San Jose’s public works department is altering its plan to partially realign Meridian Avenue after doing some additional field investigation and getting more community feedback.

Although the city council on Nov. 29 authorized taking the southeast corner of Meridian and Fruitdale avenues for the realignment, the proposed striping will be somewhat modified, according to public works staff. Related Articles San Jose: Realignment of Meridian and Fruitdale intersection proposed

In February, staff approved a conditional use permit to build a convenience store and self-service drive-through car wash at 900 Meridian Ave., where a Chevron gas station currently stands. Staff determined then that approximately 2,406 square feet of the corner lot wasn’t needed for the redevelopment and could be used to partially realign Meridian. That would involve removing the right-turn lane pocket and adding a sidewalk along Meridian and Fruitdale to better square off the corner.

Noting that the design would reduce the crossing distance at the intersection and make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, staff approved a permit for the convenience store and car wash on the condition that property owner Denice California Properties LLC allows the realignment.

Since then, the design has been changed. It still will improve pedestrian safety but without removing the right-turn lane, according to public works deputy director Michael Liw.

“The striping will include one left-turn lane, two thru lanes, and one striped right-turn pocket,” Liw wrote in an email. “The pork chop island and large right-turn will be removed as the sidewalk will be pushed towards the center line of Meridian Avenue.

“This will improve the pedestrian environment, which is always a goal of the city,” he added. “This minor change was done to alleviate any concerns about the removal of a right-turn lane.”

Because the changes aren’t expected to affect how much right-of-way the city needs to realign the corner, Liw said the council approved them.

Public works and the developer are still working on plans for construction, which Liw said in a previous interview will start earlier next year and “shouldn’t take too long.” Because the work is mostly routine, commutes shouldn’t be affected much, he added.

Lane closures will be handled by public works and shouldn’t start before 9 a.m. and last beyond 3 p.m. An inspector will monitor traffic during those hours and handle any needed adjustments.