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Committee weighs short‑ and long‑term fixes after study finds rising crashes at Sunset Drive and Guthrie Road
Summary
Staff reported 13 crashes at the Sunset Drive & Guthrie Road intersection from 2020–April 2025, including seven injuries and a December fatality; the committee discussed tiered short-term measures (overhead flashing LED signs, pavement markings) and a longer-term compact roundabout, and directed staff to seek funding before taking action.
City traffic engineer Alex presented a safety-driven analysis showing 13 crashes at the Sunset Drive and Guthrie Road intersection over the last five years, with at least seven involving injuries and a December fatality that staff said was alcohol-related. Alex summarized contributing factors and recommended a tiered approach: short-term measures such as overhead flashing LED stop assemblies and refreshed pavement markings, and possible long-term consideration of a compact roundabout if short-term fixes do not reduce crashes.
Alex said the short-term overhead assemblies cost roughly $7,000 each (about $14,000 for east- and westbound) and that a compact roundabout is typically on the order of $500,000–$1,000,000 (staff cited about $750,000 as a typical estimate). A resident described the fatal December crash: "someone got killed there ... A 17 year old girl and her dog," and urged visible, durable improvements beyond the single small flashing beacon currently installed. Committee members requested staff to check whether existing project funds could be reallocated and to explore county contributions because a county park nearby draws traffic; staff will return with a funding recommendation before the committee takes action.
