Carlsbad Reduces Barrio Traffic Circles to Save $4M Grant

Carlsbad’s City Council Approves Revised Plan for Downtown Traffic Circles

Carlsbad’s City Council made a significant decision on Tuesday, voting unanimously to reduce the number of traffic circles proposed for the downtown Barrio. Instead of the original five, only one will be installed at the intersection of Harding Street and Pine Avenue. This change was made in response to concerns raised by residents and city officials about the feasibility and impact of multiple traffic circles.

The council members expressed that having five traffic circles would be excessive and potentially disruptive. They opted for a more balanced approach, incorporating a single traffic circle along with stop signs, speed cushions, and improved crosswalks. These measures aim to address ongoing issues with speeding vehicles in the neighborhood while maintaining safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Councilmember Kevin Shin highlighted the aesthetic value of the chosen location, stating that the traffic circle at Harding and Pine would serve as a beautiful entryway with a unique piece of artwork. This decision aligns with the broader goal of enhancing the visual appeal of the area while improving traffic flow and safety.

Originally, the city's Village and Barrio master plan recommended eight intersections for traffic circles. The plan was designed to slow down vehicles and create a safer environment for pedestrians and bicyclists. However, after further studies and community meetings, three of these locations were deemed unsuitable and removed from the proposal.

In 2020, the City Council approved a design featuring five traffic circles. But last month, before the construction contract could be awarded, the council decided to pause the project. This decision came after concerns from the neighborhood about the potential challenges drivers might face with the traffic circles, especially those unfamiliar with them. There were also worries about the loss of street parking due to the project.

City officials initially faced a challenge when they learned that not installing the five traffic circles could result in losing a $4 million federal grant. However, through negotiations with Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration, the city managed to adjust the allocation of funds. Now, the city can keep the one traffic circle without losing the entire grant.

Tom Frank, transportation director and city engineer, explained that the original grant was $5 million, with $1 million designated for improved street lighting and the remaining $4 million for traffic circles. By working with the state, the city was able to reallocate the funds so that $2.5 million is now available for both traffic circles and lighting. The lighting portion of the grant was never at risk.

Frank also noted that the city had previously faced the possibility of losing the entire $4 million if the project were delayed or redesigned. However, through negotiations, the city secured up to $2.5 million for just one traffic circle. This amount may still be affected if the construction costs come in lower than expected. The city is responsible for contributing approximately 11% of the project costs as matching funds.

To address concerns about lost parking spaces, city staff identified ways to increase the number of available spots. By converting parallel parking to diagonal parking on wider streets and removing some unnecessary red curbs, the city could add about seven new parking spaces in the Barrio.

Councilmember Melanie Burkholder, whose district includes the Barrio, acknowledged that the issue of parking loss had been a moving target. Initially opposed to any new traffic circles, she now supports the revised plan due to the added parking spaces.

The art element at the center of the traffic circle is still under consideration, with a sculpture being one of the suggested options. The location is near the Pine Avenue Senior Center, the Carlsbad Community Church, and a block away from the Harding Community Center.

A conceptual plan and high-level cost estimate for the construction, including utility impacts, will be presented to the City Council in November. This step marks an important milestone in the implementation of the revised traffic circle plan.