Bulb-Out Treatment Decided, Schedule TBD

Bulb-outs along Fair Oaks will be treated with an 8-inch white edge line after the , Deputy Public Works Director Shin Furukawa told residents last Monday. 

"Essentially for the bulb-outs, what we've decided to do is to put in the white stripe along the gutter as we discussed at the last meeting," said Furukawa.

"It will be an 8-inch white—basically—edge line that starts at the last parking T and then goes around the bulb-out to guide traffic," he continued. 

An example of what the stripe will look like can be seen on Monterey Road just east of Fair Oaks. (This particular stripe doesn't go all the way around the bulb-out, but will give residents an idea of its size, Furukawa said.)

The white stripe should sufficiently improve visibility of the bulb-outs, according to City staff. No additional treatments—such as red paint or physical barriers—will be added at this time.  

CITY SAYS NO TO REMOVAL

"Why are you guys not thinking of just taking out the bulb-outs?" asked structural engineer and South Pas resident Tuncer Toprakci at the Fair Oaks community meeting last Monday.

"We are not here to talk about taking them out; we are just here to talk about addressing them," responded Furukawa. "... there are obviously mixed feelings about them and their effectiveness ... ."

The point of the bulb-outs is to lessen pedestrian crossing time and calm traffic, the City says. Yet many residents feel they are dangerous to those walking, biking and driving on Fair Oaks. 

Nevertheless, one benefit of the bulb-outs discussed at the meeting is the addition of approximately 15 extra parking spots. 

Striping of the bulb-outs is expected to be completed before the end of August. The City has yet to determine a start date for the project. 

To read about how the City plans to move forward with crosswalk repairs, click here. 

The next Fair Oaks Construction Corridor community meeting is slated for 6:30 p.m. August 22 at the  .