New Traffic Signal To Be Installed on Walnut and The Mall Intersection
Irvine City Council received an official request from the Director of Public Works and Transportation to install a traffic signal at the Walnut and The Mall intersection.
According to the staff report,
“Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2022 with completion by Summer 2023. Work activity will take place primarily Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with temporary lane closures on Walnut Avenue and The Mall to facilitate the work. A clear and ADA accessible pedestrian path of travel will be maintained at all times.”
The Mall is located between Culver and Harvard and just north of the Walnut Village Shopping Center (the one with Trader Joe’s) on Culver and Walnut. Traffic from the shops often lead to increased wait times at the four way intersections along Walnut toward Harvard.
The installation of the traffic signal will have a positive environmental impact as noted in the request for approval from the Director of Public Works and Transportation, Jaimee Bourgeois:
“City Council could elect not to approve the recommended actions and direct staff to defer the project to a future date. This alternative is not recommended, because the intersection meets traffic signal warrants and the existing all-way stop control creates unnecessary delays and associated vehicle emissions.”
Last night, the City Council approved staff’s recommendations and approved the project.
It should be noted that the reduction in emissions can be optimized with precise planning of traffic lights – which would also reduce congestion.
Map of projected installation of traffic signal: 
The request for approval of the plan included a Recommended Action that Irvine City Council “authorize staff to solicit competitive bids and award the construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in accordance with the City’s purchasing policies and procedures, within the approved project budget.”
This request was on the consent calendar as item 2.3 for the Irvine City Council meeting on July 12, 2022 and approved.
