Crowds of Pedestrians Prompt Lombard Street Study

San Francisco is looking for ways to manage—and protect—the masses of tourists who want to walk "the World's Crookedest Street."

1 minute read

September 22, 2016, 11:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Lombard Street San Francisco

SurangaSL / Shutterstock

In the residential Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, one block draws an estimated 2 million pedestrians a year—the famously steep, winding stretch of Lombard Street.

In response to complaints from residents about traffic, noise, litter, and petty crime, the County Transportation Authority is studying ways to manage the crowds, SF Gate reports. After a year researching how other tourist destinations handle similar problems, the study is now exploring solutions—including barring cars and turning the area into a pedestrian-only plaza.

Other proposals include hiring a mass of parking and safety officers, requiring reservations, and charging a toll. Some tourists told the paper they would be willing to pay an admission fee, while at least one said pedestrians should visit for free and separately from cars.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016 in SF Gate

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