HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/1994, COMM.1 - TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT AT BROAD AND HIGUERA STREETS MLONG AGENDA/!
DATE le'7_ITEM # M•
May 26, 1994
COMMUNICATION ITEM
TO: Council Colleagues
FROM: Dave Romero
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT AT BROAD AND HIGUERA STREETS
One of the most congested traffic movements in the City occurs for North Broad Street
traffic at Higuera. There is one traffic lane with a large desire for left turn movement. This
conflicts with heavy pedestrian movement and substantial southbound movement on Broad
Street. This causes northbound traffic to regularly back up past Garden alley and
occasionally blocks the driveways serving the City parking lot.
As Public Works director, I proposed a solution which would involve removal of three short-
term parking meters on the east side of Broad Street and channelizing northbound Broad
Street traffic to allow a left turn lane and a through-lane at Higuera Street. This is the
same solution we used on Osos Street at Monterey, at Higuera, and at Marsh Streets. We
obtained preliminary approval from both CalTrans and the BIA, however, we did not
proceed with the improvement because the Chorro Street parking structure was under
construction and parking spaces were in short supply downtown.
The current situation is worse than it had been because the blockage of Nipomo Street for
the bridge construction has caused an increase of southbound traffic on Broad Street,further
restricting the left turn movement for northbound Broad. I have received a number of
citizen complaints and have observed almost continuous congestion in this block for the
northbound Broad Street traffic movement,with traffic sometimes backed up to block access
in and out of the City parking lot.
Since our downtown parking availability is much improved with the addition of spaces in the
parking structure, I believe this is an ideal time to proceed with this traffic improvement.
Therefore, I respectfully request that the Council direct staff to review the situation and
return to Council with a recommended solution.
DR:ss