Chapter 12.04
STREET CLASSIFICATION AND DESIGN STANDARDS
Sections:
12.04.010 Classification of streets.
12.04.020 Street classification map.
12.04.030 Street classifications.
12.04.040 Right-of-way width.
12.04.050 Traffic way width.
12.04.060 Construction and design standards.
12.04.070 Streets—Acceptance for maintenance.
12.04.010 Classification of streets.
Streets within the city shall be classified by primary function with consideration for frequency of use. The classification of a street may, as a result of change of primary function or frequency of use, be changed by resolution of the city council. (Prior code § 14.10.010)
12.04.020 Street classification map.
A map of the streets within the city shall be maintained at the city offices and designated as the city “street classification map.” This map shall indicate the classification of all streets within the city, and be approved by the council upon recommendation of the planning and utilities commission. (Prior code § 14.10.020)
12.04.030 Street classifications.
Streets in the city shall be classified according to the categories described herein. When different portions of a street serves different functions, those portions may be classified according to the primary function.
A. Low Density. A low density street provides minimal access to rural portions of the city where tracts of land are typically, five acres or larger in size. Traffic density should be in the range of fifty (50) to one hundred (100) vehicles per day, and speeds are expected to be slow. Maintenance will be low priority for city road crews. A low density road standard is generally acceptable only for subdivisions that meet the requirements of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough waiver process. Subsequent subdivisions or development may require upgrade of low density streets to a minimum of local/residential standards.
B. Local/Residential Streets. A local/residential street provides movement of local traffic from individual properties to collector and arterial streets. Lower traffic speeds and volumes of less than two hundred (200) annual average daily traffic (AADT) are expected. Residential streets are typical subdivision, subdivision feeder streets, and cul-de-sacs. Direct access to adjacent private property with individual driveways is common and acceptable.
C. Commercial Streets. Commercial streets provide access to and movement through business, industrial, retail and other commercial areas of the city. Traffic volumes are expected to be high, and speed limits should not exceed thirty-five (35) m.p.h. On-street parking may be accommodated and intensive traffic control achieved through the use of signs, signalization and, where appropriate, one-way traffic.
D. Minor Collector Streets. A minor collector street provides for movement from subdivisions and residential streets to major collector roads, arterial roads and highways. Minor collectors may also carry traffic from one neighborhood to another, or from one neighborhood to other areas of the community. Traffic volumes range from under 400 AADT to more than 2000 AADT. Although design speeds on flat terrain are fifty (50) m.p.h., most collector traffic speeds are generally expected to be twenty-five (25) to thirty-five (35) m.p.h. Direct access to private property is acceptable when other access is not available, or should be limited to intervals that do not inhibit traffic flow and public safety.
E. Major Collector Streets. Major collector streets provide for intercity movement and access to arterial and interstate roads, as well as connecting traffic to and from residential areas. Traffic volumes will be high and driving speeds should be at least thirty-five (35) m.p.h., except in congested urban areas. Access should be limited to other collector streets and commercial streets. Direct access from low density and local/residential streets should be discouraged. (Prior code § 14.10.030)
12.04.040 Right-of-way width.
The right-of-way width standards described herein are intended to serve as guides for obtaining and preserving rights-of-way.
A. Local/residential 60 feet
B. Local/residential 60 feet
C. Commercial 60 feet
D. Minor collector 100 feet
E. Major collector 100 feet
(Prior code § 14.10.040)
12.04.050 Traffic way width.
The minimum traffic way width for surfacing and graded shoulders of city streets are indicated below. Graded shoulder width is measured from the edge of the traveled surface or pavement to the beginning of the should slope:
A. Low density Surface--20 feet; shoulder--none
B. Local/residential Surface--20 feet; Shoulder--4 feet
C. **Commercial Surface--28 feet; Shoulder--4 feet **
D. Minor collector Surface--24 feet; Shoulder--4-8 feet
E. Major collector Surface--24 feet; Shoulder--8 feet
**Commercial streets shall be paved.
(Prior code § 14.10.050)
12.04.060 Construction and design standards.
A. Construction Standards. Construction methods, materials and quality control for construction of city streets shall be in accordance with the current city standard specifications or state of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, as modified or approved by the city engineer.
B. Design Standards. Design standards shall be in accordance with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough design standards as modified or approved by the city engineer. (Prior code § 14.10.060)
12.04.070 Streets—Acceptance for maintenance.
The public works director may accept for routine maintenance, streets, inside or bordering the city limits, that are constructed according to the standards specified in this chapter and are within dedicated right-of-way or easements dedicated for public use. (Ord. 01-44(AM) § 2, 2001: Prior code § 14.10.070)