HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/19/2022 Item 6i, Peterson
Delgado, Adriana
From:Shirley Peterson <shirleyspeterson@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, July 14,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Johnson Avenue Improvements Project
Attachments:Johnson Ave Improvement Project--Peterson.docx
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Dear Council Members
I'm writing regarding the proposed road improvements to Johnson Avenue. I am in agreement with all the
proposed changes except for the aspect that would reduce the number of vehicle lanes between San Luis Drive
and Bishop Street.
Johnson Ave between San Luis Drive and Bishop St is a very busy traffic area with French Hospital, many
medical offices, and several government offices. Additionally this part of Johnson Avenue is used heavily by
traffic going to and from San Luis High School.
I believe it is best to keep the current 2 lanes in each direction layout instead of reducing this area to only 1 lane
in each direction for this part of Johnson Avenue. The main concern I have is that the traffic will be so dense
with only 1 lane in each direction, emergency vehicles will not be able to get through to the hospital during busy
times. Also of concern is the traffic backup that will occur in front of San Luis High School,which is already
dangerous at busy hours. Additionally there is the potential for traffic backup between Bishop and
Orcutt. Over time this could affect the roundabout traffic flow at Orcutt Rd and Tankfarm Rd.
More of my concerns about narrowing Johnson between San Luis Drive and Bishop Street are in the attached
letter that I had originally sent to staff who are working on this project.
My request is that you remove this item from the consent agenda and discuss how the traffic flow will be
impacted between San Luis Drive and Bishop and modify the proposed plans to keep this area 2 lands in each
direction.
Thank you for your consideration and support of making Johnson Ave safer for all situations.
Shirley Peterson
1
The following was emailed on March 12, 2022, to Luke Swarts, Justin Wong, and Adam
Fukushim.
HI Luke
Thanks for the link to the plan for Johnson Ave. I spent some time the last few days driving and
looking at how Johnson is laid out between San Luis Drive and Bishop.
Based on my observations and history of living near this area for 23 years‐‐I believe the level of
traffic in that section of Johnson Ave is best serviced by 2 lanes in each direction. This has to do
with the high volume of school, medical facilities, and government offices traffic, along with
bus routes that use Johnson multiple times a day. It appears to me that emergency vehicles
have more room to maneuver with current lane design than they would with only 1 lane in each
direction.
There are also some bicyclists using the existing bike lanes‐‐so they are serving the desired
purpose‐‐although re‐striping with green mediums would be helpful. I did notice that part of
that section already has a center turn lane to help residences access their home.
Without two lanes in each direction, I believe there would be significant traffic backup affecting
the high school area as all vehicles wanting to turn left onto Johnson would need to line up in
one lane that will probably stretch to the parking lot entrance of the high school. The traffic
there is already dense and can be challenging to make left hand turns out of the parking lot.
The same is true for traffic coming from the Smart & Final area and wanting to go straight on
Johnson. With only 1 lane for the traffic to proceed forward, the backup will stretch for several
blocks.
Also, the high school, work and other traffic traveling from the Laurel Lane side, will back up for
blocks with only one lane. With the Righetti Hill developments, the traffic will only continue to
build along Johnson as people try to get work, school, appointments, shopping, etc.
The backups will cause drivers' impatience and can lead to aggressive and unsafe driving along
that stretch of Johnson.
Although I believe 1 lane in each direction between Smith and Laurel will help the traffic flow
and make the area safer, I believe that is not the case between San Luis Drive and Bishop.
If my thoughts are not clear, or you'd like to chat about my assessment, please feel free to call.
Thanks,
Shirley Peterson