San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comConfusing Crosswalk Controversy In Coronado

Confusing Crosswalk Controversy In Coronado

It's supposed to be tested out for six months, but some upset Coronado neighbors don't need that long to tell you what they think of the new roundabout at Pomona and Seventh. They say the crosswalks are confusing, leading up to curbs and blocked off driveways, not to mention what this has done to parking spaces.

The roundabout sits right outside Carolyn Sykes's door.

"We hear constant honking, and people are confused," she said.

That confusion is easy to understand, according to longtime Coronado resident Nancy Owen, who says the crosswalks within the roundabout are unsafe, forcing her and her dog Shelby to dart across Pomona Avenue directly into red zones, curbs and trees.

"They end up in trees right now in some cases, or someone has parked their car across it because it's their house, so I think they have a ways to go to make it safer," she said.

Resident Heinz Steiner believes the city is inviting potential lawsuits by obstructing the pathways with signs, storm drains and plastic barriers, blocking access for disabled residents.

"If you're in a wheelchair, you don't have the ability to jaywalk because that's the only alternative you have," he said.

Roundabout supporters urge it's a valuable tool in reducing speed. Coronado city engineer Ed Walton says it's a temporary project - one that is not ADA compliant because it's not cost-effective or required during a "study" or trial period. Over the next six months, he says staff will evaluate its impact.

"We want to see how traffic flows, how people react, how citizens react so we're looking at this for six months. At that point we'll look at it and council will make a decision whether to make it permanent, take it out, or do something else," Walton said.

The city council will have the final say on the future of this roundabout in September. If a permanent one is approved, city engineer Ed Walton says it could cost more than $1 million to make the necessary changes to the roads and sidewalks.