Dear Esteemed City Council Members and City Staff,
Im writing to commend you for adopting a resolution to support the 2023 Southeast San Mateo County Community Based Transportation Plan with some specific comments about how big changes to street safety can improve daily life for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
The document provided with the staff report highlights many areas of the city and neighboring jurisdictions. My comments are related to the Belle Haven and Bayfront area where I work. I am a resident of the Willows neighborhood.
Some thoughts to consider:
1) Safe routes need to be provided to all schoolchildren, including those attending preschools and high schools. Currently theres not a lot of space on Hamilton Avenue between Chilco and Market Place. Adding a bike lane in each direction will not help the issue during the school year when cars wait with kids inside for early bus pickups as part of the Tinsley program.
2) Spend on pedestrian improvements. Its unclear whether the budgeted amount of $4K-15K per intersection is enough to protect pedestrians. Its a fraction of what is being spent on bicycle improvements and yet there are many more residents walking that biking.
3) Actively discourage pedestrians from crossing Bayfront Expressway at street level, especially at Chilco where the light is short and there isnt time for pedestrians to cross or enough time for the waiting cars to get out onto Bayfront Expressway.
4) Invest in data collection with speed feedback signs on Willow, Bayfront & Marsh. Have a better sense of how fast cars are going and whether or not they are obeying the speed limit.
5) Include additional dangerous intersections and the upcoming dangerous intersections where development is already approved in this plan. While Im happy to see Newbridge and Willow on the list, Im eager to also see
Marsh & Bay Road
Willow & Hamilton
Bayfront & Marsh
Bayfront & Constitution
Bayfront & Chilco
Haven and Bayfront
6) Upgrade the current pedestrian bridge over 101 at Van Buren Street. This includes enhanced safety measures like better lighting both on and around the overpass. Students tend to take Willow Road instead of the pedestrian overpass partially because of safety concerns, and partially because its an unpleasant experience - too narrow, too noisy, too dark.
While the plan showcases regional cooperation and funding, I am confident that our city can invest in measures like the ones outlined to make our city safer for residents.
Thank you for your work to date and your consideration,
Warm regards,
Julie Shanson
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Julie Shanson
Strategic Partnerships
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