VALLEY CENTER — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday unanimously approved a concept plan for a portion of a road in the Valley Center community that features safety improvements, including a roundabout.
According to the county Land Use and Environment Group, the Valley Center Road Corridor Concept Plan and an accompanying ordinance will “improve safety and traffic flow considering all road-user types,” including bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians in North and South Villages of Valley Center.
Some of the plan features are:
— a two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Miller and Valley Center roads, and a multi-use path outside of the vehicle travel lanes;
— crosswalks at intersections near a public road;
— a separated bikeway on both sides of Valley Center Road throughout the corridor;
— traffic signals at the Sunday Drive and Old Road intersections;
— a controlled pedestrian signal at Rinehart Lane;
— extending the sidewalk on the corridor’s east and south sides;
— maintaining the Heritage Trail pathway on the corridor’s west and north sides, with minor modifications at the roundabout to accommodate the multi-use path, and at planned curb extensions.
Valley Center, located in northern San Diego County, has a population of just over 10,000. The community is known for its agriculture and rural character but has experienced some growth in recent years.
According to the county, the long-term Valley Center Road plan would be developed using grants and discretionary permit approvals for private and capital improvement projects when funding is available.
