The City of Oceanside has been working to identify issues and work with neighbors to improve the safety of streets.  One of these efforts is through the Safe Routes to School Program.  It’s an approach that promotes walking and bicycling to school through infrastructure improvements, enforcement, tools, safety education, and incentives to encourage walking and bicycling to school.  Through walk audits, data collection, parent surveys, neighborhood meetings, and school collaboration, a plan was developed.  A resulting project near Laurel Elementary will begin construction in July 2024, partially funded by a $127,000 grant from Caltrans.

The Laurel Elementary Safe Routes to School project consists of street improvements along portions of Laurel Street, Holly Street, and San Diego Street. The work will consist of the installation of a high-visibility crosswalk, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, striping, signage, a traffic-calming median, a traffic circle, a mini roundabout, ADA ramps, new sidewalks, and curb extensions.  The project is expected to be complete by the end of the year.  For more information, please visit the project webpage.

In addition, six new rapid flashing beacons were recently installed at locations around schools in other areas of town. This work was funded by Measure X.  Several radar feedback signs have also recently been installed to increase drivers’ awareness of speed limits. These are focused around school locations, and the work included updating ADA curb ramps, and repainting crosswalks. Drive safely!