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BUSD hears plan to improve Bonsall ES traffic flow

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

In October 2021 the Bonsall Unified School District board approved an agreement with AlphaStudio Design Group to develop studies for improving traffic flow at Bonsall Elementary School. The Jan. 19 BUSD board meeting included a presentation by AlphaStudio principal architect Paul Gallegos on the operational plan.

“We are taking a good look at the traffic around Bonsall Elementary School,” said BUSD superintendent Joseph Clevenger. “What we’re trying to make sure is that we improve the traffic flow on Old River Road and Camino Del Rey.”

The work of the contract AlphaStudio was awarded included visual observations of current traffic patterns, analysis of potential revisions, and evaluation of minor on-campus drive improvements to decrease congestion during pickup and drop-off periods. The traffic flow optimization takes 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. AlphaStudio Design Group conducted field work comprised of visual observations to document the existing pickup and drop-off traffic congestion conditions, compiled and analyzed the findings to determine deficiencies in the current traffic flows, held information gathering meetings with BUSD staff and outside agencies, identified potential revisions to automobile and pedestrian traffic patterns and drive improvements, provided a preliminary construction cost estimate, and developed a report summarizing all findings and recommendations.

“We can’t not have a strong plan in place,” Clevenger said.

“I was extremely concerned starting on Day One about the traffic circulation around Bonsall Elementary School,” said Clevenger, who became Bonsall’s superintendent in July. “I feel strongly as does the board that this is something that has to be improved.”

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. Meetings were held with both county departments.

The presentation was an information item at the January board meeting. “We are going to have additional discussions and bring it back next month to approve,” Clevenger said.

The plan presented Jan. 19 includes a vehicle entry left turn and a vehicle entry right turn on Old River Road, a future traffic circle at Old River Road and Camino Del Rey, a fire access lane to the Bonsall Community Center, a pedestrian crosswalk, a vehicle traffic flow dual lane for loading and passing, a drop-off and pickup zone, a bollard barrier on each side of the drive, a vehicular gate 20 feet from Camino Del Rey, a signalized intersection at Calle de las Brisas which will be optimized at drop-off and pickup times, and a vehicle exit from Calle de las Brisas to Camino Del Rey.

 

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