Downtown Complete Streets

Downtown Complete Streets Conceptual Rendering

Project Background

The project intends to make the corridor on West Alisal Street and Lincoln Avenue a more safe, efficient and complete street. The first phase will include re-striping, signal improvements, and crosswalk improvements on West Alisal Street from Blanco Road to Front Street. The project is funded by a federal grant from the Highways Safety Improvement Program and a grant from the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) for design.

The second phase includes additional intersection improvements, continuing complete streets improvements on Lincoln Avenue, and designs for enhanced bus service.

This project is part of a larger regional plan to improve transit, bicycle, pedestrian and auto corridor between the Marina area to the City of Salinas. Information on the regional plan can be found on the Transportation Agency for Monterey County website

SAFE

The Downtown Complete Streets project proposes enhanced crosswalks curb extensions and signals systems that are bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Signals will be upgraded to provide protected left turn phase to reduce turning collision potential and improve safety. Crosswalks will be improved to make crossing areas more visible and crossing distances will be reduced. Bicycle lanes will have more defined spacing from car traffic.

EFFICIENT

The Downtown Complete Streets project proposes enhanced signal systems. Signal upgrades will include advanced systems that can optimize heavy traffic movement and minimize overall delay. Signal coordination along the corridor will help improve flow through the corridor. A later phase may include recommendations to accommodate enhanced bus services, which provide reliable and fast services to destinations in the area.

COMPLETE

The Downtown Complete Streets Project makes significant improvements to West Alisal Street and Lincoln Avenue that benefit all users of the street. Traditional street design focuses on accommodation of the car alone with other street uses just an afterthought. The Complete Streets philosophy calls for design of transportation facilities including streets with all users in mind. Complete street designs enhances the streetscape to improve conditions for transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians. Resulting facilities provide real choices for travelers to decide how to get where they are going.