Traffic signal light approved for Topanga Canyon, Bluebird Street
By Michael Picarella
Acorn Staff Writer

The Calabasas City Council awarded $135,000 to a contractor recently to construct and install a traffic signal at the Topanga Canyon Road and Bluebird Street intersection.

Officials said the project would be completed by September.

The council discussed safety issues at prior meetings—including a past fatality at the site. Other factors were additional traffic (snarled by temporary four-way stop signs) and overflow of traffic into surrounding neighborhoods. Citizens also voiced concerns and offered possible solutions.

"We are ready to install the signal before the school year starts," said Calabasas Transportation Director Robert Yalda.

One of the previous concerns of councilmembers was keeping motorists aware of changes in traffic flow. Yalda said notices were mailed to all homeowners’ associations and residents within a 500-foot radius of the intersection.

A posting at the location, Yalda said, also informed motorists who travel the roads of the upcoming modification.

City Councilman Dennis Washburn said he’s happy with the solution to make the intersection safer, but wanted more participation with Las Virgenes Unified School District and private schools to present congestion management plans of their own. Washburn said he also wanted transportation solutions for on and off campuses.

In past meetings, Washburn and City Councilman Michael Harrison suggested improvements in the school bus system or implementation of a carpool system.

"We’ve done our part," Washburn said. What can the schools do, he asked.

Harrison was worried about a constant green light on Topanga Canyon Road. The light would only turn red to allow vehicles on Bluebird to move through the intersection, he said. The original priority, Harrison said, was speeding traffic on Topanga Canyon. Keeping the signal light green wouldn’t slow down the speeding motorists, he said.

Harrison suggested a constant flashing yellow light, but the council didn’t discuss that idea because it wasn’t an option on the agenda. Harrison’s concerns will likely be addressed at a future city council meeting.

Washburn added that Calabasas is fortunate because it has adequate funding to install the signal light. It might not always be that way, he said.

The utility user tax helps solve a public safety problem such as this one, according to Washburn.

The 5 percent tax on telephone, gas and electricity bills will appear, however, on the March ballot for a possible repeal.

"If we are without the revenues available to address the lifestyle and public safety issues in this community," Washburn said, "it would be a real sad day."