Residents press council for action on Skyline/4 Corners speeding, state to start improvements in 2026

Residents who live near the intersection of State Routes 35 (Skyline) and 84 told the Woodside Town Council on Sept. 9 that chronic speeding, racing and noise have escalated into safety and quality‑of‑life problems that require both enforcement and engineering fixes.

Karen Ellis, a long‑time resident who lives near La Honda and Skyline, told the council: “On weekends, the screeching tires and whining engines begin at 4 or 5 a.m. and go through the day and night around the clock.” She cited state crash data she reviewed and said that dangerous driving and crashes were frequent enough to make exiting driveways hazardous.

Council members and sheriff’s representatives confirmed stepped‑up enforcement: a recent department sweep produced more than 55 citations for speeding and stop‑sign violations, the council was told. Captain Frank Del Porto said the sheriff’s office coordinates periodic dedicated traffic enforcement and that the department also has a motor unit assigned to Skyline corridors.

Captain Del Porto and a sheriff’s representative reported repeated conversations with Caltrans Office of Traffic Safety on intersection design. According to the sheriff’s office update, Caltrans plans a geometric realignment at the State Routes 35/84 junction, enhanced pavement striping and markings, upgraded warning signs and a new pedestrian crossing on SR‑35 just north of the intersection. Caltrans’ timetable shared with the council anticipates construction starting in 2026.

Local advocates urged the town to convene a multi‑jurisdiction meeting that would bring Caltrans, county supervisors and state legislators to discuss systemic fixes. Council members and the town manager said they had previously held such meetings after past emergencies and that a similar “meeting of the minds” could accelerate Caltrans action.

Several residents recommended near‑term steps while larger engineering changes move forward: consistent weekend enforcement, targeted no‑parking restrictions at blind spots, rumble strips or temporary flashing beacons and public outreach discouraging use of town roads as cut‑throughs when 280 is closed.

Why it matters: Multiple residents and the council described a public‑safety problem where speeding, racing and crashes endanger residents, cyclists and other road users and can trigger road closures that isolate neighborhoods.

What’s next: The council and town staff said they will continue advocacy with Caltrans and state legislators, coordinate enforcement patrols with the sheriff’s office and consider convening a public meeting with state and county transportation officials to accelerate design and construction decisions.