Caltrans to give updates on Verano/Highway 12 intersection

After failing to present urgent solutions for the “killer intersection” at Verano Avenue and Highway 12 during the April 12 Springs Municipal Advisory Council meeting, Caltrans will return with an update next week.

Community members, especially those located in the Springs, have long lamented that the high-traffic corner is dangerous and should be equipped with more safety features. The public outcry grew louder in January after a man was killed while walking a dog through a crosswalk — the third pedestrian death at the site since 2020.

Public officials have said it’s a challenging area for infrastructure, as Highway 12 is managed by the state while Verano Avenue is a county road.

The Caltrans presentation at the last meeting was met with disappointment from the public and the Springs MAC, especially after the state road agency said it could take two years to see any meaningful solutions at the site.

The MAC then drafted a letter to Caltrans emphasizing the need for immediate attention and improvements to the Verano/Highway 12 intersection.

An update from Caltrans will come at the next Springs MAC meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held in-person at the Sonoma Valley Unified School District boardroom, located t 17850 Railroad Ave. Participants can also attend via Zoom with Meeting ID: 985 4530 4964 and password: 404502.

Caltrans will also be hosting its own community meeting regarding the intersection project on Wednesday, June 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at El Verano Elementary School. Visit Caltrans’ website for the Verano Ave. Highway 12 intersection for more information on the improvement plans.

You can reach Staff Writer Rebecca Wolff at rebecca.wolff@sonomanews.com. On Twitter @bexwolff.