Roads & Infrastructure

Traffic Safety Around Schools

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to join the Ashley Falls PTA and students in their Walk to School Day. Traffic safety around schools is one of my top priorities, and with the opening three new schools in Carmel Valley this year: Cathedral Catholic High School, Sycamore Ridge Elementary, and Canyon Crest Academy, I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some traffic calming solutions I’ve been working on to improve safety around schools.

Currently, our senior traffic engineers are working with Sage Canyon Principal Peg LaRose, parents and City traffic engineers to improve safety for Sage Canyon students. The plan is to slow down vehicles cutting through neighborhood streets while still allowing access to the school area. I have been happy to assist Sage Canyon with a new drop-off pattern which will reduce cut-through traffic and speeding vehicles along Amberglades Lane. The neighbors are also working with the Carmel Valley Planning Board to monitor the traffic conditions to determine if further measures are necessary.

Sycamore Ridge Elementary will also be benefiting from improved safety measures. A pedestrian activated lighted crosswalk will be installed on Old Carmel Valley Road to provide a safe crossing for students attending Sycamore Ridge. This crosswalk will be installed in a few months. I agreed with the school and parents that some action should be taken in the interim. This month, two mid-block temporary stop signs were added to the street in front of the school.

At Cathedral Canyon High School, I have requested that additional speed limit signs be installed along Del Mar Heights Road. There is also a new traffic signal at the school entrance. With the completion of the Del Mar Heights wildlife corridor bridge last month and the opening of Del Mar Heights Road through to Carmel Valley Road, the addition signage and traffic signals will help ensure a safe driving, biking and pedestrian experience for area residents.

At Solana Pacific Elementary school, students and parents will notice new medians and traffic signals. The current stop signs will remain in place at the southern portion of Townsgate while construction continues on the adjacent condominium development. The northern light is in action and provides a heightened security for students crossing the street on the way to school.

Pedestrian and driver safety depends upon having well-engineered streets that promote safe car/pedestrian interactions, educated drivers and pedestrians who understand the rules of the road and simple etiquette, and consistent enforcement of traffic laws. Fortunately each of us who drive plays the most important role in keeping kids safe: Attentive and thoughtful driving.

Carmel Valley is a beautiful and safe place to live and together we can keep it that way. Please remember to slow down on residential streets and please pay attention near parks, schools and anywhere kids might be!