The Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study, which aims to reduce speeding and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists along the corridor from Ocean Avenue to Centinela Avenue
The Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved revisions to a safety plan for Santa Monica Boulevard on Tuesday, directing staff to install temporary physical barriers at a dangerous intersection near McKinley Elementary School before the next school year.
The 7-0 vote adopts the updated Santa Monica Boulevard Safety Study, which aims to reduce speeding and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists along the corridor from Ocean Avenue to Centinela Avenue. The boulevard has recorded 435 high-injury crashes over the past decade.
Council members directed staff to implement quick-build protections, such as bollards, at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Chelsea Avenue, a crossing heavily used by schoolchildren. They also instructed staff to pursue stronger pedestrian crossing treatments, such as Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons or full traffic lights, on the eastern portion of the corridor instead of less robust options.
The approved plan narrows general travel lanes to a maximum of 11 feet, designates bus-only lanes of 12 to 13 feet, and includes other transit improvements in coordination with regional partners. Pedestrian signals will activate automatically from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The action allows the city to apply for state grant funding before a June 22 deadline. Staff will also seek local funding for near-term improvements and a larger capital project for the Chelsea intersection, estimated at $1.15 million.
The plan will be implemented in phases, with some signal timing, bus stop relocations and other lower-cost changes possible within the next six to 12 months.
