Signal Upgrades – Neilson & Lincoln/Hill
Project Overview
In summer of 2025, Caltrans awarded the City two a Highway
Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grants to address priority safety improvements
in key locations in the Ocean Park Neighborhood. Lincoln Boulevard and Neilson
Way are both identified as high-priority corridors in the City of Santa
Monica’s 2022 Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) based on crash history and safety
concerns for vulnerable users. The intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and
Hill Street was identified as one of the top unsignalized crash locations
during the 2015–2019 study period, with six reported collisions, including one
severe injury. Updated crash data from July 2020 through June 2024 shows a
continued pattern of collisions, with ten crashes during that time, one of
which resulted in severe injuries. Lincoln Boulevard is also part of the City’s
Lincoln Neighborhood Corridor Plan (LiNC), adopted in 2017, which has
delivered pedestrian-scale lighting and new crosswalks. A Rectangular Rapid
Flashing Beacon (RRFB) was installed at this location in April 2024 to
enhance pedestrian safety, complementing previous corridor improvements.
Similarly, Neilson Way between Ocean Park Boulevard
and Pico Boulevard is a key segment within the LRSP Priority Network based on
crash frequency and severity. From 2015–2019, eleven crashes occurred at the
intersection of Neilson Way and Pico Blvd, including one resulting in a fatal
or severe injury, with speeding cited as a major contributing factor. More
recent data from July 2020 to June 2024 show a total of 68 crashes along the
corridor, five of which resulted in severe injuries. Targeted speed management
measures have recently been implemented, including the installation of speed
feedback signs in 2022, pavement markings, including speed legends signal
timing adjustments to “rest in red” mode at night, and the regular deployment
of a mobile radar trailer for speed monitoring and enforcement, are
scheduled for installation following resurfacing in late 2024.
The Signal Improvements project will build on these recent efforts
by installing:
·
a full pedestrian signal and updated curb ramps
at the intersection of Lincoln Blvd and Hill Street creating a fully protected
pedestrian crossing at this location;
·
Protected left turns on Neilson Way at Pico Blvd
and Ocean Park Blvd removing points of conflicts between pedestrians and
vehicles at these intersections; and
·
Installing retro-reflective backplate on all
signal heads on Neilson Way from Pico Blvd to Ocean Park Blvd improve signal
visibility.
Project Schedule
· Consultant
Procurement: Spring 2026
· Project
Design: Summer 2026 – Summer 2027
· Construction
Contract Procurement: Fall/Winter 2027
· Construction: Fall 2028