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Caltrans announced that it is awarding more than $225 million for local projects designed to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on city and county roads. Funding is provided through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP).
“Safety is always Caltrans’ top priority,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “These projects will enhance systemwide safety features, including enhancing safety for people who walk and bike, and move us closer to our vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on roadways throughout the state by 2050.”
Projects approved today in Caltrans District 12, serving Orange County, include:
- $249,570 in HSIP funds to replace existing beacons with rectangular rapid flashing beacons near schools at the existing crossings at seven intersections in the City of Orange. Total project cost $277,300.
- $1,187,910 in HSIP funds to upgrade traffic signals for additional vehicle heads. Install new traffic signal controllers (Leading Pedestrian Interval) and countdown pedestrian head indications at 13 signalized intersections in the City Buena Park. Total project cost $1,319,900.
- $466,200 in HSIP funds to install protected left-turn phasing to all directions. Install additional vehicle signal heads and leading pedestrian intervals at the intersection of Garden Grove Blvd. & Nelson St. in the City of Garden Grove. Total project cost $518,000.
- $372,150 in HSIP funds to install protective left-turn phasing to all directions; install additional traffic signal heads; and implement leading pedestrian intervals at the intersection of Garden Grove Blvd. and Newland St. in the City of Garden Grove. Total project cost $413,500.
- $249,390 in HSIP funds to installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons with enhanced pedestrian safety features (high visibility crosswalk markings, advanced yield lines, curb ramps, and signage) at various locations throughout the City of Mission Viejo. Total project cost $277,100.
- $675,090 in HSIP funds to install retro-reflective backplates, near-side vehicle heads and other signal upgrades; add striping across intersections for bicycle lanes; implement leading pedestrian intervals at signalized intersections at 18 intersections in the City of Huntington Beach. Total project cost $826,100.
- $129,960 in HSIP funds for the installation of Class II bike lanes on Heather Ridge between Pacific Park Drive and Avila Road in the City of Laguna Niguel. Total project cost $144,400.
- $3,906,090 in HSIP funds to install retro-reflective backplates and upgrade 8-inch signal heads to 12-inch signal heads; implement leading pedestrian intervals; install countdown pedestrian signal heads; install emergency vehicle preemption systems; and install battery backup systems at 129 city-owned and maintained traffic signals throughout the City of Costa Mesa. Total project cost $4,340,100.
- $224,640 in HSIP funds to install solar-powered rectangular rapid flashing beacons to improve pedestrian safety at 12 uncontrolled crosswalks with high pedestrian volumes at various locations adjacent to schools, parks, and trails throughout the City of Anaheim. Total project cost $249,600.
- $79,290 in HSIP funds to install edge lines on 10 local roadway segments as a safety countermeasure for traffic calming and mitigating vehicular crashes in the City of Anaheim. Total project cost $88,100.
A total of 282 projects from 155 local agencies will receive HSIP funds for safety enhancements that include pedestrian crossing enhancements, bike safety improvements and new traffic signals, roundabouts, turn lanes, rumble strips and guardrails. Caltrans awards these grants every other year to cities, counties and tribal governments.
Caltrans is using the Safe System approach – which emphasizes multiple layers of protection, including safer road designs – to achieve its goal of reducing to zero the number of fatalities and serious injuries on state roadways by 2050. Caltrans’ adoption of the Safe System approach builds on its ongoing work to embed safety in the state’s transportation system, and for that reason all transportation projects the department funds or oversees now must include “complete street” features that provide safe and accessible options for people walking, biking and taking transit.
More information on the program is available at Caltrans’ HSIP page, including a full list of approved projects.
