Saratoga News

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Refuge lane would help relieve stress at dangerous intersection

ByShannon Burkey

The intersection at Saratoga Avenue and Ranfre Lane has for many years been called one of the most dangerous in Saratoga by area residents.

So, after two years of trying to get the city to make necessary safety improvements, residents were excited to learn of the city council's decision to allocate $20,000 from its contingency budget to install a refuge pocket on Saratoga Avenue.

"It was a long, drawn-out process, but all the neighbors are thrilled that the intersection is finally going to be improved," said Corrine Vita, who has been spearheading the residents' efforts.

The residents originally gathered signatures and went before the public safety commission in May 2004 to ask for the improvements. Although the commission recommended a refuge pocket be installed at that time, city budget constraints could not allow for the funding.

The residents decided to try again and went before the traffic safety commission in October 2006. The commission agreed with the prior commission's decision to put a refuge pocket in at the intersection and asked public works director John Cherbone to look into funding.

"This all came about because as a neighborhood we got organized and were able to get the word out and come together," Vita said.

During commuting hours in the morning and evening, residents said it is nearly impossible to make a left turn onto Saratoga Avenue from Ranfre Lane. This is the only intersection in the corridor from Highway 85 to Fruitvale Avenue that does not have either a light or a refuge pocket.

With the refuge pocket, drivers turning onto southbound Saratoga Avenue from Ranfre Lane would have to worry only about getting across northbound traffic. Then they would have the refuge pocket on southbound Saratoga Avenue in which to wait while trying to merge with oncoming traffic.

"It allows you to only have to worry about one set of directional traffic at a time. Right now you have to worry about both directions. It's a challenging maneuver for any skilled driver," Cherbone said, adding that the refuge pocket was necessary and would provide a safe exit for residents.

Vita said she could not be happier about the upcoming improvements to what she considers to be the most dangerous corridor in all of Saratoga.

"That corridor is like a freeway," Vita said. "It's a free-for-all. Right now you just kind of get out and hope for the best."

Jeff Hoffman, a resident of the area, said his children go out of their way to avoid the intersection.

"I am a seasoned driver and I'm nervous in that intersection. It's an injury waiting to happen," Hoffman said.

After studying the intersection, city traffic engineer Sohrab Rashid made the recommendation for a refuge pocket at the intersection instead of the traffic signal some of the residents had requested.

"There are already numerous traffic lights in that corridor. To install another one you will cause a lot of delays and a lot more traffic in that corridor," Rashid said to the council. "With the data we looked at, we feel this is a good viable alternative."

Councilman Chuck Page said he has also had reservations about crossing the intersection during high traffic times.

"I moved from New Jersey and I've never met a left-hand turn I wouldn't make until I moved to California. This is one I won't make," he said.

Construction of the refuge pocket is set to begin at the end of February and be completed in mid March, according to Cherbone.

Cherbone estimates there will be some temporary lane closures during that time but traffic should not be too disrupted.