The City of Carlsbad is committed to creating roads that are safe and accessible, while balancing the needs of drivers, bicyclists, walkers and other road users. This is especially important around our busy coastline.

With updated information regarding SANDAG grant funds associated with this project, the City Council selected an option to pursue smaller-scale improvements at the intersection instead of a roundabout, which helps ensure the city uses taxpayer dollars responsibly and have a better opportunity to take advantage of the grant money.  

The project now will include these intersection improvements:

• New high visibility crosswalks
• New ADA-compliant ramps
• Improved medians with new ADA-complaint pathways and pedestrian signals
• Removing the bus stop bench in the middle of the median
• Removing most of the guardrail along the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard south of Tamarack, providing 1.5 feet of more space to walk

While the funds and timeline to complete these improvements haven’t been finalized, they come at a much lower cost and can be completed more quickly.

• Staff will work with SANDAG on requesting a time extension for the grant to complete the ADA-related safety enhancements. 

• Staff will work on the design of the ADA-safety enhancements and work on identifying construction funds. 

April 29, 2025 | City Council

Adopted a resolution approving a smaller scale project with limited improvements for the Carlsbad Boulevard and Tamarack Avenue intersection. 

Nov. 12, 2024 | City Council

Adopted a resolution approving the submittal of a request to amend the San Diego Association of Governments Active Transportation Grant to change its scope so the remaining applicable funds can be used for the project’s final design and environmental studies instead of construction, and extend it for two years. 

July 18, 2023 | City Council

Selected the roundabout option for the intersection, and directed staff to return to the City Council after the completion of the Terramar area coastal improvement project, which includes a roundabout at Cannon Road, with data, to reevaluate and determine if changes are needed to the Tamarack Avenue design or to purse other options for the intersection.

May 1, 2023 | Traffic & Mobility Commission

Discussed additional traffic study data and information about roundabouts, as requested by the commission. Selected the roundabout as the preferred option for the intersection control.

Feb. 6, 2023 | Traffic & Mobility Commission

Reviewed the project and did not support an option, traffic signal or roundabout, for reconfiguring the intersection. 

March 8, 2022 | City Council

Adopted a resolution authorizing execution of a professional services agreement with Wood Rodgers Inc. to provide engineering design and environmental services.

May 3, 2016 | City Council

Authorized the acceptance of Active Transportation grant agreement from SANDAG and appropriated gas tax funds for the project. 

March 10, 2015 | City Council

Applied for a grant from SANDAG’s Active Transportation Program and appropriation of funds.