CLEARLAKE — Caltrans installed stop signs for a three-way stop on Highway 53 at Olympic Drive in Clearlake Monday. Motorists are asked to pay particular attention and use extreme caution when traveling through the area.
California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers will be present monitoring traffic to help facilitate the safe implementation of the change.
“We are concerned that motorists become aware of this change to avoid other types of collisions,” Ralph Martinelli, Caltrans District 1 traffic safety chief, said. “This is to help prepare motorists for future improvements at the intersection.”
According to Martinelli, Caltrans anticipates having a signal in place and operational at the intersection by the 2012 construction season. He said this safety signal project was merged with a roadway rehabilitation project, which the agency plans to send out to by this summer.
“We were able to merge the safety signal project into the roadway rehabilitation project,” Martinelli said. “The benefit of merging the two projects is it accelerates the delivery of the safety signal project 12 to 18 months.”
Martinelli said the signal safety project aims to decrease collisions associated with left turn movements that are continuing at the intersection. “As an interim improvement we will be installing stop signs,” he said. “This interim work will include not only stop signs but also advance warning signals, pavement markings and rumble strips in the roadway.”
Martinelli said City of Clearlake officials have been helpful in progression of this project.
He said helpful information has been offered by City Engineer Bob Galusha, Public Works Superintendent Doug Herron, Mayor Judy Thein and the Clearlake Police Department. “They”ve been helpful giving us some suggestions that we will be implementing as well,” Martinelli said.
Martinelli asks that motorists pay particular attention as they approach and drive through the Highway 53 and Olympic Drive intersection area and thanks them for their patience.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11
