> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Boulevard project may be here to stay - URL: https://www.smdp.com/boulevard-project-may-be-here-to-stay/ - Published: 2008-07-25T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-25T00:23:59.000Z - Author: Melody Hanatani - Tags: Community, Ocean Park, #archive-import *Council considers adding traffic signals at perilous intersections* Brad Pollack wondered why an already heavily traveled stretch of Ocean Park Boulevard would be further condensed into two lanes. That question occupied his and many residents’ minds as City Hall restriped the once four-lane block of Ocean Park from Lincoln to Cloverfield boulevards last December, a shift decried by many in the Sunset Park neighborhood who frequented the busy corridor, some afraid that traffic would come to a standstill. While many residents and businesses owners who originally felt the effects would be troubling have not strayed from their opinion more than seven months after the restriping, Pollack is among a number of residents who have since changed his mind. “I have been very pleased with the results,” Pollack, who lives a few blocks from Ocean Park Boulevard, said on Thursday. “It’s slowed the traffic to a manageable pace so that pedestrians aren’t endangered and don’t have cars recklessly speeding and changing lanes and ignoring the speed limit.” City Hall is currently assessing the results of a six-month pilot period that tested the effects of restriping the boulevard into two travel lanes, going through the mounds of e-mail received from residents and business owners over the past several months, comprising a mixed perspective on the changes. The street was reconfigured in mid-December partly in response to a number of concerns regarding pedestrian safety at unsignalized intersections where several have been struck and killed. The intent was to improve traffic safety by slowing down speedy drivers. The changes included the addition of left-turn and bike lanes. The City Council is expected to receive an information item detailing the results of the pilot period and will be asked to either keep the current configuration, make some alterations or change it back to its original state of two traveling lanes in each direction. One option that the council could consider is adding a traffic signal at some of the more dangerous intersections, which include 16th and 18th streets. During its budget session in June, the council voted to set aside $200,000 to install a traffic signal along Ocean Park Boulevard, something that was previously requested by residents. Both 16th and 18th streets have a set of lights that are embedded into the crosswalk, flashing when activated by a pedestrian. While the flashing lights seem effective at night, illuminating the crosswalk, many have said they are less visible during the day and give pedestrians a false sense of security. “Some of the things we’re interested in hearing is the delay for driving along Ocean Park,” Lucy Dyke, the transportation planning manager, said. “We’re interested in safety and how people feel, whether they feel safe.” One of the places that has proven to be challenging for traffic planners is the intersection of Ocean Park and Lincoln where drivers have complained about an increase in delay. City Hall installed several changes at the intersection, including creating a new lane that gives drivers heading east an option of turning right on Lincoln or up a little further into the shopping mall, unimpeding the traffic heading straight. “There’s a relatively heavy volume of people in and out of the mall,” Dyke said. “It takes the mall traffic out from blocking the through traffic.” Dyke also noted that even though it appears there is a long line of cars backed up west of Lincoln Boulevard, most of the drivers can pass the intersection in one or two cycles. Similar concerns have been noted around 23rd Street which is aggravated by the traffic coming off the I-10 Freeway. Some residents have complained that the traffic on Ocean Park has spilled onto side streets, creating safety concerns when cars might be inclined to speed. “We definitely don’t want to encourage the use of small side streets,” Dyke said. “We still believe Ocean Park Boulevard is a better route from the time perspective.” Jeannie Choi-Wolff said the traffic has moved onto Hill Street where she has seen an increase of cars. She said while the spillover isn’t as much of a concern right now, it’s problematic during the school year when parents are taking their kids to class. The changes have however reduced accidents by about 30 percent during the first three months, Dyke said. Those in opposition to the restriping said they have seen traffic at a standstill, making it more difficult to make a left turn onto Ocean Park Boulevard, hard to catch a break in the traffic flow. “The traffic is bad until we hit Cloverfield,” Liz Seiji, the owner of Edelweiss Flower Boutique & Florist, said. Seiji said based on observations, she believes that accidents have increased. “I had a man come in here that was (hit) a few months ago in the crosswalk at 18th Street,” Seiji said. “He almost got hit again, not because he’s reckless, but because people aren’t paying attention.” Some residents are hoping the current configuration will remain. “I believe, and my wife does too, it does a good thing and it does work,” Pollack said. “It should be maintained.” Jump hedline: City Council could consider adding traffic signal on dangerous boulevard Suggested pullquote: “The traffic is bad until we hit Cloverfield.” Liz Seiji Owner, Edelweiss Flower Boutique & Florist Lucida Grande 40, 4 0 400 0¬ 1 0 40, Arial 40, 4 0 7D1 0¬ 1 0 40, Minion 40, 4 0 231A 0¬ 1 3 *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 25, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/072508.pdf?ref=smdp.com)