The City Council on Wednesday, March 28, unanimously authorized staff to request bids for the Pebbly Beach Road “elbow” enhancement project.
The estimated cost of the project is $300,000, according to the staff report. Money for the project has been budgeted, according to the staff report.
The “elbow” is the first entrance into town, after Cabrillo Mole, according to City Engineer bob Greenlaw. He called the area the main mover of goods and services into Avalon during his presentation to Wednesday’s special meeting of the Council.
Background
“As a part of the City ‘s development of its Active Transportation Plan (ATP), the community and consulting engineers identified the Pebbly Beach Elbow as a priority project. Due to a high volume of pedestrians, narrow sidewalks and significant vehicle traffic the study identified pedestrian safety as a major concern through this corridor,” according to the staff report by City Engineer Robert Greenlaw and Senior Management Analyst Devin Hart.
Greenlaw gave the council a presentation on the project on May 7, 2024.
“Enhancements, implemented on May 9, 2024 included implementation of 6 traffic calming elements to help streamline pedestrian access, improve public safety and reduce congestion through the area, including:
“Expanded the crosswalk at the intersection of Clarissa Avenue and Crescent Avenue;
“Expanded the walkway in front of businesses along Crescent Avenue; Eliminated four parking spaces in front of the Pancake Cottage; and
“Added crosswalks from the walkway along Pebbly Beach Road to businesses,” Greenlaw and Hart wrote.
“To demonstrate the future proposed improvements would operate safely and efficiently, temporary similar improvements were tested. An extensive evaluation period followed that field tested the system through the various seasons and various times of day. City Staff has solicited feedback for the businesses that occupy the a·rea as well as from those that must travel through the area many times throughout the day. Overall the feedback has been positive and supportive of the traffic calming devices installed,” Greenlaw and Hart wrote.
“Currently, this project is supported only by the City’s General Fund. City Staff has identified a scope of work that will make the current ‘temporary’ traffic calming enhancements more permanent,” Greenlaw and Hart wrote.
“This scope of work includes:
“Removing the wood walkway installed to expand the sidewalk in front of businesses along Crescent Avenue and replacing it with concrete, pavers and installing a new curb and gutter.
“Removing the wall at Crescent Avenue and Clarissa Avenue.
“Relocating the curb along the waterside of Crescent Avenue to improve the turning radius for large vehicles.
“Construct new pavers toward the seawall on South Beach to open up the pedestrian walkway.
“Reinstall the temporary rope barrier system,” Greenlaw and Hart wrote.
The proposed schedule, according to the report, is to publish the request for proposals on March 30, with an April 14 deadline for bids. The council would award the contract on April 21, and staff would tell the contractor to proceed on April 23.
“Depending on availability of contractor and City resources to complete the scope of work before Memorial Day, the construction may commence immediately upon contract execution. Otherwise, the next opportunity to complete the scope of work is Labor Day,” Greenlaw and Hart wrote.