The Frustration with Traffic in Downtown San Jose: Westin San Jose (Saint Clare) to be Part of the Blame

Nightmare. That is the the theme for the huge traffic congestion along many of downtown San Jose city streets. Traffic on a Saturday night was severely congested along Market Street, San Carlos Street, First Street, San Fernando Street, Second Street, among others. Some drivers think that alternate routes would work, but that was not the case, as I watched driver after driver trying to navigate downtown San Jose city streets.

One of the notorious traffic congestion that happened tonight was near the Westin Saint Claire, which I saw traffic had to funnel down to the left of the two lanes (not including the left turn lane) as I saw one vehicle after another parked in the right lane just before the signal at Market Street. As I circled many times in an attempt to look for parking in downtown San Jose, there was no escape from the brutal congestion no matter the street that drivers were on, and I was not immune to the congestion in downtown San Jose.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus routes were also not immune to the stop-and-go line of cars. Some of the streets, for instance, are among what VTA use regularly such as the pile-up from almost Reed Street to at least Santa Clara Street, Second Street from St. John to Reed, San Fernando Street between Delmas Avenue and Fourth Street, and Santa Clara Street between Seventh Street and Almaden Blvd. I estimated at least a 20-minute backup in the affected streets, if not more.

In some cases, the streets were in a total gridlock that there were no San Jose Police Department officers available to enforce various intersections that I saw was humiliating. The intersections that had the most problems to my take included San Carlos and First Street, San Salvador and First Street, San Salvador and Market Street, and First and William Street. Those intersections were very congestive and at times, cars were blocking intersections. I have not confirmed whether other intersections in downtown San Jose had problems with intersections.

But the one that I should award with the worst place to have congestion is northbound Market Street just before the approach to Market Street because too many cars were blocking the right lane. There were numerous times that traffic on northbound Market Street were stopped for at least two signal cycles. It is not known whether the Westin San Jose (Saint Claire) knew about the congestion that caused traffic to back up to almost the south end of Market Street.

The southbound side of Market Street were not immune to congestion south of San Carlos Street while traffic was severely congested between Julian and Reed. This was the longest stretch of congestion apart from a few breaks north of San Fernando. But nevertheless, both sides of Market Street were tight and drivers were very frustrated.

Christmas in the Park is subject to congestion at any time, but especially when special events occur - therefore, the VTA holiday train does not run during those times. Along Almaden Blvd between Santa Clara and Balbach, traffic was not as bad as those on Market, but still slow. Even on the west side of Highway 87, Delmas Avenue showed red and orange sensors, indicating slow traffic, but sluggish at times.

San Jose McEnery Convention Center's parking garage was holding a private party, and therefore was off limits to drivers looking to park for a small fee. That was only part of the reason why Market Street was severely congested. And for those drivers along San Carlos Street attempting to make a right turn to Market Street, any alternate route beyond Almaden Blvd was futile.

At the venue for Christmas in the Park, known as Plaza de Cesar Chavez, there were plenty of slow traffic. It was so bad that San Jose parking enforcement officers had to place cones along the road so that drivers won't make horrible mistakes by suddenly changing lanes. This indicates big business for hotels such as the Fairmont San Jose and the Four Points.

It is unknown whether any of the hotels were following traffic rules as drivers are trying to avoid parked cars. In regards to transit, it is unknown whether VTA has any plans to use detours for a huge jam along the affected streets. The pics that follow this blog show the congestion in downtown San Jose. I'll try to update this blog if there is any response.

Original Work: Kyle Chak
E-mail: chak595301@gmail.com
Twitter: @KyleSChak