Traffic study finds VA clinic will be manageable; consultant recommends staged road extensions and access spacing

A traffic study presented to the Baxter City Council concluded that a planned Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic — roughly 50,000 square feet — would generate about 1,870 vehicle trips per day and would not by itself require new roadway connections to maintain acceptable traffic operations, but the study recommended targeted long-term roadway extensions and intersection controls as development continues.

Study findings and methodology

The traffic consultant told the council the clinic is projected to produce about 1,870 daily trips, with an estimated 137 trips during the AM peak hour and higher volumes in the PM peak. The analysis examined five scenarios including existing 2023 baseline counts, 2027 and 2032 no-build scenarios and build scenarios with and without north–south connections, using industry-standard horizon years (opening in 2027 and a five-year follow-up in 2032).

Operational conclusions and access recommendations

The consultant reported most neighborhood intersections along Edgewood Drive would operate at acceptable levels (local service B), while some movements on Highway 371 operate at LOS E due largely to long signal cycles. Adding a north–south connection produced only marginal system-wide delay improvements (about 0.6 seconds per vehicle) but does provide a second access and choice of route for traffic.

On access spacing, the consultant advised moving the eastern Nevada access 70–200 ft west so it is at least 100 ft from a nearby Quick Trip access to allow a left-turn lane, recommended roughly 260 ft between the western access and the proposed new roundabout for sight distance, and noted the Lake Forest Road access meets spacing standards at about 600 ft south of Nevada Road.

Recommendations and next steps

Although the VA clinic was not found to cause significant traffic degradation under current assumptions, the consultant recommended that the developer extend the road to Lake Forest Road, extend Lake Forest Road south to the southern property line, and construct the main intersection as a roundabout in the long term to avoid costly future reconstruction. The consultant also recommended that public-works stubs for sewer and water be placed now to avoid tearing up new streets later.

Council action

Acceptance of the traffic-impact study and related VA clinic development agreements, construction and maintenance agreements and easement documents were included on the council’s consent agenda and approved without separate roll-call debate.

Timing and procurement

Staff listed the VA clinic development and related construction documents among consent items approved by the council; the traffic study was accepted as part of the record and its access and spacing recommendations will inform permit and project review as the development proceeds.