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This page highlights some of the major construction projects happening in Carlsbad. It does not include projects from non-city utilities and private development. See the look ahead map.

Because construction work is very dynamic, schedules can change for a wide variety of reasons, such as weather, availability of supplies and other factors.  If we expect a project to have a significant impact, we typically notify those in the immediate vicinity 72 hours in advance.

For projects along major roadways, you can look for digital message boards for notices about upcoming work that could cause delays or detours. 

Although construction can cause temporary inconveniences, the good news is that we’re maintaining and improving our infrastructure year-round, and by keeping things up to date, we save money in the long run by avoiding emergency repairs. Regular maintenance also helps ensure you don’t experience a last-minute water shut off or road closure.

Highlighted streets projects

Highlighted water/wastewater/drainage projects

15-year project plan

The city's Capital Improvements Program maps out major projects and how they will be funded. Each year, the City Council approves this plan along with the city budget. See project map.

 

CIP dashboard

    Traffic calming explained (and how you can sign up)

    Post Date:03/29/2024 9:33 AM

    As you probably know, government tends to use a lot of specialized terms. Traffic calming is one of those. Here’s what it means:

    • Traffic calming refers to a variety of things that can be done to slow down cars as they travel through neighborhoods.
    • The term originated in Europe to describe an approach to designing streets that balance the needs of all users – cars, walkers and bicyclists.
    • Traffic calming is not used on major thoroughfares. It’s geared toward neighborhoods where you have a greater mix of users sharing the road.

    The city has a traffic calming program designed to address neighborhood concerns about speeding in Carlsbad. On Tuesday, the City Council approved new traffic calming plans for sections of Park Drive, Black Rail Road, Plum Tree Road and Carrillo Way.  (See the plans).

    Here’s how the program works:

    1. Report a concern about neighborhood speeding to traffic@carlsbadca.gov
    2. A city staff person will follow up to discuss your specific street and gather background.
    3. If your street qualifies for the program, traffic engineers visit your neighborhood to determine potential solutions.
    4. We often start with quick solutions, like adding signs, increasing police enforcement and installing temporary speed feedback signs.
    5. If more is needed, we work with neighbors to evaluate other solutions, like speed bumps, restriping, curb extensions and traffic circles.
    6. Once we develop a plan, we mail a survey to the whole neighborhood explaining the proposed changes.
    7. If approved, the city makes the changes then monitors the street to make sure they’re working as intended.

    (This is a high-level overview. You can read more about how the program works to decide if it’s a good fit for your neighborhood).

    The City Council allocates funding for this program in the annual city budget. Depending on how many requests have been made in a given year, some neighborhoods might get put on a waiting list.

    See the results

    This video shows a before and after of a traffic calming project in La Costa. In this case two speed cushions* were installed on a stretch of Cadencia Street off La Costa Avenue, reducing speeds by about 10 miles per hour.

    * Speed cushions are like speed bumps but gentler to cars, with gaps for emergency vehicles.

     

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