WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday will make a decision on the Downtown Complete Streets Plan, a project that proposes sweeping changes to the corridor’s structure.
According to the report from city staff, the plan presented at Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. meeting will include:
Pedestrian improvements
• Curb extensions at almost every intersection
• High-visibility crosswalks
• Widened sidewalks in several areas
Bicycle facilities
• Buffered bicycle lanes on Main Street
• Shared-lane marking on Brennan and Union streets
• Bike lane improvements on Rodriguez Street
• Bicycle lanes on Lake and Beach streets
Vehicle travel lane changes
• Removal of one lane each direction on Main Street to allow for bicycle lanes and some added parking
• Removal of one lane on Rodriguez Street between W. Lake and W. Beach streets
Parking changes proposed
• Addition of on-street parking on Main Street in several areas
• Removal of parking on the northside of W. Lake Street between Main and Rodriguez streets
• Removal of parking on Maple Street between Main and Union streets
Approval of the plan would not spur construction, as a traffic study on the impact of the proposed changes to the street’s layout is needed to make a final decision on possible lane reductions.
The plan was initially presented to the council in May. It received heavy criticism from the public, but the council approved the development of the plan, sighting the city’s ongoing fight to make its roads safer.
The total cost for preparation of the plan is $227,000. A pair of grants will cover $191,000 of the cost and the remaining $36,000 will be paid with Measure D funds.
To see the full city council agenda click here.
