Fair Oaks Lane Reduction Under Consideration

Pasadena transportation officials are weighing a major road safety overhaul along a busy stretch of North Fair Oaks Avenue, citing crash history, speeding and community concerns.

At Tuesday’s Northwest Commission meeting, city staff will outline a proposal to reconfigure North Fair Oaks between Montana Street and Washington Boulevard from four travel lanes to two lanes with a center left-turn lane.

A second option would include no changes.

The redesign, often called a “road diet,” is aimed at slowing speeds, improving pedestrian safety and reducing collisions.

Between 2020 and 2024, the half-mile segment saw 70 crashes, including five severe injuries — two involving pedestrians — according to city data. Nearly 40% of severe injuries were to people walking, while rear-end and broadside collisions made up most of the crashes. A speed survey found that 85% of drivers were traveling at 41 mph, well above the posted limit.

“Changing to a three-lane configuration would make the street easier to cross and reduce collisions, while still supporting current traffic levels,” a March Planning Commission report stated.

The proposed reconfiguration would be implemented during a resurfacing project funded through Pasadena Water and Power this winter. It would be paired with other improvements such as bus bulbs, new pedestrian crossings, curb extensions, trees, lighting and additional safety features along the broader Fair Oaks corridor.

The city is also pursuing grants through the Los Angeles Metro Transit Oriented Communities Technical Assistance Program and Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 to finance future upgrades from Montana Street north to Holly Street.

An alternative “no change” option would keep the existing four-lane layout. Traffic studies conducted in 2018 and recently show current volumes well below the Federal Highway Administration’s 20,000 vehicles-per-day threshold for lane reduction, with daily counts ranging from about 7,300 to 12,000.

Officials will collect public input at a Sept. 9 community meeting before deciding whether to move forward with the reconfiguration. Construction could begin in winter if approved.