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Council approves South Sunset ‘road diet’ after heated debate over outreach and safety
Summary
City engineers presented a traffic study showing high speeds and crash patterns on South Sunset and proposed converting a four-lane segment to a three-lane configuration with bike lanes; council approved moving forward with design and construction despite objections about public notice, diversion analysis and enforcement (vote 8–1).
City traffic engineers recommended a ‘road diet’ for a stretch of South Sunset after a local study showed an average daily traffic volume around 8,800 vehicles and an 85th-percentile speed near 46 mph — roughly 11 mph above the posted limit. Engineers cited national evidence that lane-reduction treatments can cut total crashes and excessive speeds and recommended converting the 4-lane cross section to a 3-lane configuration (one travel lane each way plus a center turn lane) with added bike lanes.
Several council members and at least one formal objection argued the proposal lacked adequate public outreach, a diversion analysis and sufficient enforcement planning. An objection filed with the county clerk contended the corridor meets master-plan thresholds for minor arterials, warned that reduced vehicular capacity could shift traffic into adjacent neighborhoods, and asked that the item be tabled and returned to the infrastructure committee for deeper study.
Engineers and other council supporters responded that the corridor’s measured volumes fall below Federal Highway Administration criteria for maintaining a four-lane cross section and that the proposed striping treatment is reversible if future volumes increase. Supporters also noted the design would add pedestrian and bicycle facilities where none now exist and that staff would perform a post-project study to measure speeds and crash outcomes.
The council voted to approve the city moving forward with road-diet designs and construction (roll call resulted in eight ayes and one no; Councilor Arnold recorded the sole opposition). The motion directs engineering to proceed with the design work and to return with monitoring plans and post-construction data.
Why it matters: the change alters a major thoroughfare used for commuter traffic and school access; proponents say it will reduce crashes and speeds and improve bicycle connectivity, while opponents worry about diversion of traffic, insufficient public engagement, and enforcement capacity.
What’s next: staff will advance final striping and design plans, conduct post-implementation monitoring, and report back to council on safety and traffic impacts.
