Access Management Example Projects

I-84/North Ontario Interchange Area Management Plan

Client: Oregon Department of Transportation Region #5
Teresa Penninger, (541) 963-1344

The Oregon Transportation Commission required an Interchange Area Management Plan (IAMP) be prepared prior to releasing funds for the design and construction of a new interstate overpass that would replace the existing OR 201 Interchange Bridge in Ontario. Kittelson & Associates, Inc., working as a subconsultant, developed the IAMP portion of the overall interchange reconstruction project. Working alongside local advisory committees and incorporating input from public involvement workshops, KAI developed and evaluated a series of interchange design concepts that addressed the basic overall goals of the project while meeting the operational and geometric needs of a modern freeway interchange. Based on this collaborative process, an IAMP was developed that documents the land use planning, transportation planning, access management, public involvement, and preliminary design work that went into the recommendations for a new interchange and bridge. Following acceptance of the design recommendations, KAI assisted in the development of the implementing ordinances to adopt the IAMP into the City’s Transportation Systems Plan.

OR 201 Corridor Refinement Plan

Client: Oregon Department of Transportation Region #5
Teresa Penninger, (541) 963-1344

In 2003, the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) issued a mandate that a 2.5-mile segment of the Olds Ferry-Ontario Highway (OR 201) be designated as an "Expressway," a special subset highway classification intended to safely and efficiently accommodate high traffic volumes at high speeds and with minimal interruptions from cross streets and access driveways. This section of OR 201 was unable to safely and efficiently accommodate high speed/volume through traffic. In addition, the adopted City of Ontario and Malheur County Transportation System Plans did not provide sufficient planning-level guidance to manage the circulation and access needs of the highway corridor during future development. As such, KAI worked with the Oregon Department of Transportation, the City of Ontario, and Malheur County to prepare the OR 201 Corridor Refinement Plan, a corridor-specific, long-term circulation and access management plan. Based on this corroborative work effort, a supplemental transportation plan was developed that offers a systematic approach for ensuring consolidated access and circulation opportunities for developing/redeveloping corridor properties. In addition, the plan offers a long-term strategy for ensuring a safe and efficient highway that meets the unique land use characteristics and travel modes of the OR 201 corridor.

US 97/US 20 Refinement Plan

Client: Oregon Department of Transportation Region #4
John Heacock, (541) 963-1344

Kittelson & Associates, Inc. worked in collaboration with ODOT, Deschutes County, and the City of Bend to address land use and mobility issues around the north end of Bend. The intent of the Refinement Plan was to guide the timing and location of future improvement projects that support the adjacent properties and preserve the integrity and regional mobility function of the two highways for the next 20 years. The US 97 and US 20 Refinement Plan inventory’s current conditions, predicts traffic volumes at the end of the planning horizon year, and identifies the nature and timing of improvements to ensure the highways meet the applicable mobility standards set by the Oregon Highway Plan. KAI provided traffic operations and safety analysis, conceptual design, access management concepts, alternatives analysis and refinement.

Eagle Road Corridor Improvements

Client: ITD District #3
Wade Christiansen, (208) 334-8969

KAI is currently working with ITD and ACHD on a roadway, signal design, ITS, and signal timing project on Eagle Road, the primary north-south state highway in the Boise area. Eagle Road has reached capacity at many of the intersections during the peak hours and requires extensive future improvements at key intersections, as well as the construction of new signals. During the first phase of the project, KAI provided preliminary designs for modifications to signals along the corridor and final design plans for the widening and signal modification at the Interstate 84 Westbound Ramp and Eagle Road intersection. Subsequent phases of the project have included final design of ITS and ATMS communications and updates to the signal timings for 14 intersections along the corridor. Future phases will include preparation of final design plans of the traffic signal modifications along the corridor.

US 95 North Coeur d’Alene Corridor and Retiming Study

Client: ITD District #1
Mike Porcelli, (208) 772-1218

KAI was retained by ITD District #1 to identify near-term signal timing, operational, and access management improvements for the US 95 corridor, between Ironwood Drive and West Garwood Road in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden, Idaho. Traffic analysis tools, such as HCS, Synchro, and SimTraffic, were used to analyze the short- and long-term traffic operations of the corridor. At the completion of the project, KAI developed and implemented new timing plans for 15 traffic signals that improved the mobility and progression along this corridor. Additionally, low-cost geometric, signal hardware, and near-term/long-term access management strategies were recommended for US 95.

Molalla Ave. Corridor Improvement Plan

Client: City of Oregon City
Nancy Kraushaar, (503) 496-1545

As a member of a project consultant team, KAI conducted a corridor study to development both a near-term and long-range plan for the extent of the Molalla Avenue corridor in Oregon City, between 7th Street and Highway 213. The study included a detailed traffic operational, geometric, and accident analysis to identify existing system deficiencies and forecast future transportation system needs along the corridor. The land use and transportation system opportunities and constraints along the corridor were reviewed and numerous conceptual streetscape and cross-section alternatives for the facility were developed and reviewed. The resultant Molalla Avenue Improvements Plan identified a number of roadway streetscape, cross-section, signalization, and access enhancement strategies to provide for the short- and long-term travel demands and to build towards the desired land-use and transportation system goals for the community. Conceptual functional plans of the preferred roadway improvements were prepared, with right-of-way and construction cost estimates. An extensive public involvement program was conducted, including contact with businesses and neighbors along the corridor, City of Oregon City staff and decision makers, and the general public. After the completion of the plan, the two phases of the project have since moved forward through the final design and construction process. KAI has continued transportation engineering work on the corridor by completing final traffic signal design plans for 2 traffic signal modifications, signing and striping plans for the roadway reconstruction, and roadway illumination plans for a 2 mile segment of the Molalla Avenue corridor. KAI contributed from the initial design concepts through the completion of construction bid documents and management of the construction process.

I-84/Barnhart Road Interchange Access Management Plan

Client: Oregon Department of Transportation Region #5
Teresa Penninger, (541) 963-1344

KAI, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Transportation Region #5, the City of Pendleton, and Umatilla County, prepared an Interchange Area Management Plan for the I-84 interchange at Barnhart Road. The purpose of the I-84 Barnhart Road IAMP was to protect the function of the interchange by maximizing the capacity for safe movement of the mainline facility, and to provide safe and efficient operations between connecting roadways. The resulting IAMP identified transportation improvements, land use, and access management strategies in the interchange area. In addition, the plan prioritized improvements needed to maintain acceptable traffic operations at the interchange during the planning horizon while providing safe access to adjacent land uses. An access management plan was included and potential improvements to existing roads and intersections were identified.

US 395 Corridor Refinement Plan

Client: Oregon Department of Transportation Region #5
Teresa Penninger, (541) 963-1344

In July 2000, the Oregon Transportation Commission adopted the US 395 North Corridor Plan. As part of this plan, a raised median was recommended along a portion of US 395 to enhance the long-term travel safety and provide better access management. While the median project met the objective of the US 395 North Corridor Plan, the City of Hermiston Transportation System Plan had not been expanded to address the local access and circulation needs within the City of Hermiston’s Urban Growth Boundary. As a result, this area did not have an established or planned street network capable of supporting a highly access-controlled corridor. Based on this concern and the aesthetics of the raised median on US 395, KAI developed a corridor refinement study in consultation with the City of Hermiston and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The refinement study resulted in a long-term circulation and corridor preservation strategy that will allow economic development within the City of Hermiston Urban Growth Boundary, while maintaining the integrity and safety of the US 395 corridor.

US 730 Corridor Refinement Plan

Client: Oregon Department of Transportation Region #5
Teresa Penninger, (541) 963-1344

In 2003, the Oregon Department of Transportation designated a portion of US 730 as a Safety Corridor. This designation came after an extensive review of historical safety data which indicated that the highway corridor has been experiencing a crash rate higher than the statewide average for comparable highway corridors. Characterized as having a significant amount of high-speed truck and through traffic, a limited supporting local roadway network, and a large number of private-access driveways, US 730 is limited in its ability to operate in a safe and efficient manner. As such, KAI worked with ODOT, Morrow County, Umatilla County, and the City of Umatilla to develop the US 730 Corridor Refinement Plan. This plan identified long-term circulation and access-management strategies that addressed the corridor's near- and long-term safety needs. Based on a collaborative effort with the local jurisdictions and property owners, a supplemental transportation plan was subsequently adopted by ODOT, Morrow County, Umatilla County, and the City of Umatilla.

Regionally Significant Routes and Access Management

Client: Pinal County
Andy Smith, (520) 866-6934

KAI assisted Pinal County, Arizona staff in developing an access management program for Regionally Significant Routes (RSR) within the County. The firm identified considerations and drafted policy for the County’s use in implementing the program. Considerations include the legal implications of County policies and how individual property rights would be affected by changes in policies and regulations. KAI worked with representatives of cities within Pinal County and Arizona Department of Transportation to coordinate jurisdiction and responsibilities for access management considerations for RSRs passing through their respective jurisdictions. KAI also worked with stakeholders to build an understanding of how the proposed policies would impact existing and future developments adjacent to RSRs. KAI continues to provide technical expertise and support to Pinal County during the adoption and implementation process. The firm anticipates it will provide training to Pinal County staff as they initiate and implement the access management program.