Rainbow Valley Blvd. and Fifth St. to receive all-way stop

The intersection of Rainbow Valley Boulevard and Fifth Street will receive an all-way stop control.

On June 22 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0, with Greg Cox absent, to approve the introduction and first reading of the ordinance to implement an all-way stop control at the intersection. The second reading and adoption was approved June 29 on a 4-0 vote with Bill Horn absent.

The ordinance will take effect July 29, although the county's Department of Public Works can install the additional stop signs prior to the allowable enforcement date.

"This traffic control change was requested by the Rainbow Community Planning Group and supported by the neighboring Vallecitos Elementary School and fire department," Horn said.

The county's Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC), which recommended the all-way stop at the TAC's April 22 meeting, had received requests from the Rainbow Community Planning Group to consider an all-way stop control at the intersection.

The Rainbow Volunteer Fire Department station is at the northeast corner of the intersection, and fire chief Jeff Weaver expressed support for the all-way stop since it would improve safety for service calls south of the intersection.

Vallecitos Elementary School is on the southwest corner of the intersection, and principal (as well as Vallecitos School District superintendent) David Jones provided support for the all-way stop due to concern with the speed of vehicles and school pedestrian traffic on the uncontrolled leg.

Rainbow Valley Boulevard and Fifth Street are both striped two-lane roads. Rainbow Valley Boulevard is 40 feet wide at the intersection while Fifth Street is 30 feet in width. Rainbow Valley Boulevard includes a marked yellow crosswalk, school-related pavement markings, and a flashing sign to notify motorists of the school while crosswalks are on both sides of Fifth Street. Both roads are unclassified in the mobility element of the county's general plan. Rainbow Valley Boulevard becomes Camino Rainbow south of the intersection.

A February 2016 traffic survey indicated an average daily volume of 1,425 northbound vehicles on Camino Rainbow, 1,035 southbound vehicles on Rainbow Valley Boulevard, 820 eastbound vehicles on Fifth Street, and 295 westbound vehicles on Fifth Street.

One collision, which involved injury, was reported at the intersection during the 57-month period between Jan. 1, 2011, and Oct. 31, 2015.

The Vallecitos School District plans to maintain the school safety patrol after the all-way stop is installed.