Woolsey Street/Eton Avenue Intersection Project

The existing makeshift traffic circle at the Woolsey Street/Eton Avenue intersection is not functioning efficiently as a traffic calming device.  The objective of a traffic calming device is to encourage motorists to reduce their speed as they maneuver around the circle.  The circle is also not configured to optimize vehicle turning movements.

The Project is intended to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists by reducing vehicular speeds, improving vehicle turning movements, and creating accessible pedestrian pathways by constructing new curb ramps and marked crosswalks.

The Project originated as a result of a request by members of the neighborhood several years ago to enhance and improve the existing makeshift traffic circle.  Initial funding was secured to perform an engineering study in 2014 under the City’s annual Traffic Calming budget.  Prior scheduled projects to perform underground utility and paving work, as well as reprioritization of other competing projects resulted in a pause in work on this project.  In 2019, City staff performed the engineering study, but due to a Public Works staffing shortage and the public health pandemic in 2020, funding for this project was reprioritized for other uses and the Project was again paused.

The 2019 engineering study generated two conceptual design options based on traffic engineering design analysis and principles.  Staff presented these options in an online community meeting on October 7, 2021.

Based on community input, City staff will finalize the design and prepare “shovel-ready” construction bid documents.

Woolsey Street and Eton Avenue are two-way, asphalt-paved residential streets with relatively low traffic volumes.  According to the City’s General Plan, the nearest Major Street is College Avenue, located about 400 feet west of the intersection (intersecting Woolsey), and the nearest Collector Street is Claremont Avenue, located about 700 feet to the southeast (intersecting Eton).

A makeshift traffic circle exists at the intersection of Woolsey and Eton.  It consists of three spaced concrete planters (shown in green below) enclosed by a white circular pavement marking.  The planters contain community-maintained vegetation.  The three roadway legs of the intersection – two on Woolsey and one on Eton – each have yield markings.  There are no marked crosswalks at the intersection, although two curb ramps exist, one on each side of Eton.

Estimated Schedule:

• Concept Development: Intermittently from 2014-2019
• Community Meeting:  October 7, 2021
• Review and evaluate community comments: November 2021
• Decision on Design Option, Detailed Design and Preparation of Construction Bid Documents:  October/ December 2021 – December 2021/January 2022
• Construction – To Be Determined