The City of Carlsbad is moving forward with design work for a project that will improve walking, biking and traffic flow along the coast around Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue.
On Tuesday, the City Council approved an agreement for engineering design and environmental services for the project, which will evaluate the feasibility of three intersection design options for Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue:
- A two-lane road with a roundabout
- A three-lane road with a traffic signal
- A four-lane road with a traffic signal
Background
The city is working on a number of initiatives to improve Carlsbad Boulevard by making it easier and safer for all modes of travel including walking, biking, driving and riding transit. Several years ago, the city worked with project neighbors and people who pass through the area often to make sure design options for Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue would address the community’s needs and priorities. Since that time, the city had to work through some technical issues and reassigned resources during COVID.
The project covers Carlsbad Boulevard from Redwood Avenue to the south jetty of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon inlet, and a portion of the bluff top area above the Tamarack parking lot. Improvements include:
- Reconfiguration of the intersection at Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard to ease traffic flow
- Widening the sidewalk south of Tamarack Avenue, including across the bridge
- Relocating a North County Transit District bus stop to provide safer access
- Other pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the project area to make it easier and safer to the get to the beach
Next steps
- The three intersection design options will be evaluated and one final alternative selected.
- This engineering design and environmental work will begin spring 2022 and is estimated to be completed by early 2025.
- Once the intersection control alternative is determined, the project will advance to final engineering design, City Council approval and permitting.
Staff contact
Lauren Ferrell, Associate Engineer
lauren.ferrell@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2558
