BUSD approves design contract to improve Bonsall ES traffic flow

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The Bonsall Unified School District board approved an agreement with AlphaStudio Design Group to develop studies for improving traffic flow at Bonsall Elementary School.

A 5-0 vote Oct. 13 awarded the Carlsbad company a $5,275 contract for the studies. The work will include visual observations of current traffic patterns, analysis of potential revisions, and evaluation of minor on-campus drive improvements to decrease congestion during pickup and dropoff periods.

"This is a much-needed comprehensive review and planning strategy to improve the traffic flow around Bonsall Elementary School," said BUSD Superintendent Joseph Clevenger.

The traffic flow optimization will take into account the Rio Estrella development, which was called Golf Green Estates when the subdivision map for 94 residential lots was approved, and the future Bonsall Community Park.

"Superintendent Clevenger and district office staff are proactively working with San Diego County officials and other experts to address traffic considerations around Bonsall Elementary School to maximize flow with consideration of the new neighboring home development and the upcoming community park construction across Camino Del Rey," said BUSD Board President Larissa Anderson.

"We're partnering with the county," Clevenger said. "We're looking of course to ensure student safety but also to be good neighbors."

The county's Department of Public Works addresses road issues while the county's Department of Parks and Recreation will manage Bonsall Community Park, which will total 63 acres including 55 acres to be developed.

"What we're looking at is how we can be more efficient and effective in our dropoff," Clevenger said. "We want to make sure we have our ducks in a row as far as safety for students."

AlphaStudio Design Group will conduct field work comprised of visual observations to document the existing pickup and dropoff traffic congestion conditions, compile and analyze the findings to determine deficiencies in the current traffic flows, hold information gathering meetings with BUSD staff and outside agencies as necessary, identify potential revisions to automobile and pedestrian traffic patterns and drive improvements, provide a preliminary construction cost estimate, and develop a report summarizing all findings and recommendations.