When it comes to complaints about traffic, Mayor Pro-tem Bob Harbicht says it usually boils down to each person wanting to make sure the light is always green when he or she arrives at the intersection.

  

In fact, it seems that everyone has either a complaint or suggestion about traffic in Arcadia.

That’s why the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum chaired by former Councilman Pete Ulrich invited Arcadia City Engineer Phil Wray to speak at the monthly meeting on Feb. 7.

  

With assists from Harbicht and independent engineering consultant Pat Gibson, both of whom were in attendance, we all gained some valuable information and helpful perspective.

  

For instance, the next time you think an intersection needs to be set up with traffic signals in Arcadia, consider the following:

Wray said the city is in the process of replacing the in-street magnetic sensors that trigger traffic light changes during off-peak hours (subject to weather, wear, and computer malfunctions and breakdowns) to pole-mounted cameras.

  

Three are already in place and fiber optic lines have been run to 22 signals to in the core area of town that will communicate with a central computer at City Hall. The City already adjusts traffic signals to favor rush hour traffic on Foothill Blvd., Santa Anita and Baldwin Avenues and Huntington Dr. (Duarte Road and Live Oak are next) -- for instance, east-to-west on Huntington from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. and west-to-east from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. And the City is working on coordinating timing of lights with Regional and County systems to make traffic flow even smoother.

  

Also in the works is the lengthening of double left-turn “storage” lanes where Santa Anita intersects with Foothill, Duarte and Live Oak.

  

Harbicht reiterated that Rick Caruso’s Shops at Santa Anita project – still in courts from Westfield/Arcadia First lawsuits against the City but hopefully done with all appeals by late 2008 and open for business within two years thereafter -- will pay for $8 million - $10 million in intersection signal and traffic flow improvements that the City would not have been able to afford for years.

  

Speed Bumps 

  

Want to install speed bumps on your residential street to slow down fast and dangerous drivers?

  

The City considers speed bumps a last resort. Why? They cause more problems than they solve – making emergency vehicles come to a near complete stop for every bump, causing more danger and risk if they take longer to get where they are going; causing speeders to make more dangerous fast stops and starts; causing more noise, etc. 

  

So, what are your thoughts about all this? Surely you have some comments about traffic in Arcadia!