A cone zone has been tangling traffic on Tank Farm Road. Here’s what’s happening
Navigating San Luis Obispo’s east-west corridor on Tank Farm Road of late, drivers are faced with a traffic diversion and slowdown near Farm Supply and Kennedy Club Fitness.
The ongoing work — which routes drivers toward the center of the thoroughfare — is part of the first leg of a Tank Farm Road widening project for an incoming new development that consists of 35 commercial lots next to Farm Supply.
The Ellsworth Tract project was approved by the city a few years ago, but construction didn’t happen until recently, said Luke Schwartz, the city’s transportation manager. Its public improvements include upgrading that stretch of Tank Farm. The developer also is undertaking utility and frontage work at the property site.
It’s unclear what types of commercial tenants may move in when the work is finished, but Schwartz said they could include light industrial, warehouse and retail offices.
The street widening along that section is part of a long-term plan to expand Tank Farm Road to four lanes, with bikeways as well along the corridor, Schwartz said.
The work along Tank Farm started in September, according to a city website.
“The work on Tank Farm will likely take another three to four months,” Schwartz said. “It will depend on weather. Over the past couple of weeks, they’ve had some wet weather.”
In addition to future road widening of Tank Farm, the incoming SLO Public Market will contribute a new traffic signal at Tank Farm and Long Street, among other traffic improvements, such as a permanent median where temporary markers currently divide the roadway.
The SLO Public Market, under development by a different owner, includes a host of commercial business moving in, including Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Orangetheory Fitness and Stafford’s Chocolates.
The long-term plan on Tank Farm is to create a better thoroughfare for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, Schwartz said.
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