Street closures and designations.

Existing law authorizes local authorities to adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or regulation for highways under their jurisdiction if specified criteria are met. Under existing law, authorized actions by local authorities include permanent or temporary highway or street closures under certain conditions and the designation of a highway as a through highway. This bill would authorize a local authority to adopt a rule or regulation by ordinance to implement a slow streets program, which may include closures to vehicular traffic or through vehicular traffic of neighborhood local streets with connections to citywide bicycle networks, destinations that are within walking distance, or green space. The bill would require the local authority to meet specified conditions to implement a slow street, including a determination that closure or traffic restriction is necessary for the safety and protection of persons using the closed or restricted portion of the street, conducting an outreach and engagement process, and clearly designating the closure or traffic restriction with specific signage.