New Restrictions in Temple Avenue Parking

Because of safety concerns, local agencies will no longer permit parking along Temple Avenue between the Cal Poly Pomona and Mt. San Antonio College campuses starting April 1.

The parking restrictions grew out of student inquiries last year at “Pizza with the Presidents” about what could be done to improve safety on Temple, which has seen various accidents in recent years. The road has two lanes in each direction, separated by a raised median, and a posted speed limit of 50 mph. That section of roadway is unlighted at night, and several crimes, including a sexual assault in 2010, have been reported there. In addition, there is no crosswalk beyond University Drive for students who park on the south side of Temple and cross the street into rapidly moving traffic to get to campus.

Starting last summer, Cal Poly Pomona officials held discussions with Los Angeles County and the city of Pomona, which have jurisdiction over Temple, about possible options to improve safety. Following the meeting, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works conducted a study that analyzed traffic collision reports, field observations and other pertinent data.

The study found a pattern of rear-end collisions occurred during a five-year period ending last August. Most resulted when drivers slowed or stopped mid-block while waiting for a parking space. Therefore, the Department of Public Works recommended prohibiting parking and stopping on the street between University Drive and the Walnut city limit. Because these collisions were equally divided between both directions on Temple, they were legally compelled to prohibit parking on both sides of the street.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the no-parking, no-stopping measure on Feb. 5. The parking prohibition will be enforced by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Signs to prohibit parking or stopping are scheduled to be installed by April 1, with work beginning March 25. It is expected to affect 150 to 180 cars out of the roughly 22,000 that visit campus on a busy day.

Cal Poly Pomona Parking & Transportation Services urges students, faculty and staff affected by the parking restrictions to consider alternatives, including purchasing passes to park in university lots or participating in the rideshare program.