Dear City Council Members, City Transportation Staff, and Complete Street Commission members,
I am writing to formally and urgently request the installation of crosswalks at both Nash and Blackburn intersections on Willow Road.
On August 11, 2020—over five years ago—I was encouraged by a communication from Kevin Chen, which explored the potential for a crosswalk on Willow Road. However, at that time, only one location was being considered: either Nash or Blackburn. I respectfully submit that both intersections are critical to pedestrian safety and warrant crosswalk installation, both of which have bus stops for students using SamTrans. Each serves distinct pedestrian needs and would significantly enhance safety for residents, students, and commuters alike.
Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Concerns
The presence of marked crosswalks not only prioritizes pedestrian access but also calms traffic, encouraging drivers to remain alert and reduce speed—an effect already observed at nearby intersections such as Coleman/Santa Monica and Linfield/Middlefield.
Unfortunately, Willow Road—particularly the stretch between Gilbert and Middlefield—has become a mini-freeway outside of commute hours. Between Bay Road and Gilbert, there are four stoplights. However, west of Gilbert, drivers often accelerate to 35–50 mph, creating a hazardous situation. The lack of enforcement or deterrents in this area enables reckless driving, and electronic traffic signs have proven ineffective.Not to forget, police officers will not pull anyone driving at 35 MPH or less. As a result, the city allowed speeding. As proven over and over again, these fender bender occurrences are much more damaging than if one were actually going at the speed limit. A perfect example is last Thursday, Sept.25, when an accident caused another accident.
We regularly witness dangerous scenarios:
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Students running across the street to catch a SamTrans bus, with no safe crossing point.
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Parents dropping off children at Whole Kids Preschool, only to make aggressive, last-minute maneuvers due to traffic and a lack of driver courtesy.
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Residents navigating speeding traffic with no safe pedestrian refuge.
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Residents cannot safely leave their driveways due to speeding traffic without making aggressive maneuvers.
These are predictable and preventable situations. Waiting for a tragedy before taking action is irresponsible.
Inconsistent Street Classification and Treatment
We would also appreciate clarification on the arterial road classification for Willow Road. It is unclear why the segment from Middlefield to Gilbert is designated as mixed-use arterial, while the more mixed-use section from Alma to Middlefield is not—despite having more businesses. What is missing in the description for the mixed-use category is "Prioritizes walking and bicycling" and "ensuring a high quality of life for residents".
Consider the data:
Alma to Middlefield (.6 miles):
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7 pedestrian crosswalks, 2 with speed bumps, 1 stand-alone speed bump
Businesses, including:
- Robin Hood
- Portola Creek Capital
- Willow Park Campus
- Riverwood Capital
- Farmer’s Insurance (Duckhwan Kim)
- TA Associates
- Stanford Health Care – Planning & Design
Middlefield to Gilbert (.4 miles):
- 0 crosswalks
- 0 speed bumps
- 0 stop signs
Businesses include:
- Grace Dental
- Menlo Pediatric Dental
- Whole Kids Preschool
- Before Brand
- Additional vacant offices
There is no logical basis for this discrepancy in safety measures. The shorter segment with heavier traffic and sensitive land uses (including childcare and healthcare) has been entirely neglected in terms of basic pedestrian safety infrastructure.
A Call to Action
I ask: Why is the city delaying such a simple and life-saving improvement as painting two crosswalks?
Isnt pedestrian safety a core tenet of our Vision Zero and Safe Streets commitments?
This neighborhood deserves the same level of protection and care that has been afforded to other parts of the city. The residents who live and work along Willow Road—from Middlefield to Gilbert—are not currently protected, and it is the citys responsibility to ensure our streets are safe and accessible for all.
Please treat this as an urgent matter. We are not asking for complex infrastructure—just two clearly marked crosswalks and basic traffic calming interventions to reduce speeding and prevent foreseeable accidents.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I welcome your response and am happy to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Alice Hom
247 Willow Road
