Hi Nikki,
In June I wrote to you about growing potholes on Woodland Avenue between Laurel Ave and Baywood. Now there is an even more pressing safety problem.
Now that the Army Corps of Engineers has joined the SF Creek JPA Flood Control Project, a new project timeline has been proposed for the replacement of the Pope/Chaucer Bridge in April of 2024. This street is already heavily used by residents heading for the Willow Market, MA High School, Hillview Middle School and Downtown Menlo Park.
As you know, the segment of Woodland between Middlefield and Laurel Ave has no sidewalk. The additional traffic and detours caused by the San Francisquito Creek Flood Control Project construction will increase drastically the safety risks to pedestrians. The removal of the Pope/Chaucer Street Bridge will be a minimum 6 month event and the City needs to prepare for the impacts.
I believe it is essential that the City fast-track a project to construct a sidewalk on the NE side of Woodland from Middlefield to Laurel Ave. so that the finished product is ready for use by the fall of 2023. Protecting school age children, people pushing strollers and pedestrians is a priority the City should think about and act on now.
Steve Schmidt
