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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-22 Traffic Engineering Peer Review 3-VAI Ref: 3992 February 23, 2004 Mr. Karl Dubay MHF Design Consultants, Inc. 103 Stiles Road Salem,NH 03079 Re: Professional Review Comments Proposed CVS Pharmacy North Andover, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Dubay: Vanasse& Associates, Inc. (VAI) has completed our review of the proposed CVS Pharmacy retail store to be located off Salem Turnpike(Route 114), in North Andover, Massachusetts. Our review focused on the project's conformance with Town of North Andover Planning and Zoning Regulations with regard to impacts on the transportation infrastructure and on-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation, as well as the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA)/Executive Office of Transportation and Construction (EOTC) guidelines for the preparation of Traffic Impact Studies (TISs)and accepted Traffic Engineering practices. In completing our review,the following plans and documents were evaluated: • Traffic Memorandum, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover,Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin;October 2, 2003. • Site Plans, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; October 3,2003. • Memorandum, Proposed CVS — Peters Street; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; December 23, 2003. • Site Plans, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; December 23,2003. • Memorandum,Peer Review—Traffic; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin;February 9,2004. • Site Plans, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; February 9,2004. VAI also performed a site visit to observe general conditions within the project site with regard to on-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation and access to the development, as well as to review existing conditions and traffic operations along Route 114 in the vicinity of the project site. Mr. Karl Dubay February 23, 2004 Page 2 Findings In general, we found that the Traffic Memorandum and Peer Review response memorandums were prepared in a professional manner and in general accordance with accepted engineering standards. The Peer Review response memorandums responded to the requests for additional information identified in VAI's November 11, 2003 peer review memorandum and the MHF December 31, 2003 memorandum. Summary VAI has completed the review of the proposed CVS retail development. The information reviewed was found to have been prepared in a professional manner and in general accordance with accepted engineering standards. At the intersection of Salem Turnpike at Peters Street and Haverhill Street, improvement measures have been identified to help alleviate impacts with potential queuing at the site driveway on Peters Street. Review of the VHB Concept I plan, dated February 5, 2004, indicates that additional pavement markings should be included to clfannelize traffic flow into a single lane as it enters Peters Street form Salem Turnpike or from Haverhill Street. As currently shown, the Peters Street departure leg is 26 feet wide, which drivers could use as two lanes. Review of the analyses performed by VHB indicates that the widening of the Peters Street approach to Salem Turnpike would not significantly improve intersection operations. VAI concurs with the analysis performed by VHB, particularly due to the proposed signal coordination of the Salem Turnpike signals by Eaglewood Shops. Sidewalks are proposed, connecting to sidewalks to be constructed as a part of the Eaglewood Shops project, as well as a connection to the neighboring Eagle Tribune parking lot. Construction of sidewalks along the site frontage should also be considered. We appreciate the opportunity to assist the Town and the project proponent in evaluating the proposed project. If you should have any questions regarding our initial review, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, VANASSE&ASSOCIATES, INC. Kenneth P. Cram, P.E. Associate KPC/rla cc: RDV, File CAWINDOWSWemporary Wemel Files%OLK63IMK.Dubay 0M304 doc Ref: 3992 March 11, 2004 Mr. Karl Dubay MHF Design Consultants,Inc. 103 Stiles Road Salem,NH 03079 Re: Professional Review Comments Proposed CVS Pharmacy North Andover,Massachusetts Dear Mr. Dubay: Vanasse & Associates, Inc. (VAI) has completed our review of the proposed CVS Pharmacy retail store to be located off Salem Turnpike(Route 114), in North Andover,Massachusetts. Our review focused on the project's conformance with Town of North Andover Planning and Zoning Regulations with regard to impacts on the transportation infrastructure and on-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation, as well as the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (1vIEPA)/Executive Office of Transportation and Construction (EOTC)guidelines for the preparation of Traffic Impact Studies (TISs) and accepted Traffic Engineering practices. In completing our review, the following plans and documents were evaluated: • Traffic Memorandum, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin;October 2, 2003. * Site Plans, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; October 3, 2003. i • Memorandum, Proposed CVS — Peters Street; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; December 23,2003. 9 • Site Plans, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; December 23, 2003. • Memorandum,Peer Review—Traffic; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; February 9,2004. + Site Plans, Ptoposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin;February 9, 2004. • Traffic Memorandum Proposed CVS—Route I I4/Peters Street; Supplemental Traffic Evaluation; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; March 1, 2004. z ® Site Plans, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin;March 9, 2004. Mr. Karl Dubay March 11, 2004 Page 2 VAI also performed a site visit to observe general conditions within the project site with regard to on-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation and access to the development, as well as to review existing conditions and traffic operations along Route 114 in the vicinity of the project site. Findings In general, we found that the February 9, 2004 and March 1, 2004 Traffic Memorandums and Peer Review response memorandums were prepared in a professional manner and in general accordance with accepted engineering standards. The Peer Review response memorandums responded to the requests for additional information identified in VAI's November 11, 2003 peer review memorandum and the MHF December 31,2003 memorandum. Summary VAI has completed the review of the proposed CVS retail development. The information reviewed was found to have been prepared in a professional manner and in general `accordance with accepted engineering standards. At the intersection of Salem Turnpike at Peters Street and Haverhill Street, improvement measures have been identified to help alleviate impacts with potential queuing at the site driveway on Peters Street. Review of the VHB Concept 1 plan, dated February S, 2004, indicates that additional pavement markings should be included to channelize traffic flow into a single lane as it enters Peters Street from Salem Turnpike or from Haverhill Street. Review of the latest Concept 1 plan, shows the additional striping to channelize flow into Peters Street. The Concept Plan shows a minor widening of Peters Street at the intersection with Turnpike Street, yet the site plans do not reflect any changes in curb geometry. This needs to be rectified. Review of the analyses performed by VHB indicates that the widening of the Peters Street approach to Salem Turnpike (to include an exclusive right turn lane) would not significantly improve intersection operations. VAI concurs with the analysis performed by VHB, particularly due to the proposed signal coordination of the Salem Turnpike signals by Eaglewood Shops. The supplemental analyses performed, without the Eaglewood Shops project, indicates similar findings. Sidewalks are proposed, connecting to sidewalks to be constructed as a part of the Eaglewood Shops project, as well as a connection to the neighboring Eagle Tribune parking lot. .Construction of sidewalks along the site frontage was recommended and has been included in the most recent Concept. The sidewalk along Peters Street, from the proposed site driveway to Turnpike Street needs to be adjusted. The Concept plan shows this curb line being slightly moved, yet the site plans show the sidewalk against the existing edge of road, Additionally, if the sidewalk is to be against the edge of road, vertical granite curbing should be used in lieu of sloped granite edging. Also, it is not clear when comparing the Concept plan to the site plans as to the limit of the curb work along Turnpike Street, fiom Peters Street to the proposed Turnpike Street driveway. This should also be clarified. CAWNDOWSVempomry Entemet FilesIOLK631M.Dubay 031104.doc Mr. Karl Dubay March 11, 2004 Page 3 We appreciate the opportunity to assist the Town and the project proponent in evaluating the proposed project. If you should have any questions regarding our initial review, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, VANASSE&ASSOCIATES,INC. Kenneth P. Cram,P.E. Associate KPC/rla cc: RDV, File . C:IWINDOWMTemporary blemet Fj1cs%0LK63IMK.Mbay 031 Wdoc