City Traffic Engineer Widstrand Exits Long Beach

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(May 29, 2019) -- LBREPORT.com has confirmed that Eric Widstrand, the City's Traffic Engineer, has left the City of Long Beach [information confirmed by City of LB Public Affairs Officer Kevin Lee.]

The City cited no immediate reason(s) for Mr. Widstrand's departure.

Speculation follows. Mr. Widstrand oversaw a number of LB traffic impacting projects without audible Council opposition and with Council budgeted approval. These included a number of lane-shrinking/traffic slowing "road diets," pedestrian/bike user "complete streets," bike-lane-protective "bollards" and increased use of diagonal parking. Some received mixed reviews but others produced audible public push-back, including along LB's Broadway Corridor (between Alamitos and Redondo Aves.), SE LB's Marina Drive, Ocean Blvd. (Belmont Shore area) Studebaker Rd. (b/w Spring-Wardlow, 5th dist.) and CSULB-adjacent/expanding-northward Bellflower Blvd. (3rd and 4th Council districts.)

It's a City Managerial position and the City Manager will ultimately name a replacement.

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