HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS4 - Truck Restrictions on Ridge Park RoadCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Study Session Item No. ss4
June 28, 2005
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
Richard Edmonston, P.E.
949 - 644 -3311
rdmonston@city.newport-beach.ca.us
SUBJECT: TRUCK RESTRICTIONS ON RIDGE PARK ROAD
BACKGROUND
Staff has worked with concerned parents of Newport Coast since before the area was
annexed to the City. Many of these discussions have pertained to the traffic issues
associated with Newport Coast Elementary School. These efforts have led to the
construction of the loop road for pick -up and drop -off of students, revised crossing
guards, parking restrictions, targeted enforcement efforts, and participation in numerous
school meetings.
Recently there have been proposals to ban construction trucks from the segment of
Ridge Park Road from Newport Coast Drive to Vista Ridge Road. On two occasions
since the first of this year construction trucks have gotten out of control and sped past
the elementary school. This has raised considerable concern over the consequences if
a vehicle were to lose control during one of the several time periods each school day
when large numbers of children and their parents are crossing the intersection of
Newport Coast Drive and Ridge Park Road.
The great majority of this truck traffic is serving the ongoing, new residential
construction at the upper end of Ridge Park Road. This construction is anticipated to
continue for another 18 to 30 months.
DISCUSSION
There is an alternate route to the construction area via Vista Ridge Road. As shown on
the attached vicinity map, the two roads intersect above the school site but below the
construction area. Residents living in homes off Vista Ridge Road have been opposed
to this alternative when it has been suggested previously. They feel they have already
had to deal with extensive construction traffic for many years as Newport Coast has
been developed.
Traffic counts were taken earlier this year on both Vista Ridge Road and Ridge Park
Road. Large trucks were counted at the same time. These counts clearly show the
SUBJECT: Truck Restrictions on Ridge Park Road
June 28, 2005
Page 2
impact construction traffic is having on Ridge Park Road which has 6000 vehicles per
day with 280 of them being large trucks. By comparison, Vista Ridge Road has 3900
vehicles per day with 80 large trucks. So in spite of the fact that over twice as many
homes have their access off of Vista Ridge Road (655 vs 268), construction traffic
results in both more vehicles of all sizes and over three times as many large trucks on
Ridge Park Road.
Staff has considered a variety of options to control trucks in a fashion that would reduce
the potential of an accident involving numbers of school children. Time restrictions
were considered and dismissed as was the possibility of having trucks go uphill on
Ridge Park Road and downhill on Vista Ridge Road. The chief problem with any
restriction short of a total ban is the difficulty drivers would have understanding and
following the more complex rules.
Council direction is needed to finalize action. Should City Council concur that a truck
weight limit on Ridge Park Road is the appropriate way to improve safety for the school
children and the parents that accompany them to and from school, staff recommends a
weight limit of 8,000 pounds be implemented on a permanent basis.
NOTICE
Staff informed the Newport Coast Elementary PTA, the Newport Mesa Unified School
District Office, the Newport Coast Advisory Committee, the Newport Coast HOA
managers, the Irvine Company, and others of today's Study Session discussion.
Prepared by: Submitted by:
Richard Edmonston, P.E. phe . Badum
Transportation and Development Pub[ i orks Director
Services Manager
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