Pulgas Avenue Mini-Roundabouts

As part of San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) School Travel Fellowship Program (Fellowship Program) in 2021, two temporary traffic circles were installed at two intersections of concern in the City that are also nearby schools. Locations are as follows: 

• Pulgas Avenue and Runnymede Street 
• Pulgas Avenue and Beech Street 

In 2023, once again, staff applied for the Student Travel Fellowship and was selected to participate in the program. As part of the 2023 fellowship, the City received technical assistance and one preliminary mini-roundabout design. The City Council authorized the execution of a contract with ALTA Planning + Design on 5/16/2023 to design the second location. The 30% design can be found here.  At the 3/19/2024 City Council meeting, City Council authorized an amendment to complete the PS&E package. 

The 50% Plans and Estimate (P&E) can be found here.

The 100% Plans can be found here, the estimate can be found here, the draft technical specifications can be found here, and the draft RFB can be found here.

Construction work for the project is anticipated to be completed by March 2026. The schedule can be found here.

Questions regarding the project can be sent to Batool Zaro, Senior Engineer, at bzaro@cityofepa.org.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts have raised splitter islands on all approaches and allow only one-way traffic around a central island. Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to other traffic and road users already in the roundabout and must signal when entering and exiting.

Benefits of roundabouts

• Drivers must slow down to enter. This reduces the frequency and severity of crashes that may occur and can reduce the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit.
• They reduce the potential for "T-bone" and head-on collisions.
• A roundabout is a traffic control element that is equal to a traffic signal. Sometimes roundabouts are a better option for a location than a traffic signal at an intersection.

How to drive through a roundabout safely

Roundabouts are designed to improve traffic flow and reduce collisions. Follow these steps to navigate them safely:

1. Slow down

As you approach a roundabout, reduce your speed to the advisory limit and be prepared to stop if necessary. Slower speeds help you navigate safely and give you more time to react to other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians.

2. Choose the correct the lane

Most mini roundabouts have a single lane. Enter the single lane and follow all posted signs.

3. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists

Check for pedestrians in crosswalks just before the roundabout. Always stop to let them cross safely and never block the crosswalk.

4. Yield to traffic in the roundabout

Traffic already circulating inside the roundabout has the right-of-way. Enter only when there is a safe gap in traffic.

5. Drive counterclockwise around the center island
Keep to the right of the central island and continue at a slow, steady speed. Do not stop inside the roundabout unless necessary to avoid a collision.

6. Signal before exiting

Indicate a right signal before your exit to alert other drivers and pedestrians of your intention.

7. Watch for pedestrians when exiting

Check the crosswalk for pedestrians as you leave the roundabout and stop if anyone is crossing.

Emergency vehicles:

If an emergency vehicle approaches while you are in the roundabout, continue driving through to exit safely. Then pull over to let the emergency vehicle pass.

Emergency vehicles and long service vehicles may need to proceed through these intersections in different ways.