Carlsbad plans crosswalk upgrades and speed cushions near Jefferson Elementary with federal Safer Streets grant

City staff presented the Carlsbad Traffic Safety Improvements project (CIP project 610016), funded by $850,000 in federal Safer Streets funding and requiring an 11.47% local match, to upgrade crosswalks and install speed cushions and rapid‑flashing beacons at selected school crossings.

Traffic Engineer John Kim and Senior Engineer Miriam James explained the project scope: upgrade about 68 existing marked crosswalks near schools to high‑visibility continental markings, add two uncontrolled crosswalk upgrades with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (one near Jefferson Elementary), perform a slurry seal in affected pavement areas and install four speed cushions recommended by the Jefferson Safe Routes to School plan (two on Jefferson Street and two on Shinkopin Avenue). Staff said the project advances recommendations already accepted by City Council in the Jefferson Safe Routes to School plan and that staff coordinated with police and fire on scope and safety.

Commissioners asked about timing and preferred construction during school summer break; staff said final design, permitting and funding allocation for construction would follow and anticipated implementation likely in 2027. When asked about match funding, staff said the City has the required local match.

The commission provided comments and support for moving the project forward and for coordinating construction timing with school schedules.