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Carlsbad council opts for sidewalks and buffered bike lanes; rejects Cannon Road roundabout
Summary
After public testimony on safety, cost and emergency access, the council selected Option 2 for the Terramar coastal improvement project — resurfacing, restriping, added sidewalks and buffered bike lanes, and no roundabout — and directed staff to pursue outreach and final design. The vote was 4–1.
Carlsbad — The City Council on Oct. 28 selected Option 2 for the Terramar area coastal improvement project, choosing resurfacing and restriping combined with new sidewalks and buffered bike lanes rather than building a roundabout at Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard.
Transportation Director and City Engineer Tom Frank presented three alternatives: Option 1 (the larger‑scale design adopted in 2018 that includes a roundabout at Cannon and lane reductions, bluff‑top improvements and sidewalks; estimated cost about $19.4 million), Option 2 (a smaller project without a roundabout that adds sidewalks and buffered bike lanes; estimated cost $3–5 million), and Option 3 (resurfacing and restriping only, and pausing larger work for about seven years pending a land transaction with SDG&E and Cabrillo Power; estimated cost $1–1.5 million).
Multiple residents and safety advocates urged the council to reject a roundabout on Carlsbad Boulevard at Cannon Road, citing collision histories at other local roundabouts, concerns about emergency vehicle access and potential delays for Fire Station 7, and the high additional cost of Option 1. "Please vote for option number 2," said resident Steve Linke, who compiled collision data from other local roundabouts and argued the smaller project would deliver pedestrian and bicycle safety while returning capital for other priorities.
Fire Chief Mike Hallward told the council that the department considered Options 2 and 3 viable and that Option 1 presented “serious concerns” because lane reductions plus existing choke points near the railroad and freeway ramps could impede emergency response. Several council members also noted the long timeline and complexity of the SDG&E land transaction that could affect future work in the corridor.
Councilmembers said they wanted near‑term improvements to sidewalks and bike facilities on the ocean (west) side of Carlsbad Boulevard while preserving vehicular capacity and emergency access. Council directed staff to pursue additional public outreach and to return with conceptual designs in spring 2026; construction for Option 2 was estimated to begin in late 2026 and take two to three years.
The council voted 4–1 to adopt Option 2. One councilmember voiced a preference for preserving the current beach‑side character and voted for Option 3 (resurfacing only) instead.
What happens next: Staff will conduct additional neighborhood outreach, refine conceptual designs (including whether to provide a sidewalk on the east side), complete environmental review as required, and return to council with plans and authorization to bid. The larger Option 1 remains an option for the future only if council revisits the matter and if the SDG&E transaction and related property issues are resolved.
