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Agenda Item 23.

City Council Meeting

Meeting Date:	07/07/2020
FROM:	Bill Gallardo

Subject:

Traffic Safety Improvements at the Intersection of Puente Street and Whittier Avenue

RECOMMENDATION

Direct the City Engineer to implement Conceptual Striping Plan for the intersection of Puente Street and Whittier Avenue.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION

The intersection of Puente Street and Whittier Avenue is located in the northwestern part of the City. Both streets are classified as residential at this location and the intersection is controlled by four-way stop signs. Whittier Avenue to the west turns into Whittier Boulevard, which is a major arterial in the City of La Habra. Puente Street to the south of Central Avenue widens and becomes an arterial street in Brea serving both residential and commercial properties.

Approximately ten years ago, the City installed three small landscaped median islands at the intersection as a traffic calming measure. The intent of the islands was to slow and discourage cut-through traffic within the neighborhood. Over the last five years, there have been eleven single party crashes involving motorists making turns at the intersection and colliding with the medians or other fixed objects in the vicinity of the intersection. Most recently, in January of this year, a motorist traveling northbound making a left turn to westbound Whittier Avenue hit the west leg median and got stuck on top of a decorative rock in the median.

The City Traffic Engineer performed an investigation and found that crashes occurring at the intersection were primarily caused by motorists misjudging the size of the intersection and the sharpness of the turns. His recommendation calls for narrowing of the intersection through the installation of crosswalks and better motorist guidance by extending the yellow median striping around the medians per the attached Conceptual Striping Plan.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Traffic Committee reviewed this item at their June 18, 2020 meeting. The Committee recommended approval to implement the striping improvements per the attached Conceptual Striping Plan to City Council at an estimated cost of $3,500.

FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY

Implementation of the traffic improvements outlined in the Conceptual Striping Plan are estimated to cost $3,500. Sufficient funds are available in Project No. 7219 Traffic Calming Improvement Program for the installation of the traffic improvements. There is no impact on the City General Fund.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared By: Michael Ho, P.E., Deputy Public Works Director / City Engineer
Concurrence: Tony Olmos, P.E., Public Works Director

Attachments
Puente and Whittier