Pump track street improvements approved by Council

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The Menifee City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a street expansion project for the upcoming pump track in southwest Menifee, while acknowledging the need to monitor the impact of increased traffic in the area.

The Gale Webb Kids-R-#1 Action Sports Park will include six acres of bike trails on the southeast corner of Evans Road and Craig Avenue. According to a city document, “The pump track includes multiple tracks of various skill levels and will be a premiere alternative sports facility within the region.”

The improvements to the site will include widening the road and installing curbs and sidewalks on Craig Avenue. The city’s agreement with construction firm Kimley Horn totals $54,730.

Council member Matt Liesemeyer asked city staff to closely monitor the safety situation. Several residents have contacted city officials recently with concerns about unsafe intersections, including Evans Road and Craig Avenue. A child on the way to school was struck at that intersection recently, and residents fear that children walking and biking around the pump track will be an additional hazard.

“You’re inviting a lot more kids all over the place,” said Liesemeyer, who supports the recreational site but is concerned about the traffic impact. “I hope you can prioritize that signal.”

The intersection is currently a four-way stop controlled by stop signs. There are plans to install a traffic signal there, but it is given the low priority of 4 in the city’s Capital Improvement Program.

Although city officials acknowledge the concern of residents, it appears the priority list won’t be changed until at least December during the regular annual re-evaluation of the CIP.

“We’ve received a lot of requests regarding the intersection of Evens and Craig,” said Nick Fidler, public works director. “It’s currently a priority 4. Each year the list is reviewed and we will begin that again in December. That’s our process.”

Liesemeyer asked Fidler to provide his rationale for the intersection’s No. 4 priority.

“As the community grows, the needs change,” Fidler said. “We know there’s a 15- to 30-minute peak time nine months out of the year. Changes in the traffic pattern are starting to occur. Development in that area is definitely going to bump that priority up.”

The pump track is scheduled to open Nov. 5.