The Carlsbad City Council received its fifth semiannual traffic and mobility report Tuesday night, highlighting projects that have been completed, are in progress or planned for the future. The City Council declared mobility to be one of the top three city priorities for this fiscal year, along with homelessness/affordable housing and economic revitalization.
The report noted the city Transportation Department’s accomplishments for the last six months, including:
Removed more than 568 tons of roadway debris and 36 tons of storm drain sediment
Replaced 13,000 square feet of sidewalks within the city’s right-of-way
Replaced 175 signs damaged in traffic accidents
Resolved 1,054 streetlight and electrical maintenance service requests
Responded to 1,411 storm drain maintenance requests
Completed design for nine traffic safety and speed reducing projects in neighborhoods
Continued connecting more intersections to the smart traffic signal system to keep traffic flowing smoothly on city streets throughout the day
Implemented touch-free pedestrian signals at key locations in the Village and along the Coast
Completed the design for hybrid pedestrian traffic signal at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street, a key intersection next to Valley Middle School and down the street from Magnolia Elementary School
City Council approval of the National U.S. Bicycle Route 95 designation on Carlsbad Boulevard to promote bicycle use and tourism in Carlsbad
Completed construction of traffic signals at the intersections of Poinsettia Lane and Cassia Road, and Poinsettia Lane and Skimmer Court/Oriole Court
Completed engineering design of the Barrio lighting project Phase 1
Another major accomplishment within the Transportation Department is the City Council adoption of the Sustainable Mobility Plan, which describes the existing citywide transportation network and considers a future network highlighting:
Bicycle, pedestrian and ADA improvements
Connected walking, cycling, transit and trail networks
Programs like Safe Routes to Schools and cycling education to encourage active transportation
Public transit
Prioritized infrastructure improvements to enhance safety and connectivity citywide
Mobility hubs featuring car-share and bike-share services
Improvements in underserved communities
Ways to get people to drive alone less, and instead walk, bike, ride transit or carpool more
There are a number of traffic enhancements around El Camino Real that are still ongoing and long-term projects such as:
Pedestrian improvements and additional northbound lane at El Camino Real and Cannon Road
Construction anticipated to begin spring 2021 at Cannon Road
Pedestrian and ADA improvements at El Camino Real and College Blvd
Completed engineering design
Construction anticipated in 2021
Building the uncompleted segment of College Boulevard from Cannon Road to El Camino Real
Staff is currently soliciting consultant qualifications for preliminary design and environmental services
Widening of El Camino Real from Arenal Road to La Costa Ave
Started project design and environmental review
Anticipating award of construction contract in late 2022
