CCMIN040103 - Laserfiche WebLink

neighborhood not being able to make left turns, have to go down the street and make u- turns on Santa Rita Road. He felt this was an overkill solution for the volume of activity or incidents. Probably a more optominal solution would probably be the signal light, but it is a cost issue. He knows the problems with making a left turn from the shopping center but knows how difficult it would be to try to make a right turn during peak commute hours, cross over three lanes to get into the far left lane to be able to make a u- turn. He felt it would add more traffic to the intersection of Santa Rita and Valley, which already is a major congestion point. He is concerned the solution is worse than what is presently taking place. Ms. Ayala shared some of Mayor Pico's concern. The area is dangerous. Her first thought would be to go out of another exit and cross an equally dangerous path so she would not have to make the u-turn. She asked if the other exit area had many accidents. Mr. Tassano said it did, although not to the same extent. The same sort of multi- conflict point exists. It is important to realize that the ultimate solution is a signal at the location. It is something that will work and be effective and provide access. Currently it is not an immediate solution that the City can do. He felt putting the barrier in provided an immediate solution. The entire Trafftc Committee was in support of doing something at this time to try to reduce this over the five year period. Ms. Ayala said if the proposed solution did not work, a stop light could still put on the list and added at a later date. Ms. McKeehan said there is some concern about adding another traffic light in this area of Santa Rita. There is also something about the sight visibility that is really different. People cannot see far enough to make a safe left turn. The traffic approaching south, heading north cannot be seen until it is almost upon you, with all of the other activities happening at the same time. The Public Hearing was opened. Mike Cheney, 3611 Camelot Court, owns a business located in Valley Plaza and uses the intersection all of the time. Since 1982 the area has become very congested and getting through the intersection is difficult at all times. He suggested eliminating the left turn lane for the southbound traffic, making it a merge lane for northbound. The people who live off of Morganfield Road turn off at either Santa Rita or at Mohr. The only people turning into that area are going to be the small amount of people who have an entrance into the Danbury Park area. By doing this it would give everyone ample amount of area to get to in order to merge. Another option might be an access road north of the property. The access road currently between Dorothy's Flowers and Mail Boxes Etc. is currently blocked off. It would be an option and still put traffic flowing through safer. Trying to get out into the main stream of traffic is not easy. Pleasanton City Council 18 04/01/03 Minutes