Drivers on East Hillsdale Boulevard in Foster City turn onto Edgewater Boulevard to avoid long waits in traffic.
The Foster City Council has agreed to extend a pilot program aimed at reducing traffic congestion caused by commuters cutting through the city on their way to State Route 92.
The traffic relief pilot program entails left turn prohibitions from East Hillsdale Boulevard onto Edgewater and Shell boulevards from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and U-turns are also prohibited at those locations.
The program began Feb. 11 and, at a meeting Monday, May 20, the council unanimously voted to keep it in place for at least the next three months.
“Based on staff’s observations, input received and unintended improvements to eastbound State Route 92 it appears the traffic relief pilot program is functioning well,” said Public Works Director Norm Dorais.
There are 229 fewer cars entering Foster City during peak hours as a result of the pilot, according to a traffic study the city published late April.
The left turn prohibitions resulted in decreased travel times, according to a staff report, and 55% of respondents to a survey conducted in March said they want the program to continue long term. The survey received 804 responses and 20.5% did not want the pilot to continue while 23.8% of responders were unsure.
City Manager Jeff Moneda also said he’s received feedback from people who said in the past they typically cut through Foster City on their way to State Route 92, but now stay on Highway 101 because of the pilot.
The pilot has resulted in an increase in traffic on Altair Avenue, an increase in left turn traffic onto Foster City Boulevard and some motorists are making U-turns at Center Park Drive and heading back toward Edgewater Drive to access the State Route 92 ramps, according to the study. Delaware Street, Norfolk Street and Fashion Island Boulevard have not been affected, Dorais said.
The pilot is also not cheap. The city has so far spent $52,127 on it, with staff costs totaling $37,500 or $700 a day. Dorais said contracting the staff time would result in 20% to 30% in savings.
Since the pilot began, there have been 540 traffic stops and police have issued 167 citations, just 25 of which were issued to Foster City residents.
Moving forward, staff plans to collect feedback from residents of neighboring cities — officials said they’ve received “blowback” from San Mateo residents — and if the program were to become permanent, then staff will explore traffic signal modifications as well as time-of-day dynamic signs which activate during the left turn restriction period.
And Vice Mayor Herb Perez is interested in some sort of system whereby Foster City residents are allowed to make the left turn, but not commuters.
(650) 344-5200 ext. 102
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(1) comment
People aren't stupid. They'll simply change their route to avoid those particular left turns by making a series or right turns until WAZE updates their app to accommodate these left turn restrictions. The real issue is overcrowding and a limited infrastructure. Maybe add safe, reliable public transit? Nah, cars are too convenient though. Good luck! lol
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