Crews work to install a generator to support traffic lights at Broadway and California Avenue in Burlingame on Thursday following a power outage that closed off the main thoroughfare.
An unfortunate series of events led to two major streets in Burlingame to be simultaneously closed Friday, causing serious traffic jams and frustrated drivers wishing more could be done to mitigate the inconvenience.
A power outage and hazardous material cleanup hijacked Broadway midweek, just as a major improvement project to El Camino Real began, causing major delays particularly for families during school drop-off and pickup times.
The main street off Highway 101 is now reopened, and Caltrans’ work on El Camino Real will be suspended until Monday, but California Drive between Broadway and Rhinette Avenue to the north will remain closed through the weekend, city officials said.
Both Caltrans and the Burlingame Police Department will both have additional traffic controllers and detour signs to keep things moving along, Burlingame City Manager Lisa Goldman said.
“We asked them to be out there supporting traffic control, really focusing on problem areas, making sure they’re near schools, places where people were getting frustrated [Thursday and Friday],” Goldman said.
After Pacific Gas and Electric investigated a power outage at the Broadway and California Drive intersection Tuesday evening, gasoline was found in the underground utility vault. PG&E has sealed off the leakage and continues to pump out the contents to ensure no foreign material remains in the electrical vaults, requiring California Drive to remain closed, Goldman said.
“They’re hoping to be done as soon as possible, and open up the road,” Goldman said.
The emergency situation that took over the intersection only compounded the impact of the tree removal underway on El Camino Real, as part of a long-awaited improvement project to the state highway.
“This was really bad luck that this should all happen at the same time,” Burlingame Mayor Michael Brownrigg said. “I’m upset too.”
The city is working collaboratively with both PG&E for the emergency situation at Broadway and California Drive, and Caltrans for the improvements at El Camino Real, to make the city as safe to drive as possible, Brownrigg said.
“We all live here, we’re all frustrated, we share your pain,” Brownrigg said. “For our residents, businesses and PG&E workers, we have to put safety first. Any judgment call, we’re erring on the side of safety.”
(65) 344-5200 ext. 106
Daily Journal staff
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Dirk van Ulden said:
Cathy Baird said:
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