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Council authorizes $4.9M roadway sealing project after extended debate over Johnson Avenue safety
Summary
San Luis Obispo approved the 2026 roadway sealing project — including safety upgrades on Mill Street and a pilot speed‑cushion program — after splitting the vote and authorizing staff’s full plans and specs. Council narrowly approved staff recommendations for Johnson Avenue amid concerns about evacuation impacts and emergency response.
The San Luis Obispo City Council authorized the city to advertise and award the 2026 roadway sealing project, a roughly $4.9 million pavement management effort that pairs slurry sealing and striping with targeted safety improvements including high‑visibility crosswalks, bike‑lane buffering and a pilot program for prefabricated speed cushions.
Public Works staff presented project details and safety opportunities for three pavement areas and an additive bid alternative for Bridal Street. Justin Wong outlined school‑zone treatments and crosswalk daylighting; transportation staff proposed greenway signage, an all‑way stop and prefabricated bolt‑down speed cushions as a flexible pilot on Mill Street to limit impacts on transit and emergency vehicles.
The presentation turned into a lengthy exchange over Johnson Avenue, the corridor’s crash history and whether to pursue a road diet (lane reductions) as part of the project. Staff reported 26 crashes on Johnson in the most recent five‑year period, including two bicycle crashes, and said traffic‑operations modeling showed lane reductions could cause significant peak‑hour delays and increase evacuation clearance times. Fire Department Interim Chief Randy Harrison urged caution given the street’s role as a primary emergency route to French Hospital and nearby hillside evacuation areas.
Active Transportation Committee Chair Garrett Otto and several council members pressed for a pilot and more aggressive protected‑lane treatments, arguing real‑world tests can produce mode shift and safety benefits that models miss. Staff said a cautious approach was necessary: bolt‑down cushions would be piloted on Mill Street first, and Johnson’s more substantial changes would require additional technical study and coordination with public safety.
Council split the project into two motions to allow the bulk of the project to proceed while preserving further study on Johnson. The council voted 5-0 to approve the project package excluding Johnson, then separately voted 4-1 to approve the staff recommendation for Johnson Avenue as included in the project plans (Council Member Shoresman opposed). Staff said construction could begin in early fall, with completion into 2027, and will return with project management details after final contracting.
