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Escondido staff propose lane reduction, angled parking and possible pedestrian scramble on Grand Avenue to calm downtown traffic
Summary
City staff presented a concept to reduce westbound lanes on Grand Avenue, add angled parking, restore signals with new crosswalk timings and explore a pedestrian scramble; downtown merchants voiced support while commissioners asked for pedestrian-safety checks and timing in spring.
City traffic staff presented a multi-part traffic-calming concept for Grand Avenue that would slow westbound approaches to Juniper by reducing travel lanes, adding angled parking and adjusting signal timing and crosswalk operations.
The staff presentation proposed "killing" (removing) a westbound lane at Valley Boulevard and converting parallel parking to angled parking west and east of Juniper to create friction and slow vehicle speeds. Staff also proposed turning the traffic signal back on with updated crosswalk times and new pedestrian push buttons; as an interim approach staff noted the intersection could continue to operate as an all-way stop or, longer-term, be reconfigured. A diagonal or "scramble" crosswalk was described as an option to allow pedestrians to cross in all directions during a stopped-traffic phase. Staff said some signal modifications would require additional hardware, blank-out signs to enforce no-right-on-red during scramble phases, and possible consultant design work.
Business representatives from the Downtown Business Association supported the diagonal-crosswalk idea for the busy farmer's-market area but asked for additional sight-line and pedestrian-safety consideration at nearby forced-right movements, especially at Ivy. "Traffic calming, we love it," Carol Rogers, a Downtown Business Association board member, told commissioners, while also asking staff to evaluate pedestrian safety at forced-right locations.
Staff said striping and angle-parking work is expected in spring when pavement is dry, city crews would implement the changes, and staff would conduct a new speed survey after implementation; the posted speed is currently 30 mph and staff said the 85th-percentile speed after changes might justify a lower limit. Commissioners asked staff to return with an update in April. The commission did not take a formal vote on the Grand Avenue concept at this meeting.
