TO: TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
FROM: MARIA B. TIPPING, CITY ENGINEER
DATE: APRIL 24, 2025
SUBJECT:
Title
CLAREMONT BOULEVARD AT NINTH STREET TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION UPDATE
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SUMMARY
On May 27, 2021, staff presented an item to the Traffic and Transportation Commission (TTC) addressing Claremont McKenna College (CMC) vision to transform Claremont Boulevard with Complete Streets features.
Since then, staff have been working with CMC to incorporate Complete Streets features on Claremont Boulevard from Foothill Boulevard to Sixth Street. This effort is being coordinated between the City of Claremont and CMC, through the construction of the Roberts Campus Sports Bowl and the Robert Day Science Center. The proposed Claremont Boulevard Complete Streets improvements also include the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Ninth Street and Claremont Boulevard.
While the design of Complete Streets’ features progresses, CMC is moving forward with the installation of the traffic signal at Ninth Street and Claremont Boulevard in the upcoming months. At tonight’s meeting staff will be providing an update on the installation of this traffic signal. Staff will return to the TTC to present an item on Claremont Boulevard Complete Streets, so the Commission can review and comment at the 30% plan preparation stage.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends the Traffic and Transportation Commission review the Claremont Boulevard and Ninth Street Traffic Signal Installation Update, provide feedback to staff, and to receive and file this staff report.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
CMC has submitted traffic signal plans to City staff for review and approval. CMC will be constructing this improvement as part of the conditions required by the East Campus Map (Parcel Map No. 70243) and associated Development Agreement.
CMC has funded the preparation of the traffic signal plan and is conditioned to implement and fund the construction of the Claremont Boulevard at Ninth Street traffic signal improvements.
The cost associated with the preparation of this staff report are estimated at $1,106 and is included in the operating budget of the Community Development Department.
ANALYSIS
Staff is currently working with CMC to incorporate Complete Streets features on Claremont Boulevard from Foothill Boulevard to Sixth Street. The following provides background information on this project.
Background
In December 2016, the Claremont University Consortium (CUC), requested that the City Council approve a map subdividing 30 acres in the City of Claremont for the future implementation of the Colleges’ East Campus project. City Council approved PM 70243 for the subdivision of these 30 acres located in Claremont, at the east side of Claremont Boulevard from Arrow Route and Foothill Boulevard.
With the map approval process, the City of Claremont also approved a development agreement to provide improvements along Foothill Boulevard, Monte Vista Avenue (in the City of Upland), Sixth Street/Arrow Route, and Claremont Boulevard. As required by the map, the Colleges paid for the installation of the required improvements for Foothill Boulevard, which were completed with the construction of the Foothill Boulevard Master Plan Project. In regard to the Claremont Boulevard improvements, the East Campus project was responsible for provision of public improvements at the east side of Claremont Boulevard to center line.
As required in 2016, the Claremont Boulevard improvements were consistent with typical subdivision requirements for the provision of public improvements. Increased awareness of pedestrian and bicycle safety issues, construction of the Foothill Boulevard Master Plan Improvements, and the adoption of the Complete Streets Policy in 2019 led to heightened interest in projects that reflect Complete Streets principles. In 2020, CMC approached City staff with a proposal to revisit the required East Campus street improvements for the east side of Claremont Boulevard. Their new proposal incorporated Complete Streets and traffic calming components such as pedestrian bulb outs, Class IV bike lanes, and more pedestrian friendly parkway/sidewalk options.
Concurrently, CMC also applied to amend its 2012 Master Plan to redistribute previously approved academic space to facilitate development of the Robert Day Sciences Center at the southwest corner of the intersection of Claremont Boulevard and Ninth Street.
The CMC Master Plan amendment also included an update to the Plan’s Claremont Boulevard cross-section, between Sixth and Ninth Street, to replace the conventional design that was adopted with the Master Plan, with a new cross-section to match the proposed Complete Streets cross-section with protected bike lanes at the west side of the roadway.
Currently, CMC is designing the complete street improvements and is finalizing the design of the traffic signal improvements for Claremont Boulevard and Ninth Street. This traffic signal will include curb extensions (bulb-outs), and temporary striping that will transition into the existing condition on Claremont Boulevard, until the remainder of the final improvements are constructed.
Next Steps:
Staff will continue to work with the CMC to review, approve, and permit the traffic signal improvement on Claremont Boulevard at Ninth Street. Staff will bring an item back to the TTC for review and feedback on the design plans for the Claremont Boulevard Complete Street Improvements at the 30% plan set preparation and as needed for future commission review.
Staff currently anticipates the construction of the traffic signal will commence in Summer 2025.
CEQA REVIEW
This item is not subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
The agenda and staff report for this item have been posted on the City website and distributed to interested parties. If you desire a copy, please contact Commission Secretary, Nadia Ramirez at nramirez@claremontca.gov
Submitted by: Prepared by:
Maria B. Tipping, PE Vincent Ramos
City Engineer Associate Engineer