Caltrans is hosting a virtual meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on April 8 to discuss plans to install five variable message signs on wooden poles across the Coastside. The signs would display information during emergencies such as power shutoffs, wildfires, traffic accidents and road closures.
The 5-by-12-foot signs are set for northbound intersections in Half Moon Bay, El Granada and Pacifica and on the southbound side in El Granada and Daly City. One sign will be located south of the intersection with Highway 92 to reroute northbound travelers if necessary. According to a press release, Caltrans considered but decided against reducing the size of the signs.
Also under consideration as part of this project are six wireless detection systems, guardrails to protect the equipment and maintenance vehicle pullouts along Highway 1. The project would also update the software running the changeable message sign above the Devil’s Slide tunnels.
The most significant change to the project since initial public comment last fall is how the signs will be used. Caltrans originally planned to display traffic information such as wait times. Many Midcoast residents objected to signs being on by default, and wanted them to be used only when needed. The locations of three signs were also moved in response to public comments about their visual impacts.
Project documents are available at https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-popular-links/d4-environmental-docs, under the San Mateo heading.
Residents can attend the April 8 meeting or submit comments to nina.hofmarcher@dot.ca.gov by April 20.
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I never saw a follow-up with the Zoom Link posted , did anyone? If not, it will be a pretty empty meeting tomorrow! Originally Half Moon Bay turned them down lady year. And, back then I wrote a letter saying that we have beautiful scenery here, and their informational signs were too big and that the “Midwest Guard rail “Maintenance turn-outs were “too ugly” and really “unnecessary”. The first presentation did not even say which directions the signs would be facing and they had streets mislabeled ( Seymour / Kelly Ave) plus one intersection photo wasn’t even a photo of our area!
So, this version was “ cleaned up” to try to “sell it” but they still are trying to urbanize the lovely Coastside scenery with ugly digital signs and guard rails to protect them. I could see a need for informative signs to alert southbound drivers to upcoming beach and HMB gridlock or accidents on Hwy 92, but that highway segment is not included. And, admittedly, I have a cynical image of some CalTrans Digital Sign Vendor standing to the side, wanting to make a sale ... like the Company that “Proposed” those stupid raised yellow dots outside every shopping center retailer’s door that rattle every Dern item in your shopping cart! That was a pretty good commission check, I’ll bet! I could really do without those dumb yellow dots!!! And l won’t miss seeing those digital highway signs either!
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