REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Study Session on the New Traffic Signal at Great America Parkway and Hichborn Drive Related to the Irvine Company Project at 2518 Mission College Boulevard
Report
BACKGROUND
On March 25, 2025, the City Council approved various actions to allow the development of 1,792 residential units, 3,500 square feet of retail, and 4.225 acres of public park by the Irvine Company (Irvine) on 25.74 acres located at 2518 Mission College Boulevard. As part of the project's conditions of approval, the project is required to construct a new traffic signal at Great America Parkway and Hichborn Drive to mitigate project-related traffic impacts. Due to questions related to the new traffic signal, the Council directed staff to schedule a study session to review the effects of the new traffic signal on traffic circulation under various scenarios and to ensure that the timing of the session does not delay the project.
DISCUSSION
As part of the Irvine project approval process, a traffic operations analysis was conducted by Irvine's traffic consultant to evaluate project-related trips, site access, and circulation. The analysis determined that the intersections of Great America Parkway/Mission College Boulevard and Freedom Circle West/Mission College Boulevard would both operate at an unacceptable Level of Service (LOS) F during the PM peak hour.
To restore operations to an acceptable Level of Service, the traffic analysis recommended converting Hichborn Drive from a one-way eastbound street from Great America Parkway to a two-way street and installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of Great America Parkway and Hichborn Drive (Attachment 1).
During this study session, staff will provide a presentation illustrating the new traffic signal's impact on surrounding signalized intersections and roadways under various traffic scenarios.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is a study session, and no action is being taken by the City Council that constitute...
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