Since the start of the 2025-26 school year, the City has been working proactively with residents and South Pasadena Unified School District (SPUSD) to strengthen traffic safety in the school zone surrounding Arroyo Vista Elementary School. Beginning with a series of crosswalk, signage, and loading zone improvements completed in July 2025, the City has maintained ongoing coordination with SPUSD and continues to make enhancements throughout the school year.
Included below is detailed information related to the completed improvements, work currently underway, and additional safety measures planned for the months ahead.
Since summer 2025, the City has made the following improvements:
Upgraded existing crosswalks to high visibility and repainted red curbs to the following intersections
Completed July 2025
Repainted and extended loading zone area by 100 ft
Completed July 2025
Installed Yield to Pedestrians signs and added shark teeth (pavement markings at intersections) to street segments
Completed July 2025
Time frame removed on No U Turn Signs, enforcing the signage during all hours
Completed July 2025
Flashing stop sign installation
Completed October 2025
Corrected school zone speed limit signs and street painting from 25 mph to 15 mph
Completed February 2026
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Pasadena Ave – North/Southbound, On Pasadena Ave
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Pasadena Ave/El Centro St – Eastbound
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El Centro/Cawston St – Westbound
Installation of flashing pedestrian crosswalk signs
Completed February 2026
The South Pasadena Unified School District is also coordinating with the City to improve traffic safety at the El Centro St/Pasadena Ave intersection and the Hawthorne St/Cawston Ave intersection. In early 2026, a traffic study was conducted at each intersection to determine whether an all-way stop at each intersection is warranted. The studies were completed in February and determined that an all-way stop at the intersection of El Centro St/Pasadena Ave is not warranted, but an all-way stop at the intersection of Hawthorne St/Cawston Ave is warranted. Installation of the all-way stop at Hawthorne St/Cawston Ave will commence in the spring.
The City is also exploring avenues to increase traffic safety at the El Centro St/Indiana Ave intersection.
Remaining traffic improvements have been delayed since January 2026 due to a sewer line rehabilitation project, performed by Spiniello Infrastructure West in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sanitation District, which is taking place around the school zone. The estimated completion date of the project is April 17, 2026.
Looking ahead, the City will continue to make improvements in the school zone:
Red curbs will be painted 20 feet long at the following intersections in compliance with AB 413:
Estimated completion in April 2026
*AB 413 prohibits parking or stopping a vehicle within 20 feet of the approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk to improve visibility.
After completion of the sewer line rehabilitation project, additional improvements include
Estimated completion dates pending in coordination with SPUSD
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Installation of all-way stop signs at Hawthorne St/Cawston Ave
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Installation of left turn restrictions during school hours at El Centro St/Cawston Ave
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Installation of “No Stopping / Parking between the hours of 7:00 am – 4:00 pm” signs along Hawthorne St from Pasadena Ave to Indiana Ave
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Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon at intersection of El Centro St/Cawston Ave
The installation of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at the intersection of El Centro St/Cawston Ave was approved by the South Pasadena City Council to improve pedestrian safety for crossing El Centro Ave. The project is in the design process with construction anticipated to begin early winter 2026.