Vision Zero Safe Street Demonstration Projects Coming to a Neighborhood Near YOU 

Press release from the county of Humboldt:

 

Humboldt County roads saw 165 fatal collisions between 2018 and 2024, an annual average well above state and national figures. In response, the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) has committed to a regional Vision Zero policy with the goal of eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on our roads.

In partnership with local cities, HCAOG is rolling out a series of temporary traffic calming measures across the county this summer. These demonstration projects are part of the Humboldt County Vision Zero Action Plan, a project funded by the US Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. demonstrations are an important step toward a safer future.

“Fatal crashes on our roadways are unacceptable. The Safe System approach takes proactive steps to design safer streets with lower speeds, encourage safer road user behavior, and utilize technology to make vehicles safer,” said Stephen Luther, Senior Regional Planner for HCAOG.

What and Where are the Safety Demonstrations? 

• Arcata — Six rubber speed humps installed along 11th and K Streets, accompanied by radar speed feedback signs.

• Ferndale — Speed humps, pavement markings and bike lane striping along 5th Avenue between Arlington Street and Shaw Avenue.

• Eureka — Temporary mini roundabout striping, wheel stops, and delineators at the intersections of Pine Street and West Hawthorne Street, and at Humboldt Street and G Street.

• Fortuna — Programmable radar speed feedback signs along the 12th Street and Ross Hill Road school corridors.

Installation schedules and duration vary, but all projects will be installed by the end of July and remain up for eight to twelve weeks (or longer for radar feedback signs).

 

 

Community Feedback Shapes the Future 

Each city will measure vehicle speed before and during the demonstration project. Community feedback gathered during the projects will also be incorporated into the findings about what types of traffic safety interventions help road users feel safe.

These data points will be incorporated into the final Vision Zero Action Plan expected in late 2026.  Once complete, the plan will outline engineering and policy-driven solutions to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries from our region’s most dangerous roads. The plan will be used by various cities in Humboldt County for securing state and federal road safety grants to implement infrastructure improvements.

How to Get Involved?

Travel through the demonstration sites and share your feedback with a public survey. The survey will be posted at the project sites and is also available online at bit.ly/HumVZAP

Project consultants from the SmithGroup along with HCAOG staff will be at the demonstration sites to collect feedback on Monday and Tuesday July 20 and 21. Come by at the locations and times below to see additional information and discuss safety projects.

Ferndale – Monday 7/20 from 4-7 PM along 5th Ave.

Eureka – Tuesday 7/21 from 12:30-1:45 at Pine St/W. Hawthorne; 1:45-3:30 PM at G/Humboldt.

Arcata – Tuesday 7/21 from 4-7 PM at the intersection of 11th and K Streets.

For more information on the Vision Zero demonstration projects and the Humboldt County Vision Zero Action Plan, please visit https://www.hcaog.net/programs-projects/vision-zero-action-plan or contact the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG), Stephen Luther, Senior Regional Planner at [email protected] or 707-444-8208.