Everyone Agrees
Cars are winning, and Del Mar Heights Road has become a horror-fare dividing our community.
The Only Option Available Today!
The idea of the light is to provide a space for people, not cars. That should be the goal these days with climate changing all around us. An engineering study conducted recently qualifies (although does not require) a traffic signal and crosswalk at Del Mar Heights Road and Mercado Dr.
The Opposing View
Residents who appear to live north of Del Mar Heights Road near the proposed vicinity of the light are arguing against it. Why? Well you can read their arguments – chiefly that one light will not solve the problem and that it could be dangerous and traffic will increase in front of their homes. They are using outdated studies, current thought is through modern technology safety and calming can be improved.
Who Benefits From the Traffic Light
Meanwhile the people who live south of Del Mar Heights Road, or further away from the intersection, are valiantly trying to express their support for the light. Look at the map and see how the south-westerners are landlocked without access to a traffic light intersection for managed movement; and the northerners have but one light. The north includes a larger constituency thus the light will double the opportunity for managed movement. All should consider joining the “yes” group. The Google satellite image shows the location of the 5th traffic light west of I-5. Using modern timing technology will permit those going at a posted speed to flow through our community. It will also provide a second intersection for north of DMHR drivers, to turn east, west, south or north with greater ease and safety.
The First Step
It is true that one traffic signal is not going to accomplish what we want, but those of us who have been trying for a more comprehensive solution for the last 20 years are hopeful that this could be a turning point. (Read about the history on our blog.) We know that there will be no other major traffic safety measures under the current administration.
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The Process of Obtaining the Traffic Light
Why is the Board voting? City Council Member Barbara Bry is apparently tired of listening to both sides of the argument and has tossed the issue back to our Community Planning Board to make the decision. To ensure that the resulting vote is unassailable, she will assist with notifying the public so that they can communicate with the Board, and she has required a straight up or down vote, “no” for the status quo or “yes” for a light at Mercado. She also stated there are identified city funds for building the light and there are no funds for studies or any other solution. The light is a first step
The vote by the Board, not the signature count from petitions and surveys will determine the outcome, but Board members could be swayed by a lop-sided signature count. There is currently an easy way to vote for the status quo (“no” on the light), but without an opportunity to vote “yes” just as easily, the count could be misleading. This is the antidote. To increase the validity of the survey, we ask that you identify your street, and whether you live to the north or the south of Del Mar Heights Road.
Sign the Petition NOW!
Vote as you judge best, but if you ever drive or walk on Del Mar Heights Road there is but one answer vote YES by clicking the following link YES for DMHR Traffic Light Survey NOW and attend the November Board meeting to show your stance on the issue.
