Staff previews College–Bobcat multiuse path and Algar Road sidewalk to improve routes to Sage Creek High

City staff on Monday presented preliminary designs for a Class I multiuse path along College Boulevard and Bobcat Boulevard and a new sidewalk on Algar Road intended to improve pedestrian and bicycle access to Sage Creek High School and nearby destinations.

Senior engineer Miriam Jim described the proposed College–Bobcat path as an off-street, paved facility generally 10 feet wide with two-foot shoulders, narrowed in some locations to 8 feet to avoid conflicts with existing utilities. "The majority of the proposed path will be 10 foot wide with a 2 foot shoulder on each side," she said, noting design coordination with the Carlsbad Unified School District and plans to move to 60% design and public outreach after commission feedback.

The presentation noted heavy daily use at the College/Bobcat intersection: staff said the intersection serves "over 20,000 vehicles on a typical day," and during the morning peak staff observed about "50 bikes along with 1,000 right turn vehicles" at the intersection. Jim said the proposed east-side path would let many bicyclists avoid crossing conflict points adjacent to the high school.

Resident Christina McGoldrick, who identified herself as a District 2 homeowner and a parent of students who attend schools on College Boulevard, told commissioners the corridor serves four schools and more than 2,500 students and asked technical questions about three crossing locations (Inlet Drive, Plains Way and Richfield Drive), whether separate bicycle and pedestrian crossing signals would be installed, how no-right-on-red restrictions would interact with new crossing signals, and whether stop signs would be required where Plains Way functions as a right-turn-in/right-turn-out street. "I believe this proposal represents a reasonable and common sense approach to improving multimodal transportation safety," she said while asking the specific access questions.

Staff replied that the design is preliminary and that a consultant-conducted traffic analysis will evaluate access, entry and exit points and signal treatments. "One of the tasks for the consultants is to conduct a traffic analysis...including assessing access, like you guys brought up, entering and exiting the path, as well as crossing at these intersections," Jim said. She added staff will review examples from nearby jurisdictions and incorporate public input.

Commissioners pressed staff on whether a west-side path, projected shift in crossing locations, and downhill speeds on the class I path would move conflicts elsewhere. Transportation Director Tom Frank noted state law allows bicyclists to use roadways and said staff seeks to provide options for riders of different skill levels: "Some riders...prefer to use the roadway with cars," he said, and the existing on-street bike lanes would remain for those users.

Staff emphasized remaining design work: where the path narrows around utilities the team plans to install retroreflective markings and other measures, and staff will coordinate with Parks & Recreation and nearby residents on tree removals and other impacts. Commissioners and residents will have further opportunities to review updated designs and the traffic memo as the project advances to 60% design.

Next steps: staff will proceed to 60% design, complete the traffic analysis, and begin public outreach; the commission's feedback will be incorporated before any later council actions or construction authorizations.