Agenda - City of Santa Monica

integrated urban design. The result is a sequence of paths, intersections and gateways
that provide definition, meaning, and improved functionality, while creating a sense of
place for people at this critical city junction.
Streetscape Design Elements
A. Street Cross Section: In February 2012, the Council reviewed numerous street
configurations including conceptual recommendations for one-way vehicle flow that
continues the westbound only flow between 4 th and 5 th Streets created by the Expo
station. While the redesigned traffic lanes appropriately calm traffic in an area filled
with pedestrians and cyclists, the one-way direction keeps vehicle traffic moving.
The narrowness of the one-way traffic zone also avoids overwhelming the corridor
with fast-moving traffic. With the new configuration, vehicles, bicyclists and
pedestrians can equally share the Santa Monica experience of traveling towards
the Pier Sign, the symbolic end of Route 66.
Design refinements: By aggregating pedestrian space on the southern side and
pushing the strong frame of street trees to the outer edge, the generous sidewalk
and cycle track become part of the view corridor and the procession towards the
ocean, which was previously centered on vehicle traffic.
With the expanded pedestrian and bicycle facilities on the south side of Colorado,
the southern side gains enough land area for Main Street to be realigned almost
directly with 2 nd Street, eliminating the existing roadway jog and one of the existing
signalized intersections. The costly realignment was not included in the original
concept for the Esplanade but the design team recognized that this single
infrastructural improvement would manifest valuable benefits for each mode: fewer
intersections for pedestrians and c yclists to cross, and an i mproved north-south
traffic flow for vehicles. This realignment would fulfill the vision of the Civic Center
Specific Plan, better connecting the Downtown and Civic Center Districts, and
improving access between them.
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