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Council debate over Benson Avenue lane reduction concept raises access and school-traffic concerns
Summary
A proposed conceptual plan to reduce Benson Avenue to one lane in parts prompted council pushback over traffic backups and effects on residents and schools; staff said the idea is conceptual, that neighboring cities were consulted and that community meetings will be held.
A conceptual recommendation to narrow portions of Benson Avenue prompted pushback from council members during the CIP workshop, with at least one council member saying the idea could worsen traffic backups near schools. "I am opposed to anything that will reduce Benson into one lane; we already have problems there," said a council member during the discussion.
Staff told the council the Benson concept is at an early stage and that the city has engaged with neighboring jurisdictions. "We have actually engaged in conversation with both Ontario and the City of Upland regarding Benson Avenue," a staff member said, adding that both neighboring cities have been part of preliminary discussions and that community meetings will be held to gather resident input.
Staff also told the council it has insisted on adding a traffic signal at 4th Avenue — near two schools — as part of any redesign to relieve pick-up/drop-off backups. "We insisted that a traffic signal has to be placed at... 4th Avenue... that would actually enhance the ability of traffic to flow on Benson Avenue," the staff member said.
Why it matters: Benson Avenue runs past schools and residential areas; changes that reduce through lanes could shift traffic patterns onto adjacent streets and affect daily commutes, school drop-off congestion and local businesses. Council members repeatedly emphasized the need to avoid imposing new costs on property owners and to coordinate with adjacent cities before advancing designs.
No decision was made at the workshop. Staff said the Benson concept remains conceptual and will be discussed in forthcoming community meetings and future council agenda items.
