City presents $24 million plan for Williams Road safety upgrades, roundabouts proposed

City consultants described a multimillion‑dollar redesign of Williams Road on July 9, highlighting safety improvements funded in part by federal grants and proposing single‑lane roundabouts, protected bicycle facilities and raised medians.

Molly Tremblay, the consultant presenting on behalf of Kimberly Horner and Associates, said the corridor runs from Alisal/John Street to Freedom and that the city pursued two federal grants tied to the project. "The city received $16,000,000 for that grant," Tremblay said, and staff later noted an additional roughly $8,000,000 from an Active Transportation Program award that covers portions of John Street linked to this work. Tremblay said environmental clearance is nearing completion and the project is now in public outreach and preliminary design, with final design slated for next year.

Tremblay told commissioners the project team ran an intersection control evaluation that weighed collision risk, delay and maintenance costs and found single‑lane roundabouts provided the best return on investment for safety and operations at the study intersections. "When we weighed all of those things together, the preferred intersection control type was the roundabout," she said, adding the design seeks to limit entry speeds and shorten pedestrian crossing distances.

The presentation showed alternate cross sections. The preferred "Fremont" option would keep travel lanes on both sides and preserve parking while adding a raised center cycle track and landscaping; other options would prioritize more greenery or wider protected lanes at the cost of some parking.

During public comment and commissioner discussion, business owners and residents raised concerns about access, parking and maintenance. A business owner at 8 Williams Road (whose comment was read into the record) warned that a closed median or roundabout configuration could "eliminate our business" and asked that the city preserve a driveway opening on one side so customers can reach the site. The owner said he was considering legal options if access was not addressed.

Resident commenters also urged quicker traffic calming on nearby streets; Antonio Ravalgo said his neighborhood has waited 3½ years for requested speed bumps on Skornburg and that vehicles frequently speed toward a canal.

Commissioners emphasized three recurring themes: robust outreach to residents and especially small businesses (with Spanish translation and flexible meeting times), education programs to help drivers learn to use roundabouts, and plans for maintaining new bike facilities. Commissioner comments referenced examples from Monterey and concerns about clearance for large agricultural vehicles and trucks; one commissioner stressed that some bike facility options are difficult to sweep and maintain, creating safety hazards if debris accumulates.

Staff said maintenance, MST (Monterey‑Salinas Transit) lane width needs and other stakeholder inputs have been incorporated into the designs and that outreach will include business navigators and the city public‑information office to contact affected businesses.

There was no vote on the Williams Road presentation. Staff said commissioners' feedback and public comments would be recorded and that the project will continue through design and environmental clearance before any formal action is required.