By William Prrahn Santa Monica
I would just like to thank the city of Santa Monica’s transportation department or whoever the idiot(s) (are) that thought eliminating a traffic lane, eliminating street parking, creating a two-way left turn lane where there are no possible way of completing a U-turn (there are no driveways), and adding bicycle lanes would somehow improve traffic in our Ocean Park neighborhood.
Since the restriping: • I’ve had cars cross over the meridian lines to pass me using the oncoming lanes. • I’ve witnessed a driver recklessly pass a vehicle on Pearl Street between 26th and 27th, completing it by blowing through a stop sign while entering the intersection in the oncoming lane. • Drivers using the bike lane to pass other vehicles • Curb hopping at traffic signals • Running stops signs on side streets The backup of traffic that used to begin around 4 p.m. now starts no later than 2 p.m. and is pretty much non stop morning to evening.
Cars in greater numbers are using Pearl, Oak, Hill streets and the alleys as alternative routes at breakneck speeds.
I can no longer find parking on the street, I can only enter my driveway from one direction on Ocean Park, and I’ve had to wait over 5 minutes just to exit my driveway because of nonstop, unforgiving motorists.
Restore the parking, restore the lanes, and end this madness before somebody is killed.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 13, 2008. Read the original PDF.