The Cross Valley Connector continues to reduce traffic volumes in the vicinity of one of the City’s major intersections –Bouquet Canyon Road at Soledad – with a corresponding reduction in traffic accidents as well. The City uses its state-of-the-art ITS or Intelligent Transportation System to track traffic flow at major intersections where the infrastructure has been installed.  One component of the ITS includes fixed detectors embedded in the pavement that allows the City’s traffic engineers to track traffic counts in real time.

 “The Cross Valley Connector has opened up a new way to travel for residents across the Valley and has expedited commute times as well as reduced volume at and near the Bouquet Junction,” commented Mayor Laurene Weste.  “Seeing a reduction in traffic accidents as well is definitely a bonus,” she added.

City Traffic Engineers performed traffic counts at the same point on Soledad Canyon Road at regular intervals since the last segment of the roadway opened in March 2010, which connected Newhall Ranch Road with Golden Valley Road.  After just four months, the traffic engineers are seeing a 40% reduction in vehicles at these intersections.

 Before the Cross Valley Connector segment opened, Soledad Canyon, east of Bouquet, saw about 65,850 cars daily.  During the first part of July 2010, the traffic count was reduced to 42,800.  On Bouquet Canyon Road, south of Newhall Ranch Road, traffic counts totaled 62,800 prior to the road opening.  During the first part of July, that traffic count was reduced to 46,150 daily. 

Preliminary traffic accident information at the two intersections shows about a 20% overall reduction to date.  More data on accident rates will be available in a few months.