Assemblyman Leland Yee: Safer Streets for the Holidays

With the seasons changing and the holidays upon us, it is important to be a little extra careful when driving around San Francisco. The roads are often wet, it gets dark earlier, streets are crowded and everyone is rushing to do last-minute shopping and entertaining.  Additionally, drinking at holiday parties may mean more impaired drivers on the roads, so this is a particularly important time of year to pay attention to traffic safety.

The heavy traffic volume in a city of our size and geography requires constant investment in infrastructure and safety measures. Not only is this important to keep people moving efficiently between their destinations; it is also important to support our city's economy by moving goods and products through and around the City.   

Over the years, many people have expressed concern to me about the safety and efficiency of our roadways. Within the last two years, several alarming pedestrian fatalities have led me to investigate legislative remedies to traffic safety challenges, including a proposed double-fine zone on 19th Avenue. While legislation that I introduced to establish such a double-fine zone did not pass, in recent months my staff and I have met with both the SF Department of Parking and Traffic (DPT) and Caltrans to examine other potential options and to facilitate the collaboration and communication between state and local departments.

As a state highway, 19th Avenue is the major traffic artery between the peninsula and the Golden Gate Bridge. San Franciscans and commuters moving daily between the north and south bay travel it. Commercial vehicles use the road as well, including heavy trucks, which contribute to wear and tear of the road's surface. 

You may have noticed that, while still significant, the flow of traffic along 19th has improved somewhat due to signal timing adjustments. Now cars can travel at a steadier pace without stopping as frequently. Additionally, starting early next year, 12 intersections along 19th Avenue will be upgraded to improve signals, signage and enhance safety features for pedestrians and motorists. These intersections include 19th and: Lincoln Way, Irving, Judah, Noriega, Quintara, Taraval and Vicente streets, Ocean, Eucalyptus and Holloway avenues and Junipero Serra Boulevard.

In the future, it is hoped that all 33 intersections from Interstate 280 to Lake Street will be upgraded in a similar manner.

Sloat Boulevard has long been an area of concern for neighbors as well. Like 19th Avenue, Sloat is unique in that while it is a state highway, it is also a residential thoroughfare. The Lakeshore community is host to schools, churches, senior centers, a YMCA and a large shopping plaza, as well as seasonal concert events at Stern Grove.  

This summer, my office met with area neighbors, Caltrans, mayor's office, SF Department of Parking and Traffic, SF Department of Public Works and the Taraval Police Station, among others, to examine feasible solutions to traffic and safety concerns.  Thanks to the community's efforts, Caltrans and DPT are moving ahead with pedestrian safety improvements in the area. These improvements include "do not block" painting and signs on the eastbound side of Sloat and ladder-striping on the crosswalks near Lowell High School.

There have also been numerous requests for traffic-calming measures around Lake Merced. The DPT and Caltrans are collaborating on the installation of a stop sign at Lake Merced Boulevard and Herbst Road.

If you have questions or concerns, contact my office at (415) 557-2312. 

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

Leland Yee is the speaker pro tempore at the California Assembly.