Public Meeting #3 - September 2021

The third public meeting was held in September 2021. The following materials were presented at the meeting:

• Landscape Palette
• Landscape Plan
• Roundabouts
• Typical Sections
• Watershed Map
• Roll Plot

Public Meeting #1 - October 2018

The first project open house was held in October 2018. The following materials were presented at the meeting:

• Roll Plot
• Typical Sections
• Roundabout
• Noise Analysis
• Watershed Map

Project Purpose

Why is Happy Valley Road being widened?

Happy Valley is being improved to the City of Scottsdale’s current standard for a minor arterial street, which includes two travel lanes in each direction, landscaped median, bike lanes, and pedestrian improvements.

Will the speed limit on Happy Valley Road change?

On Happy Valley Road, the speed limit will remain 45 mph, which is the current posted speed.

Is Happy Valley Road a truck route?

Yes, Happy Valley Road is classified as a minor arterial and therefore is a permissible truck route per City of Scottsdale Ordinance 17-60. All major streets in Scottsdale classified to be four or more lanes are designated as truck routes, although there are some exceptions, including Happy Valley Road east of Alma School Road.

Pedestrian & Aesthetic Improvements (e.g., bike lanes, sidewalk, landscape)

Will there be raised median islands on Happy Valley Road?

Yes, a raised landscaped median island will be constructed on Happy Valley Road.

What will the landscape look like and what types of plants will be used on Happy Valley Road?

The landscape will be a southwest arid scheme that includes Ironwoods, Palo Verdes, Bursage, Desert Marigold, Brittlebush, and Creosote. Salvaged trees and cacti will be replanted as required by the city’s native plant ordinance.

Can the proposed sidewalks be eliminated or changed?

The Happy Valley Road project will construct a new detached 6-foot sidewalk and 6-foot decomposed granite path along the south side of the road and a new detached 8-foot sidewalk along the north side of the road. The sidewalks and path are consistent with others in this part of the city and consistent with the city's complete streets policy, which encourages multi-modal transportation. While the sidewalk width cannot be altered, the landscaped buffer area bordering the sidewalk may be eliminated or reduced to minimize impacts to private property.

Can proposed bike lanes be widened/altered?

A 6-foot bike lane is being constructed as part of the Happy Valley Road project that is consistent with city design and policy standards. Any widening or alteration would not comply with those standards.

Will this change where we can put our trash/collection cans?

Trash cans should be placed in the landscape buffer area behind the back of the curb.

Will this change where mailboxes are located on Happy Valley Road?

The design team is currently working with the post office to determine mailbox locations. The postal service will want to install centralized cluster boxes for mail delivery.

Noise & Walls

Has the city considered using rubberized asphalt to minimize road noise?

The city's Public Works Division performed a noise study comparing rubberized and conventional asphalt and determined that there were no noticeable differences in noise abatement. Because rubberized asphalt costs significantly more than conventional asphalt and deteriorates approximately twice as fast, Scottsdale no longer uses it.

How does the city estimate future noise from improvements and evaluate how to address potential impacts?

For projects that expand the capacity of roadways, the city conducts a full noise analysis within the project limits to identify potential impacts of 64-dBA or more, or if noise levels exceed existing noise levels by 15-dBA. Existing noise levels are gathered to calibrate a model. Existing and projected traffic volumes are used to predict the noise levels that will occur after the project is constructed. Once the noise model is prepared, features such as noise walls are inserted into the model to determine how the noise levels can be improved. Typically, the height of the wall is varied until the noise levels are brought down within acceptable levels based on ADOT’s noise policy.

Will there be a wall or sound barrier installed along Happy Valley Road, and what would the wall look like?

A noise analysis has been conducted incorporating the final design of the corridor. The results indicate that sound barrier walls along Happy Valley Road are not warranted as the future noise levels will not meet the thresholds for mitigation. Existing walls not in conflict with proposed improvements will be protected in place. Existing walls that do conflict with proposed improvements will be relocated (removed and reconstructed) so as not to conflict with project improvements.

Will portions of the Desert Skyline Estates wall be removed during construction?

An effort is being made through the design process to minimize roadway and drainage impacts to existing walls. However, walls will be impacted in some areas.

Drainage

What will the design do to improve drainage in the area?

The project will remove low water crossings on Happy Valley Road and collect the storm water run-off in a swale (small channel) on the north side of the roadway. The storm water can then be directed along its historical flow pattern to various culverts crossing beneath Happy Valley Road and maintain the historic regional flow patterns in the area. The project will also incorporate Low Impact Development (LID) principles to fit into the surrounding area.

Construction

When will construction begin?

Construction on Happy Valley Road will take place concurrently with construction on Pima Road, and both projects are tentatively slated to begin Fall 2021. This is contingent upon the completion of utility relocations and acquisition of the required additional rights of way needed to construct various improvements.

How long will construction take, and is there any option to minimize construction time?

Construction will take 18-24 months to complete, including utility relocations necessary to construct the project. Combining the projects will lead to cost and time efficiencies.

Will the roads be closed during construction?

While no long-term closures are anticipated for either project, short closures will be necessary to reconfigure traffic control and protect worker and public safety during project construction.

Can these projects be done separately?

The projects can be constructed separately, but separate construction would increase time, cost, and have a larger impact on the community.

Will portions of the Desert Skyline Estates wall be removed during construction?

An effort is being made through the design process to minimize roadway and drainage impacts to existing walls. However, walls will be impacted in some areas.

Traffic & Access

What can be done to make it easier to enter and exit Happy Valley Road from nearby communities?

The proposed capacity improvements for Happy Valley Road, going from one lane to two lanes, will create wider gaps in existing traffic and, therefore, should make it easier to leave and enter the housing communities, golf course, church, and side streets that intersect with Happy Valley Road.

How will we be able to safely turn out of Eagles Glen (eastbound) without turn lanes?

As part of the Happy Valley Road project, a merge lane will be provided at Eagles Glen to enable drivers to merge into eastbound traffic.

What can the design do to address speeding on Happy Valley Road?

The addition of the roundabout at Golf Club Drive will help address speeding by requiring drivers to travel 20 miles per hour through the roundabout.

Will the speed limit on Happy Valley Road change?

On Happy Valley Road, the speed limit will remain 45 mph, which is the current posted speed.

Why can’t there be a roundabout or traffic signal at 92nd Street for Desert Skyline Estates?

The Happy Valley Road improvements project already includes proposed roundabouts at Alma School Road and at Golf Club Drive (Desert Highlands entrance) to better manage traffic access and speeds. While no traffic signal or other traffic controls are planned at the 92nd Street intersection, the Transportation Department will continue to monitor conditions and could conduct a warrant study if necessary after the project is complete.

Will there be raised median islands on Happy Valley Road?

Yes, a raised landscaped median island will be constructed on Happy Valley Road.

What about school buses that stop on Happy Valley?

School buses will continue to be able to stop on Happy Valley Road.

Traffic currently backs up from vehicles staging on Happy Valley Road, how will that be prevented or enforced?

Vehicles will no longer be able to stage on Happy Valley Road due to the installation of curb, gutter, and a roundabout. This will prevent vehicles from stopping without disrupting traffic flow. Residents can report issues to the Scottsdale Police Department if staging becomes a problem.

What will be done about the construction traffic that backs up at Golf Club Drive early in the morning?

The roundabout configuration and wider entrance at Desert Highlands are expected to alleviate backup issues. The project team will monitor the intersection post-construction to ensure traffic flows smoothly.

Is Happy Valley Road a truck route?

Yes, Happy Valley Road is classified as a minor arterial and is a permissible truck route per City of Scottsdale Ordinance 17-60. However, Happy Valley Road east of Alma School Road is an exception to this designation.

Why can’t Dynamite Boulevard be designated a truck route to relieve truck traffic from Happy Valley Road?

Dynamite Boulevard (Rio Verde Drive) is already designated as a truck route.

Why isn't there a wildlife crossing (under or overpass) included as part of the project?

Wildlife impacts were evaluated as part of the preserve improvements, and it was determined that incidents between vehicles and large animals were minimal. Smaller wildlife can use existing drainage culverts, and no specific crossing corridor has been identified that would necessitate a designed wildlife crossing.

Was a traffic analysis conducted to evaluate future traffic impacts?

Although no specific analysis was conducted for this project, it is part of Scottsdale's Transportation Master Plan. The plan designates Happy Valley Road as a minor arterial and ensures the project complies with city standards for such roadways. Regional traffic models maintained by MAG were used to assess traffic.

Construction may have Desert Highlands residents using their west access at Pima Road, can there be a traffic signal there for those who want to turn left (southbound) on Pima Road?

The current project limits do not extend far enough north to evaluate the need for a traffic signal at Pima/Desert Highlands. However, the city will work with the contractor during construction to address potential traffic challenges if necessary.

Will u-turns be permitted on Happy Valley Road for those with no left turn access?

For residents with no median openings for left turns onto Happy Valley Road, they can use the roundabouts at Golf Club Drive or Alma School Road, or make a u-turn at the next median opening or traffic signal at Pima Road.

How will the two-lane roundabout at Happy Valley and Alma School roads work?

Drivers approaching the roundabout must choose their lane based on their intended direction. For example, eastbound drivers in the left lane must go north on Alma School Road, while those in the right lane can either turn south or continue through the roundabout. The configuration is designed to improve traffic flow and safety.

Roundabouts

What does the City use for criteria when identifying suitable roadways for roundabouts?

The city considers criteria such as traffic volumes, patterns, and speed when deciding the best configuration for an intersection. Roundabouts are often a good option to improve safety, traffic flow, or capacity when there's a relatively moderate, balanced volume of traffic among all approaches to the intersection.

What criteria indicated a roundabout should be installed at Alma School?

Traffic volumes, patterns, and speed are considered when deciding the best configuration for an intersection. Roundabouts are often a good option to improve safety, traffic flow, or capacity when there's a relatively moderate, balanced volume of traffic among all approaches. The city also considers criteria such as traffic capacity analyses, right-of-way acquisition, safety (vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian), and roundabout geometrics when evaluating whether to implement a roundabout. The roundabout at Alma School Road was found to satisfy these considerations and was approved as the preferred alternative.

What criteria indicated a roundabout should be constructed at Golf Club Drive?

The Desert Highlands HOA completed a traffic warrant analysis, and a roundabout was determined to be a better option than a traffic signal. Benefits of a roundabout at Golf Club Drive include:

Decreased traffic delay

The roundabout will lessen traffic delays for side street traffic entering and exiting the 563 homes in Desert Highlands, the 150+ employees of Desert Highland Golf Club, and the 8 lots of Tres Casa on the south side of Happy Valley Road.

Faster commute times

The roundabout significantly reduces the number of vehicle stops and provides safe, continuous traffic flow at the intersection.

Enhanced operational safety

By eliminating high-speed left turn conflicts, the roundabout improves traffic safety for the Happy Valley Road corridor.

Calmer traffic

Calmer traffic improves safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Can roundabouts accommodate larger vehicles and trucks?

Yes, the roundabouts are designed to accommodate larger vehicles and trucks, such as tractor trailers.

Why can’t there be a roundabout or traffic signal at 92nd Street for Desert Skyline Estates?

The Happy Valley Road improvements project already includes proposed roundabouts at Alma School Road and Golf Club Drive to better manage traffic access and speeds. While no traffic signal or other traffic controls are planned at the 92nd Street intersection, the Transportation Department will continue to monitor operations and may run a traffic signal warrant study if necessary after construction is completed and traffic patterns normalize.