We’ve all noticed the never-ending curb ramp project that is going on in San Francisco. Clearly DPW won’t rest until every curb has been recut and fitted with the bumpy, yellow surfacing.
RichmondSFBlog reader ClarenceBeeksJr came across an odd site at 46th and Cabrillo the other day when he noticed that the street names carved into the concrete had been reversed.
According to the freshly installed curbs, Cabrillo runs north-south, and 46th Avenue runs east-west. Say what?
And as commenter Valentine points out, they also stamped 48th instead of the correct 46th Avenue. Oof.
Hey, it must be tough to stamp the names correctly when the street signs are posted oh so far away. I’ll just chalk it up to someone at DPW having an off day.
So the question is, will it get fixed, or will it live in perpetuity? I suppose I should inform 311 but then it might further push out the pothole repair I called in on my street OVER 3 MONTHS AGO…
Sarah B.
UPDATE #1 1/4/11: The Examiner picked up on the story today. Someone at DPW will be getting a call in 3, 2, 1…
UPDATE #2 1/5/11: Commenter Steve writes “all fixed this morning!”
The real cross streets for the 46th & Cabrillo intersection.
I’ve seen a few other examples — in GG Park, the cross street to JFK is “CHAINS OF LAKES” and at an intersection I don’t remember, the name “ANZA” has the Z reversed.
Top. Men.
Hope this crew is not spared in the next round of city layoffs
A crew working on the cuts at 23rd St and Kansas in the Potrero Dist has taken weeks because they reportedly started work without proper permits, causing a long delay with barricades in place. I’m trying to imagine the opportunities for screwups and fraud involving these contractors.
It gets better- on the 46th & Cabrillo corner that is reversed it appears that they actually stamped 48th instead of 46th. I’m just grateful that it is only the southwest corner that is incorrect…and that they put the street signs back in the correct order! Whew.
The backstory on those new curbs is that they are safer, particularly for disabled individuals. People with vision problems, for example, know that a change in the texture of the pavement means that they are about to walk into traffic.
Another ADA boondoggle, who would have guessed….?
Curb cuts are important to people in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty with stairs. Thank you, San Francisco, for fixing this problem. Without curb cuts, a person in a wheelchair simply can’t cross the street. I think it’s clear that the Unruh Act has been causing some abuses, but curb cuts aren’t on the same level as a mirror being a half inch too high in a bathroom. This is a clear access issue.
@Valentine – I think you’re right! Looks like they stamped 48th Avenue. Ay yay yay!
Check the southwest corner of Balboa and 47th Ave. I guess that block is Balba St.
I don’t know if it has been fixed recently but there is also a sign on the west side of Park Presidio on either Cabrillo or Balboa (memory is a little fuzzy, sorry) that says “Golden Gate Park” with the arrow pointing in the wrong direction. I always feel bad for anyone trying to get around this city that doesn’t either have a GPS or the entire map of the city committed to memory.
Curb ramps: not a boondoggle. Not only do they help people in wheelchairs and those with vision problems, they’re useful for others who are pushing strollers, have wheeled luggage, or other burdens to negotiate.
Curb ramps = good; incorrectly stamped/labeled streets = bad. Way to go, SFDPW!
update: 1/5/11 – all fixed this morning!
I live a few steps from this corner and had pointed out the mistake to the crew while the concrete was still less than dry. One of the guys took a break from standing around to amble on over and take a look. They all had a good laugh at the expense of the guy who did the deed (who was, at the time, marking – properly – one of the other corners). They said they’d fix it (“we don’t like to, but we can fix it”).
I wonder if they ever would’ve gotten around to fixing it had it not been for your coverage being picked up.
Thanks!
Excellent news, Steve! Thanks for the update. I’m sure they didn’t appreciate the attention. 😉
Sarah B.