Possible Pedestrian Barriers for Sir Francis Drake Boulevard?

The San Anselmo Town Council considered a number of pedestrian barrier options to help address sfrom Butterfield Road to San Francisco Boulevard.

The options, which are attached at right, offer varying levels of safety, cost and aesthetics. The most intensive choice, said Interim Public Works Director, is a freeway-style guard rail, but some council members and neighbors felt that a guard rail might actually encourage drivers to drive faster, because they would think the area was safe or similar to a freeway. Additionally, it would be the most expensive and unsightly option.

 It’s also important that whichever option is chosen doesn’t obscure sight-lines for drivers or for people pulling out of their driveways on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.

“While it’s good intentions, it’s missing some key points,” said Derek Mitchell, who lives on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near Butterfield Road.

Mitchell brought a large side mirror into the council chambers, which had come flying off a car and landed in his yard when the car hit a telephone pole in front of his house.

“It’s almost funny, but when you live right next to the pole it hits, it’s not so funny,” he said.

Mitchell, and a number of other neighbors, said they were concerned that a barrier wouldn’t address the ongoing safety problems on the street.

The council retained W-Trans in 2009 to do a study of a possible road diet, which could reduce the number of traffic lanes. In 2010, Parisi Associates did a study of existing conditions, reviewed the road diet study, and suggested possible solutions.

It was determined at that time that reducing the number of lanes would increase traffic congestion too much, which could impact regional and state road funding. The long-term solution that Parisi suggested was to widen the sidewalk and/or move the sidewalk further away from the street. That solution was determined to be to costly currently and some residents along the street were concerned about the impact moving the sidewalk would have on the size of their lots, said Town Manager Debbie Stutsman.

The pedestrian barrier is a short-term possibility. There is no funding currently and the council did not approve an actual pedestrian barrier project. The council simply provided direction – encouraging a focus on a barrier that would stop cars from coming up on the sidewalk. That direction will then be used in the event the town can apply for a Safe Routes to School grant to fund the barriers, which is a likely possibility, said Stutsman.

“Let’s make it as safe as we can for the families,” said Council Member Kay Coleman.