Community leaders, bicycle and pedestrian advocates, arts supporters and others gathered in September to celebrate the completion of the new coastal roundabout at the intersection of Carlsbad Boulevard and State Street just south of Buena Vista Lagoon.
The new roundabout, which is the first of its kind along the Historic Highway 101 in North County, makes it easier and safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists to pass through the crossroads, and provides a direct access to and from the Village. The roundabout opened before the Memorial Day weekend, and new artwork was installed on the top of the roundabout's boulderscape at the end of August.
The 1,400-pound sculpture, "Coastal Helix," is the work of Bay Area artist Roger White Stoller, who wove images from Carlsbad into a steel lacework that reaches skyward from the top of the roundabout.
The stainless steel sculpture reaches 17 feet above the roadway surface, and sits on a pedestal hidden within a cluster of artisan boulders. Stoller worked closely with the city, the rockscape's designer and landscape architects to assure that the finished work fits aesthetically with the natural surroundings of Carlsbad's coastal lagoon environment.
"'Coastal Helix' is a modern sculpture that pays homage to the natural surroundings of the northern Carlsbad coastal region and creates a signature gateway to the Village," said City of Carlsbad Cultural Arts Manager Vincent Kitch, when the artwork was installed. "Roger worked with the community to bring iconic imagery into the piece that reflected the values of our community as well as tying it to the natural surroundings of the lagoon and the ocean."
The new roundabout and sculpture have redefined Carlsbad's traditional northern gateway and coincide with Carlsbad's goal of improving its coast and making its beachfront more attractive and accessible for residents and visitors. Improvements like this also support the city's economic development and Village revitalization goals.
For the first time, vehicles can move in any direction between Carlsbad Boulevard and State Street. Under the intersection's old Y-shaped configuration, vehicles traveling north on either roadway could not turn south onto the other street, but were forced to travel north to Oceanside and then turn around. Now vehicles can enter and exit the roundabout in any direction between the two streets, which are significant entryways into Carlsbad.
Vehicle travel lanes have been reduced from three to two across the lagoon to provide room for the Coastal Rail Trail, a sidewalk on the east side of Carlsbad Boulevard, and bicycle lanes in each direction, without encroaching on the lagoon preserve.
When completed, the Coastal Rail Trail will parallel the coastal railroad tracks and connect northern Oceanside with the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego.
The opening of the roundabout marked the opening of the Coastal Rail Trail segment linking Oak Avenue in northern Carlsbad with southern Oceanside. "Sharrow lanes" on State Street, lanes shared by vehicles and bicycles, make up the Coastal Rail Trail portion between the roundabout and Oak Avenue.
Roundabouts promote safe and continuous travel, making them part of the city's effort to make it easier for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to get around. In this way the roundabout is part of the City of Carlsbad's "livable streets" program, which recognizes that streets should be designed for everyone, not just people in cars. The project was funded in part by SANDAG.
The new roundabout, which is the first of its kind along the Historic Highway 101 in North County, makes it easier and safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists to pass through the crossroads, and provides a direct access to and from the Village. The roundabout opened before the Memorial Day weekend, and new artwork was installed on the top of the roundabout's boulderscape at the end of August.
The 1,400-pound sculpture, "Coastal Helix," is the work of Bay Area artist Roger White Stoller, who wove images from Carlsbad into a steel lacework that reaches skyward from the top of the roundabout.
The stainless steel sculpture reaches 17 feet above the roadway surface, and sits on a pedestal hidden within a cluster of artisan boulders. Stoller worked closely with the city, the rockscape's designer and landscape architects to assure that the finished work fits aesthetically with the natural surroundings of Carlsbad's coastal lagoon environment.
"'Coastal Helix' is a modern sculpture that pays homage to the natural surroundings of the northern Carlsbad coastal region and creates a signature gateway to the Village," said City of Carlsbad Cultural Arts Manager Vincent Kitch, when the artwork was installed. "Roger worked with the community to bring iconic imagery into the piece that reflected the values of our community as well as tying it to the natural surroundings of the lagoon and the ocean."
The new roundabout and sculpture have redefined Carlsbad's traditional northern gateway and coincide with Carlsbad's goal of improving its coast and making its beachfront more attractive and accessible for residents and visitors. Improvements like this also support the city's economic development and Village revitalization goals.
For the first time, vehicles can move in any direction between Carlsbad Boulevard and State Street. Under the intersection's old Y-shaped configuration, vehicles traveling north on either roadway could not turn south onto the other street, but were forced to travel north to Oceanside and then turn around. Now vehicles can enter and exit the roundabout in any direction between the two streets, which are significant entryways into Carlsbad.
Vehicle travel lanes have been reduced from three to two across the lagoon to provide room for the Coastal Rail Trail, a sidewalk on the east side of Carlsbad Boulevard, and bicycle lanes in each direction, without encroaching on the lagoon preserve.
When completed, the Coastal Rail Trail will parallel the coastal railroad tracks and connect northern Oceanside with the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego.
The opening of the roundabout marked the opening of the Coastal Rail Trail segment linking Oak Avenue in northern Carlsbad with southern Oceanside. "Sharrow lanes" on State Street, lanes shared by vehicles and bicycles, make up the Coastal Rail Trail portion between the roundabout and Oak Avenue.
Roundabouts promote safe and continuous travel, making them part of the city's effort to make it easier for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to get around. In this way the roundabout is part of the City of Carlsbad's "livable streets" program, which recognizes that streets should be designed for everyone, not just people in cars. The project was funded in part by SANDAG.