West Side and Lower West transportation update: new sidewalks, Modoc bike facilities and targeted crossings proposed

City staff presented updates on a package of pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety improvements for the West Side and Lower West neighborhoods, ranging from sidewalk infill to a reworked Modoc Road bicycle facility.

Michelle Bedard (staff presenter) reviewed the project components, which include sidewalk infill at multiple blocks, new and enhanced crosswalks, and a Modoc Road bicycle facility connecting Las Positas to Mission Street. The Modoc segment will generally be a separated (sidewalk-level) bicycle facility rather than the on-street class 2 lane envisioned in some earlier concepts.

Staff highlighted these elements: - Sidewalk infill: targeted new sidewalks at West Valerio (to the Ealing’s Park entrance), on portions of Calle Real, Euclid (formalizing an informal beaten path), Manitou at Mountain (a blind corner) and other gap locations. - Modoc bike facility: the plan shifts the Modoc segment toward a separated facility (sidewalk-level where appropriate) from Las Positas to Mission, with additional crosswalks and green conflict striping at key intersections. Staff noted a proposed new traffic signal at Porto Suelo and Modoc to manage turning movements near La Cumbre Junior High and the adjacent community academy. - Parking adjustments: staff provided counts and said existing on-street parking in the Modoc corridor currently totals 72 spaces (with some overnight restrictions) and that the project would provide a proposed set of new on-street spaces — staff cited approximately 30 spaces in the stretch adjacent to La Cumbre Junior High (Hacienda to the junior-high frontage) and an additional 11 spaces east of Kentia between Kentia and Mission. Staff said they coordinated the design with the school district and that the proposed parking approach is intended to balance school access and bicycle infrastructure. - Crossings and safety devices: added or enhanced crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons are proposed at several intersections along Modoc and San Andres, including new crosswalks at Hacienda, Kentia, Eucalyptus and Oak; a number of crosswalk improvements were already completed or under construction on other neighborhood streets. - Trees and landscaping: staff said 35 trees are tentatively identified as in-conflict with proposed work and are proposed for removal; staff also identified about 40 potential new street-tree locations to replace removed trees and expand canopy where feasible. The street tree advisory committee and Parks & Recreation Commission were scheduled to review the tree plan in July.

Committee members asked about the pedestrian overpass that crosses the freeway and connectivity to Adams Elementary, maintenance and signage for Caltrans-owned overpasses, and whether the proposed traffic signal at Porto Suelo was warranted; staff said the signal warrant analysis supported the signal and explained coordination with Caltrans for мостs and certain right-of-way details. Members also discussed short-term maintenance and community messaging around tree removals and planting.

Public comment was not offered for this item. Committee members and public commenters who had attended prior outreach encouraged visible wayfinding, conflict striping in conflict areas, bicycle parking near schools, and further outreach to address resident concerns about parking and tree canopy.

Next steps: staff said they are closing environmental review and expect to move to final design and construction phases after Council and advisory committee reviews; the project includes a non-infrastructure component for outreach and a proposed bike fleet for junior-high-age students to support school-based programs. Parks and Street Tree advisory reviews were scheduled for July, and staff will return with additional environmental and design milestones in the coming months.