Posted by Mark, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 13, 2013 at 9:02 am

I’ve biked on Iron Horse for many years, both North and South of San Ramon. There are many many crossings that are much more dangerous, the crossings at Bollinger and Alcosta for example. For the most part the traffic at Bollinger and IH is going east/west. When people stop for the signal they are stopped with little cross traffic. At Alcosta people are doing the “California Stop” in all directions. Getting hit there is by far a bigger risk for bikers. What are we doing about that intersection? (BTW – We could balance the San Ramon budget by some enforcement action at that intersection!)

We always want to spend money because there is a “grant.” So what’s the cost beyond the $600K grant? How are we going to fund that cost?

Finally, have you seen what one of these structures looks like? One I’m familiar with is the one on Ygnacio Valley in Walnut Creek. It’s a huge ugly eyesore. Thankfully for them it isn’t in the center of town like ours will be. We’re going to have to live with that forever.

On a positive note, at least they didn’t decide to build an underground walkway for millions of dollars. That was talked about in the past. Of course once this is done we may need the underground because the bike bridge is only for bikes. What will the walkers do.

Posted by Roz Rogoff, the San Ramon Observer, on Feb 13, 2013 at 9:51 am
Roz Rogoff is a member (registered user) of San Ramon Express

Mark,

I learned the hard way how dangerous that intersection of Bollinger and Alcosta is, even in a car. I'm still recovering from my accident there three weeks ago. I agree there needs to be something done about that intersection.

However, the plan to put the bike overpasses from the Iron Horse Trail over Bollinger and Crow Canyon, was to keep the bikes on the trial and not on the roads, even with bike lanes. I remember attending a Council meeting years ago when these plans were approved. So this isn't something new.

Roz

Posted by MLOliver, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 13, 2013 at 10:10 am

Roz,

Just because a plan was approved years ago, but not implemented, doesn't mean it shouldn't be reviewed and re-evaluated looking at today's needs. I've never seen one that added to the visual attractiveness of an area. They are usually pretty ugly.

I believe the total furor about the traffic signal bridge at SRVBlvd. and Crow Canyon was before your time, but the community was up in arms about it, and through the diligence of a lot of people the plans were changed to the signal arms we have today.

MLO

Posted by Dave, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 13, 2013 at 11:02 am

I live near Alcosta/Ironhorse and have logged thousands of miles on the Ironhorse trail. I drive passed the two locations described by all three of you. The overpass at Bollinger is the more necessary link. Don't do one like Ygnacio Valley Rd. and get the public buy in to an entry statement for our City Center. Bollinger has the Priority Development Area (PDA)designation and the better chance of funding. Up to 80% of all development will be in PDA's over the next 30 years. I have attended numerous meetings involving the Ironhorse trail & I believe it would be unlikely we will receive support or funding for an overpass at Alcosta/Ironhorse anytime soon. The progress of environmental work at Sycamore Rd. in Danville suggests that location would be prioritized over Alcosta/Ironhorse. Grant funding outside of a PDA would be necessary for almost any transportation project the size of an overpass. Alcosta/Ironhorse will never pass the cost benefit analysis. Remember how hard it was to complete that section of the trail with fencing?

Posted by Resident, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 14, 2013 at 7:48 am

To Mark - you can't balance a budget through traffic enforcement. Even though traffic fines are VERY expensive, about 90% of the money goes to the state and the county. The city only receives about 10% of the traffic fine. For a $400 traffic fine - like you would get for a red light violation - the city gets less than $45. You can't hire, provide pay and benefits and fully equip an officer for less than $150,000 per year. Traffic officers can't write tickets fast enough to pay for all of that.

Posted by Mark, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 14, 2013 at 8:28 am

Resident - It's called humor. :-) Balance the budget on one intersection implies the magnitude of the problem. I don't care about the revenue, it's unsafe. I see people almost get hit there on bikes, walking as well as what happened to Roz. A little traffic enforcement during rush hour where people see that the cops are paying attention will put a stop to it (for a while). They'll have to go back periodically.

Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Feb 14, 2013 at 8:31 am

I'm delighted the city report shows such improvement! Kudos to the Mayor and others who have helped this to happen! As for the intersection of Bollinger AND Alcosta? If you back up west to the crosswalk of Bollinger and the Iron Horse Trail? Eeeeggaddss...I see that as problematic as well...People barely stop unless a hoard of people are crossing or several bicyclists. I often wonder WHY they can't put those flashing lines as perimitter at that crossing to signify that yes, it IS a PEDESTRIAN crossing. I guess we all have our concerns/issues with Bollinger's east/west safety. I absolutely do believe it's HARROWING to come down Bollinger and drive through that intersection...Why? PEOPLE FLY DOWN IT FROM THE DOUGHERTY VALLEY and have NO regard for it - it's a mere "freeway path" for them. They forget there is LIFE at the bottom of the hill! An intersection! School and park! Shopping Center! Eeeggadds.