Rengstorff/Central Expy Traffic? Around Town, posted by Casper48, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on May 16, 2007 at 10:28 am
So happy to see the Voice's Town Square!
Has anyone else noticed changes in the traffic pattern at Rengstorff and Central?
I commute to downtown Palo Alto Mon-Fri. at 8-8:10 am. Since January, I have noticed a change in the flow of traffic. Seems like the Central Expy traffic now has priority. With the train crossing at Rengstorff, autos crossing Central -- or turning onto Central from Rengstorff -- have always been given preference after the crossing gates go up. That's not happening anymore, and some days I have to sit through 3 stop lights on Rengstorff before I can turn onto Central.
PS: Before this stream becomes a stage for using public transportation, I would love to take the train but I need my car for work.
Posted by Don Frances, Mountain View Voice Editor, on May 16, 2007 at 3:46 pm Don Frances is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Online
I tend to avoid the Rengstorff crossing for the very reason you're talking about -- sitting through multiple red lights. Incredibly frustrating. On the other hand, I haven't noticed that it's any better, worse or different at similar crossings in town, like where Moffett turns into Castro.
Happily, the VTA is talking about putting an underpass at Rengstorff which would solve this problem for good. Details are at the bottom of this VTA story here:
Posted by GSB, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on May 16, 2007 at 5:44 pm
I cross it every morning on my way to SB 101. However, I avoid it as much as possible on the way home. Sitting on the Shell Gas Station side of Rengstorff trying to cross over Central can cost you a good 5-10 minutes of time just sitting there (due to multiple trains).
Posted by Casper48, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on May 17, 2007 at 11:37 am
GSB-
I avoid that part of Rengstorff, too. If it's convenient for you, try the San Antonio frontage road (across from HP/Mayfield just before the overpass). I discovered this great shortcut about 2 years after moving to MV. Takes you to Central at the stop light just north of the San Antonio overpass. A little out of the way but you make up the time you lose sitting in traffic.
Note to Don Frances: I did see the article on the proposed Rengstorff underpass when it appeared in the Voice.
Posted by GSB, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on May 17, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Absolutely. I either go that way or come up at Shoreline (i'm traveling North coming back home) and take California all the way home. Both are time savers in the end.
Posted by GSB, a resident of the Castro City neighborhood, on May 17, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Absolutely. I either go that way or come up at Shoreline (i'm traveling North coming back home) and take California all the way home. Both are time savers in the end.
Posted by Britt Callaway, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on May 21, 2007 at 9:26 am
I use Central Expressway, and often the train actually helps traffic (especially southbound Central) at the expense of Rengstorff traffic. In particular, drivers coming out of the shopping center onto Rengstorff have a really tough time (unless some considerate driver lets them in!).
Posted by Amanda, a resident of the The Crossings neighborhood, on May 27, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Ironically, that intersection is still much improved now that the train station is no longer there! The train used to actually STOP across the intersection, and you'd wait for it to slowly come to a stop, unload and reload and get started again. Now THAT was a mess!
Posted by Amanda, a resident of the The Crossings neighborhood, on May 27, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Ironically, that intersection is still much improved now that the train station is no longer there! The train used to actually STOP across the intersection, and you'd wait for it to slowly come to a stop, unload and reload and get started again. Now THAT was a mess!
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