HomeMy WebLinkAbout27 - Traffic Signal Installation at Eastbluff Drive & Alba StreetCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 27
June 14, 2005
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Public Works Department
Richard Edmonston, P.E.
949 - 644 -3311
red monston @city. newport- beach. ca. us
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION AT EASTBLUFF DRIVE AND ALBA
STREET
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to pursue the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Eastbluff
Drive and Alba Street including proceeding with preparing construction documents and
the ordering of signal poles.
DISCUSSION:
In 2003, former Councilmember Gary Adams formed a task force to study traffic issues
in the vicinity of Corona del Mar High School. With Councilmember Adams' departure,
Councilmember Lesile Diagle has adopted this as her highest priority and the task force
has continued to meet during this school year. The task force consists of parents,
students, residents, City and Newport Mesa Unified School District officials.
One of the issues identified early in the process was the safety of the large number of
students crossing Eastbluff Drive at Alba Street. The main entry drive for parking and
student drop -off is opposite Alba Street. Some of these students come from homes in
Eastbluff and many others are dropped off on Alba Street or Eastbluff Drive by their
parents. These students are attempting to cross the stream of traffic headed to the
school as well as the normal commute traffic using this arterial street. Traffic counts
and repeated observations of this location during the school day lead to the conclusion
that the most appropriate means to enhance student safety is to install a traffic signal at
this intersection. The installation of the signal will also require modifications to the High
School parking lot.
Funding for this project is proposed in the Fiscal Year 2005 -06 budget. If the new
budget is approved, the funds will be available in the Circulation and Transportation
Fund. In order to expedite this project, with the goal of having the signal operational as
near the start of school as possible, it is necessary for staff to proceed now rather than
SUBJECT: Traffic Signal Installation at Eastbluff Drive and Alba Street
June 14, 2005
Page 2
wait for the new fiscal year. Because of the long lead time to manufacture signal poles,
staff must pre -order them now. Plans and specifications are currently underway. The
award of the construction project is expected to occur in late July.
Environmental Review:
Staff has determined that the project is exempt from CEQA as provided for in Section
15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility that the project will have a significant effect on the environment. The
justification for this is that the signal is an upgrade of the existing traffic control device
currently at this intersection.
Prepared by:
Richard Edmonston, P.E.
Transportation and Development
Services Manager
Attachment: Location Map
Submitted by:
brf G. Badum
Works Director
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