Committee recommends safety upgrades near Telesis Academy; crossing guard not warranted

The West Covina Traffic Committee voted to recommend a package of traffic-safety upgrades at the intersection of Frankfort Avenue and Hollingworth Street near Telesis Academy of Science and Math but determined a crossing guard is not warranted under engineering guidelines.

Staff presented pedestrian and vehicle counts and said the highest peak-hour turning movement was 464 vehicles (07:30–08:30) with 175 pedestrians; the CAMUTCD guidelines for a stop-controlled crossing require more than 500 vehicles in the highest peak hour to meet crossing-guard warrants. “At this time, there were not be not enough vehicles traveling through the intersection to warrant a crossing guard at this location,” Robert, CIP Project Manager, said.

Because the streets and related infrastructure at the intersection fall largely under Los Angeles County jurisdiction, staff said the committee’s approval would be forwarded to LA County for review and installation. The committee approved the following recommendations: replace existing stop signs with new solar-powered flashing stop signs at all four approaches; install R1-3P (“All-Way”) plaques under each stop sign; add red reflective strips to all four stop signs; replace the existing crosswalk markings with yellow ladder-style crosswalks on the north, south and west legs; refresh stop legends on each approach; add 20 feet of red curb on the north side of Hollingworth (east of Frankfort); and install 50 feet of double yellow centerline on all approaches.

Staff used pedestrian counts gathered adjacent to Telesis Academy on Jan. 15 and Jan. 20, 2025, and turning-movement counts taken Jan. 15 during school periods. The presentation noted an existing crossing guard at Capron Avenue and Hollingworth Street, and staff said most pedestrian crossings occur at that location rather than at Frankfort and Hollingworth. Committee members asked about jurisdictional limits; staff explained the city owns half the roadway in the school frontage and the remainder is in LA County, so installation of the recommended devices will require county action. Joanne Burns moved to approve the staff recommendations; Adam Sorey seconded and members voted “aye.” The committee directed staff to send the recommendations to Los Angeles County for implementation and to coordinate with the school and county transportation staff.

The committee did not add a crossing guard, but approved infrastructure changes intended to increase visibility and compliance at the intersection.