On July 6th, the first Public Meeting and City Council Study Session were held to openly discuss the development of a traffic calming plan for the southern portion of 23rd Street in the City of San Pablo and into the City of Richmond.   These were the first of many opportunities for public input on the proposed traffic calming plan.  The plan, which is being developed in cooperation with the Contra Costa County Health Services’ Injury Prevention, would be expected to improve traffic flow and safety for all modes of traffic along this busy arterial roadway.  Similar roadway improvements are being considered by the City of Richmond along 23rd Street and include the formalizing of bicycle and pedestrian facilities by reducing the number of vehicle travel lanes.  Often referred to as a “road diet”, a successful traffic calming measure in many local communities, the plan would convert the existing four lane roadway, with two lanes in each direction, to a three lane roadway, with a single lane in each direction and a center two-way left-turn lane. 

Bicyclists would be provided the added benefit of either a bike route (Class III) shared travel lane, which would consist of a wider lane with ample room for vehicles and bikes, or a separate bike lane (Class II).  The shared bike route option would also include pavement markings or “sharrows” to indicate the proper alignment for cyclist to avoid parked vehicle doors, while reminding drivers of the shared nature of the facility.  The bike lane option would be for exclusive use by cyclists and marked adjacent to the parking lane.  Visual simulations of existing and optional conditions are provided to the right..

Pedestrians would be provided with sidewalks that would be free of parked vehicles and cyclists.  Additionally, while crossing the roadway the exposure to traffic is significantly reduced and requires obtaining the attention of only a single lane of traffic in each direction.  A significant issue with multiple travel lane pedestrian crossings is the “shadow”, or blocked sight lines, created by vehicles in adjacent travel lanes.  The eventual streetscape improvements could include bulb-outs or curb extensions, which would reduce the actual street crossing distance.

As for vehicles, the “road diet” provides improved traffic flow by removing the blockage or back-up created by left-turning vehicles in the through traffic lane.  Last minute lane changes, variations in speed, and driver frustration create added hazards for other drives, bicyclists and even pedestrians along multi-lane roadways.  Furthermore, turn movements from side street along 23rd Street, or the Old Town neighborhood, are facilitated by use of the two-way left-turn lane and a single stream of conflicting traffic. 

Next steps for this project include continued public outreach, specifically with the business and neighborhood organizations.  It is hoped that consensus amongst the community stakeholders is reached as further technical analysis of the project is completed in cooperation with the City of Richmond.