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February 28, 2020 <br /> Page 14 <br /> One other improvement investigated was the construction of right turn lanes at several locations <br /> on the corridor. Based on the turning movement volumes and model analysis results it is <br /> recommended to provide exclusive right turn lanes for eastbound Lake Valentine Road at the <br /> pick-up/drop-off Access and for westbound Lake Valentine Road at the east parking lot access. <br /> Details for each recommendation are as follows: <br /> • Eastbound Lake Valentine Road at the Pick-up/ Drop-off Access <br /> o During the a.m. peak hour and to a lesser degree the p.m. peak hour there is a <br /> high volume of vehicles making this maneuver. A short (150') right turn lane <br /> would allow vehicles that are decelerating and potentially yielding to a <br /> pedestrian, to be out of the through traffic lane. <br /> o During the p.m. peak hour parents were observed parked (waiting) along the <br /> curb in the westbound through lane, so the only concern with providing this right <br /> turn lane, from an operations perspective, is that parents may use it to park and <br /> wait for their child to be dismissed and leave school. However, if this were to <br /> happen, at least it would occur outside of the through lane. <br /> • Westbound Lake Valentine Road at the east parking lot access <br /> o During the a.m. peak hour this is one of the highest volume movements made. A <br /> 150' minimum exclusive right turn lane would allow vehicles entering the north <br /> parking lot to decelerate and turn outside of the through lane. Also, if a queue <br /> does build as a result of the pedestrian activated traffic signal that is <br /> recommended, analysis shows that the back up in the through lane would not <br /> block a 150' right turn lane at this location. <br /> Justification Report <br /> An Intersection Control Evaluation (ICE) Report has been prepared for the Mid-Block Signal <br /> proposed on Lake Valentine Road for the school crossing, and additional results are shown in the <br /> Appendix within the Report. The traffic signal is considered warranted because there are more <br /> than 20 school children crossing the major road during the peak hour, and there are not enough <br /> gaps in traffic for the schoolchildren to safely cross the road. The need for a traffic crossing guard <br /> at the major crosswalk is proof that traffic needs to be physically stopped to accommodate the <br /> 260-300+ schoolchildren crossing the road during each peak hour because of the lack of gaps. <br /> School Speed Zone <br /> Due to school expansion and relocation of the primary parking lot,the chance for <br /> vehicle/pedestrian interaction has increased greatly. A Memo recommending the establishment <br /> of a School Speed Zone on Lake Valentine Road as it passes by Mounds View High School was <br /> provided to the City of Arden Hills in early January. <br /> The School District has provided consent for the limits of the school speed zone, the 25-mph <br /> speed limit and the time of day when the school speed zone will be in operation. The School <br /> Speed Zone was approved by City Council in February of 2020. The School District is preparing <br /> plans for installation of the School Speed Zone signage. <br /> K:\014908-000\Traffic\Traffic Study\Lake Valentine Road Study.docx <br />