The Public Works Department held a May 16 Livable Moraga Road Walking Tour between Donald Drive and Corliss Drive. Its purpose was to collect feedback from not only residents but anyone who traverses the half-mile corridor.

    The concept of roadway changes went before the public as far back as 2013, in the form of mailed surveys, but the project was shelved for the better part of 10 years. Current focus will include:  lane configuration feasibility and benefits, traffic analysis results, safety benefits, and emergency response.

    According to a Traffic Study Worksheet provided by Director of Public Works/Town Engineer Nate Levine, “In order to solve existing safety issues, a lane reconfiguration is recommended between Corliss Drive and Donald Drive, with the four-lane section converted to a three-lane section with a two-way left turn lane and Class IV bike lanes.”

    A traffic analysis showed that a lane reconfiguration “would not significantly impact traffic flow.” Additionally, “a signal at the intersection of Moraga Road and Corliss Drive is recommended based on 2024 data, and estimated 2044 traffic volumes.”  Such a signal “would improve safety by eliminating dangerous sideswipe crashes.”  Pedestrian safety would also be improved.

    Between 2018-2023, a total of nine injury crashes occurred on Moraga Road where “less than a quarter of drivers were obeying the 35 mph speed limit.”  A lane reconfiguration would reduce the opportunity for speeding. “Prior studies have shown that crashes could be reduced by up to 46% at intersections, and bicycle crashes reduced by up to 36%” with improved bike lanes.

    Emergency response operations are expected to improve thanks to increased maneuverability options for first responders.

    Eleven participants showed up to take the Walking Tour and were asked to fill out a questionnaire afterwards. Respondents were asked: Do you currently feel safe along this section of Moraga Road? All responded in the negative when it came to pedestrian and cyclist safety, citing speeding vehicles and lack of sidewalks as the reason. 

    Question 2: Do you find the proposed improvements favorable or unfavorable and why?  Every respondent found the proposed improvements favorable. Comments were split on discussing pedestrian/cyclist safety or vehicle safety with some mention of a traffic light at Corliss being a good idea. 

    Question 3:  Do you feel that the proposed improvements will change or benefit the way you travel on Moraga Road? How So? Several of the responses alluded to the possibility of giving bike riding a try again, while others suggested that driving would be safer. 

    Question 4:  Do you feel that the proposed improvements to Moraga Road would make it safer to travel by vehicle, bike, or walking?  Responses heavily favored all three forms of travel experiencing safety improvements.

    Finally, Question 5:  Do you have any thoughts specifically about Segment 3 improvements that you’d like to share?  A traffic light at Corliss Drive was stressed, as was the urgency of implementing the entire project in general.  Other responses included, “Even though biking culture is not very strong, efforts to encourage biking can only come after road improvements are done.  People will come if you build it.”  Also, “How about a crosswalk at Devin that blinks when people are trying to cross.” Two suggestions mentioned the idea of trees strategically placed for either aesthetic appearances or to act as a pedestrian refuge from the sun.

    “As part of the Livable Moraga Road project,” Levine noted, “the Town of Moraga will hold an Open House to give residents another opportunity to learn more about the proposed Segment 3 concept, review supporting traffic and safety information, and provide feedback. The meeting is scheduled for June 23.  The location and additional details will be posted on the project website as they become available: https://www.moraga.ca.us/LivableMoragaRoad.”