City Meeting on Bulb-Outs, Flashing Lights on Arlington Crosswalks Near Madera

Public Works officials from El Cerrito are hosting a public meeting Thursday night to discuss plans for adding bulb-outs and flashing lights to two crosswalks on Arlington Boulevard near Madera Elementary School.

The meeting will be held 6:30-8 p.m. in the school's multipurpose room.

The City Council last month , which are intended to improve safety for students arriving at and leaving the school.

Two speakers at the council meeting expressed opposition to the bulb-outs – rounded extensions of the curb into street – saying they could worsen the traffic congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times.

The crosswalk alternations would occur at the intersections of Arlington with Madera Drive and one block south at Arlington and Brewster Drive. 

"Public Works staff will discuss the project background, including design changes due to previous school and community input, and the project construction beginning later in January," says a city notice. "Concerns and ideas about traffic circulation during school drop-off and pick-up periods will also be discussed."

The notice is attached to this article.

The notice lists these elements of the project:

• Installation of curb bulb-outs at the uncontrolled crosswalks on Arlington Drive at Madera and Brewster Drives;
• Installation of new in-pavement flashing lights with pedestrian detection devices, enhanced pedestrian crosswalk warning signs with rectangular flashing beacons, and advanced flashing beacons and warning signs for the crosswalk at Madera Drive; and
• Construction of ADA-compliant ramps at both intersections. 

---------------------------

You can “Like" El Cerrito Patch on Facebook for another way to get local information and connect with other readers from El Cerrito and Kensington.