OVER 2 MILLION VEHICLES TRAVEL MASON STREET EVERY YEAR !

     The affected area is THE most densely populated urban area west of Chicago and already experiences some of the worst parking and traffic problems in all of San Francisco. Over 13 million visitors come to the Fisherman's Wharf / North Beach / Chinatown area each year. The area is home to San Francisco's top tourist destinations: Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park, Coit Tower, the Lombard Crookest Street in the World, , North Beach, Washington Square, Broadway Street, Chinatown, etc.  The intersection of Lombard and Columbus which would be affected is on the historic 49 Mile Scenic Drive. Every year this area's vehicle traffic increases. 

   Today Mason Street is a highly functioning street essential for the health and well being of the neighborhood. It is vital for efficient public and private transit, pedestrian safety, bicycle transit, MUNI, and emergency services and public safety,    A closure would be disastrous.

IMAGINE THE CONGESTION & CHAOS WITH ......

2 MILLION VEHICLES PUSHED ONTO  SURROUNDING STREETS !      

    Imagine over 5,000 additional vehicles pushed onto surrounding streets daily, battling for space with other cars, emergency vehicles, MUNI buses & cable cars, school buses, neighborhood delivery vehicles, patrons of neighborhood businesses,neighbors and their guests, tourist buses, taxis, bicycles, and  pedestrians of every type - from school kids to senior citizens.

MASON STREET IS A UNIQUE AND CRITICAL RESOURCE

     The reason that Mason Street receives over 2,000,000 cars per year, is that it is the ONLY unobstructed , two-way North/South artery in the entire NorthEast corner of San Francisco. 

      Between the Embarcadero to the East and Hyde Street to West Mason Street is the ONLY such street in the entire area.  All other streets are either blocked, discontinuous, one way only, or restricted streets. The extremely hilly topography of Telegraph, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, North Beach means that streets such as Mason are one of our most precious resources - in fact Mason Street is our ONLY such resource !

FAR REACHING NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

•     Increased traffic congestion and bottlenecks.                  
•     Traffic would be squeezed onto surrounding streets less suited for such traffic and forced to snake their way through the neighborhood promoting erratic driving.
•      Blockage of key emergency response route - slowing response times when seconds can save lives.
•      Significant increase in danger to pedestrians.
•      Endangerment of school children at Francisco Middle School and Salesian Grammar School of Saint Peter and Paul, North Beach Playground and Washington Square Playground.
•      Elimination of 15 scarce parking spaces.
•     Limiting police response options to Fisherman's Wharf, North Point Shopping Center and the North Beach Place Public Housing Project on Mason.
•      Slowing mass transit routes - 5 important MUNI Routes to be affected. Mass Transit slowdowns.
•      Increased noise and pollution for area residents.
•         Traffic chaos during the many public festivals throughout the year that brings extra thousands to the area.
•         Tourist destinations which already suffer from know traffic problems would all be impacted.
•      In the event of an natural disaster or  terrorist attack we need Mason Street.  Remember Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 with buildings collapsing and fires in the Marina District ? (2006 is the 100 year anniversary of the quake of '06.  ) Considering the vulnerability of Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, the Transamerica Pyramid as terrorist targets,  Mason Street will likely be a key evacuation route.
•       And many other direct and indirect negative consequences.