Dear Council Members
In 2015 at 4:45 pm a young mother, Jennifer Jayun Koo was killed by a
Caltrain express train at Ravenswood in Menlo Park. She had left her job
and was on her way to pick up her daughter at daycare. She was trapped on
the tracks by stopped by El Camino Real red light traffic. This tragedy
could have been avoided.
On April 27 you will be advised by Staff to change an agreement with
Caltrain to add $1M o funding of the $60M Middle Ave bicycle project. This
bloated bicycle/pedestrian project will not prevent another train track
tragedy from happening. What is needed is a grade separation of Ravenswood
and Caltrain tracks to protect autos, bikes and pedestrians, alike.
The residents of Menlo Park want to feel confident that their tax dollars
are being spent for the greatest public benefit. Bike amenities are
valuable but, public safety for all can be addressed only by a grade
separation of the tracks. Why not scrap the Middle Ave. bike/ped tunnel and
get a bigger bang for taxpayer’s bucks?
Setting aside the complicated design of the bike/ped tunnel from Alma
through the Stanford office park, Menlo Park should not dismiss the obvious
solution to a dangerous intersection.
25 years of grade separation delay by the City is a travesty.
Presumably, Menlo Park voters will at some time be able to vote for or
against a ballot measure to fund the remaining $36M cost. Maybe then I hope
property owners will tell you that they want their tax dollars to go to a
grade separation that will protect drivers, pedestrians. Let’s hope.
Steve Schmidt
Former Mayor
