TEMECULA, CA — After residents brought attention to a busy — and potentially dangerous — intersection near Erle Stanley Gardner Middle School in south Temecula, the city is making a change.
The intersection of Loma Linda Road and Redwood Road/White Sage Way is getting all-way stop signs, and final approval is expected during the April 8 Temecula City Council meeting.
Calls for change began last year, according to city documents. Concerned residents cited pedestrian safety, and excessive speeding and erratic vehicle maneuvers during school dropoff and pickup times.
The city conducted field reviews based on the complaints. The posted speed limit on Loma Linda Road is 35 mph, and the average daily traffic volume is approximately 5,200 vehicles. Redwood Road has a posted speed limit of 30 mph and carries approximately 1,350 vehicles daily, the city reported.
City analysis found that vehicles were traveling at speeds varying from 40 to 42 mph on Loma Linda Road near the intersection with Redwood Road/White Sage Way.
“The results of the speed data review indicate that these speeds are occurring consistently throughout the day,” according to city documents.
While no crashes have been reported at the intersection over a three-year period from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024, factors like motorist speed and unsafe traffic maneuvers warrant the all-way stop signs, according to city documents.
Erle Stanley Gardner Middle School is located at 45125 Via Del Coronado. In addition to the campus, two city parks — Kent Hindergardt Memorial Park and Friendship Park — are located near the Loma Linda Road and Redwood Road/White Sage Way intersection.
According to the California Department of Education, Erle Stanley Gardner Middle School serves over 1,000 students.
Tuesday 6 p.m. Temecula City Council meeting takes place at 41000 Main Street (City Hall). See the full meeting agenda here.
