Median cuts may be installed only at the following locations:
(1)
At the intersection of two dedicated streets that meet the criteria set out in section 94-163; and
(2)
In conjunction with a left turn lane to serve as a common entrance to large traffic volume generators, such as a multicommercial shopping center or an industrial complex. Such traffic generators shall be characterized by a large expanse of parking areas, served by an internal roadway network generally adequate to absorb entering traffic without backups onto the surrounding city streets. The turning movements into entrances to these types of areas usually are quite similar to normal intersectional movements and should be treated as such. Median cuts of this nature will only be allowed after a thorough traffic engineering investigation has determined the feasibility of such cuts and their compliance with all median cut criteria.
(1966 Code, sec. 27-33; 2001 Code, sec. 94-162)
Criteria for all median cuts are as follows:
(1)
The median cut shall be located so that it will leave a minimum of 300 feet of unbroken median strip along the roadway centerline, measured from the near nose of the closest existing median cut to the near nose of the proposed median cut.
(2)
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the median cut shall include a 12-foot-wide left turn storage bay of a minimum of 50 feet in length, measured from the nose of the median cut, plus a taper no steeper than seven to one. The actual length of the left turn storage bay shall be determined by a traffic study conducted by the Traffic Division. Left turn storage bays for median cuts at street intersections may not be required if the director of community development and the director of aviation, traffic and transportation determine that such storage bays are not necessary at a particular location.
(3)
Traffic controls, including any signalization, that are deemed necessary by the Traffic Division shall be installed at the median cut in accordance with city requirements. Whenever a proposed traffic signal at a median cut is to be located within 800 feet of an existing traffic signal, it shall be coordinated with the existing signal.
(1966 Code, sec. 27-34; 2001 Code, sec. 94-163)
(a)
Left turn storage bays shall be constructed in street medians at existing median cuts under the following circumstances:
(1)
When an owner or developer constructs a large traffic volume generator, such as a multicommercial shopping center or an industrial complex meeting the criteria set out in section 94-162(2) and section 94-191, and traffic entering such development turns left through an existing median cut which has no left turn storage bay.
(2)
When a subdivider plats a subdivision abutting a street containing a median and the new subdivision contains a street which intersects the abutting street at an existing median cut and traffic will enter the new subdivision street by turning left off the abutting street through the median cut which has no left turn storage bay.
(b)
Such left turn storage bays shall be 12 feet wide and shall have a minimum length of 50 feet, measured from the nose of the median cut, plus a taper no steeper than seven to one. The actual length of the left turn storage bay shall be determined by a traffic study conducted by the Traffic Division.
(c)
Such owner, developer or subdivider shall, at his sole expense, have construction plans prepared for the storage bay, which plans must be approved by the director of community development and the director of aviation, traffic and transportation. The construction of all required surface and underground improvements, except installation of traffic signals, shall be performed by a bonded contractor at the sole cost and expense of such owner, developer or subdivider, who shall also make all necessary arrangements for and pay all the costs of the relocation of any existing utilities and improvements that may be required to be relocated. If it is deemed necessary by the Traffic Division that traffic controls, including signalization, be installed, the cost of all such traffic control materials and equipment, plus the cost of engineering design and installation labor, shall be paid to the city by such owner, developer or subdivider. The cost of the engineering design and installation labor pertaining to such traffic controls is determined to be an amount equal to 25 percent of the cost of material and equipment.
(1966 Code, sec. 27-38.1; 2001 Code, sec. 94-164)