If possible it would be great to show the short public videos post comments:
https://vimeo.com/231583589
https://vimeo.com/231583590
https://vimeo.com/231583682
https://vimeo.com/704367839
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Dear council members,
For the last several years I have provided Menlo Park city council and commissions some comments to improve street safety.
Once again I wanted to alert the council and city staff on a couple of key points and see what the plan of action is before any fatalities occur.
1. At the US-101N Willow exit 404, the "Do not turn on red" signs that were previously on the traffic/light poles have gone missing, removed or fallen down, causing to confuse drivers exiting the freeway by making a right turn towards Newbridge and creating tensions/safety issues amongst drivers.
2. In addition, the timing of the traffic lights along Willow Road is now becoming problematic.
During peak hours the traffic is so backed up along Willow that it is very difficult to turn right from US-101N Willow exit 404 towards Newbridge. Some drivers even now go into the left lanes to turn right. Menlo Park and Caltran should actively relook into the synchronization/timing of the traffic lights between Middlefield to Bayfront at different time of the day.
3. Also a new accident took place recently at OBrien/Willow intersection and I am, re-itering the need/urgency to implement an all-red interval for vehicle clearance and traffic safety at all the Willow intersections traffic lights. This will help prevent such dangerous/accident prone situations which previously took place on Kavanaugh/University and Willow/OBrien.
4. On Kavanaugh Drive, the curve junction between Menlo Park and East Palo Alto (from the Polytec driveway to the East Palo Alto city limit sign) is also dangerous with limited visibility. Adding a red/no-parking zone painted on both sides of the street would help alleviate this safety/visibility issue.
5. In regards to pedestrian improvements, I have asked what the plan is for building the sidewalks on OBrien every single time a plan is submitted to the Menlo Park planning commission for any applications in review along OBrien. To date, beside evasive answers as "do not worry its part of a plan", I have NEVER seen "the comprehensive plan" to build a sidewalk on OBrien, let alone building that 50 ft or so of missing sidewalk to connect the Kavanaugh Drive sidewalk in East Palo Alto to Kavanaugh Way/OBrien in Menlo Park. Even worse, some office buildings are being renovated, like 1188 OBrien Dr, and trees planted on the side which will make it even harder now to build this sidewalk connection.
Ref. videos illustration of #3, 4 that were previously sent to council/commissions:
https://vimeo.com/231583589
https://vimeo.com/231583590
https://vimeo.com/231583682
https://vimeo.com/704367839
Thank you very much in advance for your support.
Romain Taniere
