Sycamore and San Pablo
— by Jeffrey Wisniewski — 7 May 2010 — 7 comments below »
I walked to Market Hall’s grand opening from my house last weekend. Unfortunately that meant crossing the deadliest intersection in Hercules — Sycamore and San Pablo — where drivers refuse to cede the lawful right-of-way to pedestrians…
(I am sure these two drivers would have behaved worse if I weren’t explicitly filming them.)
Also unfortunate is the unwillingness of currently planned projects to address the problem — most notably Market Town (New Town Center) and Sycamore Crossing (part of the merged Redevelopment Area).1 Instead, the only thing the City is counting on to deal with the pedestrian issue at this prominent crossing is to “develop programs to encourage public transit use that will reduce vehicle trips by 10 percent for the intersection.” Ten percent? That won’t make this intersection safer, and an immediate fix is necessary — if only temporary — as the corner has finally been activated with the opening of the interim Market Hall.
What about removing one of the two right-turn lanes from Sycamore (heading west) to San Pablo? What about making that intersection a ‘No Turn on Red’ from 7am to 7pm? What about some police enforcement? Would that help? Or a crossing guard during the farmers market, or at least during the grand opening of Market Hall where overflow parking was expected (but still pedestrians faced a treacherous walk across San Pablo Avenue)?
In order for San Pablo Avenue to be revitalized as a pedestrian thoroughfare, which is and should be a goal for the city, crossing the street can not present a risk, and the reluctance of the City to address the issue in development plans — let alone act on it now — is disconcerting.
- During a City Council meeting on October 14, 2008, then-councilmember Charleen Raines commented on her disappointment that nothing had been done to address the safety issue at the intersection during her four years in office. Raines’ tenure was largely ineffective, and her comments that evening were further demonstration of governmental travesty. Raines had the opportunity and the ability as a councilmember to do something about the issue, to effect change. Instead she chose to do nothing except complain that nothing had been done. That’s my job, I thought.↩
Totally agree Jeff. Even simply delaying the green light to allow pedestrians to get a head start would help. It’s really surprising how this hasn’t become a top priority for the city. With continued pedestrian traffic to and from Market Hall, it will clearly demonstrate how fundamentally dangerous this intersection is. Your video clearly demonstrates this. Even crossing the street with a baby stroller won’t slow down the cars!
I agree. We were nearly hit by a driver taking the Sycamore to San Pablo right turn almost on two wheels. We were in the intersection just past the median and is was a near thing! Simply stating “no right on red” would help a lot. Also a traffic officer on Farmer’s Market days. This is a scary crossing!
This has been a pet peeve for a long time. Yes, it is more important than ever to address this issue, but for those who walked to the Park and Ride before Market Town, this has been a longstanding issue. I used to catch a bus to work and that meant crossing San Pablo at Sycamore going to work every morning and returning every afternoon. I literally had to dodge cars turning onto San Pablo nearly every day. I spoke with the then-city manager, the city’s engineer, council members, begging them to DO SOMETHING before someone gets killed. All they did was put up a sign to “watch pedestrians” that has done nothing to alter driving behavior. It certainly is a disincentive to walk to Market Town, having to run that gauntlet; people are putting their lives and limbs at risk. It is ridiculous that the light is GREEN while pedestrians get the walk sign. About three years ago I finally left the council members and city manager emails stating that they are on notice regarding the conditions, and that the city risks being liable for any injury there. They have done NOTHING. I saw for myself how bad it is when I walked to Market Town on opening day. I watched during several light cycles as pedestrians took their chances trying to cross. Unfortunately, it is only a matter of time before a serious accident involving a pedestrian takes place there.
an idea: an esthetically beautiful walking bridge. they have them in areas of high walking and driving traffic (for example in japan or las vegas)- benefiting both, in safety and waiting time for a red light, respectively. it would definitely need to be eye appealing and may even add to the lure of visiting hercules one day if done right.
here’s an example- http://www.jrcompton.com/photos/The_Birds/J/map-pix/JR44868-singing-bridge.jpg
I saw plans at one of the workshops for a new crosswalk on San Pablo half way between Sycamore and John Muir. The plans also called for the complete elimination of the crosswalk at the intersection of San Pablo and Sycamore.
This seems like a good solution to me. The new crosswalk will provide a safe place for pedestrians going to and from Market Hall/Town and will eliminate the hazard and confusion at SP & S, as well as smooth the flow of traffic turning right from Sycamore onto San Pablo.
Tim, I think you posted a different link than you were intending…
@David Smith — I don’t think the City should give up on improving the pedestrian crossing at Sycamore and San Pablo, even if a larger crossing is constructed north of the intersection that ties into the future Market Town. Directing pedestrians away from an intersection is a suburban response; accommodating them is an urban one.