For Utilities Commission Meeting [January 16, 2024]
TO: Honorable Chairperson and Commission
APPROVAL: Toyasha Sebbag, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
Previous Discussion Update
Body
Baseline Road Median Project (Project)
At the December 19, 2023, Utilities Commission Meeting, staff was asked to return to the Commission with background information on the Baseline Road Median Project (Project), City Project No. 170812, Federal Project No. HSIP 5205-027.
On July 25, 2023, the City Council authorized a construction contract for the Project using Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant Funds and Measure I Funds to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians traveling along Baseline Road between Willow Avenue and Meridian Avenue.
The lack of a median is considered a factor in the traffic collisions that can occur due to vehicles attempting to cross multiple lanes while turning left out of driveways and vehicles turning left across oncoming traffic while making turns into driveways. The installation of a raised median was identified as a measure to reduce traffic conflict points, to help reduce the number of head-on collisions caused by drivers merging into oncoming traffic, and to help reduce broadside collisions caused by drivers trying to cross oncoming traffic.
The HSIP is a core Federal-aid program to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. Measure I is the half-cent sales tax collected throughout San Bernardino County for transportation improvements. The conjunctive use of these funds helps to improve Baseline Road and public safety with 97% of the Project funded by HSIP and 3% funded by Measure I.