Traffic In Temecula: City Scrutinizing Many Intersections

TEMECULA, CA — It's no secret that Temecula has its share of traffic woes. The city has invested millions of dollars in improvements and technology to help traffic flow more efficiently, but gridlock and some safety concerns continue in neighborhoods.

To that end, during Tuesday night's Temecula City Council meeting, a discussion is planned to come up with how the city will prioritize future traffic signal locations. The City Council members are expected to approve the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee to develop prioritization criteria.

For background, during the April 25 Traffic Safety Commission meeting, city staff presented a priority list of intersections in Temecula that could warrant traffic signals in the future. The priority intersections were (in no particular order):

• Margarita Road at Jedediah Smith Road
• Rancho Vista Road at Temecula Valley High School/Avenida De La Reina
• Nicolas Road at Joseph Road
• Nicolas Road at Calle Medusa
• La Serena Way at Calle Medusa
• Deer Hollow Way and Great Oak High School

Other possible intersections included:

• Redhawk Parkway at Via Puebla
• Vail Ranch Parkway at Camino Piedra Rojo
• Butterfield Stage Road at Jerez Lane
• Butterfield Stage Road at Rancho Vista Road
• Butterfield Stage Road at Chermin Clinet
• Vail Ranch Parkway at Cinon Drive
• Redhawk Parkway at Via Saltio
• Butterfield Stage Road at Ahern Place
• Rainbow Canyon Road at Bayhill Drive
• Rancho California Road at Promenade Chardonnay Hills
• Meadows Pkwy at Royal Oaks Drive
• Pujol Street at Main Street
• Diaz Road at Remington Avenue
• La Serena Way at Walcott Lane

However, the traffic signal priority list was developed based on intersection geometrics and general engineering judgment and not by established criteria for purposes of ranking, according to city documents.

Additionally, the above lists are just a sampling. Many Temecula residents contact the city about the need for traffic signals in their neighborhoods.

Also, the above intersections do not consider traffic signals that the city already has in design or signals included as part of Temecula's future Capital Improvement Projects tied to ongoing development. Those signals are:

• Diaz Road at Overland Drive/Avenida Alvarado
• Overland Drive at Enterprise Circle
• Overland Drive at Commerce Center Drive
• Cherry Street at Diaz Road
• Cherry Street at Adams Street
• Western Bypass at First Street
• First Street at Pujol Street

Funding for traffic signals is typically through developer fees. Proposed traffic signal locations undergo analysis based on state standards to ensure they are justified. While intersections might be on a priority list, it does not mean signals will happen.

If an Ad Hoc Committee is formed to determine which intersections are priorities, city staff recommends utilizing an on-call traffic consultant to help develop the criteria and ultimately perform the ranking based on factors that include state standards.

" ... the analysis for the large number of intersections will be time intensive," according to city documents.

The cost of hiring an expert is yet to be determined.

The 6 p.m. Sept. 24 Temecula City Council meeting takes place at the Civic Center, 41000 Main Street. Click here to view the full meeting agenda.