Meetings of the La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Board often are a sounding board for speed reduction proposals, especially in recent months. The group’s May 19 meeting was no exception.
‘Anything is better than where we are today’: La Jolla traffic board considers speed cameras
This time, the conversation surrounded a popular shortcut to avoid traffic on Torrey Pines Road. In the words of T&T Chairman Erik Gantzel, East Roseland Drive “is a tough nut to crack.”
The street has appeared on the board’s agenda multiple times through the years because of residents’ concerns about speeding and its high volume of traffic as an alternative to the ever-busy Torrey Pines Road. Worsening the issue, neighbors say, is traffic going from Calle de la Plata onto East Roseland Drive.
One East Roseland resident called the situation “outrageous” and added that several construction projects on the street have made driving there even more difficult.
Area resident Karen Marshall has pushed for traffic-calming methods such as speed humps on the street, though no such measures have been approved by the city of San Diego.
Some residents are urging traffic-calming measures at East Roseland Drive and Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla. (Bing Maps and La Jolla Light)
Joaquin Quintero, field representative for City Council President Joe LaCava, whose District 1 includes La Jolla, said the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department conducted a review of East Roseland Drive and found that it serves as an emergency route and therefore would be used by first responders.
Traffic-calming devices, the department said, would adversely affect response times and firefighting operations in what is considered a very high fire severity zone.
That determination was initially made in 2017, and a more recent review affirmed it, Quintero said.
Marshall suggested “full and permanent closure” of the intersection of East Roseland and Torrey Pines Road, except for emergency vehicles. She acknowledged the suggestion could be problematic and said she is looking into alternative ideas.
“You can’t close every street in the city for that,” said board member Jason Peaslee, who lives on a similarly busy street. “You moved in after the street was built, just like I did. It’s a public road.”
Another resident suggested putting up signs discouraging a right turn from Torrey Pines Road onto East Roseland.
Others asked whether the board would push for speed lumps, which are considered a less-expensive, less-intrusive alternative to speed humps. Speed lumps are similar to humps but are divided into three lumps with one foot of space between each. The space between the lumps is designed to accommodate the axle width of firetrucks so they can pass through without having to go over the speed lumps. All vehicles with smaller axle widths must go over the lumps with at least one side of the vehicle.
Board member John Bauer suggested the discussion return as an action item as early as next month’s meeting.
Other Traffic & Transportation news
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival: This year’s parade and festival, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 6, got the board’s unanimous support May 19.
No changes to the event footprint are planned, and only minor changes like relocating the VIP area are proposed.
The annual parade will have the theme “A Village Christmas: Celebrating 70 Years of Holiday Tradition,” and activities will include a visit from Santa Claus, a Christmas market, live music and more. A tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m.
“Tides of Creativity”: The second annual “Tides of Creativity” is a go, but with a later date than initially planned.
Bovine statues on Avenida de la Playa get pastel treatment during “Tides of Creativity” on June 21 last year in La Jolla Shores. (Vincent Andrunas)
This year’s event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, around Laureate Park in the 2200 block of Avenida de la Playa. Associated road closures are planned for 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The La Jolla Shores Association presented the inaugural “Tides of Creativity” last June, highlighting local artists, authors and businesses and including arts and crafts, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides and more.
It had initially planned this year’s event for May 9 but postponed it to allow more time for permitting and planning.
T&T approved details of the 2026 festival in March, but LJSA President John Pierce returned to get the board’s support with the date change in mind.
Next meeting: The La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Board next meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Learn more at lajollacpa.org. ♦