The Hermosa Beach Public Works Commission on Wednesday decided against installing a traffic circle and speed humps on Prospect Avenue in order to slow drivers down.
Residents have long complained about drivers blowing stop signs and speeding on Prospect between 190th Street and Artesia Boulevard. Public works staff recommended implementing a pilot program between Aviation Boulevard and First Street.
Many of the 16 residents who spoke at Wednesday’s meeting opposed the speed cushions and mini-traffic circle alternatives, fearing the devices would encourage “cut-through” drivers to race down side streets instead.
In the end, commissioners decided to ask the public works department to repaint faded paint at intersections and replace some Stop Signs and other faded signs along Prospect. Public Works Superintendent Ells Freeman said the new paint and signs ought to be completed in about three weeks.
Commissioner Julian Katz favored looking into where on Prospect a temporary traffic circle could be installed. Katz said traffic circles, or roundabouts, work well in the Middle East and in Europe.
“People respect the fact that if someone is in the roundabout, you don’t enter it,” Katz said. “They work.”
About 8,000 cars a day drive along Prospect through Hermosa Beach, according to a traffic study.
The traffic situation on Prospect will be studied again in six months, officials said.
