Burlingame commission backs temporary right-turn-only restriction at Belleview and El Camino Real

The Burlingame Transportation Commission on a 5–0 roll-call vote recommended that staff implement a temporary westbound right-turn-only restriction at Belleview Avenue where it meets El Camino Real, citing visibility problems and recent collisions.

Staff presentation and key facts: Staff told the commission the intersection is unsignalized and visibility is limited by a grove of eucalyptus trees along the El Camino Real corridor, which carries roughly 30,000 vehicles per day. The staff proposal would install pavement markings, a right-turn-only pavement legend, signage and temporary yellow delineators to channelize westbound traffic and dissuade drivers from attempting to cross El Camino Real at that location. "We're proposing limiting access for westbound traffic at El Camino to right turns only," staff said during the presentation (staff identified in the record as Mr Wong). The measures are proposed as reversible, temporary improvements that staff said could be removed or re-reviewed once a larger Caltrans El Camino Real renewal project proceeds.

Why it mattered to residents: Several neighbors urged action. "It's extremely dangerous," said Tanya, a resident who said she had responded to about three accidents at the intersection and described one crash that left occupants shaken and a vehicle lodged near a large tree. Transportation planner and nearby resident Katie Hoer said she supported the restriction for safety reasons and urged the commission to also add a marked crossing at Belleview. Ruby L. Grander, another nearby resident, asked the commission to press Caltrans to prioritize the longer-term corridor work so the underlying sightline problem is resolved.

Commission debate and vote: Commissioners asked whether the restriction would be premature given the larger Caltrans project, whether tree removals planned under that project might restore sightlines, how the change would be enforced and whether the temporary measures could become permanent. Staff said the measure would precede Caltrans work and that timing for the Caltrans project is uncertain; staff also cited five collisions at the intersection in the last six months and described the proposal as a low-cost, quickly deployable mitigation. Sergeant Roberts from the police department confirmed the restriction would be enforceable as a failure-to-obey-posted-sign violation.

Motion and outcome: Commissioner Israelit moved that staff move forward with the westbound right-turn-only restriction at Belleview at El Camino Real and investigate installing a high-visibility crosswalk across Belleview in coordination with Caltrans, plus advance signage on Belleview; Commissioner Johnson seconded. The motion passed by roll call (Brown: yes; Couchi: yes; Israelit: yes; Johnson: yes; Vice Chair Martos: yes). The commission's action was a recommendation to staff; implementation requires staff work, interagency coordination (including Caltrans and the Town of Hillsboro for areas outside city jurisdiction) and scheduling.

Next steps and caveats: Staff said it will coordinate with Caltrans and with Hillsboro on signs and crosswalk placement, and will monitor and re-review the site if the larger El Camino renewal project removes or repositions the trees that limit sightlines. The commission asked staff to return with implementation details and to consider drainage, driveway impacts and aesthetics if temporary delineators are later upgraded to permanent channelizing islands. No specific implementation date was set in the record.