City Begins To Address San Jose Avenue Traffic Safety Concerns

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The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency took quick action after more than 50 neighbors expressed serious concerns about traffic safety on San Jose Avenue at a community meeting.

The Jan. 27 community meeting, organized by the office of District 11 Supervisor Ahsha Safai, brought SFMTA and San Francisco Police Department representatives together with neighbors to share information and seek solutions about the stretch of San Jose Avenue between Geneva Avenue and Baden Street.

“Since our meeting, SFMTA has painted the crosswalk at San Jose Avenue and Paulding and has agreed to look into further engineering on the intersections that were discussed,” Lauren Chung, a legislative aide to Safai, said. “In addition, SFPD Ingleside Station has put a speed trailer on San Jose Avenue.”

Chung shared a list of intersections that were discussed at the meeting and brought to the office’s attention along with the potential improvement projects SFMTA could implement.

“Our office is committed to looking into funding for these traffic calming measures,” Chung said. “Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. I will keep you all updated on any progress.”

New Mission Terrace Improvement Association members are planning a rally for traffic safety improvements after seeking them for 15 years.

“It’s clearly dangerous to try to walk across San Jose Avenue, especially at Paulding and Baden,” Lisa Dunseth of the New Mission Terrace Improvement Association said in a statement. “The many ‘T’-shaped or irregular intersections along this stretch have confounded the SFMTA and Planning Department staff for years.”

Dunseth added that in 2007 then District 11 Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval sought to work with the Planning Department to improve San Jose Avenue’s traffic safety. There were also meetings in 2014.

“In order to draw attention to this problem we are planning a ‘Have-A-Heart Neighborhood Safety Walk’ on Valentine’s Day,” Dunseth said. “Meet us at 3:30 at Balboa Park to join us for a neighborly walk along the avenue, from Santa Ynez to Santa Rosa and back.”