[KHTS] – The Santa Clarita City Council voted to approve the plans and specifications for the Newhall Avenue and Railroad Avenue street improvement and signal modification project at its meeting on Tuesday night.

This project will construct a curb extension on Newhall Avenue, construct medians on Newhall Avenue and Railroad Avenue and modify the traffic signals at this intersection, according to city officials.

There are two westbound right-turn lanes from Newhall Avenue to northbound Railroad Avenue and one through lane on Newhall Avenue.

Because the angle of the turn is 45 degrees, vehicle’s make this turn at a higher rate of speed than at a typical 90-degree turn, according to city officials.

This project will improve the safety of the intersection, according to Tuesday’s agenda, by relocating the existing signal poles and signal heads for better visibility.

An additional signal head in a proposed median along Newhall Avenue will also be added and a median along Railroad Avenue to direct vehicles into the appropriate receiving lanes will be installed as well.

This project will also reduce the distance for pedestrians to cross Railroad Avenue by installing a curb extension and creating a pedestrian shelter area, according to Tuesday’s agenda.

A budget of $527,151 was approved for the project, which includes the construction contract of $387,494 to FS Construction, and leaves $139,657 for related construction costs.

The related construction costs include Southern California Regional Rail Authority fees, labor compliance services, staff oversight, construction engineering, inspection and project management, according to Tuesday’s agenda.