County lowers speed limit in Menlo Park’s ‘pocket of neglect’

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San Mateo County supervisors voted on March 25 to lower speed limits on Alameda de Las Pulgas and Santa Cruz Avenue in unincorporated west Menlo Park to keep it in line with the incorporated sections of road. 

The sections of road are Santa Cruz Avenue from the Y-intersection of Alameda de Las Pulgas and Santa Cruz Avenue to Oakdell Drive, and Alameda de Las Pulgas from Harkins Avenue to Valparaiso Avenue 

Both sections are going from 30 MPH to 25 MPH. The rest of Santa Cruz Avenue is already 25 MPH and prior blocks of Alameda de Las Pulgas are 25 MPH. 

The change will go back to the supervisors for a second reading on April 8, and the speed limit reduction will be in effect 30 days later. Changing the speed limit signs will cost $600 per location, according to the county. 

“No parent should have to worry about their child’s safety just crossing the street,” said county Supervisor Ray Mueller, who represents the area. “This is more than an ordinance; it’s a commitment to protecting our community’s most valuable treasure.”

Residents have called the areas in between Alameda de Las Pulgas and Santa Cruz Avenue the “pocket of neglect” because the area is unincorporated and residents feel both the county and city have failed to install adequate traffic safety measures. 

The area is a frequent route for people going to downtown Menlo Park, La Entrada Middle School and Oak Knoll Elementary School. Despite this, the “pocket of neglect” does not have bike lanes, sidewalks and until recently allowed for faster traffic. 

The area’s residents have been trying to join Menlo Park for 10 years but to no avail. “It’s time to act on annexation. We’ve been waiting on it for 10 years,” said Greg Faris, a resident of unincorporated Menlo Park, during Menlo Park City Council’s priority setting meeting. “Since this has not been done; your residents are less safe.”

“It takes the same amount of time as one single home building permit,” he concluded. “We’re fed up. It’s time to do your jobs.”

Mueller said he has been pursuing upgrades in the area at the county level, “This past year I worked with the county and community to finalize plans and begin construction infrastructure safety improvements worth millions of dollars in this area.”

The county is currently upgrading the Y-intersection to include curb extensions, concrete islands and ramps for accessibility. The county will also update pedestrian and bike infrastructure along Alameda de Las Pulgas. The project is estimated to cost between $5.7 million and $6.2 million in total.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated on March 26 to include information about infrastructure upgrades by the county.

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