Description

I am resident of San Jose, CA, and had to visit Burlingame for an appointment. Google map funneled us from 280 via Bellevue Ave across El Camino towards our destination. Both myself (25+ yrs safe driving experience) and my son (new driver) found crossing El camino on Bellevue Ave both ways was very unsafe. There is just stop sign on Bellevue, and given traffic conditions it is hard to find all 4 El Camino lanes empty for safe crossing.

On our way back i.e. going west on Bellevue (from downtown to 280 direction), the El Camino crossing challenge is even harder. When we stopped at stop sign due to large trees on sidewalk we could not see North bound traffic on El camino to start our crossing. We have to keep guessing and take our chances to start the El Camino crossing. Another issue is that the amount of El camino driver can see here is so small that there is no enough time to check both sides are clear to start the crossing at El camino's avg traffic speed.

We did the crossing, but it was so dreadful that we missed the cars on El Camino by few inches and luckily did not end-up in T-boning car.

It would be great if city can look into making this intersection safer. Few options or combinations -
1. add signal - this intersection is small so not sure is that best option
2. clear trees on side walk at this intersection so that it can increase visibility
3. Ban El camino crossing on Bellevue Ave, and allow only right turns on El camino in both directions with clear traffic signs
4. I am sure city traffic experts would have better solutions

Thought of sharing our experience to avoid accident in the city. Happy to support further follow-up as needed.

Pravin Kantak