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County orders engineering and traffic survey for Fred Haight Drive after residents cite dangerous speeds
Summary
Following testimony from residents and the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission, the board unanimously directed staff to perform an engineering and traffic survey (with segmented analysis and consideration of speed‑calming tools) for Fred Haight Drive and to explore interim traffic‑calming measures.
The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to direct staff to conduct an engineering and traffic survey for Fred Haight Drive and to evaluate segmented speed‑limit changes and traffic‑calming options such as speed humps.
The item, requested by Supervisor Howard, focused on community safety concerns on Fred Haight and elsewhere in the county. County engineering (introduced to the board as Mr. Olsen) walked through California Vehicle Code classifications, the role of engineering and traffic surveys, and the option of using preliminary tube‑based speed data to inform whether a full survey is required.
"What that means is that we go out, we do a speed study, and then we would set the speed limit based on that," Olsen told the board, explaining the engineering process and how the 85th percentile is used in determining limits.
Tamara Layton, executive director of the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission, urged the board to move promptly, citing a 2020 corridor study and saying Elk Valley Crossroad collision rates in the study were many times the statewide average. "That intersection is probably the most dangerous place to be in Del Norte County," Layton said.
Multiple residents recounted crashes and near misses and asked the board not to adopt a "no action" posture. One resident, Michelle Carrillo, urged attention to sections that connect to schools and boat ramps, saying a uniform 50 mph limit on long rural stretches is not appropriate.
Supervisor Short moved to proceed with a full engineering and traffic survey that would include a segmented approach for the full length of Fred Haight Drive and to explore other innovations for slowing traffic; Supervisor Starkey seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Staff were directed to include preliminary tube data as an early step and to explore outreach, enforcement and interim calming measures while the official study is completed.
Board members asked that the resulting study provide data to support CHP and local enforcement if additional enforcement is needed and to consider the legal constraints under the Vehicle Code when recommending localized changes.
