Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Paramount council votes to remove Madison/Orizaba temporary traffic circle after pilot found ineffective
Summary
After staff analysis and public discussion, the council voted to remove a temporary traffic circle installed in 2022 at Madison and Orizaba, restoring the four‑way stop; staff said the pilot did not reduce stunt‑driving and residents raised aesthetic and safety concerns.
Paramount’s City Council voted on Nov. 18 to remove the temporary traffic circle installed in 2022 at Madison and Orizaba and restore the prior four‑way stop, after staff said the pilot did not achieve its safety objective.
Public Works Director Adriana Figueroa summarized the pilot: the city spent about $15,000 for the temporary delineators in 2022 and gathered an updated engineer’s estimate showing a permanent roundabout could cost roughly $564,000 for construction alone, or about $740,000 when design, construction management and inspection costs are included. Figueroa said initial and follow‑up traffic analyses in 2023 and 2024 found "no significant difference" in stunt‑driving and donut markings after installation.
"We tried it, and it didn't serve the purpose that it was intended for," the city engineer reported during the presentation, citing continued donut marks around and beyond the circle and limited calls for service tied to the site.
Council members and residents raised two recurring concerns: (1) aesthetics — several residents asked the city to remove the temporary installation because they felt it made the neighborhood look worse — and (2) displacement of activity — drivers appeared to move the stunt driving to neighboring blocks rather than stopping it citywide. One council member said the pilot had slowed their driving when passing the circle; others described confusion navigating the four‑way design.
After discussion, an unidentified council member moved to remove the traffic circle and retain the prior four‑way stop; another council member seconded the motion. The council completed a roll call and the motion carried; the council directed staff to maintain four‑way stop control and to monitor Artesia’s recently installed device for lessons learned.
What happens next: staff will remove the temporary delineators and re‑establish the four‑way stop, continue to track enforcement and resident feedback, and follow up with the council on any observed safety effects.
