Galt council orders study of speed‑control options for Adairway/Fermoy after residents describe speeding and cut‑through traffic

The City Council on May 20 directed staff to return with detailed cost estimates and recommended locations for speed control devices (speed humps or tables), an entry median and updated signage for the Adairway‑Fermoy neighborhood after residents described persistent speeding and cut‑through traffic that they say endangers children and seniors.

The nut graf: Council heard from multiple residents who said Adairway and Fermoy have become a de‑facto thoroughfare to reach Walmart, the Tesla charging station and other destinations; staff presented five options — do nothing; extend bike lanes; install speed control devices; install a herringbone (pork‑chop) median; or close the intersection — and recommended a combination of bike‑lane striping and a herringbone island. Council instead asked staff to return within roughly 60 days with detailed cost/location proposals for speed control devices, signage and a possible median, and to work with fire and police on design constraints.

Public‑works director John Griffin reviewed traffic counts and crash data collected for the area and told council the roadway design meets collector‑street standards in the Northeast Area Specific Plan. Griffin cautioned that a permanent closure of Adairway at East Stockton Boulevard would require acquisition or demolition of two corner homes and construction of a new sound wall, which staff estimated could cost approximately $2.5 million.

Residents described near‑misses, high‑speed drivers and growing traffic volumes. Alicia Kafka, a parent who lives at the corner of Adair and East Stockton, said she is “terrified” for her children and recounted difficulty leaving driveways and walking to school. Long‑time residents urged speed bumps and medians; several suggested restricting commercial vehicle routing.

Councilmembers asked staff for a practical sequence: quick engineering measures and signage, alongside study of speed‑control device spacing and a city policy to govern installation requests. Vice Mayor Sandhu, Councilmember Pratt and Mayor Farmer favored a staged approach beginning with costed speed‑control locations and roadway furniture rather than immediate closure. The motion to direct staff on costs and locations passed 4–1 (Councilmember Reid opposed). Staff will return with cost estimates and recommended device placements, and will coordinate designs with fire and police.