The City of Long Beach announced Tuesday the installation of a pedestrian diagonal intersection at the intersection of Second Street, Livingston Drive and Quincy Avenue in Belmont Shore.
The new diagonal intersection—the first of its kind in decades in Long Beach—was installed to help enhance traffic flow and intersection safety on Ocean Boulevard from the intersection to Alamitos Avenue, the city said in a statement. The intersection was determined a good candidate for a diagonal intersection after a traffic-pedestrian study was conducted.
Diagonal intersections are designed to improve pedestrian circulation and safety by stopping all vehicular traffic in all directions, allowing pedestrians to cross an intersection in multiple directions, including diagonally, at the same time.
Traffic signals at the intersection will be programmed to allow pedestrians enough time to cross the street, according to the city’s statement, and the removal of the longer, westerly crosswalk along the south side of Second Street, across Livingston Drive, eliminates delays for pedestrians.
“The new diagonal crosswalks extend only partly into the intersection, to direct pedestrians, but not impede traffic flow when motorists have the right of way,” the statement reads. “The existing, remaining crosswalks will retain their striping. The diagonal crosswalks are connected to an Advanced Traffic Control System (ATCS), which is currently being programmed to enhance traffic flow and intersection safety on Ocean Boulevard between Alamitos Avenue and the Intersection. This project also includes new traffic signals at Loma, Coronado and Orizaba avenues (for a total of 18 – all operational), traffic signal controller cabinet upgrades, modifications to existing signal infrastructure, and traffic control software.”
Mayor Robert Garcia said he was pleased with the new intersection and he believes it will make the area safer for pedestrians.
“By improving traffic flow along the Ocean Boulevard corridor, we will reduce vehicle idling times and, therefore, the amount of pollutants that enter our atmosphere as well,” he said.
The total estimated project cost is $2,392,000 and is funded by $1,406,000 granted by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and $986,000 in Transportation Impact Fees and Gas Tax.
Additional diagonal crosswalks are planned for Pine Avenue at First, Fourth and Fifth Streets, as part of the ongoing Pine Avenue Street Improvement Project between Seaside Way and Anaheim Street.