http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?type=opinions&id=71197
The homes in our neighborhood cost over 1 million each so do you think the city would want to pay that much out per home owner?
City smart to drop interchange project
Residents on and near the Peninsula Avenue overpass breathed an official sigh of relief yesterday when it was officially announced that the city of San Mateo is dropping plans to expand it and add off-ramps from Highway 101.
The reason was simple. The homes that would have to be purchased through eminent domain would simply cost too much. A cursory glance around the neighborhood indicates the nicely manicured homes are worth a pretty penny and any city purchase may not have left enough money for the project.
The rationale behind the proposl’s study is that the city was looking to solve an ongoing problem of a congested and dangerous interchange at Poplar Avenue in which cars speeding off Highway 101 would compete with drivers looking to hop onto the highway.
With more residents coming to the city, officials were smart to investigate ways to make such a dangerous intersection safer. However, the cost of buying homes proved to be too high. Now, it is likely the city will have to close off Amphlett Boulevard heading south of Poplar Avenue and place a barrier so cars coming off the highway cannot head south on Amphlett Boulevard. It is not a perfect solution, but one that will work to make the intersection safer at minimal cost.
However, if there is one lesson to be learned from this situation, it is the power of information. Residents felt the city was moving ahead without their input and were alarmed that there was discussion of possibly taking their homes. The city also benefited from the traffic study which proved the cost to move the off-ramp would simply be too much.
It is an interesting and complex balance in trying to weigh the needs of the city in the future and certain residents now. The city was smart to pursue the concept and also smart to know when to back off.
The homes in our neighborhood cost over 1 million each so do you think the city would want to pay that much out per home owner?