Traffic Safety Committee
Did you know that the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd and Chelsea Ave is part of the city’s "High Injury Network"? Yet, this is the designated daily drop-off point for our youngest students (TK & Kindergarten). The City of Santa Monica has developed a plan to fix this, but they need community support to fund it.
We need your voice!
PTA seeks to draft a letter of support for the study recommendations with feedback from families. This letter incorporates feedback from the executive board and a listening session on Monday, February 9, 2026.
The plan goes to the Santa Monica City Council for adoption on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
Meeting Summary
🛑 THE PROBLEM
Currently, Chelsea Ave has no traffic signal, forcing families to cross high-speed traffic without protection.
- According to the city’s safety study 83% of crashes on this corridor happen at intersections.
- Injuries are significantly more severe at unsignalized crossings like Chelsea.
✅ THE SOLUTION
The City has proposed specific engineering safety enhancements for this intersection.
The proposed improvements include
- Pedestrian Traffic Signal: A dedicated light to stop traffic, allowing students to cross safely.
- Pedestrian Refuge Islands: A safe median spot in the middle of the street to shorten the crossing distance.
- New Crosswalks: High-visibility striping.
- Right-Turn Only Lane: Reducing collisions by minimizing conflicts between turning and through traffic.
- Directional Curb Ramps: ADA-compliant ramps guiding walkers directly into the crosswalk.
- Bike Lane Modifications: Creating a clearer path for cyclists.
Committee Members
Jordana Haspel, Juan Matute, the LaRose Family
Thank You to our Generous partners!
