Carlsbad Council debates alternatives to controversial traffic circles in Barrio community

The City Council of Carlsbad convened on June 24, 2025, to discuss pressing community concerns, particularly regarding traffic management in the Barrio area. A significant focus of the meeting was the proposal for traffic circles, which has faced increasing opposition from residents due to concerns about speeding and the potential loss of parking spaces.

Council member Burkholder expressed her commitment to addressing the speeding issue, emphasizing the need for effective traffic calming measures. She proposed a motion to have city staff return with alternatives to traffic circles, suggesting options like stop signs and speed bumps instead. Burkholder highlighted the importance of utilizing taxpayer dollars wisely, especially in light of previous costly failures of traffic circles in nearby cities.

The council deliberated on the implications of the federal grant tied to the traffic circle project, which could amount to $4 million. It was noted that if the council decided against the traffic circles, they would forfeit this funding. However, there was a consensus that community feedback was essential before making a final decision.

Council member Shen proposed a friendly amendment to Burkholder's motion, suggesting that staff explore hybrid options that could incorporate both traffic circles and other calming measures. The council agreed to solicit further community input and to revisit the discussion at a future meeting, with the understanding that any delay could impact the availability of the federal grant.

In conclusion, the council's decision to reconsider the traffic management strategy reflects a commitment to community engagement and responsible fiscal management. The next steps will involve gathering more feedback from residents and exploring alternative solutions to enhance safety in the Barrio area.