Traffic restrictions lifted near Sand Hill intersection Traffic restrictions lifted near Sand Hill intersection (February 01, 2006)

Now that the new intersection of Sand Hill Road and Santa Cruz Avenue is complete and flowing smoothly, the temporary signs are gone that barred drivers from turning onto local streets to bypass the construction.

On January 24 the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors lifted the restrictions on access to Palo Alto Way, and to Leland and Stanford avenues. At the request of some residents, the board also removed morning, but not afternoon, restrictions on Vine Street, which also carries short-cut traffic.

The restrictions on access to the University Park area, north and east of the big intersection, were imposed in May 2004 to prevent drivers from cutting through the residential neighborhood to avoid traffic delays due to the construction.

Several residents reported conditions have improved since the intersection reopened last November. "There is no congestion now," said resident Ron Snow. "We do not experience cut-through traffic now."

The county department of public works will review the effects of removing the signs and report back to the supervisors in three months.

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