Presidio Avenue Neighbors
PRESIDIO TRUST TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT STUDY
The Presidio Trust is studying traffic congestion on Presidio Avenue and surrounding areas. In recognition of the increased traffic impact of the new Girard Street exit into the Presidio from the Doyle Drive reconstruction project, the Presidio Trust is proactively studying ways to preserve and enhance the Presidio by discouraging cut-through traffic that is likely to increase dramatically with the opening of the Girard Street exit.
We support the Presidio Trust’s proposed study because otherwise there will be a dramatic adverse impact to the Presidio and increased risk to the surrounding neighborhoods from more freeway traffic passing through the Presidio and our neighborhoods to and from the Girard Street exit off of a reconstructed Doyle Drive. Please join in signing a letter of support by clicking here.
We recognize that the closure of Presidio Boulevard will result in a change in traffic patterns. However, we believe that this change is inevitable when evaluating how to manage future traffic from the Girard Street exit off of Doyle Drive. We have been concerned about the traffic projections for Presidio Gate projected to increase 60% from 1,012 cars (per peak pm) hour in 2008 to 1,668 in 2020. We believe that those projections do not realistically reflect the likely dramatic increase in cut-through traffic that will result from the new Girard Street exit off of Doyle Drive.
WITHOUT PLANNING, TRAFFIC THROUGH PRESIDIO GATE WILL INCREASE DRAMATICALLY AND ADVERSELY IMPACT PRESIDIO TRAFFIC AND THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS
Of all city streets leading into the park, Presidio Avenue is the least well suited to bear higher traffic flow because: (1) it is narrower than the Lombard and Arguello gates; (2) it is wholly residential with a high percentage of garaged car access into the traffic flow; (3) there is a high level of children and young adult pedestrian traffic that crosses Presidio Avenue by the Presidio Gate because of a high concentration of schools, Julius Kahn Park, athletic fields in the Presidio and historic Lovers Lane. In addition, the Presidio Gate is the primary access point into the Presidio for fire and health emergency services and thus can least afford traffic congestion that might retard quick access.
Unless this traffic explosion is moderated, we will experience:
•Significantly more traffic on Presidio Avenue and in our neighborhood, traveling at higher rates of speed,
•A threat to the safety of pedestrians, especially our children,
•More vehicular and pedestrian accidents as warned by the Richmond District Police and
•More overflow traffic and parking on our neighborhood streets.
Please note that the dramatic likely increase in traffic doesn't just impact Presidio Avenue because increased cut-through traffic to and from the Girard Street exit will undoubtedly at times back up and flow into other streets in the Presidio and throughout the neighborhoods on either side of Presidio Avenue.
HOW YOU CAN HELP TO ENCOURAGE MAKING THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES PERMANENT
We must now turn our efforts to supporting the traffic management study. For some, the changes experienced during the 30-day trial will generate objections that do not appreciate the unknown consequences that these measures are really intended to address. We ask you to do your best in the coming weeks to communicate to your neighbors, your neighborhood association and the Trust your support for these traffic management measures. Please join in a letter of support by clicking here.
To receive information regarding Presidio developments, upcoming public meetings to discuss plans with the Presidio Trust, and neighbor developments, please e-mail your contact information to info@presidioavenue.org.
Your neighbors on or around Presidio Avenue
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