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MADISON STREET AND EMERALD STREET AND MADISON STREET AND FREDA AVENUETRAFFIC CIRCULATION 12-MONTH PILOT PROJECTCity Council MeetingJanuary 27, 2026Public Works Department RiversideCA.gov2
LOCATION MAP
PROPOSED TRAFFIC CIRCULATION 12-MONTH PILOT PROJECT PROHIBITING EASTBOUND & WESTBOUND THROUGH AND LEFT MOVEMENTS
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BACKGROUND•In 2015, the Casa Blanca Community Action Group (CAG) submitted requests for additional pedestrian infrastructure due to safety concerns and high pedestrian traffic at Madison Street and Emerald Street. •The Public Works Department applied for a Highway Safety Improvement Program grant funds to remove the existing all-way stop control at the intersection of Madison Street and Emerald Street and install a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) RiversideCA.gov4
BACKGROUND (CONTINUED)•In 2018, the Public Works Department applied for Active Transportation Program Cycle IV grant funds to construct a HAWK at the intersection of Madison Street and Freda Avenue.•Members of CAG and businesses in the area expressed support for Public Works’ pursuit of grant-funded pedestrian improvements
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BACKGROUND (CONTINUED)•In 2023, HAWK signals were installed at the intersections of Madison Street and Emerald Street and Madison Street and Freda Avenue. •Residents expressed concerns of indecisive driver behavior•City created social media videos to educate the public on how HAWK signals operate•City deployed signage at intersections RiversideCA.gov6
DISCUSSION•On June 23, 2025, Traffic Engineering staff met with the community to consider solutions to improve operations and safety•On August 13, 2025, Traffic Engineering presented a conceptual version of the pilot project at the August CAG meeting. •12-month pilot project is anticipated to reduce the number of vehicular movements and potential conflict points.•During community engagement, CAG supported the concept to modify traffic patterns at the intersections of Madison Street and Emerald Street and Madison Street and Freda Avenue. However, community members shared concerns at the Transportation Board meeting. 1/14/2026
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EXISTING AND PROPOSED TRAFFIC PATTERN MODIFICATION
EMERALD STEMERALD STMADISON STMADISON STEXISTINGPROPOSED RiversideCA.gov8
EXISTING AND PROPOSED TRAFFIC PATTERN MODIFICATIONEXISTINGPROPOSED
FREDA AVEMADISON ST
FREDA AVEMADISON ST
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MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS•Installation of traffic diverters may also result in potential negative impacts to the community including:•the loss of on-street parking •the shifting of area traffic to nearby streets•affects to local churches and public facilities due to changes in access•aesthetic effects•and potential effects to Public Works services and emergency vehicle operations.
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DETOURS •Installation of traffic diverters will restrict eastbound left-turns onto northbound Madison Street to access SR-91•Residents accustomed to making a left-turn movement from eastbound Freda Avenue onto northbound Madison Street may utilize northbound S Cary Street and eastbound Fern Avenue for a maximum detour distance of 0.28 miles.
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DETOURS (CONTINUED)•Installation of traffic diverters will restrict eastbound left-turns onto northbound Madison Street to access SR-91•Residents accustomed to making a left-turn movement from eastbound Emerald Street onto northbound Madison Street may utilize northbound Grace Street and eastbound Peters Street for a maximum detour distance of 0.56 miles.
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INTERSECTION TURNING MOVEMENT COUNTS
•During the peak 2-hour PM period at Madison and Emerald, there are expected to be up to 15 vehicles impacted•During the peak 2-hour PM period at Madison and Freda, there are expected to be up to 7 vehicles impacted 1/14/2026
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EVALUATION•Before and after intersection operational and safety studies will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot•A new multi-way stop warrant will be conducted at Madison Street and Peters Street/Ysmael Villegas Street•Evaluations for multi-way stop sign control and / or a full traffic signal warrant analysis will be evaluated, and recommendations will be presented at the conclusion of the pilot project RiversideCA.gov14
That the City Council approve the temporary 12-monthtraffic circulation pilot project to prohibit through and left-turn movements at the eastbound and westboundapproaches of the intersections of Madison Street andEmerald Street and Madison Street and Freda Avenue.RECOMMENDATION