On Monday, city staff will discuss several important traffic safety projects with the Traffic & Mobility Commission.
Some of the topics include:
- Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue improvements – options for reconfiguring the area around this busy intersection with cars, walkers and bicyclists.
- Tamarack speeding – an update to designs for slowing down cars on Tamarack Avenue between Skyline and Adams.
- A discussion of “Vision Zero,” an international program focused on eliminating fatal traffic collisions.
- An overview of street design concepts, and how all cities in California have been required to consider all modes of travel when designing streets, whereas before cars were always the main focus.
Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue improvements
The city is working on a project at Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue to improve traffic flow and connectivity while balancing the needs of drivers, bicyclists, walkers and other road users.
There are two options for reconfiguring the busy intersection – traffic signal and roundabout. The city’s first roundabout is north of the project site at State Street, and the City Council has approved another roundabout at Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard.
Both options will address three important changes:
- Widening the walking path over the bridge just south of Tamarack Avenue
- Relocating the bus stop
- Adding street parking
The city began work on this project in 2016, getting input from the community then creating potential designs. After completing some additional technical work, city staff are now ready to move the project to the next step, which is review by the public and the Traffic & Mobility Commission.
Learn more about the options and see renderings.
This project is one of several that reflects state law and a City Council policy approved in 2015 to transform city roads into “complete streets.” Complete streets are safe and accessible to drivers, bicyclists, walkers and other road users. When most of the city’s streets were designed, the focus was mostly on managing car traffic.
Reducing speeding on Tamarack from Skyline to Adams
While the city develops a long-term project to redesign the Tamarack Avenue corridor, short-term solutions are being expedited to reduce speeding along Tamarack Avenue, between Skyline and Adams. An update to designs for the short-term project will be presented to the city’s Traffic & Mobility Commission on Monday, Feb. 6.
The project team worked with the community to develop an initial plan to reduce speeding and meet the needs and priorities of neighbors and people who use Tamarack every day.
After working with the city’s Fire Department, changes were made to the proposed design to better accommodate emergency vehicles.
- Reduced the total number of speed humps and raised crosswalks to 5, from 9.
- Changed the design of speed humps from speed cushions to speed “tables.” Speed tables are similar to speed cushions but provide a more gradual incline and do not have breaks, making them more compatible with the city’s newer emergency vehicles. Three speed tables are proposed.
- No changes are proposed for two raised crosswalks originally proposed at Sunnyhill Drive and Valley Street.
Speed tables and raised crosswalks slow down traffic through what’s called “vertical deflection.” These features help reduce speeding without causing delay to emergency vehicles or people who are driving at safe speeds.
Learn more about the proposed changes and view a project map.
Traffic & Mobility Commission
The Traffic & Mobility Commission meets on the first Monday of each month and is a good place to learn about projects in the works and provide input.
The agendas and agenda packets are posted on the commission page. Sign up to get notified when future agendas are available. You can watch Monday’s meeting on our website or come in person. Comments can be emailed before the meeting to traffic@carlsbadca.gov
