San Luis Obispo, CA -- A plan to change the lane configuration through the Johnson Avenue underpass in San Luis Obispo will go before the City Council today for a second time. The city wants to relocate the street’s lane reduction from west of the Union Pacific Railroad bridge, between Pismo and Buchon streets, to the east side of the bridge at San Luis Drive.

The area is heavily traveled by drivers who live in the area going downtown and by people driving to San Luis Obispo High School. The area is also ranked as one of top collision areas in the city’s annual Traffic Safety Study. As it is now, motorists traveling toward downtown on Johnson have the option of two lanes through the underpass, with the left lane acting as a “lane trap” that forces drivers to turn onto Pismo Street after the underpass.

The proposed plan will move the mandatory left turn lane up to San Luis Drive and allow for only one lane of through traffic. In addition, a second left turn lane will be added from San Luis Drive onto Johnson Avenue. An argument against the plan by former Mayor Dave Romero has caused the council to take a second look.