Orinda has $30,000 budgeted for traffic calming since the fiscal year began July 1 and hasn't spent a dollar of it, even as four neighborhood speed cushion requests sit on hold and a new pedestrian safety concern has emerged on Manzanita Drive.

The city's Traffic Safety Advisory Committee takes up those issues and more at its Monday, Aug. 17 meeting, set for 7 p.m. in the Planning Conference Room at 22 Orinda Way. The meeting falls near the start of the new school year, when residential street speeds are top of mind for Lamorinda families.

Speed cushions stalled

According to the committee's agenda packet, all speed cushion requests are on hold as of the Aug. 17 agenda. The oldest, on Davis Road, dates to June 2019. Requests for Crestview Drive and Claremont Avenue followed in May 2021, and Loma Vista Drive was added in January 2023.

The agenda does not explain why the requests remain frozen.

A newer request for Manzanita Drive, focused on pedestrian safety, was received in June 2026 and first appeared on the committee's July 20 agenda. It is listed as a Level 2 and 3 traffic calming item for the Aug. 17 discussion.

Budget contrast

The city's FY 2026/27 traffic calming budget stands at $30,000 with the full balance remaining through June 30, 2027. That's a sharp contrast to last fiscal year: according to the July TSAC agenda, the city spent $41,217, exceeding its $30,000 budget by more than $11,000 on projects including Orchard Road traffic calming, Coral Drive striping and new signs on Oak Drive and Lombardy Lane.

Bike and trails plan gets first update in 15 years

Also on the Aug. 17 agenda: an update on the 2026 Bicycle, Trails and Walkways Master Plan revision. The current plan dates to 2011. As of the committee's May 2026 meeting, city staff had selected a consultant and planned to bring the contract to the City Council for approval in early July, with data collection to follow a kickoff meeting. Whether the contract has been formally approved is not confirmed in available city records.

The consultant will also review the city's Neighborhood Traffic Management Program for potential updates, a separate item on the Aug. 17 agenda.

Other agenda items

The Orinda Police Department will present July 2026 traffic statistics. Monte Vista Road remains an active request for Level 2 signage and pavement markings.

The committee is chaired by James Blaisdell, with Vice-Chair Tandra Ericson and members Nick Mitchell, Brandon Haydu and Craig Beckerman. Senior engineer Ryan O'Kane serves as staff liaison.

How to participate

Residents can attend in person at 22 Orinda Way, submit written comments by email to [email protected], or deliver comments to Orinda City Hall before the meeting. The next regular TSAC meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21.