Residents urge speed and stop-sign fixes at Taft and Tenth after repeated collisions

Residents from a neighborhood near Taft and Tenth Streets told the City Council on March 18 that repeated collisions at the Tenth Street/Taft Avenue intersection require changes to signage, sightlines and traffic calming.

Multiple speakers described recent crashes, including a —5-bone—6 collision witnessed by a resident and other crashes that damaged parked cars. Speakers said existing signs are difficult to see when approaching from the south on Taft and that some drivers do not stop on Tenth Street, creating frequent conflicts. One speaker provided enlarged photographs and asked public-works staff to review the intersection and possible fixes such as additional signage, speed cushions or a temporary police traffic presence.

Assistant Director of Public Works met residents at the meeting and staff asked those residents to bring photographs and details to the public-works representative after the meeting. Council did not adopt a traffic ordinance at the meeting but directed staff to evaluate the intersection, meet with residents and report recommended actions; staff noted that some mitigations such as signage changes or a targeted enforcement/education effort can be implemented more quickly than capital improvements.