A pitch for what is known as a “pedestrian scramble” on Girard Avenue at Torrey Pines Road was brought before the La Jolla Traffic & Transportation board during its July 21 meeting. And while the board did not condone the project, members expressed interest in implementing similar efforts to improve walkability in La Jolla.
A pedestrian scramble is a signal arrangement that stops all cars at an intersection, which allows people to cross simultaneously on all four sides of that intersection and/or diagonally.
The intersection of Girard Avenue and Torrey Pines Road is located next to the Albertsons in La Jolla. (Noah Lyons)
The idea of having one installed in The Village was posed by resident Ann Dynes, who said the proposal “would be kind of fun,” based on her past efforts to improve pedestrian access in La Jolla. Dynes previously approached the T&T board with the idea of having a piano-themed crosswalk painted onto Fay Avenue. But the concept faced a significant roadblock due to city ordinances that disallow decorative crosswalks at midblock crossings.
That experience, she said, has “given me a sensitivity to the opportunities for crosswalks in La Jolla that are unique and fun,”
Speaking to the pedestrian scramble concept, at the T&T meeting, board member Mike McCormack said if it makes the intersection more efficient, he’s “all for it.” But other board members and attendees offered alternatives.
Attendee Chas. Dye suggested Girard Avenue and Pearl Street is a better site for a scramble.
Alternatively, T&T secretary John Bauer suggested Girard Avenue and Kline Street would be a more appropriate area for a scramble than the one that was pitched.
All said, no board vote or action was taken.
This is the second scramble pitch to be nixed, albeit in different circumstances. Another proposal to install a pedestrian scramble near Muirlands Middle School at the intersection of Nautilus Street and Avenida Mirola was supported by the board but later rejected by the city of San Diego’s Engineering & Capital Projects Department.
In other T&T news:
Guardrail contractor: A contractor has been selected for the upcoming Torrey Pines Road guardrail installation project.
The project will be headed by San Diego-based Palm Engineering, and will replace the long-standing K-rail barrier on a section of Torrey Pines Road between Prospect Place and Coast Walk with 350 feet of metal bridge rail. Additional work involves replacing the sidewalk, curb and gutter; relocating utilities; repaving and restriping the impacted section of roadway; and installing signage
Construction is still expected to take place in the coming months. Community outreach will be conducted in the form of a letter sent to residents in the area before construction starts.
The plan is to have a phase of nighttime work in which the westernmost traffic lane and its neighboring bike lane would be closed, according to the city. The area is to be cleared for vehicle use during the day, barring unforeseen circumstances.
The guardrail project is a long time coming.
The effort began in January 2018 when a car careened off Torrey Pines Road onto the adjacent hillside, landing in the yard of one of the Coast Walk houses below. Soon after, the concrete K-rail was installed as a temporary protective measure.
A temporary K-rail barrier remains along Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla until a permanent replacement guardrail is installed. (Noah Lyons)
A year later, work began to find a more permanent solution. The project had been in the design phase in recent months and is now one step closer to taking place.
La Jolla Art & Wine Festival: With the same footprint and details from years past, the T&T board offered its unanimous support to the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival.
This year’s event is slated to take place Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11. Associated street closures and set up begins at noon on Friday, Oct. 9. Signage will be placed warning of these closures in the Village of La Jolla 72 hours in advance.
Proceeds from the La Jolla Art & Wine festival spotlight local businesses and raise funds for La Jolla’s five public schools in the San Diego Unified School District.
Next meeting
The La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Board next meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The agenda will be posted 72 hours in advance at lajollacpa.org.