Design of a Traffic Signal at Ridgecrest Rd at Bluff Crest St, and Vista Point Dr

The Ridgecrest Road/Vista Point Drive/Bluff Crest Street intersection is configured as an offset T-intersection. Vista Point Drive approaches from the east and terminates at Ridgecrest Road slightly north of Bluff Crest Street. Bluff Crest Street approaches from the west and terminates at Ridgecrest Road south of Vista Point Drive. The west side of the intersection falls within the City's jurisdiction, while the east side is under the jurisdiction of San Bernardino County. A cooperative agreement is in place between the City and the County. Refer to Attachment A for the City's responsibilities under this agreement. Per the City's Circulation Element, Ridgecrest Road is classified as an arterial roadway with two travel lanes in each direction and dedicated left-turn lanes near the intersection, while Bluff Crest Street is designated as a collector roadway with one travel lane in each direction. Vista Point Drive is classified as a local street under the County's circulation element and also provides one travel lane in each direction near the intersection. The posted speed limit on Ridgecrest Road is 55 miles per hour (mph), while the speed limits on Vista Point Drive and Bluff Crest Street are 25 mph. The intersection is stop-controlled for eastbound and westbound approaches, with northbound and southbound traffic on Ridgecrest Road operating under free-flow conditions. Sidewalk exists along the west side of Ridgecrest Road past Bluff Crest Street. Along the east side of Ridgecrest Road, sidewalk exists south of Vista Point Drive; however, north of Vista Point Drive, pedestrian access is constrained to a corner. Curb ramps exist for both offset intersections; however, curb ramps along Bluff Crest Street do not meet current ADA standards. No marked crosswalks are present at the intersection. Project surrounding areas are primarily residential, with single-family homes along Vista Point Drive and Bluff Crest Street. With the recent construction of the Green Tree improvements to the North, Ridgecrest has become a preferred route for commuters. Approximate Average Daily Traffic volumes are approximately 19,000 vehicles per day, and the roadway is not designated as a truck route. Attachment B includes accident reports provided by the County run in 2024. From 2019 to 2024, twenty seven (27) collisions have been reported at the intersection, including one (1) head-on collision and twenty three (23) broadside collisions, (1) sideswipe, (3) rear end, eight (8) of which resulted in injuries and one (1) fatality. Traffic signal warrant analyses were conducted in February 2024, and the intersection was found to meet the criteria for Warrant 1-Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume (Condition B), Warrant-2 Four-Hour Vehiclular Volume, and Warrant 7-Crash Experience. The Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA) operates Route 55 along Ridgecrest Road, with a bus stop located just south of the Ridgecrest Road and Vista Point Drive intersection. Various public and private utilities are present within the project area and will require coordination during design and construction. The City has sent utility letters to all utility companies. Letters and responses are included as Attachment C of this solicitation. Surface drainage in the project area is accommodated by existing curb-and-gutter systems and storm drain facilities that convey runoff along the roadway to existing inlets. Roadway as-builts are included as Attachment D . Based on preliminary layout shown below, the project is anticipated to be constructed within existing public right-of-way, and no additional right-of-way acquisition is currently anticipated.