Aug 14, 2007

Council OKs removal of crosswalk

Intersection site of 2003 fatality

By Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer

San Carlos City Council voted Monday night to stop pedestrians from crossing the street at what is widely considered to be a dangerous intersection.

The council voted 4-1, with Mayor Tom Davids dissenting, to remove the crosswalk at Chestnut Street and San Carlos Avenue and erect a pedestrian barrier. Signs will be posted directing pedestrians to cross San Carlos Avenue at nearby Elm or Cedar streets instead.

It is not clear when this will happen, but city officials said there needs to be a public hearing first. The changes are estimated to cost a total of $1,000.

Davids said he favored spending much more than that on a traffic light because removing the crosswalk could inconvenience seniors who use the nearby senior center on Chestnut Street.

"I would like to solve the problem, spend the money, put the light in," Davids said. "Ultimately stop everything so people could get through."

A traffic light was recommended by City Attorney Robert Lanzone for liability reasons, but it is estimated to cost $200,000, Assistant City Manger Brian Moura said previously.

Concerns about the safety at that spot were sparked by the 2003 death of 78-year-old Margaret McEnnerney, who was struck and killed by a sport utility vehicle while crossing at Chestnut Street. Another elderly woman suffered serious injuries in the accident.

In the wake of McEnnerney's death, the city council approved the installation of a single flashing yellow light that pedestrians could activate by pushing a button. The city also placed orange flags at the crossing for pedestrians to carry across the street to make themselves more visible to motorists.

A recent report to the city council indicated that there have been almost three dozen accidents along that stretch of San Carlos Avenue since the 2003 fatality, including three that involved pedestrians in other nearby crosswalks.

Council Member Inge Tiegel Doherty and Vice Mayor Brad Lewis supported a suggestion by Council Member Bob Grassilli to initially close the intersection to pedestrians for a 90-day trial period.

However, that option was dropped after city officials said that doing so would not be legal.

Other options proposed included installing a lighted crosswalk or otherwise making the crosswalk more visible.

Council Member Matt Grocott said he favored increasing crosswalks' visibility along a whole stretch of San Carlos Avenue. But when the council voted, he said he could go along with closing the crosswalk at Chestnut Street.


E-mail Mark Abramson at mabramson@dailynewsgroup.com