From: Richard Heinberg
To: CityCouncilListPublic
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Jennings Crossing
Date: Monday, February 12, 2024 9:58:46 PM
Dear Santa Rosa City Council members,
We understand that, during Closed Session on February 13, the Council will be considering an application to the CPUC for an extension of time to build the approved Jennings railroad crossing. We urge you to make this application.
For nearly a decade, pedestrians, wheelchair users, parents with strollers, dog walkers, and cyclists have been required to take the “Jennings detour” along highly trafficked N. Dutton and Guerneville Road or to walk an even longer distance to cross at West College, simply to access services and businesses on either side of the tracks.
It is riskier and takes much longer to walk the detour than it would be to cross at a safe, at-grade rail crossing complete with gates, signals, and a clear line of sight at Jennings. The current detour adds an additional 20 to 30 minutes to what used to be a convenient, car-free stroll over the tracks. Residents in the apartments on the east side of the tracks now drive their kids to school or to the health clinics on. Dutton, or Safeway, UPS, and Dollar Drug on the west side of the tracks.
There are many good reasons to build the at-grade crossing at Jennings. Unfortunately, SMART has delayed this project for years. We urge you to seek an extension from the CPUC so that the approved crossing can finally be built.
Richard Heinberg
Janet Barocco
Jennings Avenue
Santa Rosa
--
hoto Daniel Lerch
Education & Publications Director, Post Carbon Institute +1 (541) 566-8700 x114
[email protected]
postcarbon.org
| resilience.org
Subscribe to our monthly Messenger
From: Alexandria F
To: City Council Public Comments
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Support for Jennings Ave At Grade Crossing Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 12:59:04 PM
Dear Councilmembers,
I urge you to restore an at grade crossing at Jennings Ave.
I am a SMART commuter and I genuinely love SMART, but I think they are making a mistake here.
The lack of an at grade crossing at Jennings adds miles to each trip, causing an unnecessary division in what would otherwise be a fairly walkable area. SMART should be working to improve bike and pedestrian access (crucial SMART riders!), not dragging this out any longer.
The CPUC approved an at grade crossing at this location almost ten years ago now. Let's get this done!
Thank you for your consideration,
Alexandria