Calming a Difficult Intersection

Workers with Toste Paving recently sprayed big, white stripes for curb bulb outs, and crosswalks intended to slow traffic and increase safety at the intersection of Main and Pacific Streets, an attempt at so-called traffic calming, instead of putting in a Stop sign, despite requests from residents in the immediate area. Though the traffic circulation was not changed, the rather alarming looking extensive striping appears to be doing the job, as many people mistake it to be an actual stop on Main Street. Also, the City striped in perpendicular parking stripes in the 1100 block of Market Avenue in front of the old Sun Bulletin and the current Virg’s Landing Tackle Shop buildings, running to the corner with Surf Street. That work was reportedly called for in the Market Avenue specific plan. The City is also discussing putting in diagonal parking on one side of the street in the 300 block of Morro Bay Blvd., the 800 blocks of Monterey and Main Streets, and establishing diagonal parking down the center of the 900 block of Market Avenue, as part of a grander discussion on updating the 2007 Parking Management Plan. Photos by Neil Farrell