West Broadway Urban Village Improvements Project

Location

West Broadway Avenue, Seaside, CA

City or County Responsible for Project

City of Seaside

Category

Complete Streets Projects

Author

Leslie Llantero

Organization

City of Seaside

Address

440 Harcourt Avenue

Phone

831.899.6832

Project Description

The City of Seaside is experiencing a transformation as the West Broadway Urban Village project begins to revitalize the downtown area. The West Broadway Urban Village Specific Plan (Specific Plan) is the result of an exciting planning process to revitalize and enhance the economic, social, cultural and recreational fabric of the City of Seaside’s West Broadway Avenue. The Specific Plan describes and illustrates a vision for the area, as articulated by the community, and provides a framework for creating an Urban Village around West Broadway Avenue as the City’s downtown commercial core. The West Broadway Urban Village Infrastructure Improvements Project was the first development phase of the Specific Plan. This $7M street improvements project included pedestrian, bicycle, streetscape, roadway and intersection improvements. Improvements included wider sidewalks, new bike lanes and bike boxes, bulb-outs for safer pedestrian crossing, a new signal light, and a “road diet” that reduced the width of the roadway from a four-lane roadway (two lanes in each direction) to two-lanes (one lane in each direction). Storm drain improvements, bioswales, infiltrators and new sewer main for a future sanitary sewer connection were also constructed. The project was funded through a federal Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant, Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) grant, and 2% Transit Development Act (2%TDA) grant. The West Broadway streetscape was enhanced with pedestrian-oriented design elements to encourage an active pedestrian environment. Sidewalks were widened to create opportunities for businesses to spill out onto the sidewalks and to provide additional space for pedestrian amenities. Traffic calming measures, including sidewalks in varied widths with curb “bulb outs” at the street intersections, increased pedestrian safety. Crosswalks were delineated with high-visibility thermoplastic crossing marks and stop bars. New planters, lighting, landscaping, benches, and bike racks create safe and comfortable spaces for walking, shopping, or sitting. Newly planted street trees provide shade and visually frame the West Broadway Ave. corridor. The variety of streetscape improvements enhance and encourage pedestrian activity within the revitalized downtown. Multi-modal transportation, specifically bicycle use, was greatly enhanced with the street improvements. A “road diet” reduced vehicular traffic, and designated Class II Bicycle lanes were built along both sides of the street on West Broadway and along Del Monte Blvd. from Canyon Del Rey to West Broadway. Designated Class III bike lanes (sharrows) were added on Broadway Ave. from Fremont to General Jim Moore Blvd. Clearly marked street bike lanes and bike boxes at critical intersections have increased safe bicycle travel and access. The delineation with green pavement and contrasting markings enhance the visibility and improve rider safety. New bicycle racks were added along W. Broadway Ave.