Drivers soon fined for Golden Gate Park shortcut

By Karli Bulnes, Bay City News Service

June 18, 2006

Motorists hoping to save time driving through Golden Gate Park by cutting through the Music Concourse can expect to pay for the shortcut.

Beginning Monday, the Golden Gate Concourse Authority will issue citations to drivers who use Tea Garden and Music Concourse drives without dropping off or picking up a patron.

Drivers caught cutting through the area without a patron will have to pay $103 for the action, the authority reported. The fine is supposed to discourage drivers from using the streets so that the area will be friendly to pedestrians.

"We expect that by prohibiting cut-through traffic and limiting other vehicle trips in the Music Concourse, the overall experience will be enhanced for park users,'' Mike Ellzey, Executive Director of the Concourse Authority, said earlier this month in a written statement.

Bicyclists, San Francisco Municipal Railway line No. 44, emergency vehicles and the Golden Gate Park shuttle can still use Tea Garden and Music Concourse drives without abiding by the new restrictions.

All other motorists should use Park Presidio Boulevard to Cross Over Drive to 19th Avenue, Stanyan Street or John F. Kennedy Drive to Middle Drive East to Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to cross the park, the authority reported.

For more information or to ask questions about the new road restrictions, motorists and residents can call (415) 831-2728.

Copyright © 2006 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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