HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/16/2026 Item 7d, LeSageJune 16, 2026
City of San Luis Obispo
City Council and Public Works Department
990 Palm St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Item 7.d South St and King Court Crossing Project Modification
Good evening City Council and members of the Public Works Department. My name is
Tyler LeSage, and I am a resident of King Court. I am unable to attend the Council
Meeting in person this evening, but I felt it was important to submit my comments for
your consideration and for the public record.
I primarily use the South Street and King Court intersection as both a pedestrian and
cyclist, and I fully support improving safety for people walking and biking. However, I
am concerned that the originally proposed hybrid beacon does not adequately
consider the needs or safety of motorists, particularly those attempting to turn left onto
South Street from King Court. Many of us who live on King Court—including my wife, our
neighbors, and guests—regularly experience how difficult and unsafe it can be to turn
left onto South Street during peak commute hours and find them self in close call
situations or worse.
While the hybrid beacon would improve visibility and comfort for pedestrians and
cyclists, I worry it may unintentionally worsen conditions for motorists by increasing
queues along South Street. Fewer acceptable gaps will make it even harder for drivers
to exit King Court, increasing pressure, frustration, and ultimately the likelihood of rushed
or unsafe turning movements.
For these reasons, I am very encouraged to hear that the City is evaluating a change to
a standard traffic signal, and I want to express my strong support for that alternative.
Thank you for being willing to reassess the project even after a construction contract
has been awarded and funding timelines are in place. That responsiveness matters,
and it demonstrates a commitment to solutions that best serve the entire community.
I also want to acknowledge the City’s continued efforts toward Vision Zero, the Active
Transportation Plan, and Safe Routes to School. These are critical goals—but they
cannot be achieved without addressing unsafe vehicle movements, particularly at
intersections like this one where the geometry and traffic patterns already create
challenges.
This week, I saw flyers around Meadow Park and nearby neighborhoods expressing
concerns about the potential change to a traffic signal. I respectfully request that City
staff address the claims made in the flyer so the public can have accurate information.
Claim: A signal will increase cut-through traffic on Exposition Drive.
I find this unlikely. Occasional stopping on South Street is not the primary factor
influencing whether drivers use Exposition. Most people traveling on Exposition do so
because it is the end of their trip—not as a shortcut—and signal timing or modern
adaptive technology can be used to minimize delay on South Street if needed.
Claim: A traffic signal will add turning movements.
A signal would not add turning movements; it would simply make the existing ones
safer. A controlled, predictable signal phase promotes safer opportunities for all users
and supports the City’s broader safety objectives, including Vision Zero and Safe Routes
to Schools.
Thank you again for your willingness to listen to community concerns and adapt the
project to improve safety for everyone—drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. I
respectfully request the Council’s support for the traffic signal alternative.
Thank you,
Tyler LeSage
King Court Resident