GUSTINE – The “wish list” of the city’s developing vision for its Highway 33/140 corridor and downtown area was laid out before local leaders and community members in December.

After months of collecting input through outreach programs at club meetings, school functions and public gatherings, the planning team at RRM Design presented a series of conceptual plans which they believe reflect the ideas and priorities expressed to them by the city staff and community of Gustine, keeping in mind the restrictions and guidelines set forth by Caltrans, the city and the county and the best potential for funding to implement the plans.

“I really like how they’ve given us a simpler solution than we had with prior plans and they’ve created allowances to implement some of the ideas in future development as more funding becomes available,” commented City Manager Margaret Silveira after the meeting.

She was referring to, as an example, the segment of highway that runs from the intersection near the high school south to Richard’s Market. The conceptual plans show a  bike lane in both directions separated from traffic with a raised median and landscaping. The existing area is very wide through that section of the highway so the real estate is already in place which also allows for a center turn lane. That lane may be simply striped at first, depending on funding available, but all the amenities would be in place for a permanent median and landscaping in the future.

Further down the road as the highway stretches through the residential area, the roadway narrows quite a bit and the planners did not include a middle turning lane. Some community members in attendance at the meeting voiced concerns about the need for a middle turning lane as opposed to the continued bike lanes. There were also concerns about the bike lanes being on the street with only a rumble strip separating them from the traffic lanes as opposed to the wider part of the highway using raised medians to separate the bike and pedestrian lanes.

“The vehicles will not be able to go around cars and trucks waiting to turn left, (as they currently do) because the traffic lanes will clearly be marked,” explained senior planner Jason McCoy. The issue with use of the space in that corridor is the requirements from Caltrans for ample shoulder room for traffic. The rumble strip allows for that space and a bike lane. “It, the rumble strip and lane striping, tells the drivers, ‘Hey, we’re not kidding, slow down and stay in your lane, this is a kids’ safety zone’,” McCoy demonstrated.

After some discussion however, it was decided to bring back the options and costs of allowing for a middle turn lane and an off-street bike lane or perhaps one two-way bike lane that would extend from the bike paths proposed for Schmidt Park.

Slowing traffic, creating a safe crossing for pedestrians and keeping traffic flowing smoothly is a goal of the planning process.

Prominent among the design concept for the transportation corridor was a roundabout proposed by consultants for the problematic corner in front of Richard’s Market.

The highway turn is tight for trucks, and its two-stop sign configuration is often confusing for motorists – particularly those unfamiliar with the intersection.

Other options were explored for the intersection – such as making it a three-way stop – but planning consultants from RRM Design reported that doing so would not meet Caltrans requirements for state highways.

A traffic study indicated that traffic lights were not warranted at the intersection.

Instead, consultants said, a roundabout holds the most promise for allowing a smooth traffic flow and enhancing safety.

Those in attendance were told that the roundabout would be created in a way that did not restrict access to Richard’s Market, the only business on the corner. To the south, the proposed roadway would also soften the sharp jog facing motorists who transition from 4th Street. to Railroad Avenue.

Conceptual plans were also presented for improving the downtown area which included an inviting archway enticing visitors to the business district.

There were festival plaza concepts, community identity monument concepts and streetscape design concepts for viewing. The proposed design includes a Mediterranean-themed look, keeping the culture and heritage of the community in the forefront.

The next public step in the development of the grant-funded transportation enhancement plan comes Jan. 21, when the community will evaluate cost estimates of the proposed amenities and help select priorities for funding before the finalized plans are presented to the City Council for approval. That meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Al Goman Community Center.