PIEDMONT — The City Council at its Monday meeting supported proposed traffic-calming measures to enhance pedestrian safety and hopefully curb speeding vehicles in targeted areas.
City engineer John Wanger reviewed plans for busy Oakland Avenue at El Cerrito and Jerome avenues. Proposed at El Cerrito Avenue is a four-corner bulb-out design that will shorten the pedestrian crossing and provide greater visibility. It will include bright, rapid flashing beacons (brighter than current beacons) with user-activated buttons, new pedestrian ramps on each corner and refreshed street paint. Jerome Avenue would have similar measures, including elimination of the existing crosswalk at Latham Avenue. Both areas are routes for children walking or bicycling to school.
“Traffic accidents have gone up,” Councilwoman Betsy Andersen said. “I receive many comments about fast drivers and distracted driving. We need to take action. It’s a high priority.”
The fixes are expensive, estimated at $500,000 to $750,000. Council members suggested looking at less costly improvements if possible. Public Works Director Chester Nakahara said Measures B and BB funds would be used along with possibly gas tax revenues and some general fund monies.
Several speakers told the council they supported the plans and that people often have to dodge cars to cross the street or that crossing guards are ignored. Police Chief Jeremy Bowers has said there is still a problem despite flashing speed signs to remind drivers to slow down somewhat curbing motorists speeding down Oakland Avenue.
The other project would address traffic calming at Grand and Fairview avenues, Oakland at Greenbank avenues and Magnolia Avenue at Nova Drive, which is underway. The Nova Drive plan would install an island “refuge” with street paint, lane delineators and signage at a nominal cost.
Area residents said cut-through traffic at Fairview and Greenbank are big problems exacerbated by the one-lane traffic on Grand Avenue, the new “road diet” there. The plan for Greenbank/Fairview traffic calming is proposed striping and bollards, which are short posts affixed in the ground to create a protective perimeter and guide traffic. The Greenbank/Fairview plan’s cost is estimated at $10,000 to $20,000.
Resident Marissa Strong said she is acutely aware of bicycling and pedestrian safety for her two small children; she frequently bicycles around town and supports any plan that would enhance safety. Nakahara said he would obtain traffic counts on problem streets and report back to the council. Staff will return to the council with cost estimates on each project and any modifications to plans.
“With the reconstruction at the high school, the next few years will be (traffic-) impacted,” Councilwoman Teddy King said. “We need to get ahead of these problems.”
For illustrations of the proposed projects, visit ci.piedmont.ca.us and click on staff reports for the April 15 meeting.
