Residents press for quicker "quick-build" safety fixes at Delaware & State after family crash; city outlines near-term steps

During general public comment the council heard repeated pleas to accelerate pedestrian-safety fixes at North Delaware and State Street, the site of a March 28 crash that critically injured a parent and two children.

Ruth Anderson said the only visible change at the site a month after the crash is a large portable flashing sign that faces the wrong direction; she asked the council to relocate the sign to warn northbound drivers and to implement "quick-build" measures in days or weeks rather than months. Kevin Simpson and Mike Swire reinforced those points, urged a dedicated crossing guard there and asked the council to pursue available grant funding to speed implementation.

Staff explained that the San Mateo-Foster City School District manages crossing guard contracts and that the city functions as a reimbursement partner; Public Works said field crews were on site, that rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) had been ordered and that striping, signing and temporary plastic lane narrowing to reduce northbound traffic from two lanes to one were expected to begin imminently (staff said RRFB installation could occur later that week or early next week). The city manager noted roughly $200,000 annually allocated for quick-build improvements in the budget and promised to report back with updates at the councilalled transportation meeting in June.

What happens next: staff will start near-term striping and signage changes and proceed with RRFB installation; staff will return to council with more detailed updates at the June transportation meeting, and council members asked staff to follow up on potential grant opportunities to offset costs.