FMATS 2015 – 2018 Transportation Improvement Program
Project Nomination Form
Project nominations are accepted from the public and are scored based on the adopted Project
Scoring Criteria. These criteria assign weight based on the project’s impact on the following:
Health and Quality of Life
Safety Improvements
Public Support
Project Cost/ Project Length ($/miles)
Road Functional Class
Road Maintenance and Condition
7. Other Considerations (economic development, security, utility conflict resolution, etc.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The score the project receives will be used to determine the project’s eligibility for funding in the
Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP. The TIP identifies, prioritizes and allocates
anticipated funding for transportation improvements over a 4 year period.
NAME: Mayor Bryce Ward
ADDRESS: Attn: FMATS City of North Pole, 125 Snowman Lane, North Pole, 99705
PHONE: 907-488-8584
EMAIL: [email protected]
Name of Proposed Project: North Pole Intersection/Safety Improvements
Project Scope/ Description:
Scope: Analyze, design, and construct intersection and safety improvements with emphasis on
pedestrian safety, road function, and quality of life. The intersections to be considered are Santa Claus
Lane and E 5th Avenue and North Pole High School Boulevard at Old Richardson Highway and 8th
Avenue. The railroad crossing will also be brought to current standards under this project.
Description: Santa Claus Lane and Fifth Ave intersection needs analysis of the traffic to determine the
best approach to mitigate the confusion of navigating the intersection. Most traffic is north and south
bound from the Old Richardson Highway across the train tracks to Santa Claus Lane. Traffic traveling
north from the train tracks turning left onto Santa Claus Lane would often proceed through the
intersection without giving right of way to right hand turning or through traffic from Fifth Ave. In 2013,
the City of North Pole added a third stop sign on Fifth Avenue and three declaration signs to add clarity
to the intersection. This has helped add clarity to the intersection. The current modified design of the
intersection still promotes confusion and hazardous conditions for both vehicular traffic but also for
pedestrians wishing to cross the intersections. Predominate land uses include schools, a senior center,
park, bike path and residences. The close proximity of the school and a frequently used park adds to the
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FMATS 2015 – 2018 Transportation Improvement Program
Project Nomination Form
dangers of children traveling to and from school via pedestrian paths. It would be the recommendation
of the City of North Pole that a roundabout be seriously considered in the design of a new intersection.
North Pole High School Blvd, Eighth Ave and the Old Richardson Highway intersection needs analysis to
determine the best option for providing safety improvements for vehicles and pedestrians. Conditions
at this intersection become of concern in the morning when school opens and in the afternoon when
school lets out. Items of concern include turn lanes and pedestrian traffic crossing the Richardson
Highway and bus traffic crossing the train tracks.
A concern with both of these projects is proximity to the train tracks and how an intersection would be
adapted to this situation and also heavy truck traffic to and from the refineries and GVEA. The increased
traffic due to a natural gas facility being constructed adds to the need for improvements at this
intersection. The crossing will need to be updated to current standards under this project.
Is there a commitment from a public organization to maintain this project if built? If so
please identify that organization below.
As both projects are located on state roads, maintenance would be the responsibility of the State of
Alaska. If a roundabout project is recommended at the Santa Claus Lane and Fifth intersection, the City
of North Pole would enter into a maintenance agreement for the landscaping in the roundabout and to
keep sidewalk streets cleared of snow and debris. The maintenance agreement for the landscaping
would mirror the agreement we have with the state for the other roundabouts on Santa Claus Lane.
Has an organization agreed to pay the non-federal funding match for this project? If so
please identify the organization that has committed to pay the non-federal share.
As both projects are located on state roads maintenance would be the responsibility of the State of
Alaska. The City of North Pole is willing to pay the match for any portion of the project that does not fall
in state Right of Way.
Does this project support all or some of the four goals of FMATS? The four goals are
listed below please explain the relationship between these goals and this project.
1. Coordinate planning efforts to provide an integrated transportation and land
use system that embodies smart growth principles and stimulates the economy to
grow.
2. Provide a safe, efficient, secure, and interconnected multi-modal transportation
system for all users.
3. Protect the environment, improve air quality, promote energy efficiency, and
enhance regional quality of life.
4. Optimize the utility and lifespan of the existing transportation system.
The primary consideration of the project is providing intersections that are functional and safe and
promote the safe flow of traffic and intermodal travel. Efficient traffic flow is also a significant
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FMATS 2015 – 2018 Transportation Improvement Program
Project Nomination Form
consideration for our businesses and schools. The analysis and design of improvements to our
intersections will develop standard safe crossings for pedestrians and a safe flow for motorized and nonmotorized traffic. A roundabout on Fifth and improvements on NPHS Blvd would enhance the regional
quality of life and increase safety as well as optimize the utility and beauty of our local roads.
1) Does this project improve community health and/or quality of life? For example:
improve air and water quality, enhance intermodal connectedness, reduce congestion,
etc.
This project will reduce a significant existing negative factor through the improvement of
intermodal connections and the promotion of connectivity. This location sees the convergence
of many modes of transportation which creates the opportunity for many conflicts: automobile
traffic, school buses headed to both the elementary and high school, a bicycle and pedestrian
The project will ensure any improvements made to these two intersections will enhance intermodal
connectedness, reduce congestion, enhance pedestrian mobility and safety and improve on the overall
aesthetics of our community. We also hope that through the analysis of these intersections a plan will
be discussed that may tie the two intersections together, eliminating one altogether.
Land uses vary in this area. These intersections are major corridors to an elementary and high school in
North Pole. The intersections are surrounded by Central Business District zoning as well as light
industrial, two-family, multi-family, mobile home subdivision designations and general commercial
moving south.
2) Is safety a factor? For example, is there a history of accidents or safety complaints?
Safety is a big concern for both intersections concerning pedestrians and vehicles. A report is attached
for verification of incidents. Both intersections see an increase in traffic and pedestrian traffic during the
school year. There are only two reported accidents at 8th Avenue and the railroad crossing in the past
five years of available data.
3) Would you describe the public support for this project as broad-based, localized, or
limited? Please provide a justification for this level of public support.
Please see attached resolution for public comment and support. While this resolution shows
the support of the North Pole City Council for this project, the support is more broad-based.
This project appears in the newly executed 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan as a shortterm priority.
4) Please provide a cost estimate for each phase of this project if available. For
example: design, right-of-way, utilities, and construction
The FMATS 2040 MTP spending plan lists $1.5 million for this project.
Estimated Analysis and design Santa Claus Lane and 5th Ave:
Estimated Analysis and design Old Richardson Highway and NPHS Blvd:
Estimated cost of construction Santa Claus Lane and 5th Ave:
$350,000
$350,000
$1,500,000
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FMATS 2015 – 2018 Transportation Improvement Program
Project Nomination Form
Estimated cost of construction Old Richardson Highway and NPHS
Blvd:
Total Project Cost:
$1,500,000
$3,700,000
5) If this is a road project please provide the functional classification of the road or
roads. For example: arterial, urban collector, or local road.
North Pole High School Boulevard is an urban collector at this location and E 5th Avenue is an
urban collector.
The AADT of the Old Richardson Highway at Patriot Drive is 3,655 and at Santa Claus Lane is
2,330.
The AADT of Santa Claus Lane at 5th Avenue is not known at this location. Counts have not been
done at 5th and8th Avenues in North Pole. Turning movements at these locations were done in
2013 in anticipation of this project nomination.
This project does not lend itself to the formula found in roadway projects as it is a safety and
intersection improvement project.
6) Will this project improve drainage, decrease operating cost, promote efficient system
management or improve overall facility condition? Please explain:
The project will promote efficient system management by ensuring the intersections are being used
safely by pedestrians and vehicles and reducing conflicts.
7) Are there other benefits of this project? For example: national security, community
development or otherwise economic benefits.
The North Pole Intersection Safety Project will help with the overall strategic planning and design of a
theme city by ensuring our pedestrians and vehicles can maneuver our streets in a safe fashion. Other
benefits include increasing the ease of maneuverability along our streets promoting individuals to stay in
the city longer increasing the opportunity for commerce.
Since both projects are located very close to each other and address similar safety concerns we have
chosen to link both projects together, design concepts should integrate the traffic flows of both
intersections and economies of scale result.
8) Please address other issues that have not been addressed concerning this project.
(Attach additional pages and/or photos as necessary)
This project addresses the following performance measures: safety, congestion mitigation, and
air quality.
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FMATS 2015 – 2018 Transportation Improvement Program
Project Nomination Form
For more information, please contact:
Donna Gardino
FMATS MPO Coordinator
800 Cushman Street
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: (907) 459-6786
Fax: (907) 459-6783
[email protected]
Margaret Carpenter
DOT&PF Fairbanks Area Planner
2301 Peger Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Phone: (907) 451-2388
Fax: (907) 451-2313
[email protected]
Vacant
FMATS MPO Transportation Planner
800 Cushman Street
Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: (907) 459-6805
Fax: (907) 459-6783
Vacant
FNSB Transportation Planner
P.O. Box 71267
Fairbanks, Alaska 99707
Phone: (907) 459-1266
Fax: (907) 459-1255
Please submit completed form and attachments to the MPO Coordinator via mail, fax or email.
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SR-35 North Pole Intersection Improvements
ALLEY
SANTA CLAUS LN
SEVENTH AVE
SNOWMAN LN
SEVENTH AVE
SNOWMAN LN
ALLEY
NPHS BLVD
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SIXTH AVE
Santa Claus Lane and E 5th Avenue
SIXTH AVE
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RIOat Old Richardson Highway
North Pole High School Boulevard
PAT
and 8th Avenue
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Sponsored by: Mayor Bryce Ward
Adopted: ll4ay 5,2014
CITY OF NORTH POLE
RESOLUTION 14-09
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FMATS CONSIDERATION OF THE NORTH POLE
INTERSECTION SAFETY PROJECT
WHEREAS, the intersection of 5th and Santa Claus Lane is highly traveled and confusing for
motorist to navigate; and
WHEREAS, the 5th Ave and Santa Claus Lane intersection as well as the Old Richardson
Highway and NPHS Boulevard intersection are frequently used by parents and bus drivers
traveling to and from the local schools; and
WHEREAS, the City of North Pole has taken measures to help alleviate confusion at the
and Santa Claus Ln intersection; and
5th
Ave
WHEREAS, many students cross these dangerous intersections during the school year; and,
WHEREAS, safe and effrcient traffic flow is a significant consideration of our public,
businesses and schools; and
WHEREAS, the City of North Pole desires to protect public safety, promote and maintain local
business in the City as well as encourage economic development; and
WHEREAS, The City of North Pole is submitting the North Pole Intersection Safety Project to
the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation Systems ( FMATS) for consideration in the
Transportation Implementation Plan ( TIP).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the North Pole City Council supports
the
attached FMATS consideration of the North Pole Intersection Safety Project.
PASSED AND APPRO VED by
5'h day
a
duly constituted quorum of the North Pole City Council this
of May,2014
OF
tSEAL
Bryce J Ward, Mayor
A
A
M.
North Pole
eber, MMC
Clerk
PASSED/FAILED
Yes: 5 - McGhee, McCarthy, Smith, Welch, Ward
No:
0
Absent: 2 -Holm, Hunter