Poll: Speeds Concern Cays Residents

Prompted by Cays residents, the Coronado City Council has discussed the possibility of reducing the speed limit in front of the Coronado Cays to 45 MPH.

Drivers speed along Silver Strand Boulevard at 65 or 70 MPH, Larry Peterson, general manager of the Cays Homeowners Association, told council members.

The state sets the speed limit, which is 65 along most of the Strand. Motorists are required to slow to 45 MPH near the Naval Amphibious Base and to 40 as the Strand enters Imperial Beach.

Exiting from Coronado Cays Boulevard and accelerating to that speed is difficult, especially when you have to navigate past a bus stop, Peterson said.

He asked the council to consider lowering the speed from south of the Cays to just north of its entrance, so residents could merge into traffic safely. The change would only apply to the Strand’s northbound lanes. 

The Silver Strand, part of state Route 75, is managed by the state Department of Transportation, not the City of Coronado.

“This is fine to support, but it is also like tilting at windmills,” Councilman Mike Woiwode said. 

But the city can make a case to Caltrans and the council voted unanimously to do just that. The city will collect data for traffic around the Cays entrance, including how many people drive in and out daily and how many accidents have occurred there, and present the numbers to Caltrans.    

Councilwoman Barbara Denny, who brought the issue to the council, was optimistic.

“Caltrans is open and receptive,” she said.