La Habra council approves $67,470 traffic‑safety study for Hacienda Road after recent fatality
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Summary
The La Habra City Council unanimously approved a consultant study and a purchase order increase of up to $67,470 to evaluate traffic and pedestrian safety along Hacienda Road following a recent traffic fatality and multiple resident complaints.
The La Habra City Council unanimously approved a contract amendment May 19 to fund a comprehensive traffic safety assessment of Hacienda Road, authorizing the city manager to increase the on‑call traffic engineering consultant’s purchase order by up to $67,470.
City Engineer Salvador Mendoza said the study was requested by council members and residents after a recent traffic fatality north of Woodier Boulevard and will evaluate collision history, roadway conditions, pedestrian access and signal equipment. "This evening, staff is requesting that the city council approve and authorize the city's on call traffic engineering consultant to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment study on Hacienda Road, authorize the city manager to increase the consultant's purchase order in an amount not to exceed $67,470 to complete the study," Mendoza told the council.
The consultant, AJA Engineers, told the council the study would begin immediately if approved, with an anticipated completion timeline of approximately 12 weeks. "You can't implement the traditional traffic calming measures because it's not a local residential ... it's a four‑lane facility, secondary arterial," said Greg Wong, the on‑call consultant from AJA Engineers. Wong said the study will evaluate options such as lane reduction (a conversion from four lanes to two) but warned that reductions require coordination with regional agencies and can create congestion or cut‑through traffic in nearby neighborhoods.
The scope submitted by AJA Engineers excludes the Whittier Boulevard–Hacienda Road intersection because that crossing is under Caltrans jurisdiction. Staff also told the council that any recommendation to reduce lane capacity would require review and possible approval from the Orange County Transportation Authority.
Councilmembers asked questions about what traffic calming measures the study would evaluate and whether accident records would be reviewed. Mendoza confirmed the consultant will analyze collision records and traffic patterns as a first task.
The motion to approve the study and authorize the purchase order increase passed 4–0. Following the vote, staff said the consultant is prepared to start the analysis immediately and will provide a final report with options and recommendations when the study concludes.