Adopt resolution to designate the intersection of County Road 98 and County Road 25A as a multi-way stop intersection; authorize the Department of Community Services to install and maintain all necessary signs associated with the multi-way stop. (No general fund impact) (Fieseler/Riddiough)

Public Works Division staff in the Department of Community Services conducted an engineering study of the intersection at County Road 98 and County Road 25A. The review highlighted a series of collisions at the intersection of County Road 98 and County Road 25A and prompted the recommendation to install a multi-way stop as a measure to reduce high-speed collisions which are often associated with a higher degree of injury.

Background

The intersection of County Road (CR) 98 and CR 25A is a 4-way intersection. Traffic approaching from east and west on CR 25A is controlled by stop signs and traffic approaching from north and south on CR 98 is not controlled. Public concern was raised to the Public Works Division due to a recent vehicular traffic collision resulting in serious injuries and reports of increased accidents at this intersection. This prompted staff to conduct a review of available crash data for the intersection and complete an engineering study.

Crash history at the intersection was analyzed using two database systems of reported crashes: Crossroads Collision (Public Works Division database platform) and the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS, Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, University of California, Berkeley, 2025). Using both crash databases, a profile of reported crashes was established between January 2018 to May 2025.

Between January 2018 and June 2025, there were 19 reported crashes, including a fatality involving a pedestrian. The crashes at this intersection are predominantly right-angle (broadside or “T-bone”) collisions. Crashes within the intersection have an increased risk of a higher degree of injury when considering the high vehicle speeds along CR 98.

The engineering study was based on guidance in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA-MUTCD), which is published by the California Department of Transportation and adopts uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices used in the State in accordance with Section 21400 of the California Vehicle Code.  The purpose of the CA-MUTCD is to provide uniformity in the use of these devices, including stop signs, to promote safety on the State’s streets and highways. The CA-MUTCD states multi-way stop controls can be used as a safety measure at intersections if certain traffic conditions exist. Guidance in the CA-MUTCD includes a criterion encompassing locations where there are five or more crashes in a 12-month period that are susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop, including right-angle (broadside or “T-bone”) crashes.

The profile of crashes at the intersection between January 2018 and June 2025 includes two separate 12-month periods (October 2019 to October 2020, March 2021 to March 2022) with five reported crashes, with nine of the ten crashes being right-angle crashes. The Public Works Division considers a multi-way stop is warranted in accordance with guidance in the CA-MUTCD surrounding intersection related crashes. Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt the resolution and designate this intersection as a multi-way stop, authorizing staff to install and maintain the appropriate signs and markings.

Prior to establishing the multi-way stop at the intersection, message boards would be placed along CR 98 advising motorists of the pending installation of stop signs. After installation, the message boards would remain for about a month to alert drivers of the new traffic control pattern at the intersection. Pending weather conditions and material availability, it is anticipated that the installation of the associated signs and markings could be completed within approximately two months of designating the intersection a multi-way stop.

Operation of this multi-way stop intersection would be very similar to the multi-way stop intersections previously established by the Board of Supervisors on CR 98 at the intersections of CR 27 and CR 29 to the south.

County Counsel approved the resolution as to form.

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