Mission St – Pasadena Ave – Arroyo Dr Intersection Improvement Project

Project Background

The City received approval for a Metro Measure M Subregional Program (MSP) grant in 2026 for $900,000 in construction funds for improvements for the Mission St. – Pasadena Ave. – Arroyo Dr. intersection.

This project seeks to enhance safety, accessibility, and overall traffic flow for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Currently, the project area features two closely spaced, complex intersections—located just 200 feet apart—that serve as key access points to Arroyo Vista Elementary School, Arroyo Seco Park, and local transit routes.

Recent traffic evaluations and collision data highlight a clear need for safety enhancements and traffic-calming measures along this corridor.

Significant traffic concerns include:

  • High Vehicle Speeds: Data collected reveal that nearly 50% of eastbound motorists travel above the speed limit.
  • Unclear Right-of-Way and Intersection Geometry: The intersection at Pasadena Avenue and Mission Street currently operates with a single stop sign on the eastbound Mission Street approach, leaving northbound Pasadena Avenue traffic completely uncontrolled. This layout contributes to high vehicle speeds and driver confusion.
  • High Multimodal Demand: During morning and afternoon school peak hours, these intersections experience heavy volumes of young pedestrians and bicyclists navigating vehicular traffic without modern, dedicated active-transportation infrastructure.

To address these challenges, the City is using baseline traffic and safety assessments to evaluate solutions. Conceptual measures under consideration include revised intersection geometry, stop control, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and curb/lane narrowing treatments designed to reduce pedestrian crossing distances and calm vehicular traffic.

Design Process

In July 2026, the City approved selection of Toole Design Group as the consultant for conceptual alternatives development for the Mission St. – Pasadena Ave. – Arroyo Dr. Intersection Improvement Project. Concepts aim to improve safety at this intersection by reducing pedestrian crossing distances, improving sightlines, and reducing vehicle speeds.

Following selection of a preferred alternative, a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the project design will be issued to qualified professional civil/traffic engineering firms with roadway and traffic design and improvement experience.

Community Outreach

The City and its design consultant, Toole Design Group, will host a community meeting on October 5, 2026, seeking resident input on proposed design concepts for the intersection.

Meeting details: October 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 1424 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA 91030

Next steps

Fall 2026 – Community Outreach; City Council to Select Design Alternative

Winter 2027 – Select Designer

Spring 2027 – Final Design Established

Summer 2027 – Construction Bid Awarded

Summer 2027 – Start Construction

Fall 2027 – Construction Completed

This schedule is subject to change and will be updated as the project progresses.

 

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