City manager outlines safety measures at Westport–Amar intersection and seeks Caltrans approval for design work

The acting West Covina City Manager told the City Council on Sept. 2 that the city has installed temporary traffic‑safety measures at the Westport–Amar intersection after multiple collisions and has requested Caltrans authorization to proceed with preliminary engineering for permanent improvements.

Staff said short‑term actions already completed include oversized speed‑limit signage, highly reflective signal‑ahead signage, added yellow backplates on signal heads, reflective paint on median noses, object markers on medians, new "yield on green" left‑turn signs and approach feedback signage. Photos of the temporary installations were shown to the council during the city manager’s report.

The manager said the city submitted a request to Caltrans for authorization to begin design work; once Caltrans authorizes preliminary engineering, the city will issue a request for proposals for a design consultant and return to council to approve a design agreement. The manager said the intersection remains a priority and that staff have contacted the state to try to expedite the process.

Why it matters: The intersection was cited by residents and speakers as the site of multiple serious collisions. The city’s short‑term measures are intended to increase driver awareness while engineering work proceeds. Funding and construction of permanent dedicated left‑turn signals will depend on Caltrans authorization and future council approvals.

Ending: City staff will return to the council with a consultant recommendation and estimated schedule after Caltrans authorizes design work; the temporary measures remain in place in the interim.