Santa Paula moves to replace nonfunctioning SR 150 crosswalks with flashing beacons; bids authorized

The Santa Paula City Council on Tuesday approved plans and specifications for the SR 150 crosswalk improvements project and authorized staff to advertise for construction bids, a step staff said will integrate city pedestrian-safety upgrades with a concurrent Caltrans rehabilitation project.

Mr. Woodward, the city engineer, told the council that three long‑used, formerly lighted crosswalks at Oakdale, Virginia Terrace and Ventura Street have been nonfunctional for some time and are heavily used by students and other pedestrians. “We’re replacing them with rectangular rapid flashing beacons, similar to what we did on Main Street at 4 locations,” Mr. Woodward said, adding that curb extensions and other measures will improve driver visibility of pedestrians.

Woodward said the city’s work will be coordinated with Caltrans paving, traffic-signal and drainage improvements on State Route 150 so the projects proceed together and minimize repeated disruptions. Caltrans’ contractor is expected to be active through October; city staff said they hope to complete the crosswalk work in late summer or early fall and, if possible, finish key elements while school is out so students benefit in the fall.

Outcome and next steps: Council adopted Resolution 7,565 approving the plans and specifications and authorized staff to advertise for bids. Staff will coordinate scheduling with Caltrans’ contractor to reduce double construction impacts and to aim for completion before or shortly after school resumes.