City staff is in the process of designing a street rehabilitation and median improvement project on Magnolia Street between the SR-22 Freeway and Garden Grove Boulevard.  As part of this project, staff is proposing to close the Larson Avenue access at Magnolia Street.

Staff conducted a survey of Magnolia Street and concluded that the northbound lanes on Magnolia Street near Larson Avenue do not meet the current standards for superelevation.  Superelevation is the amount by which the outer edge of a curve on a road is banked above the inner edge.  By improving the superelevation at the curved section of Magnolia Street, it will improve traffic safety and reduce the collision problem in the area.  In order for the street to be constructed to meet current standards, the northbound left turn lane on Magnolia Street into Larson Avenue will need to be closed.

Also, due to the curvature of Magnolia Street just north of Larson Avenue, vehicles exiting Larson Avenue onto Magnolia Street currently have difficulty seeing oncoming southbound vehicles.  The proposed improvements will mitigate these unsafe conditions.

Staff conducted a neighborhood meeting on July 27, 2016 to present and discuss the City’s proposal to close the Larson Avenue access to Magnolia Street.  The residents that attended stated that the closure would improve the visibility of pedestrians and eliminate the potential that high speed vehicles would be unable to negotiate the southbound right turn safely.  The proposed closure was approved by the Traffic Commission at their meeting held on September 6, 2016.

Staff sent notification of the proposed City Council action on this item to residents between Yockey Street and Magnolia Street, and between Larson Avenue and Dakota Avenue.  Staff has also worked with the Fire Department to develop a design to allow emergency vehicle access onto Larson Avenue from Magnolia Street.

There is no impact to the General Fund.  The closure is estimated to cost $70,000 and will be constructed as part of the Magnolia Street rehabilitation and median improvement project.  The project is budgeted in Fiscal Year 2016/17 and will be funded by Gas Tax and Measure M funds.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Adopt the attached Resolution approving the closure of Larson Avenue at Magnolia Street.

By: Dai C. Vu, Acting Traffic Engineer, P.E.