City presents Bates/Bay quick-build plan: lane changes, raised median and interim painted crosswalk

Edward Los Banos, deputy director and the mayor’s representative, presented the City’s Complete Streets concept for the Bates/Bay Street crosswalk and related corridor improvements. He said the plan includes lane reductions, a raised median area, a left-turn lane onto Bates, new parking stalls and a sidewalk expansion at the crosswalk. He described an interim ‘quick-build’ treatment consisting of paint, signage and stanchions while a permanent design proceeds through procurement.

On traffic modeling, Los Banos said the 2017 traffic modeling projects vehicular service levels would remain acceptable through about 2037 with the proposed geometry. He acknowledged limits on speed-hump options because of steep grades and said the temporary paint-and-signage approach is being pursued while funds and procurement are finalized. He said staff hoped to have the painting contract executed by June 2026 to avoid lapsing allocated funds.

Board members asked about potential traffic impacts at school pickup and drop-off times, the visual impression of trees shown in the renderings, and operational adjustments (signal timing) for peak periods. Staff said they would follow up on tree planting/placement questions and re-examine peak-period timing in modeling and subsequent designs.

The board offered several suggestions, including reviewing morning and afternoon peak operation, considering signal timing adjustments to reduce queuing around turn lanes, and confirming whether trees in renderings are existing or newly planned. No formal vote was taken; staff promised follow-up to provide additional clarifications.