La Mirada : Avenida Espana Barricaded in Attempt to Stop Speeders

Responding to complaints about speeding traffic on a sloping residential street, La Mirada has closed off Avenida Espana at Avenida San Martin so that it no longer carries traffic to and from two large housing developments. Temporary barriers went up at the intersection last week for a six-month trial period.

The street, which is the equivalent of two city blocks in length, contains 48 homes, and residents say the speeding traffic poses a danger to their children and parked automobiles. According to the city, parked cars have been hit and mailboxes run over.

Officials said the problem began several years ago when Avenida Espana became an access street for the 200-home Landmark tract. It worsened a year ago when some cars from the new, 800-home Hillsborough development nearby began using the street. Residents last November petitioned to have the street closed at San Martin.

After the six-month trial period, the closure will be evaluated and could become permanent if speeding has been reduced and closure has not created significant problems. As part of the evaluation, the city will assess resident reaction to the closure and determine whether it interferes with such things as street maintenance and access for delivery trucks and school buses.