Traffic Safety Improvements Coming To Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — The city of Temecula recently announced it received $3.4 million in grant funding through the state for traffic safety improvement projects. Here’s how that money will be used:

1. Fifty-four signalized intersections in the city are getting pedestrian countdown signal heads and upgraded traffic signal controllers. Grant Award: $492,930
2. Citywide traffic signal hardware, signal timing, and communications upgrades at 127 intersections. Upgraded traffic signal hardware including LED safety lighting, vehicle signal heads, retroreflective backplates, signal wiring, traffic signal cabinets, signal timing, and communications network equipment are included. Grant Award: $2,441,310
3. Pedestrian crossing enhancements at schools. Citywide upgrades of pedestrian curb ramps are planned at various Temecula school locations. Grant Award: $225,000
4. Citywide bike safety improvements. Improvement of cyclist safety is planned, including installations of green bike lane pavement markings to increase the visibility of cyclists and identify potential areas of conflict with turning motorists at and along these major cycling corridors: Jefferson Avenue, Ynez Road, Margarita Road, Pechanga Parkway, Winchester Road, Rancho California Road, and Temecula Parkway. Grant Award: $224,550

All the projects are anticipated to be completed at various times in 2024 and 2025, according to the city.

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The total cost for these projects is approximately $4.2 million, with the grant money covering close to $3.4 million and the city paying the balance of approximately $800,000.

The grant award was announced by the city on March 24. The funding came from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 11 Call-for-Projects through the California Department of Transportation.

The HSIP grant funds are a product of the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as a federal-aid program to states for the purpose of reducing fatalities and serious injuries on public roads.

The HSIP received a total of 434 applications of which 282 projects were selected for this competitive grant cycle, including the four project applications from Temecula.

Temecula Mayor Zak Schwank released a statement about what the traffic safety improvements will mean to the city.

“The City is proactive in prioritizing traffic safety infrastructure projects and this significant stride in HSIP grant funds will aid in improvements for pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicular safety citywide,” he said. “We are seeing more of the community move throughout the City in different ways, including a large population of students that walk, skate, or ride their bicycle to school, and these improvements will contribute to a safer and more efficient citywide transportation system.”

Temecula City Manager Aaron Adams added, “As stewards of the City’s finances, it is our duty to secure State and Federal funding where possible and Temecula is very grateful to Caltrans for their selection of our HSIP projects. Our Public Works Department continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership in preparing successful infrastructure applications to secure grants for the City including these four HSIP competitive grants, which will allow important traffic safety projects to begin this year.”