Dear City Council,
I am writing to express my deep concern about the Parkline Project and the
severe traffic and safety issues it will create at the corner of
Middlefield Road and Ravenswood Avenue. This intersection is already one of
the most congested in Menlo Park, and placing a large residential block
there would not only worsen gridlock but also put public safety at risk.
As many of us know, most traffic from Highway 101 into downtown Menlo Park
funnels through Marsh Road and Willow Road, onto Middlefield, and then into
Ravenswood. This corridor is the lifeline not only for downtown but also
for nearby neighborhoods. At rush hour, cars already back up for blocks
just to make left turns. Adding hundreds of new residents at this exact
choke point will bring traffic to a standstill, creating ripple effects
that will spread far beyond downtown.
The consequences extend well beyond inconvenience. When cars are stacked
bumper-to-bumper on Ravenswood and Middlefield, it is nearly impossible for
emergency vehicles to get through. In a fire, medical emergency, or other
crisis, every second counts. This project would directly endanger lives by
making it harder for fire trucks, ambulances, and police to navigate one of
the busiest intersections in the city.
Pedestrians and cyclists are also put at risk. Families walking to the
library or residents biking to Caltrain will be forced to cross streets
clogged with frustrated drivers trying to squeeze through. Increased
congestion raises the chances of accidents, and with more cars entering and
exiting the project right onto Ravenswood, the danger only grows.
With D Street closed off as a private road, all traffic will be forced onto
Ravenswood, compounding the problem. This is not a sustainable or safe plan
for the community. It places short-term development goals above the
long-term safety and well-being of Menlo Park residents.
There are better options. Locating the residences further down Ravenswood
or closer to Laurel Street would reduce strain on this critical
intersection, improve access to resources like the library and Caltrain,
and allow new residents to integrate into the community without
overwhelming its infrastructure.
Menlo Park needs new housing, but not at the cost of turning one of our
busiest intersections into a dangerous bottleneck. This project, as
currently designed, would compromise safety, worsen congestion, and reduce
the quality of life for everyone in and around Menlo Park. I urge you to
reconsider this plan for the good of the entire community.
Sincerely,
John Park
