CLEARLAKE – Improvements to increase the safety of the intersection of Highway 53 and Olympic Drive in Clearlake are well under way, Caltrans officials reported Wednesday.

The intersection, which has been the scene of several serious crashes over the years, is slated for a traffic signal which Caltrans said is part of a larger highway rehabilitation project anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2012.

That larger Caltrans project also will provide wider shoulders, longer turn pockets at intersections, and repave over four miles of Highway 53 from just north of 40th Avenue to just south of Highway 20.

In the mean time, Caltrans is proposing to use stop signs and other signage to make the area safer, as Lake County News has reported.

Caltrans reported Wednesday that message signs have been placed near the intersection to alert motorists of upcoming changes to the intersection.

In order to improve safety, the intersection will be modified to an all-way stop the first week of March, weather permitting, Caltrans reported.

“Safety is Caltrans’ No. 1 goal, and we are pleased to be receiving help from the Clearlake Police Department as we transition the intersection to an all-way stop,” said Caltrans District 1 Acting Director Matt Brady.

In addition to new stop signs, Caltrans plans to install advance warning signs and rumble strips on Highway 53 to alert motorist of the upcoming stop.

The changes are an interim measure to improve safety and will remain in place until traffic signals are installed, according to the Wednesday report.

Caltrans District 1 Chief Traffic Safety Officer Ralph Martinelli is scheduled to give the Clearlake City Council an update about the intersection improvements at the council's Thursday meeting.

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