HomeMy WebLinkAboutUniversity Towne Center TIA Addendum 1
www.focusutah.com 6949 South High Tech Drive
Suite 200
Midvale, UT 84047
801.352.0075
To: City of Rexburg From: Jason Watson, PE, PTOE
FOCUS Engineering & Surveying, LLC
File: University Towne Center TIA Date: January 9, 2026
Addendum 1 to Traffic Impact Study for the University Towne Center dated October 29,
2025.
This addendum is to address the comments that were provided by Justin Beard with
Rexburg City in an email dated January 7, 2026. The comments were provided with
respect to the University Towne Center – Traffic Impact Study dated October 29, 2025.
This memo presents the comment provided with the response and necessary
documentation or analysis to support how the comments is being addressed.
University/Yellowstone Intersection:
I think the model is showing that the EBL is at LOS D under existing condition, but there are
a couple of statements that say that all intersections currently meet the city’s minimum
thresholds – in the executive summary and in the line under Table 9.
Under existing conditions, the eastbound left movement functions with failing levels of
service based on the City of Rexburg’s requirements. The statements throughout the
report referred to the overall eastbound approach and the intersection level of service.
Under existing conditions, to improve the eastbound left movement, it is recommended
that a second dedicated eastbound left turn lane be constructed with a protected
signal phase. It is also recommended a dedicated southbound right turn lane be
constructed with a permissive + overlap signal phase to improve the intersections LOS.
The following table illustrates the expected levels of service and MOE’s to the Yellowstone
Highway and University Blvd intersection under the 2027 Phase 1 Background conditions
with the above-mentioned mitigations.
Table 1 – 2025 Existing Traffic Level of Service Mitigated
Intersection MOE's AM Peak PM Peak
1 Yellowstone Hwy &
University Blvd
Intersection LOS B B
Intersection Delay (s/veh) 19.3 19.6
Intersection v/c 0.46 0.41
Worst Lane Group MOEs C / 0.70 (EBL) C / 0.72 (EBL)
Since the scenario is under the 2025 Existing conditions, we did not make a
recommendation to mitigate this until the 2027 Background scenario as this mitigation
would most likely not be able to be completed until this timeframe.
Addendum 1 - University Towne Center Comment Response Memo
Page 2 of 3
6949 South High Tech Drive
Suite 200
Midvale, UT 84047
801.352.0075
www.focusutah.com
Did the model show the southbound right turn lane is needed to keep the intersection at
a LOS C or better? I didn’t see this in the model printouts, but maybe I missed something.
Or is the recommendation that the right turn be added based on the volume of traffic in
the right lane and the need for a deceleration lane?
Yes, it was determined that the dedicated southbound right turn lane was needed to
maintain a LOS C or better at the intersection. When changing the eastbound left turn to
a protected movement the existing split phase signal timing could no longer be used.
This change caused excessive delays along the southbound right movement due to its
high volume.
Yellowstone/Access:
What is the necessary length of the deceleration lane at the access on Yellowstone?
With the proposed development, a queuing analysis was performed to determine the
adequate queue length for the northbound right turn lane at the Yellowstone Highway
and Access 1 intersection. The queuing analysis was performed using the 95th percentile
queue lengths from the 12th Edition Sim Traffic Software. Ten separate simulations were
run using Sim Traffic and the average over those ten runs is used to determine the 95th
percentile queuing lengths.
2027 Phase 1 Total Traffic Recommended Storage Length
Using the proposed traffic volumes as illustrated in Figure 14 – 2027 Phase 1 Total Traffic
scenario, the following queue length was determined at the Yellowstone Highway and
Access 1 intersection.
Table 2 – 2027 Phase 1 Total Traffic Recommended Deceleration Length
Movement Existing Decel
Length (ft)
2027 Phase 1 Total Traffic
95th Percentile Recommended
Decel Length AM PM
4: Yellowstone Highway & Access 1
NBR - 8 10 105
Yellowstone Highway & Access 1:
With the full buildout of Phase 1 of the University Towne Center, it is recommended the
dedicated northbound right turn lane along Yellowstone Highway at Access 1 be
constructed with a deceleration length of 105 feet.
Is an acceleration lane warranted at the access on Yellowstone?
The westbound right turn approach at Access 1 functions with a level of service B or
better through the 2040 Total Traffic scenario, it is not recommended an acceleration
Addendum 1 - University Towne Center Comment Response Memo
Page 3 of 3
6949 South High Tech Drive
Suite 200
Midvale, UT 84047
801.352.0075
www.focusutah.com
lane be constructed at the Yellowstone Highway and Access 1 intersection. Refer to the
appendix of the University Towne Center TIA to see a detailed view of the intersection
capacity analysis. Based on the amount of traffic making the eastbound right turn in
relation to the number of northbound thru vehicles, not acceleration lane is warranted.
University Blvd/Mikan/Tamana:
Are deceleration or acceleration lanes warranted to be added at Mikan Drive or Tamana
Drive on University Blvd? And if so, at what phase will those need to be added?
Refer to the attached Rexburg Lot 6 Retail Phase 1 University Blvd Access Memo dated
May 19, 2025. With the close proximity of Tamana Drive and Mikan Drive, vehicles making
a right turn from University Blvd onto Tamana Drive and the McDonalds access, the
required acceleration length is not able to be met. It is not recommended to construct
acceleration lanes where the full acceleration lengths cannot be obtained as it
introduces safety concerns and a false sense for vehicles to make a safe turning
movement.
We appreciate you taking the time to review this traffic study. Please feel free to contact
me with any questions or comments.
01/15/26
www.focusutah.com 6949 South High Tech Drive
Suite 200
Midvale, UT 84047
801.352.0075
To: City of Rexburg From: Jason Watson, PE, PTOE
FOCUS Engineering & Surveying, LLC
File: Rexburg Lot 6 Retail Phase 1
University Access
Date: May 19, 2025
Reference: Rexburg Lot 6 Retail Phase I University Blvd Access
This memorandum is in response to the need for an acceleration lane at the eastern
access to the Rexburg Mixed-Use Development off University Blvd (1055 and 1057
Tamana Drive). This proposed access is located east of Tamana Drive. As part of this
development, this new roadway connection will be constructed with a separate right
turn deceleration lane along University Blvd. There has been discussion on the need for
an acceleration lane along University Blvd. for vehicles exiting the development.
University Blvd. currently has a posted speed limit of 45 mph east of Tamana Drive. With
the proposed access located east of Tamana Drive, an acceleration lane for vehicles
traveling westbound along University Blvd. would need to meet the design standards for
a design speed of 50 mph. Typically design speed is 5 to 10 mph above the posted speed
limit per AASHTO Design Standards. In order to meet the design standards for an
acceleration lane with a design speed of 50 mph, the length of acceleration would need
to be 885 feet, with a 50 to 1 taper back into the existing westbound through lane. With
the close proximity of Tamana Drive and vehicles making a right turn from University Blvd.
onto Tamana Drive, the required acceleration length is not able to be met.
Therefore, it is not recommended an acceleration lane be constructed from the new
proposed access east of Tamana Drive onto University Blvd. There is not adequate
distance between this new access and Tamana Drive to provide a safe and efficient
acceleration lane. The weave of traffic merging onto University Blvd. and vehicles trying
to make a right turn onto Tamana Drive would be unsafe and is not recommended.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
FOCUS ENGINEERING & SURVEYING, LLC
Jason Watson, PE, PTOE
Transportation Department Manager
801.352.0075
jwatson@focus-es.com
05/19/25