Traffic improvements are on the way in the Crown Point neighborhood of Pacific Beach.
“The city will be installing a Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB) system at Ingraham Street and La Cima Drive within the next six months,” said Anthony Santacroce, a city Public Information Officer.
A RRFB is a pedestrian-activated flashing beacon that flashes in an alternating pattern when a pedestrian presses the button to cross the street.  The flashers are accompanied with highly reflective yellow/green pedestrian warning signs that are installed close to, and directly above, the flashers. 
“The flashers and signs are installed back-to-back so that as motorists approach, they see flashers activated on both sides of the street,” said Santacroce, who noted similar RRFB systems exist at a number of locations citywide, including elsewhere in PB at Mission Boulevard and Diamond Street, and Mission Boulevard and Hornblend Street.  
“The cost of the project is approximately $10,000,” Santacroce said.
Summer Abu Zahrah, who owns and operates Crown Point Coffee at 3510 Ingraham St., and City Beach Boutique located kitty corner at 3460 Ingraham St., both near the problematic Ingraham Street/La Cima intersection, said safety improvements there are long overdue.
“I am always on site and have witnessed a countless number of accidents over the past 13 years,” Abu Zahrah said. “For the last seven years, I, residents, customers and the Pacific Beach Town Council have gathered petition signatures, provided accident reports and photographed car accident damages to help persuade the San Diego Traffic Engineering Department to install a stop sign or pedestrian signal that stops traffic when people are trying to cross at the intersection.”
Abu Zahrah noted that, last summer, she began planning a charitable event to help raise money for the installation of the pedestrian cross walk, since it wasn’t in the city’s budget.
“I spoke in depth with the San Diego Traffic Engineering Department, and, at that time, they assured me an event was not necessary, because the city had the six-month projection plan in place to budget for a pedestrian crosswalk. I am so happy that we never gave up on our efforts and our persistence is paying off.”
The alternating flashing signal to be installed at Ingraham/La Cima is activated to stop traffic, only when pedestrians cross the street.
“This allows residents to safely enjoy the active beach lifestyle we all love and will not disturb the flow of traffic in and out of PB,” said Åbu Zahrah, adding, “This calls for a community celebration. More details on that to follow.”
Mission Bay Crown Point is located on the peninsula in the middle of Mission Bay within biking and walking distance of Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. It is a coastal neighborhood for active adults and children with access to parks, beaches and boardwalks.