HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-09; City Council; ; Update on the Barrio Traffic Circles Project and Selecting a Traffic Calming Option for Two of the Eight IntersectionsCA Review CKM
Meeting Date: Jan. 9, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Staff Contact: Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
tom.frank@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2766
Lauren Ferrell, Associate Engineer
lauren.ferrell@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2558
Subject: Update on the Barrio Traffic Circles Project and Selecting a Traffic
Calming Option for Two of the Eight Intersections
District: 1
Recommended Action
Receive an update; and
1)Adopt a resolution approving curb extensions at the intersections of (1) Palm Avenue and
Harding Street and (2) Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street for the Barrio Traffic Circles
Project; or
2)Adopt a resolution approving raised medians at the intersections of (1) Palm Avenue and
Harding Street and (2) Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street for the Barrio Traffic Circles
Project.
Executive Summary
As part of an overall goal of improving traffic safety and walkability, the Village & Barrio Master
Plan calls for adding traffic circles and other traffic calming features at several intersections in
the Barrio area. Based on existing conditions and community feedback, staff have designed the
following as part of the Barrio Traffic Circles Project, Capital Improvement Program Project No.
4015:
•Traffic circles at five intersections
•Enhanced visibility crosswalks at one intersection
•Either curb extensions or raised medians at two intersections where traffic circles were
not feasible
Staff are seeking the City Council’s approval on the preferred design option at the two
intersections where there is a choice between curb extensions and raised medians. The two
intersections are located at Palm Avenue and Harding Street and Magnolia Avenue and
Madison Street. Staff recommend curb extensions for both intersections, because they would
preserve more on-street parking than the raised median options.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 1 of 25
Explanation & Analysis
Given the flat terrain and proximity to the beach, Village area and Coastal Rail Trail, the Barrio is
a neighborhood ideal for walking and biking. That’s why the Village and Barrio Master Plan,
approved by the City Council in 2019, recommended adding traffic circles and other design
features that would slow down traffic, encourage safer driving behaviors, and make walking
and biking more inviting.
What are traffic circles?
The second-highest cause of injury collisions in Carlsbad is violating signs and signals, followed
by improper turning. Traffic circles address both causes by making physical changes to the road,
which results in drivers slowing down and paying more attention to their surroundings. Traffic
circles also eliminate direct left turns.
Traffic circles are typically used in neighborhoods rather than major thoroughfares. They have a
smaller footprint than roundabouts, which typically can fit within public right-of-way and place
crosswalks closer to the intersection without physical splitter islands to serve as refuge for
pedestrians.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 2 of 25
Traffic circles have been used successfully at other intersections in Carlsbad, including the
intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Jefferson Street in the Barrio. This design was
recommended in the Village & Barrio Master Plan because it is the best solution to discourage
speeding and improve safety in a way that fits a residential neighborhood setting. Traffic circles
were also recommended because they can fit within the public right-of-way and be used for
public art or decorated to fit the local character.
Proposed project
As staff began developing designs for this project, three intersections emerged as poor
candidates for traffic circles:
• The Boys & Girls Club expressed concern about a traffic circle at Oak Avenue and
Roosevelt Street because of potential interference with buses and cars queuing to drop
off and pick up kids. Since the intersection already has an existing all-way stop, the
project team proposed enhanced crosswalks as an alternative, which was acceptable to
the Boys & Girls Club management team and was supported by the Traffic Safety &
Mobility Commission.
• The available street right-of-way at the intersections of Palm Avenue and Harding Street
and Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street was too constrained to fit traffic circles.
As a result, staff are proposing the project include these features:
Oak Avenue and Jefferson Street Traffic circle
Pine Avenue and Harding Street Traffic circle
Chestnut Avenue and Madison Street Traffic circle
Chestnut Avenue and Roosevelt Street Traffic circle
Pine Avenue and Madison Street Traffic circle
Oak Avenue and Roosevelt Street Enhanced crosswalks
Palm Avenue and Harding Street Curb extension or raised median
Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street Curb extension or raised median
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 3 of 25
Alternatives to traffic circles
Two options have been identified for the intersections of Palm Avenue and Harding Street and
Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street:
Option 1 - Curb extensions
Curb extensions are placed at intersections to encourage slower turning speeds, increase the
visibility of pedestrians and tighten the intersection – which encourages slower vehicle speeds –
and to shorten the distance pedestrians must travel to cross the street.
Option 2 - Raised medians
Raised medians are placed in the middle of roadways to narrow traffic lanes and require
horizontal deflection to slow vehicle traffic. They serve as a physical change, which requires
drivers to slow down, and they can also provide a refuge for pedestrians crossing the street.
Since they are installed in the middle of the roadway, the vehicle lane and bike lane shift
toward the curb, eliminating more on-street parking spots than a curb extension would.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 4 of 25
Parking considerations
Traffic calming features often require on-street parking spaces near the intersection to be
eliminated. The estimated number of on-street parking spaces that would be eliminated as a
result of the traffic circles and enhanced crosswalks are:
Intersection Feature Spaces
Oak Avenue and Jefferson Street Traffic circle 5
Pine Avenue and Harding Street Traffic circle 7
Chestnut Avenue and Madison Street Traffic circle 11
Chestnut Avenue and Roosevelt Street Traffic circle 13
Pine Avenue and Madison Street Traffic circle 10
Oak Avenue and Roosevelt Street Enhanced crosswalks 0
For the two intersections that cannot accommodate traffic circles, curb extensions would
require the elimination of far fewer on-street parking spaces than the raised median option, as
shown in the table below:
Intersection Curb extension* Raised medians
Palm Avenue and Harding Street up to 1 26
Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street up to 2 19
* Concept level estimate; design to determine exact number needed
Exhibit 3 shows the parking impacts at the seven affected intersections.
Village and Barrio parking study
The Village & Barrio Master Plan requires an annual parking study to be completed to monitor
parking availability at different times of the day and days of the week. The most recent study
was completed in 2022. The 2023 parking study is nearing completion and is scheduled to be
released for public review, along with updates to the city’s Parking Management Plan, in early
2024.
Based on the data collected, parking use in the Barrio did not change significantly between
2022 and 2023.
Parking needs
While the Barrio generally has adequate parking to meet the current needs, some areas are
considered “hot spots” at certain times of the day and days of the week when on-street parking
is between 85% and 100% utilized. In addition to the city’s Parking Management Plan, a parking
analysis was prepared specific to the Barrio traffic circles project in 2023. The areas where
traffic circles are proposed have adequate parking available during all days and times, and the
project will not have a significant impact on parking availability in the study area.
According to the Village and Barrio parking study, the Madison Street and Magnolia Avenue
intersection has hot spots on weekdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 6 a.m. to
9 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Because of this, staff recommend using curb extensions
instead of raised medians to meet this project’s goals. Curb extensions would provide safety
enhancements while preserving nearly all on street parking.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 5 of 25
Parking availability
Project timing
Since the original project schedule was proposed, two things have caused it to be delayed:
Traffic safety emergency
On Aug. 23, 2022, the city proclaimed a traffic safety emergency. The city reprioritized some
planned projects to focus on the areas with the highest incidents of injury collisions. The map
below shows the concentration of injury collisions in the Barrio (see inset) compared to other
areas in the city. Staff continued to work on the Barrio traffic calming project during the
emergency proclamation; however, progress was slow during this time.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 6 of 25
Injury collisions heat map
Federal grant
The city worked with U.S. Rep. Mike Levin in 2021 to secure $4 million in federal funding for
construction of the Barrio traffic calming project. This funding will help offset the cost of
construction.
To obtain the grant, the city was required to complete more technical studies and obtain
additional environmental clearances due to rules associated with federal funding. This
additional work further delayed the project’s completion.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 7 of 25
Phased plan
To complete this project as quickly as possible, staff have developed the following phased plan:
Phase 1
Finalize engineering plans and contract documents to prepare for construction of
improvements at the following six intersections:
• Oak Avenue and Roosevelt Street - Crosswalk striping improvements at the existing all-
way stop
• Oak Avenue and Jefferson Street - traffic circle
• Pine Avenue and Madison Street - traffic circle
• Pine Avenue and Harding Street - traffic circle with public art
• Chestnut Avenue and Roosevelt Street - traffic circle
• Chestnut Avenue and Madison Street - traffic circle
Phase 2
• Complete design for either a curb extension design or a raised median design at the
intersections of Palm Avenue and Harding Street and Magnolia Avenue and Madison
Street
• Complete construction of improvements at these two intersections
Public art
Staff have begun the community engagement process for a new public artwork that will be
placed in the middle of the traffic circle at Harding Street and Pine Avenue, one of the main
gateways into the Barrio. This input will help inform the call for artists for this project. A public
art subcommittee will then evaluate artist proposals and vote to select the artist.
The community will continue to be engaged during the development of this new artwork, the
timing of which is being planned concurrently with the engineering design of the traffic circles.
Community Engagement
The Barrio Traffic Circles Project, previously called the Village and Barrio Traffic Circles Project,
was developed as part of the Village & Barrio Master Plan, which included significant input from
the community. Since that time, staff have kept the community informed about the project and
invited feedback.
Staff presented project updates to the Traffic & Mobility Commission (now called the Traffic
Safety & Mobility Commission) in April 2020 and September 2021.
Most recently, staff have notified affected property owners, business owners and residents of
the proposed designs and anticipated parking impacts. These community members were
invited to contact the city’s project manager with questions or concerns. The next step is to
present an update on the project to the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission, which will
provide an opportunity for the broader community to learn about the plans and provide
feedback. Staff are targeting this presentation for early 2024.
Staff will return to the City Council for approval of the plans and specifications and
authorization to bid Phase 1 for construction, which is anticipated to be in spring 2024.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 8 of 25
Fiscal Analysis
The current estimate of the range of construction costs is between $7 million and $10 million.
There is just over $10 million currently appropriated in the project’s budget.
The funding for the project comes from TransNet – the countywide sales tax collected for
regional transportation projects, the gas tax, and $4 million of the federal grant from the
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending program .
Once the project’s preliminary designs are completed and a construction cost estimate is
developed, staff will return to the City Council with a request to authorize bidding on the
construction contract, along with an analysis of whether additional funds will be needed to
award the contract.
Options
Staff provide the following options for the City Council’s consideration:
1. Adopt a resolution approving curb extensions at the intersections of Palm Avenue and
Harding Street and Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street
Pros
• Minimal street parking would need to be eliminated in areas with high parking
demands
• Adequately meets the project goals to slow down traffic and enhance walkability
• Results in the least delay of the overall project timeline and next steps for
approval and construction
Cons
• Vehicle drivers may not be used to the tighter curb radius requiring slower
cornering speeds, so some drivers may complain about the change.
2. Adopt a resolution approving raised medians at the intersections of Palm Avenue and
Harding Street and Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street
Pros
• This option meets the project goals to slow down traffic and enhance walkability
Cons
• Results in the loss of 45 parking spots in areas with high parking demands next to
residential homes, apartment buildings and sports fields
• Requires additional time and funding to provide a new professional services
agreement to the consultant for design and construction support
• Would add approximately 10-12 months to the completion of Phase 2. (This will
not affect grant eligibility.)
Neither option would affect the timing of Phase 1, which includes the five traffic circles and one
crosswalk enhancements.
Staff recommend Option 1 for the City Council’s approval because it provides an improvement
in safety and walkability while preserving on-street parking.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 9 of 25
Next Steps
Early 2024 Community outreach
Continue outreach to community members who may be impacted by the
project
Share designs more broadly with the Barrio community and other
stakeholders and promote the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission
meeting in which the project will be presented
Early 2024 Caltrans Coordination
Continue coordination with Caltrans for right-of-way certification,
request for authorization and authorization to proceed to release the
grant funding programmed for construction
Early 2024 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission support
Present final designs for Phase 1, traffic circles and enhanced crosswalks
to the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission and seek support of staff’s
recommendation for City Council approval
Spring 2024 City Council approval
Seek City Council approval of the plans and specifications for Phase 1 and
authorization to bid for construction of the project
Spring 2024 Phase 1 out to bid
Continue to work on designs for Phase 2
Fall 2024 City Council approval
Seek City Council approval of the construction contractor selected
through the bidding process
Fall/Winter 2024-
2025
Construction of Phase 1 begins
Present Phase 2 designs to the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission for
support
Present Phase 2 designs to the City Council for approval of plans and
specifications and authorization to bid for construction of the project
Mid-2025 Phase 2 out to bid1
Late 2025 City Council approval
Seek City Council approval of the construction contractor selected
through the bidding process
Phase 1 construction completed
Early 2026 Phase 2 construction begins
Fall 2026 Project completed
1Assumes Option 2 is selected. If Option 1 is selected, the schedule, which is still under development, will be
shorter.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 10 of 25
Environmental Evaluation
The decision to approve either curb extensions or raised medians at the intersections of Palm
Avenue and Harding Street and Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street is exempt from further
environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, in accordance
with CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(d) – New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.
Curb extensions or raised medians would qualify as a Class 3 exemption under Section
15303(d). Class 3 exemptions consist of construction and location new installations, expansions
of existing utilities and facilities. A notice of exemption was prepared by the City Planner for the
project in accordance with the CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061 and 15062 and advertised and
posted on the city’s website on Dec. 28, 2023. Since no appeal was filed, the City Planner’s
written decision is final.
This project is also subject to the National Environmental Policy Act because federal funds are
being used for the project. Staff worked with the California Department of Transportation to
obtain this federal environmental clearance for the project. Additional studies were required
and have been completed and approved by Caltrans. Caltrans concluded the National
Environmental Policy Act clearance process and provided a categorical exclusion determination
for the project on May 5, 2023. With the appropriate environmental clearances in place, all the
city’s procedural requirements and relevant aspects of CEQA and National Environmental Policy
Act have been satisfied.
Exhibits
1. City Council resolution to approve a curb extension option (Option 1)
2. City Council resolution to approve raised median option (Option 2)
3. Maps of parking impacts
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 11 of 25
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-013
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CURB EXTENSIONS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF (1)
PALM AVENUE AND HARDING STREET AND (2) MAGNOLIA AVENUE AND
MADISON STREET FOR THE BARRIO TRAFFIC CIRCLES PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has determined that it is necessary,
desirable, and in the public interest to improve traffic safety and walkability at intersections in the
Barrio area as part of the Village and Barrio Master Plan, and the Barrio Traffic Circles Project, Capital
Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 4015, or Project; and
WHEREAS, curb extensions at intersections encourage slower turning speeds, increase the
visibility of pedestrians and shorten the pedestrian crossing distances that would slow down traffic;
and
WHEREAS, curb extensions would result in minimal on-street parking loss; and
WHEREAS, curb extension design meets the project goals to slow down traffic and enhance
walkability; and
WHEREAS, curb extension design would result in the least delay of the overall project timeline
for implementation; and
WHEREAS, the City Planner studied the project and performed the necessary investigations to
determine if the project qualified for an exemption in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act, or CEQA (Public Resources Code section 21000 et. seq.), its implementing regulations (the
CEQA Guidelines, Article 14 of the California Code of Regulations section 15000 et. seq.), and the
National Environmental Policy Acy, or NEPA. The City Planner determined the project was exempt in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines section 15303(d) applicable to new construction or conversion of
small structures. The city distributed a notice of determination to adopt the exemption on Dec. 28,
2023. The city did not receive any comment letters on the CEQA findings and determinations. Since
federal funds are being applied to this project, this project is also subject to the NEPA. Caltrans
concluded NEPA clearance and provided a categorical exclusion determination for the project on
May 5, 2023. No further CEQA environmental analysis is required and all aspects of CEQA and NEPA
have been satisfied.
Exhibit 1
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 12 of 25
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1.That the above recitations are true and correct.
2.That the City Council approves curb extensions at the intersections of (1) Palm Avenue
and Harding Street and (2) Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street for the Barrio Traffic
Circles Project, CIP Project No. 4015.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the 9th day of January, 2024, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Luna.
None.
None.
None.
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 13 of 25
Exhibit 2
RESOLUTION NO. .
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING RAISED MEDIANS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF (1)
PALM AVENUE AND HARDING STREET AND (2) MAGNOLIA AVENUE AND
MADISON STREET FOR THE BARRIO TRAFFIC CIRCLES PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California has determined that it is necessary,
desirable, and in the public interest to improve traffic safety and walkability at intersections in the
Barrio area as part of the Village and Barrio Master Plan, and the Barrio Traffic Circles Project, Capital
Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 4015, or Project; and
WHEREAS, raised medians placed in the middle of the roadway to narrow traffic lanes that serve
as physical changes to the street encourage drivers to slow down and can provide a refuge for
pedestrian crossings; and
WHEREAS, raised medians meet the project goals to slow down traffic and enhance walkability;
and
WHEREAS, the City Planner studied the project and performed the necessary investigations to
determine if the project qualified for an exemption in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act, or CEQA (Public Resources Code section 21000 et. seq.), its implementing regulations (the
CEQA Guidelines, Article 14 of the California Code of Regulations section 15000 et. seq.), and the
National Environmental Policy Acy, or NEPA. The City Planner determined the project was exempt in
accordance with CEQA Guidelines section 15303(d) applicable to new construction or conversion of
small structures. The city distributed a notice of determination to adopt the exemption on Dec. 28,
2023. The city did not receive any comment letters on the CEQA findings and determinations. Since
federal funds are being applied to this project, this project is also subject to the NEPA. Caltrans
concluded NEPA clearance and provided a categorical exclusion determination for the project on
May 5, 2023. No further CEQA environmental analysis is required and all aspects of CEQA and NEPA
have been satisfied.
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 14 of 25
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as
follows:
1. That the above recitations are true and correct.
2. That the City Council approves raised medians at the intersections of (1) Palm Avenue
and Harding Street and (2) Magnolia Avenue and Madison Street for the Barrio Traffic
Circles Project, CIP Project No. 4015.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the __ day of ________, 2024, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 15 of 25
EXHIBIT 3
Maps of Parking Impacts
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 16 of 25
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Oak
A
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X
X
X
X
X
Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 17 of 25
Pine
A
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e
H
a
r
d
i
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g
S
t
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 18 of 25
M
a
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s
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S
t
Ches
t
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u
t
A
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X
Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 19 of 25
Ches
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A
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R
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s
e
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l
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S
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X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
XX
X X
Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 20 of 25
M
a
d
i
s
o
n
S
t
Pine
A
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e
X
X
X
X
X
XXX
XX
Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 21 of 25
M
a
d
i
s
o
n
S
t
Magnolia Ave
X
Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 22 of 25
Magnolia Ave
M
a
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i
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X XXXX
XXXXXXX
X XXXXXX
Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 23 of 25
Palm
A
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H
a
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d
i
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g
S
t
X X
Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 24 of 25
X X
X X
X
XX
X X
X
X
X
X
X
XXX
XX
X
X
X X
X
X X
H
a
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i
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Palm
A
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Removal of street parking
Jan. 9, 2024 Item #14 Page 25 of 25
3495 Madison St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
ps -Another dangerous trend we have noticed on Magnolia is the tendency of drivers to encroach into the bike la ne
while taking the blind right-hand curve as Magnolia turns into Roosevelt. Please consider adding bollards (or similar) to
the outer edge of the bike lane to prevent cars from encroaching during this turn. (If measures are not taken, it is only a
matter of time before a car hits a cyclist or pedestrian in the bike lane while taking this turn.) If we should raise this
concern in another way, please let us know.
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