Roads Task Force for Vista Verde & Los Trancos Woods

November 2008 Report

History

Because of the sewer project and general community interest, the VVCA established a joint task force with Los Trancos Woods residents to review traffic and signage concerns; Claudia Mazzetti is the Chair.

A ‘walk the circle’ day on March 30^th was advertised to VV & LTW; only Claudia and Amanda (C&A) were present. They compiled a video and a very detailed punch list of changes to signage, etc. The joint task force had its first meeting on April 16^th at which a number of folks from LTW participated: Tom and Nussrat Uridel, Alex Kostrikin, and Mary McDonald with Amanda Lee, Stan Gage, Bob Jones, Claudia Mazzetti and Richard Swan. At this meeting C&A presented video and fine-tuned a punch list of signage and traffic concerns collected from both communities.

C&A met with Diana Shu on July 8^th to go over signage improvement ideas derived from our April 16^th general meeting and again on Sept 29^th to go over changes that the county deems worthy and willing to implement. Diana Shu is the chief traffic engineer for the county and has been responsive to our concerns.

During our meetings, it was noted by Diana Shu that Ramona Road is slipping near the Conrad’s home. After the 2003-2004 winter, the County requested FEMA monies to repair Ramona Road but were told it was an “existing condition” and therefore ineligible for funding. The road continues to slip. C&A requested a copy of the engineering report attached to the FEMA application so that we could ready the community if the need arises to assist the county in their application process for new monies from the Department of Transportation and/or other federal agencies.

Another area of concern is Alpine Rd just downhill of Joaquin where the creek is seriously undercutting the road, posing the danger of a major slide and shutdown with a very expensive (bordering on impossible) rebuild should it occur.

C&A expect that community pressure will be necessary to get both of these projects done. Each of these locations is a major artery to VV & LTW. We are currently waiting to get engineering reports/any reports from Diana Shu on the Ramona Rd slide area and the Alpine Rd undercutting so that shoring up work can be pursued.  

Results

Department of Public Works (DPW) completed a general traffic review in order to establish a baseline for traffic speeds and volumes in several of the main roadways. The study was the basis for determining if additional speed limit signs and warning signs would be required. The following statistics represented speed and volume for different roads (in some cases, those readings were done twice):

Ramona Road (25 MPH speed limit)

333 Ramona: 35-36 MPH/746 cars

396 Ramona: 35-38 MPH/781 cars

Drivers are speeding on Ramona 10-15 MPH over the limit.

Vista Verde Road (25 MPH speed limit)

25 VV: 33-35 MPH/179 cars

184 VV: 27-30 MPH/465 cars

271 VV: 29-30 MPH/235 cars

Drivers are speeding in upper VV.

Old Spanish Trail (25 MPH speed limit)

361 OST: 27-28 MPH/235 cars

Drivers congratulated!

Los Trancos Road (the “Circle) (15 MPH speed limit)

1184 LT: 18-23 MPH/ 142 cars

Eastbound: 2% cars went the wrong way.

1207 LT: 16-20 MPH/113 cars

Eastbound: 7 %went the wrong way.

Los Trancos Circle (15 MPH speed limit)

155 LTC: 0-21 MPH/260 cars

Eastbound traffic: 18% of cars went the wrong way.

Preliminary Signage Plans: In response to this data, following is a partial list of proposed DPW changes:

• Add pavement markings to highlight direction of flow and remind drivers of speed limit in the woods and the LT Circle;
• DPW will follow up on replacing neighbor installed “10 MPH” sign and add “Road Narrows” as VV ends and merges into the LT Circle;
• At the corner of OST and VV, relocate 25 MPH sign back towards utility line;
• At 281 Ramona Rd, new sign “Steep Slope, Reduce Speed” sign;
• At 132 or 136 LT Rd, replace “School Bus” with “Caution” or “Slow”;
• DPW believes (as noted in state statute) excessive signage is ineffective and therefore will not be added along LT Road and Circle. Existing signage at this intersection is very confusing will be simplified and clarified.
• Wherever possible, international signage will be used (visuals rather than words)

Note that certain signage and action (e.g.: speed bump, “No passing” signage, new “Stop” sign) requires a $900 per incident fee, passage by the Board of Supervisors and notification to relevant neighbors. This made many of the task force suggestions prohibitive.

It is obvious that DPW has limited funds to pursue all of our needs and is unable to pursue others. C&A believe that our neighborhoods would be enhanced by creation of some of our own signage (based on state and county regulations). For instance, local maps of VV and LTW installed at mailbox kiosks and a few key intersections to help lost drivers, signage that notes the different communities such as “Welcome to Vista Verde & Los Trancos Woods,” similar to signage for Westridge, Golden Hills or the Town of Portola Valley. Other friendly neighborhood signs could also be very useful, including around the Circle noting directions to Vista Verde Road. There are quite a few local neighborhood groups that have come up with unique signage that can be used as a model. We’re looking for folks who would like to help brainstorm, create and locate local signage!

Please contact with any questions/concerns/volunteer urges:

Roads Task Force, Claudia Mazzetti, Chair Claudia@rjswan.com