Traffic Study Reveals Alarming Congestion in Shadow Lakes

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the results of a traffic study conducted in the Shadow Lakes area, focusing on the impact of collector streets connecting to major arteries. The study evaluated 21 intersections, including key locations such as Balfour Road and San Jose Avenue, to assess traffic flow and congestion during school hours.

The traffic counts were collected in September 2017, coinciding with school sessions, during peak morning (7-9 AM) and afternoon (4-6 PM) hours. However, concerns were raised regarding the alignment of the afternoon count with school pickup times, which typically occur between 2-4 PM. Officials noted that the morning period often experiences heavier traffic due to the combination of school and commuter traffic.

Commissioners sought clarification on specific traffic volumes at various intersections, particularly the discrepancies between the number of vehicles entering and exiting certain areas. For instance, one intersection recorded 432 cars making left turns during the morning, raising questions about the expected traffic from the surrounding residential areas, which include approximately 1,100 homes.

The discussion highlighted the complexity of traffic patterns, as not all residents have children attending local schools, and many factors influence traffic flow. The officials acknowledged the challenges in accurately predicting traffic volumes, especially with the potential addition of new developments in the area.

Concerns were also voiced about the increasing traffic on collector roads, which are receiving more vehicles than some arterial roads. The implications of this traffic increase could exacerbate existing congestion issues, prompting further analysis and consideration of traffic management strategies in the Shadow Lakes region.