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Hello, Petaluma –
We are coming to you today with a special edition of our Community Update dedicated to Safe Streets. We are committed to making our streets safer for all who travel them, and we have been hard at work on several initiatives designed to help us achieve that goal.
Please read on to learn about some impactful programs we have in the works, along with some recent and upcoming upgrades to specific streets around town.
Want to learn more? Join us at the City Council meeting Monday April 8, where City staff will provide a Safe Streets Update presentation, along with important updates on projects like D Street traffic calming, the proposed 5th Street Neighborhood Greenway, slowing speed limits around town, and more.
When: Monday April 8, City Council meeting begins at 6:30pm
Where: Council Chambers at City Hall
Thanks, and have a lovely weekend!
Pavement Map Tracks Street Improvements
Petaluma is home to 396 lane miles of streets, 350+ miles of sidewalk, and 51 signaled intersections. These roads and walkways channel the life of our community and keeping them in working order is a job we take very seriously.
It’s no secret that through the years Petaluma roads have earned a reputation for being less than smooth.
Since Measure U began generating local funding from sales taxes in April 2021, we have allocated $45 million dollars to repairing, reconstructing, and repaving roads citywide.
Our city streets have a long road to recovery but thanks to Measure U, and residents like you, we are on our way!
Visit cityofpetaluma.org/streetpavement to explore the map and see what we’ve done so far and what’s next on the list.
Safe Streets Nomination Program
Last fall, we launched our Safe Streets Nomination Program, a unique chance for all Petalumans to play a part in reshaping our streets. With more than 500 responses already, we want to make sure we don’t miss your street as we prioritize future improvements.
Your keen insights and our assembled data work together to help us pinpoint and rank areas that need upgrades to slow traffic down and make our streets safer. We know that fast cars and safe streets don’t mix. In fact, high speeds are the cause behind most traffic collisions in Petaluma.
So, Petalumans, are you ready to co-pilot this transformation with us? Fill out THIS FORM to nominate your street. We will review nominations submitted by August 31 of each year to determine which projects will be implemented and when that work will occur. Find out more about our project selection process at our website HERE.
Safe Routes to Schools Task Force
Teamwork makes the dream work, and your City staff doesn’t work alone! As part of our Safe Streets program, the City of Petaluma launched a partnership with the Sonoma County Safe Routes to School Program in September 2023 to create the first ever Petaluma Safe Routes to Schools Task Force!
The Task Force includes representatives from school districts, City staff, the Safe Routes to School program, law enforcement, and related community stakeholders.
The Task Force has been conducting safety audits at schools around Petaluma to collect data on traffic patterns and pedestrian uses. School representatives and parents then discuss safety concerns and identify areas for improvement at the monthly Task Force meetings. Meetings take place on the 3rd Thursday of the month, from 4-5:30pm and are open to the public.
Please join us for our next meeting:
Date/Time: Thursday April 18, 4-5:30pm
Location: Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd, Petaluma
Thanks to all taking part in this program. Your efforts have a huge impact in our mission to keep our children safe!
Learn more HERE.
Helping Our Chickens Cross the Road
To improve pedestrian safety at our signalized intersections, we have implemented a 5 second “leading pedestrian interval” to 60% of Petaluma intersections (we are in-progress to reach 80%). A leading pedestrian interval (LPI) typically gives pedestrians a 3 to 7 second head start in advance of vehicles turning.
LPIs make it easier to see people and pets in the intersection by giving them time to get well into the crosswalk where they are more visible to drivers. LPIs can reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions by as much as 60%.
When the LPI is activated, motorists may notice that the pedestrian will receive the walk symbol 5 seconds before the traffic signal turns from Red to Green.
Red Curbs Save Lives
Have you ever noticed that when vehicles park right next to an intersection, it’s harder for drivers to see pedestrians entering the crosswalk? Children, strollers, and people using wheelchairs or walkers are particularly vulnerable because they’re more likely to be invisible behind a parked car or truck. And with the increase in size and height of many trucks and SUVs, even adults are vulnerable to collisions at low-visibility intersections.
For some time now, we have been updating intersections with crosswalks in Petaluma to increase safety and visibility through the addition of red curbs. These updates are also in accordance with the Daylighting to Save Lives Bill (AB-413), a California State law that bans vehicles from stopping, standing, or parking within 10-15 feet of the approach side of a crosswalk.
Throughout this year, you will see new red curbs painted to reduce parking near crosswalks around town. While every effort is being made to retain as many parking spaces as possible, the work will result in the removal of some spaces. If work is planned to take place in your area, you will receive notification via a postcard from our project team.
You can learn more about Daylighting to Save Lives HERE.
For questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Public Works & Utilities department:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 707-778-4303
Join Us April 8 to Discuss proposed pilot for bike lanes on D Street & 5th Street
In 2023, we began exploring ways to slow traffic and improve safety and accessibility for all modes of travel on the D Street and 5th Street corridors. These proposed pilot projects will allow us to gather key information on traffic flows, speeds, and patterns prior to designing the D Street reconstruction project currently scheduled for construction in 2026.
Thank you to all who have taken the time to share your perspective. With your input in mind, we will be presenting design options to the City Council for consideration April 8, 2024.
Please join us to view the designs and share your thoughts.
When: Monday April 8, City Council meeting begins at 6:30pm
Where: Council Chambers at City Hall, 11 English Street
To view the meeting agenda, materials, instructions to access Spanish interpretation, and information on how to provide written comments ahead of the meeting, please visit: cityofpetaluma.org/meetings.
Visit cityofpetaluma.org/DStreetTrafficCalming and cityofpetaluma.org/5thStreetGreenway to learn more.
Rainier Avenue Update
In August 2022, we installed a trial demonstration project on Rainier Ave. from N. McDowell to Maria Drive featuring elements designed to make the road safer and slow traffic. The purpose of the demonstration was to give our community a chance to experience the proposed changes and provide feedback, and also to give our City engineering and police staff a chance to gather important safety data.
Since the demonstration project was installed, we have seen a decrease in speeds in the area. We have also received valuable feedback from the community. All of this will help inform our final roadway design.
What’s Next for Rainier Avenue?
Rainier is scheduled to receive upgrades to underground utility pipes (water) in the summer of 2025. The City will also install a recycled water pipe that will supply recycled water to the parks and schools in the area.
After the utility work is complete, we will do a full road reconstruction on Rainier Avenue. This will provide a smooth road surface and give us the opportunity to install permanent safety upgrades. We will share and seek input on the final roadway design with the community as we get closer to construction, currently estimated to occur in early 2026.
We recently made updates to the current demonstration project to ensure it is easily visible until the permanent changes are installed.
Visit cityofpetaluma.org/rainierpaving to learn more and sign up to receive project updates.
Lakeville & Pine View Way Safety Upgrade
On February 1, 2024, a tragic, fatal collision occurred at the intersection of Lakeville Hwy and Pine View way. To protect our community and make the intersection safer, we studied the intersection extensively, worked with our State of California partners (California Department of Transportation – Caltrans), and identified a series of interim safety improvements we implemented immediately. Improvements include:
- Radar speed feedback signs along Lakeville Highway
- New traffic lane configurations designed to slow traffic speeds
- Blocking access to Lakeville Highway from Pine View Way and the non-signalized South McDowell Blvd. Extension intersection so that vehicles cannot turn onto Lakeville Highway (vehicles traveling toward or away from town on Lakeville will still be able to turn onto Pine View and South McDowell Blvd. Extension)
These improvements were installed the week of February 12, 2024 and will remain in place until a permanent solution is implemented.
Slow the Fast Down with Us!
Join us in the slow lane! It’s not about how fast you get there in Petaluma, but how you arrive.
“Slow the Fast Down” is our campaign to ensure every drive is a safe one – and with nearly 500 yellow lawn signs now dispersed across town, we know you feel it too!
Speeding is the leading cause of more than one third of overall collisions in Petaluma, and the cause of 1 in 4 severe/fatal collisions that occur in our city (1). A slower drive means safety for all:
- Reduced speeds decrease accident risks and keep drivers, passengers, and pedestrians safe.
- Better Fuel Efficiency: Slower driving uses less fuel, leading to savings at the pump and a greener Petaluma.
- More Time for Split-Second Decisions: The faster we drive, the less time we have to react to unexpected events on the road.
- Less Stress, More Calm: Enjoy the view and reduce your daily stress.
Join us and pledge to “Slow the Fast Down” at cityofpetaluma.org/slowthefastdown. Embrace the beauty of every drive, acknowledge fellow drivers with a nod or wave, and arrive safely every time.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to nominate your street for safety improvements HERE!
(1) Source: UC Berkeley Transportation Injury Mapping System (data from 2018-2022; most recent 5-year period available).
JOIN OUR PETALUMA TEAM!
The City of Petaluma is looking for talented people to join our team! Please click the links below for more information about our open positions. CLICK HERE for a full list of career opportunities.
Part Time Airport Ramp Attendant
Police Officer (Current Academy Attendees and Graduates)
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The City of Petaluma is hard at work for our community. Please check out our upcoming meetings and click on the links below for more information:
April 8, 6:00pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
April 9, 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
April 11, 9:00am – Senior Advisory Committee Meeting
April 11, 4:00pm – Transit Advisory Committee Meeting
April 15, 6:30pm – City Council/PCDSA Regular Meeting
Check for upcoming meetings, agendas, and how to participate on the City’s meeting webpage: https://cityofpetaluma.org/meetings/.