Honorable Council members,
This evening, the Council is reviewing the progress of the ConnectMenlo plan, as well as the Transportation Master Plan.
Here are some comments about ConnectMenlo and transportation.1) For the ConnectMenlo update, the staff report doesn't mention
anything about Dumbarton Forward. This is a collection of improvements, being led by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
along with SamTrans and cities - making improvements for bus and carpool. These will be very welcome to help more people have
options to avoid solo driving and mitigate congestion.
2) For Willow Road in the Belle Haven / Bayfront area. As discussed in the ConnectMenlo process, Willow can be upgraded as a
boulevard that does a better job of serving the neighborhood and not just commuters who travel through Menlo Park. The
Willow/Newbridge intersection serves many children on the way to school and activities and needs to be made safer. The
Willow/Hamilton area will serve people using the grocery store, drugstore and other services with Willow Village. Median refuge
islands and possibly local slow lanes are design features that can encourage local pedestrian access.
3) Regarding the upcoming Willow Village, Belle Haven Library, Community Center improvements, and public space. Creating mixed use
areas, with services and amenities near homes, and housing near jobs - that people can get to on foot, by bike, and by short car
trips - helps people spend less time driving because the amenities they need are nearby.
Regarding the Transportation Master Plan and a goal of congestion relief - all of the examples above are congestion mitigation
strategies:* Dumbarton Forward improvements to improve bus and carpool commuting* Safety and livability improvements for Willow
Road as a neighborhood-serving boulevard* Mixed use development with stores, public services, and public space near homes and jobs
All of these are congestion mitigation strategies that simultaneously help the city advance goals for safety and environmental
sustainability.
In adding a congestion goal, I would urge Council to advance improvements that ameliorate congestion while advancing safety and
sustainability, and to avoid changes that have a goal to alleviate congestion but would worsen safety and sustainability. There
are many good choices that advance multiple goals.
Thank you for your consideration,
- AdinaAdina LevinMenlo Park resident[https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif]
