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Committee approves school-zone signage and speed-feedback signs for Lark Ellen Avenue; plans later striping review
Summary
The Traffic Committee recommended replacing school-zone signage, installing speed-feedback signs, and adjusting signage placement on Lark Ellen Avenue between Cameron and Larkwood; members also asked staff to study a potential striping reconfiguration as a second-phase action.
The West Covina Traffic Committee on March 11 recommended moving forward with school-zone signage changes and installing solar-powered speed-feedback signs on Lark Ellen Avenue between Cameron Avenue and Larkwood Street, and asked staff to return in the coming months with a proposed striping plan for the corridor.
Staff reported that the segment is predominantly single-family residential, bounded by West Covina High School and Cameron Elementary School. For the reviewed segment, the posted speed limit is 40 mph; the 80th-percentile speed from a 24-hour survey was 44 mph. Average daily traffic counts taken May 29, 2024, showed northbound 6,740 vehicles per day and southbound 7,047 vehicles per day, for a combined ADT of 13,787. SWITRS review of Jan. 2022–Dec. 2024 found five collisions on the segment.
Based on engineering judgment and the City of West Covina traffic guidelines (and CAMUTCD/CBC references), staff concluded the segment qualifies for the following: replace school-zone signage on the northwest corner of Lark Ellen and Larkwood for southbound traffic; install a 25 mph school-zone speed-limit assembly 80 feet south of Larkwood for southbound traffic; and install solar-powered speed-feedback signs with a 48 mph speed limit sign for northbound and southbound directions. Committee members recommended moving the southbound feedback sign farther south so it aligns with the school zone and adjusting the northbound unit to remain outside the school-zone flash zone. The committee also asked staff to examine stripe changes — including continuing the side stripe and adding diagonal markings to prevent motorists from using the stripe as a travel lane — and to prepare a follow-up proposal for Council consideration.
Members discussed location details and the message conveyed by placing a feedback sign showing a 40 mph or 25 mph threshold near a school zone. One member said, “We don’t want to give mixed messages,” and the group directed staff to re-evaluate sign placement so the feedback units do not undermine the school-zone message. The committee voted to forward the recommendations with adjustments for sign placement and to have staff bring a striping proposal back to the committee and, eventually, to City Council.
During public comment, a resident urged adherence to the new daylighting law (no parking within 20 feet of crosswalks/ramps) and suggested painting red curb to increase visibility around school crossings.
