New signalized crossings, traffic striping, and pedestrian-activated flashing beacon crossings have been installed at the Five Points intersection in Midtown to improve safety and access through this intersection located at Thompson Boulevard, Main Street and Telegraph Road. Drivers are advised to take proper safety precautions, yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in the right-of-way and share the traffic lanes in a safe and cohesive manner.
The Five Points intersection improvement project includes the installation of new access curb ramps, sidewalk and passageways through medians, traffic signage and striping, and concrete median islands. New bike boxes (bright-green box on the road with a white bicycle symbol inside) have been installed on the eastbound and westbound lanes of Main Street at the intersection. As a reminder, drivers should stop behind the white stop line (behind the green box) when the traffic signal is yellow or red; do not stop on top of the bike box. When the traffic light turns green, drivers and cyclists move through the intersection with cyclists going first. Bicyclists should enter the bike box from the green bike lane.
Two new pedestrian-activated flashing beacon crossings have been installed on the eastbound lanes of Thompson Boulevard; at Frances Street, and on the south side of the intersection. Motorists are required to stop for pedestrians however pedestrians should make sure cars are stopped before they begin to cross the street. These improvements are important to increase motorists’ awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists at intersections especially at multi-lane crossings such as Thompson Boulevard.
The City of Ventura Bicycle Master Plan identified the redesign of the Five Points intersection as an opportunity to improve pedestrian and bicyclists’ access and safety. Last year the City of Ventura was named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
