17 Staff Report.Shannon Road Repair
PREPARED BY: Nicolle Burnham
Parks and Public Works Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager and Town Attorney
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 11/21/2023 ITEM NO: 17
DATE: November 16, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Receive a Report on Traffic Management at the Shannon Road Repair (CIP
Project No 811-0008) Location (Between Diduca Way and Santa Rosa Drive)
and Provide Feedback
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a report on traffic management at the Shannon Road repair (CIP Project No 811-0008)
location (between Diduca Way and Santa Rosa Drive) and provide feedback.
BACKGROUND:
The northerly travel lane of Shannon Road between Diduca Way and Santa Rosa Drive was in
disrepair before the Town annexed the area from the County of Santa Clara. The County
completed some repairs prior to the Town’s acceptance of the road, but additional repairs are
needed.
Staff has been working with a consultant team to develop plans to repair this section of the
roadway. The repair will include removal of the failing road base, construction of a retaining
wall on the north side of the road, and reconstruction of the pavement, including the
installation of guiderails and other necessary safety measures. The design work is complete,
but property owner coordination is pending completion.
In July, the Town identified marked deterioration of the travel lane. Options to address this
were considered and a one-way alternating traffic pattern with temporary traffic signals was
selected as the preferred temporary measure due to the fact that project bidding was planned
for the late fall 2023. The temporary measures allow the road to remain open for public use
while preventing use of the travel lane, which is considered a hazard due to uneven pavement
and at risk of failure.
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Receive a Report on Traffic Management at the Shannon Road Repair Location and Provide Feedback DATE: November 16,2023
DISCUSSION:
The alternating traffic signal pattern has achieved the goal of preventing use of the
deteriorated travel lane. Unfortunately, during the time it has been in place, staff has received
numerous reports of drivers not obeying the signal, proceeding through the closure on the red
light, and meeting on-coming traffic that progressed on the green light. Staff understands that
drivers are impatient due to the length of time it takes for the one-way traffic to travel the
distance of the impacted segment; however, drivers should be following basic traffic rules of
stopping at a red signal.
Staff is considering three potential mitigation strategies as outlined below. Depending on the
length of time required to secure the required approvals for construction, more than one of
these may be required.
Strategy 1: Retain the existing traffic control and enhance signage and outreach to drivers and
residents about how the lights function (including the fact that wait times could be three to
four minutes) and observe if behavior improves.
Strategy 2: Re-evaluate implementing temporary improvements to the travel lane in question.
Staff had considered temporary repairs before implementing the alternating traffic pattern. At
that time, it appeared that construction would begin in late winter of early spring of 2024 and it
was not prudent to spend capital funds for a temporary repair. Depending on how long it takes
to secure the approvals, this alternative may be reconsidered.
Strategy 3: Explore a full closure of Shannon Road. This approach would prevent drivers from
ignoring the traffic control that is in place; however, staff is keenly aware that this strategy
would create significant hardship for the community. If this is Council’s preferred option, staff
would undertake legal research regarding the Town’s authority to close the road. If authorized,
the Town would develop a work plan that includes communications to residents and the
necessary infrastructure to support the closure.
CONCLUSION:
Staff will discuss the three strategies in more detail at the meeting and receive feedback from
Town Council.
COORDINATION:
This memorandum has been coordinated with the Town Manager, Town Attorney and Finance
Director.
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Receive a Report on Traffic Management at the Shannon Road Repair Location and Provide Feedback DATE: November 16,2023
FISCAL IMPACT:
Each strategy will require expenditure of capital funds. Staff will provide estimates of these
prior to the Council Meeting in an Addendum or Desk Item. The current balance in the CIP
project budget is $3,748,617.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The Shannon Road Repair project is a project as defined under CEQA but is Categorically
Exempt (Sections 15301, 15302, 15303 and 15304). A Notice of Exemption has not been filed.