Carlsbad delays Barrio traffic circle project

City Council to revisit project on July 29 with new options, including hybrid and non-roundabout solutions; city could lose $4 million in grant funding

The Carlsbad City Council delay the approval of construction contract to install five traffic circles in the Barrio until July 29. File photo

CARLSBAD — Traffic calming in the Barrio will have to wait for a new solution.

The City Council delayed the traffic circles project on Tuesday amid some complaints from residents about the circles and the loss of parking. The item was set to be approved to award the construction contract, but Councilwoman Melanie Burkholder pulled the item, which has been in the works for 11 years.

The item will come back to the council on July 29. The council also directed staff to return with options to include a plan without traffic circles, but with traffic calming (stop signs, speed humps) and a hybrid alternatives that might include traffic circles.

Part of the project also includes installing new water and wastewater pipes in the Barrio, an area where its infrastructure is aging and in need of replacement. City Manager Geoff Patnoe, though, said the pipes were moved up in the queue so the city could knock out both projects at once, but stressed the pipes are not in immediate need of replacement and will serve residents and businesses as normal until the project returns in the coming years.

The council spent nearly one hour discussing the issues with eliminating parking, slowing speeds and resident feedback.

“I’ve also seen a shift in our community about their feelings regarding traffic circles, and whether they’re the best solution to traffic calming compared to speed cushions, stop signs or other traffic safety ideas,” Burkholder said on Tuesday. “That’s why I wanted to take a pause and talk to staff … and the public.”

Over two phases, the project would install five traffic circles as part of the larger Barrio Traffic Lighting and Traffic Circle project. Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) secured $5 million ($1 million for lighting) in federal funding for the $5.6 million traffic circles project.

Burkholder said while she supports the project, the loss of 38 parking spaces to “make way” for the circles is too much for the Barrio to absorb. Also, the issue has been compounded by the state’s new Daylighting Law (Assembly Bill 413).

The law prevents a vehicle from parking within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk (marked or unmarked) when entering. If curb extensions are present, vehicles cannot park within 15 feet of an intersection or crosswalk.