REMOVAL OF TRAFFIC BARRIER ON 3RD STREET AT BEACH DRIVE AND CONSIDERATION OF INSTALLATION OF MULTI-WAY STOP AT 4TH STREET AND HERMOSA AVENUE

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Order the removal of the existing raised barrier on 3rd Street at Beach Drive and install two-way stop control; and

2. Order the installation of a multi-way stop control at the intersection of 4th Street and Hermosa Avenue.

Background:

The affected residents in the area bounded by 3rd and 4th Streets, Hermosa Avenue and The Strand petitioned the City of Hermosa Beach to consider removal of said barrier and to install a multi-way stop sign at 4th Street and Hermosa Avenue so they could make "U" turns in a safer manner than currently exists. Since there are "NO U-TURN" signs at the existing traffic signal at 2nd Street and Hermosa Avenue the residents must make "U" turns at 4th Street in order to proceed north. This maneuver is partially obscured by the curb and median parking.

Analysis:

The City Traffic Engineer has reviewed the traffic circulation and access impacts of the residents suggestions. His report is attached.

In brief, the removal of said barrier would be beneficial in that it can easily be replaced by STOP controls along Beach Drive and it would remove a fixed obstacle in the roadway. Further, it would take the responsibility that presently exists for the residents and the City to maintain the barricade.

Multi-Way STOP consideration at Hermosa Avenue and 4th Street: The circulation and access problems for the residents are described in the Background section above as well as in the attached Traffic Engineers report. The southbound Hermosa Avenue left or "U" turn at 4th Street has shown a pattern of accidents that should be mitigated by the multi-way stop.

Alternatives:

Removal of the NO U-TURN signing at the traffic signal at Hermosa Avenue and 2nd Street would mitigate the residents turn problems at 4th Street. There could be similar problems at 2nd Street due to the median curb parking and limited sight distance.

However, the traffic signal control and end of cycle turning could be more beneficial than the uncontrolled situation at 4th Street. Further, the traffic signal at 2nd Street is very old. New equipment could allow a design for separate left turn phasing. This would allow protected turns to be implemented. The signal modification cost would be $85,000 to $100,000.

Fiscal Impact:

Maintenance forces can remove said barrier and place the necessary signs for a cost less than $1,000.

Traffic signal modification at 2nd Street would be approximately $85,000 to $100, 000.

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