FREMONT — Regardless of “ongoing extreme dashing” alongside a winding and sloping portion of a Paseo Padre Parkway, the Fremont Metropolis Council rejected a controversial proposal Tuesday to cut back the variety of lanes on the most important street from 4 to 2.
The council majority stated they oppose lowering lanes alongside the roughly one-mile stretch of Paseo between Driscoll Highway and Washington Boulevard, which is lined with houses, largely as a result of they're involved about potential site visitors congestion that would consequence from eradicating the lanes.
The council sided with many residents who opposed the “street eating regimen,” some who referred to as the proposal from metropolis employees “insane” and one that may trigger “chaos.”
“It’s simply going to be a nightmare if we scale back this to 1 lane in every path,” Councilmember Rick Jones stated throughout Tuesday’s metropolis council assembly.
The massive majority of greater than 800 individuals who responded to a March metropolis survey opposed the street eating regimen, although solely 7% of people that responded stay on that portion of Paseo, metropolis experiences stated.
“I don’t assume it’s serving any function apart from inflicting extra stress on drivers,” AJ Iyer stated to the council.
Others who supported the thought to chop the lanes stated eradicating the flexibility for drivers to weave round one another would make it a lot safer for individuals who drive, stroll or bike within the space, the place 28 crashes have occurred within the final 5 years.
Satya Kumar stated he lives shut by, and stated his daughter was in a automotive when it was hit whereas making a left flip throughout Paseo.
“I hope the council realizes this isn't a recognition contest, it’s about security,” Kumar informed the council, referring to the survey.
The council voted 6-1 to maintain Paseo at two lanes in every path, with Councilmember Jenny Kassan casting the lone dissenting vote as a result of she supported the street eating regimen.
The choice comes about 7 months after the council rejected the same street eating regimen thought in September, however voted to barely slender site visitors lanes and add four-foot broad bike lanes on the street. Metropolis employees additionally floated the thought of a street eating regimen in 2019, however held off till an Interstate 680 widening undertaking may very well be accomplished.
Whereas the council balked at eradicating lanes, they accepted Tuesday going ahead with a sequence of different modifications which can be geared toward slowing site visitors down on that portion of Paseo, together with including a brand new site visitors sign at Covington Drive, placing a red-light pedestrian crossing sign at Olive Avenue, and yellow flashing pedestrian beacons at two different intersections.
The council additionally directed employees to widen the present bike lanes to 5 ft by barely additional narrowing site visitors lanes. The town beforehand additionally put in velocity suggestions indicators to warn drivers when they're over the restrict.
The council’s determination this week went towards the advice of Public Works Director Hans Larsen, who stated even after the lanes have been narrowed, dashing continues to be “extreme” on the street.
“Persons are driving approach too quick,” Larsen informed the council.
The velocity restrict on the street in that space is 35 mph, however in a March 2022 velocity information evaluation, Larsen stated about 1,400 drivers on the street every day are shifting at 45 mph or quicker, with about 80 drivers tracked going 55 mph.
The street at present sees about 8,900 vehicles per day, metropolis experiences stated, and earlier than the pandemic, it was carrying about 13,500 each day.
Larsen stated a single lane in every path would have the ability to deal with as much as 20,000 vehicles per day, excess of the street noticed even earlier than the pandemic. He additionally famous that the 680 widening undertaking, accomplished in fall 2020, additionally helped alleviate backups on Paseo, because it connects to Washington the place a preferred freeway entrance is positioned.
Metropolis experiences additionally stated the street eating regimen would solely change the realm between Driscoll and Washington, and never alter these intersections, which is the place “total site visitors circulation capability is most affected.”
Sharad Ramachandran, who lives alongside the street, stated he favored the street eating regimen as a result of he thinks the street’s design encourages quick driving.
“It's terrifying to see the vehicles dashing on the street as I attempt to exit my driveway,” he stated. Some cyclists additionally stated they really feel fearful driving alongside high-speed site visitors within the slender bike lanes, which has parking alongside the best.
However others stated town ought to step up police dashing enforcement within the space, and see how the brand new alerts and crossing beacons have an effect on drivers. Some additionally stated town is overly involved with the wants of cyclists.
“I feel we should always take it one step at a time and see if it really works,” stated Ray Storms, who lives on the street and opposed eradicating lanes.
“No person commutes on bikes by this space. Those that can’t afford a automotive can not afford to stay on this space of central and southern Fremont alongside Paseo Padre,” resident Steve Richardson stated in an e-mail.
“Please cease pandering to a tiny progressive bike foyer and prioritize our transportation enhancements to serve the overwhelming majority who drive their cars,” Elizabeth Leong stated in an e-mail to the council.
Mayor Lily Mei stated that she has seen quite a lot of dashing and impolite conduct on many roads in Fremont, and stated extra “respect and security” is required from all drivers.
She stated she hopes Fremont can someday have automated velocity ticket enforcement, since cops can’t cowl the entire 92 sq. mile metropolis.
Vice Mayor Raj Salwan acknowledged the street is “overbuilt,” however stopped in need of supporting lane removals.
“If we're going to do a program, we need to be certain that we've got the neighborhood help,” he stated, noting the shortage of help for the street eating regimen proposal within the survey.
“We symbolize the individuals, and the individuals clearly are usually not able to take away this lane,” he stated.