grtoAi 2w d a an_ m w.9�V a 3 q A A L'5 u o 1 qID " ' i s a A EV (5 m I a r' $' F d 5 . , h' y]ma F u #.' S ,aP' 'i ili y artro PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1111 H STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, COLORADO 80632 ' WEBSITE: WWW.CO.WELD.CO.US C. PHONE (970) 356-4000, EXT. 3750 FAX: (970) 304-6497 COLORADO September 21, 2006 Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt 10146 WCR 84 Ault, CO 80610 RE: Weld County Rd 84 Traffic Study Dear Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt: I am sending this letter in response to your request for signing review in your area. I have completed my study and have enclosed my recommendation memo for your review. As I discussed on the phone, I am not able to recommend a reduction in the speed limit on WCR 84 or a multiway stop sign at the intersection of WCR 19 and WCR 84. I have enclosed several flyers that might help answer some of your questions about how signing is applied to county roadways. I would also be happy to answer any other questions that you may have and can be reached at 970-304-6496, ext 3788. Sincerely, /, % /�-2`J/ Wa e Howard, P.E. Sr. Engineer • MEMORANDUM Date: August 29, 2006 To: Frank B. Hempen,Jr., P.E., Director of Public Works/County Engineer VII"D€ From: Wayne Howard, P.E., Sr. Engineer COLORADO RE: WCR 19 near WCR 84 This memo is written in response to a request received from Mr. and Mrs. Schimdt by the Board of County Commissioners. The request was for placement of 45 mph speed limit signs on WCR 84,just east of WCR 21, placement of children at play signs in the same area, and a four way stop at the intersection of WCR 19 and WCR 84. I have completed my traffic investigation for these issues. My findings are described below: Reduction in Speed Limit/Children at Play A 72 hour traffic classifier count was performed the week of 8/13/06 on that section of WCR 84 just east of WCR 21. The results of the count showed the average daily traffic was 84 vehicles per day and the 85% speed of those vehicles was 54 mph. The MUTCD again gives guidance on establishing realistic speed limits. Factors such as road side characteristics, development, parking practices, and crash statistics are used to establish speed limits. The MUTCD also states that when the speed limit is posted, is should be within 5 mph of the 85% speed limit. I have reviewed the section of roadway to see if it meets any of the criteria that would permit Weld County to reduce the speed limit of 55 mph. In my opinion, this section of roadway does not meet any of the criteria that would require a reduction in the speed limit. The counts indicate that the 55 mph is the correct speed limit for WCR 84. Children at Play signs are no longer recommended in the MUTCD. In certain areas, the use of a Playground Sign may be installed but only on roadways adjacent to a designated playground or park. This section of road does not meet this criterion; therefore, I do not recommend the installation of this sign. Four-Way Stop The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) gives guidance on the applications of Multiway Stop Signs. Criteria such as accident history (five or more within 12 months), traffic volumes, and sight distance restrictions are used to determine when multiway stop applications should be used. The intersection does not meet any of the warrants for a four-way or multi-way stop application nor does it meet any of the warrants for a two way stop application. One accident was reported over the past three years and that driver was issued a DUI. In conclusion, the result of the study does not support performing any additional signing for the intersection of WCR 19 and WCR 84 nor reducing the speed limit on WCR 84. I have enclosed two informational flyers, Establishing Realistic Speed Limits and. Multi-way Stop Signs that I would recommend sending to Mr. and Mrs. Schimdt along with this memo. The information in the flyers will help support my recommendation as well as address other questions that they may have. Weld County Commissioners P.O. Box 788 Greeley, Colorado 80631 June 26, 2006 Dear Sirs, The concerned residents of Weld County( listed on Attachment) would like to request a speed limit on County Road 84 between the intersections of County roads 19 and 23 and a four way stop at the intersection of County Road 19 and 84. Daily there are cars, trucks, and trash trucks traveling at high rates of speed on County Road 84. The dirt, dust, and flying rocks are a danger and health concern to the residents in the area. Twelve residential driveways and numerous agriculture driveways open on to thisstretch of roadway creating a hazard. Cars and trucks do not slow down for people retrieving their mail or walking on the shoulder of the road. Many speed through the stop sign at the intersection of County Road 21 and 84. The plumes of dust created by speeding vehicles is a health hazard to people and animals in the area. County Road 84 now seems to be an alternate route for people who want to speed and don't want to put up with the heavy traffic on Highway 14. The bottles and beer cans along the ditches indicate that drinking drivers prefer this road to Highway 14 which is patrolled. Numerous accidents and fatalities have occurred at the intersection of County Road 19 and 84. The growth along this stretch of County Road 84 has increased significantly in the past few years. Families with children now live and play just a few yards off of the road. There is also heavy traffic on the weekends with people coming and going into the Black Hollow Recreation Area. We also understand that there are three housing developments planned between County Roads 19 and 21 which will compound the problem in the future. We feel if this issue is not addressed it will be just a matter of time before there is another fatality. We do not want someone in our neighborhood added to the the large number of people already killed on Weld County rural roads. We are requesting a 35 MPH speed limit between the intersections of County Roads 19 and 23, signs indicating children at play, and a four way stop sign at the intersection of County Roads 19 and 84. For all of these reasons, we would like the county to evaluate this area and add the appropriate signs and speed limits in hopes of preventing the next accident. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Jon and Marsha Schmidt 10146 WCR 84 Ault, Co 80610 970-674-0355 (Attachment) CONCERNED NEIGHBORS WELD COUNTY ADDRESS PHONE - ` 444-soil l'/ 47,1 Zc-' C A sy ,4 ,t rte- E7<i-O35-s- at, A /00 6 Jc-i2 kW- —/ 7y -D 3 SS_ 7 J ? ju l o y (A/R a ��.� 16 74fro s- I cr x/ / 4Lr/ 93- wed cc-di d tl- Ts-z? Dt,51^,„, GyylLso•N woos t- cc ri n�� - 51.0 1om\Ivan I0ot_' wcR. SV (otfo -Seed A c & 9u fJc1el S' $ (0,Y1 deCamam IQQcZ tisk TA all* i o .53D• 1$q3 aerg-Qkd&r ?at". 0,40-t a y V/75 o AIcR.Z) c it -co)p L t\v\'t1 1°7-95 w�R Ch AJ.* GIG 7572_ ,Nc,s\-*-\\\ %`\ ,C2z) , UnL\ - g5- G/: et/ (P71-0t&f CONCERNED NEIGHBORS WELD COUNTY ADDRESS PHONE ---1ata q:i 1 &Valk $ fro//1;,g Ro sa t{ / {P5 4711 7 !.x(1 ..2 t '1 C ti k s ?0S4 (,o( 5.T2 5J) e wa bYL---,z) c /Ace)/ i/m.R 0 G Cv X 86-Azi 45 Ste172-*---) OcR Fy , Li;1, tilict(nL ( 5?) Luc ost9 "5-2? Hello