Del Rey Oaks >> The Transportation Agency for Monterey County, in partnership with the cities of Del Rey Oaks, Seaside and Caltrans, will host a community workshop on the topic of Highway 218 safety and pedestrian accessibility improvements.

“TAMC applied for and was awarded a planning grant to assess how the 218 corridor could be made more safe for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians,” said Dino Pick, Del Rey Oaks city manager, in an email.

The workshop will be held at the Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave. in Seaside, on June 28 from 6-7:30 p.m.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that Canyon Del Rey Boulevard is actually a state highway which serves as the main boulevard in the cities of Del Rey Oaks and Seaside,” said Debbie Hale, TAMC executive director, in press release. “So it’s imperative that we identify what the issues and safety concerns are and then find solutions to make it safer and easier to walk, bike and drive along the boulevard.”

Pick said the safety concerns are centered around speeding, relatively unprotected bike lanes, uncontrolled left turns onto and off of residential streets, and pedestrians safely crossing Highway 218 to and from parks.

Workshop participants will hear a brief presentation on what the agencies have heard from community members during the corridor bus/walking tours held in April, participate in an interactive survey and write comments on segment boards depicting various segments of the roadway.

Pick said he has heard from people in the community specifically concerned about cars passing in the bike lane, excessive speed through the thoroughfare, difficulty getting to the Frog Pond or Del Rey Park, and unsafe turns.

Comments and suggestions provided by community members will assist the agencies with achieving the goals of the Canyon Del Rey Boulevard Corridor Study to make Canyon Del Rey Boulevard safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and for all ages and abilities, and develop conceptual design improvements and an implementation strategy.

According to Pick, some examples of improvement ideas for Highway 218 that have been suggested include, adding a protected pedestrian/bicycle lane, installing crosswalks with flashing lights to allow for safe pedestrian crossings, and modifying certain intersections with roundabouts to slow traffic while allowing through out.

Those unable to attend the workshop can also share their concerns and ideas by visiting the TAMC website at http://bit.ly/canyondelrey

“The result of the study will be a menu of potential projects at the 10 percent design point that jurisdictions or TAMC can submit for grant funding to complete design and construct,” said Pick.

James Herrera can be reached at 831-726-4344.