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Council sends El Portal roundabout safety redesign back to traffic engineers with aesthetic options and crosswalk upgrades
Summary
Following presentations and public comment about vehicle collisions at the El Portal/Coast Highway 101 roundabout, the Encinitas City Council directed traffic staff to return with more aesthetic, engineered options (including timber or wood-style posts) plus crosswalk safety measures and signage.
The Encinitas City Council unanimously referred the El Portal (Coast Highway 101/El Portal roundabout) safety improvements back to the city's traffic engineering division for redesign with a stronger emphasis on aesthetics and crosswalk safety.
Traffic engineering staff presented collision data that showed 18 reports on the roundabout over a two-year window; staff said 12 of those incidents involved suspected DUIs and two were hit-and-runs. Staff recommended installing rigid bollards, rumble strips on approaches and reflective delineation; they advised against large boulders because of space constraints.
Public speakers raised concerns about the number of DUI-involved incidents, the possibility that bollards could be launched by heavy impact and the vulnerability of pedestrians and crossing guards. Several speakers suggested timber-style posts or a low timber wall to match adjacent landscaping. A crossing-guard volunteer and others asked for flashing beacons for the pedestrian crossing used by schoolchildren.
Councilmember O'Hara moved to send the design back for a more aesthetic solution, suggesting 6-by-6 or 8-by-8 timber posts or a timber wall. Deputy Mayor Lyons seconded. The motion instructed staff to return with options that preserve safety while improving aesthetics, and to examine additional measures for the pedestrian crossing and a "yield to traffic in circle" sign at the local intersection. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff noted the collision record showed most incidents concentrated at northeast and southwest corners of the roundabout; the recommended retaining solution would rely on a mix of crash-resistant posts and rumble strips to warn drivers. Engineers said a timber wall would need engineered foundations and a higher cost and that bollards are a lower-cost, standard option. Council asked staff to provide cost estimates for timber wall options and to coordinate with traffic enforcement on DUI/speed mitigation.
Quotes from the hearing included traffic engineer Abe: "Out of the 18 that were identified and we received the reports, 12 were DUIs and 2 were hit and runs," and Deputy Mayor Lyons: "Slowing traffic before the intersection is the first priority; rumble strips and signage should be evaluated."
Ending: Staff will return with refined design alternatives (timber-post/wall option with costs), recommended crosswalk/beacon configurations, updated safety modeling, and coordination proposals for enforcement; that package will be brought back to council for final approval.
