Taxi cab drivers want to use bus-only lanes too
By FABIANO SANTOS Special to the Daily Press
As summer begins, the well-known traffic problem in Santa Monica seems to get worse.
But now that the new multi-million transit mall downtown is complete, City Hall promises that the new amenity will ease traffic flow.
“The city is constantly looking for ways to control the traffic and making it flow, and also help on parking opportunities,” said city spokeswoman Judy Rambeau.
She said the Santa Monica Police Department has hired civilians to help control the traffic since Memorial Day, as well as officers working at the entrances of the freeway and busy intersections on weekends. There also is a traffic light synchronization project already working to coordinate the flow during rush hours, Rambeau added.
In a recent poll conducted by City Hall, Santa Monica residents believe traffic is the second largest problem in the city, behind the number of homeless people on the streets.
The City’s biggest bet to ease traffic is the transit mall project, which took one year to complete and cost $15 million, much to the chagrin of downtown businesses who dealt with construction for 13 months.
Looking more like a revitalization of the area than an effective traffic solution, the project proposes new right and left turns as well as new traffic signals and designated parking zones, among other features.
A multitude of new art and architectural elements — bronzed origami figures, art tiles and granite map tiles in the new sidewalks, and new bus shelters and arbors outfitted with art glass — are supposed to blend form and function in a way that improves any visitor’s experience in Santa Monica, according to city officials.
The use of public transportation is strongly emphasized in the project, as old bus stops are moved and new bus routes are being developed.
The transit mall is a six-square-block area bounded by Ocean Avenue, Broadway Avenue, Seventh Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. The project created dedicated lanes for the Big Blue Bus in hopes that it will be convenient for workers, visitors and shoppers who take the bus around Santa Monica.
“You can reach all of Santa Monica area riding the Big Blue Bus and the Metro,” Rambeau said.
“You can reach all of Santa Monica area riding the Big Blue Bus and the Metro.” — — JUDY RAMBEAU Santa Monica spokeswoman
A celebration for the end of the project, called the “Santa Monica Street Party,” will be held on Saturday. The opening ceremony starts noon at Broadway Avenue and the Third Street Promenade.
Despite the benefits the project may bring to downtown Santa Monica, some taxi drivers are concerned about the traffic, especially during the city’s summer tourism season.
They say exclusive bus lanes on Santa Monica Boulevard and Broadway Avenue are going to clog the traffic flow that comes from Ocean Avenue.
“We could use the bus lanes too, otherwise there will be only one lane in each way,” one driver said.
Saturday’s “Santa Monica Street Party,” which runs from noon to 5 p.m. will feature live music, including the nationally known group, “Six Pence None The Richer Music” (“Kiss Me,” “There She Goes”). Their free concert at the Santa Monica Pier starts at 5 p.m. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the festivities.
Representatives from the City of Santa Monica will officially open the new transit mall in a ceremony at noon at the main stage on Third Street at Broadway. A kid’s stage (at Second Street and Santa Monica Boulevard) will feature music, games and entertainment in a 15,000-square-foot play space, including laser tag, moon bounce, a giant slide, and puppet and magic shows.
Everyone is invited to take advantage of free Big Blue Bus service for the day, discounts at dozens of Santa Monica’s shops and restaurants, as well as free prizes and giveaways. The block party area also will feature more than 40 local vendors and artisans, and some of Santa Monica’s most renowned chefs will be demonstrating cooking and food preparation techniques.
Among the many giveaways will be free passes to the Wild Rivers Theme Park, one per family, for 10,000 lucky riders of the Big Blue Bus. If you drive, you can park for free in specially designated lots, from which free shuttle service will be offered to and from the festivities. In addition, the free parking lots will be staffed by guides who can answer questions and provide information. The free parking areas are located at: • Ocean Park Boulevard and 28th Street, near the Museum of Flying • Pico Boulevard and 17th Street at Santa Monica College • Santa Monica Boulevard and 11th Street • Pico Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard at Santa Monica High School For more information about the June 22 Santa Monica Street Party, call (310) 451-5444 or go to http://www.bigblue-bus.com/streetparty.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 16, 2002. Read the original PDF.