The Willow Glen Resident

Council Watch

Trucks aren't the problem, Willow study says

City issues separate stop sign study

By Cecily Barnes

Nearly 20 people attended the Willow Glen Neighborhood Assocation's Nov.12 meeting to hear the results of a truck-traffic study on Willow Street. The study showed that trucks are not a major problem, but a separate study will be done to consider a stop sign at Bramhall Park, where Camino Ramon meets Willow Street.

"We knew the trucks were only part of the larger [safety] issue, [so] we asked Streets and Traffic to issue a stop-sign study," said Joe Guerra, aide to District 6 City Councilmember Frank Fiscalini.

Two months ago, a large group of neighbors complained that large trucks were rumbling down Willow Street, causing increased noise and a safety hazard. In response, the WGNA asked the Department of Streets and Traffic to conduct a study of trucks on Willow Street, but the study showed no truck problem. Only 18 large trucks were identified on Willow Street during a 12-hour sampling.

"From the city staff's perspective, 18 trucks is a really small number," Guerra said. "The staff is not in any way supportive of doing any kind of truck ban."

However, Fiscalini's office is supportive of making Willow Street safer, perhaps by putting a stop sign at Camino Ramon and Willow Street.

Three weeks after neighbors complained of truck traffic, 55-year-old Mary Nail was hit while attempting to cross Willow Street to Bramhall Park. Her injuries proved fatal, spawning increased concern about traffic safety on Willow Street.

"My mom didn't have a safe option to get across that street," Juliet Nail said. "The car that hit her was an itty- bitty Geo Metro, so it doesn't matter how big the car is."

In order for a stop sign to be placed on Willow Street at Camino Ramon, the total volume of traffic on both streets must surpass a fixed number of cars. If this number is not reached, neighbors can appeal the matter to the Traffic Appeals Hearing Board.

"I can virtually guarantee you that under the quantitative formula, it won't warrant a stop sign. There has to be a certain amount of conflict from traffic on both streets," Guerra said. "However, the request can be appealed to the Traffic Appeals Hearing Board, which takes into consideration neighborhood input and other circumstances such as schools. I doubt they wouldn't support the stop sign."

Neighbors seemed satisfied that as long as something was done to make the street safer, trucks specifically didn't need to be banned.

"I think we all have the same agenda," Willow Glen resident Jena Yankovich said. "We want the street to be safer, and we want cars to slow down."

Now, instead of focusing on banning trucks on Willow Street, neighbors are concentrating on making sure a stop sign is installed at Willow and Camino Ramon.

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