Upcoming Construction Will Prevent Motorists from Making Left Turns on Fair Oaks

Approximately 20 local merchants and city staff met Monday morning to discuss the Fair Oaks Corridor construction project at the .

“We’re here to discuss center median construction coordination issues,” said City Manager John Davidson. “Our last two meetings at produced an outstanding recommendation when we came up with a solution to the Mission Street closure.”

Sam Talebian, construction manager for the Fair Oaks Corridor project, presented the merchants with two options for the upcoming center median construction set to begin on Monday, May 2.

The first option, supported by city staff, would restrict left-turn access into driveways for a 22-day period. Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m, construction crews would open one traffic lane and parking lane in each direction. After 5 p.m., two travel lanes and one parking lane in each direction would be open for motorists.

The second option, which was deemed too hazardous for public safety, would have divided work on the project into two phases in order to accommodate left turn driveway access. According to Talebian, this option would have led to an increased traffic build-up whenever a motorist attempted to make a left turn, as there would only be one lane of traffic open in each direction.

Dan Garcia, an inspector for the project, believed the first option would be the least dangerous for public safety.

“If we allow for left turns under the second option, they will be short, sharp turns,” Garcia. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

After a lengthy discussion, the merchants decided in favor of the first option, which would prevent left turns into Fair Oaks Avenue driveways from May 2 through May 24.

“We presented both options and left it up to the merchants that were going to be impacted to voice their opinions,” said Talebian. “After they heard our points of view and the logic behind them, they concurred the best option to pursue was the first one.”

Attendees also discussed landscaping plans on the Fair Oaks Avenue median islands. While no plans have been decided,  President Gretchen Robinette suggested the city work with when finalizing landscaping plans.

The next Fair Oaks Construction Corridor community meeting is currently set to take place on Monday, May 9 at at 8 a.m. 

For more on the Fair Oaks Construction Corridor meetings, click .