Santa Rosa's New Traffic Markings Spark Controversy

Readers raise concerns about safety, congestion, and government overreach with the city's new street redesign.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:04am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone traffic cone or road barrier on an empty city street, with warm sunlight casting long shadows and creating a contemplative, nostalgic mood that reflects the political and social tensions surrounding the infrastructure changes.As Santa Rosa residents grapple with the impacts of the city's new traffic markings, the debate highlights the complex challenges of urban infrastructure changes.Santa Rosa Today

Letters to the editor in the Press Democrat newspaper criticize Santa Rosa's new traffic markings on Dutton Avenue, arguing they are dangerous, cause congestion, and represent government overreach. Readers describe situations where the new barriers prevent vehicles from pulling over, block emergency vehicles, and increase pollution from idling cars. They call on the city to reconsider the changes.

Why it matters

The letters highlight growing tensions in Santa Rosa over the city's efforts to redesign streets and implement new traffic control measures. Residents are concerned the changes prioritize social engineering over practical transportation needs, raising questions about the role of local government in reshaping public spaces.

The details

The letters describe specific issues with the new traffic markings on Dutton Avenue, including cars lining up and blocking emergency vehicles, barriers preventing vehicles from pulling over, and increased congestion and pollution from backups. Readers argue the changes are a "misguided social experiment" that fail to address real transportation needs.

  • The new traffic markings were recently installed on Dutton Avenue in Santa Rosa.

The players

D. Don Johnson

A Santa Rosa resident who wrote a letter criticizing the new traffic markings.

Jennifer Shannon

A Santa Rosa resident who wrote a letter calling for civility and respect during protests, in response to an earlier protest against President Trump.

Richard Durr

A Santa Rosa resident who wrote a letter opposing additional military funding requested by the White House.

Carl Merner

A resident of Holualoa, Hawaii who wrote a letter suggesting Alcatraz be turned into a day care center instead of a prison.

Renee Kiff

A Healdsburg resident who wrote a letter expressing disgust that California public pension funds are invested in companies with ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Santa Rosa's new street markings are not only a misguided social experiment, but they're unsafe. While driving on Dutton Avenue between Guerneville Road and West College Avenue, I ran across a traffic situation. Cars lined up in both directions and a car waiting in the middle lane to turn. Looking ahead, I saw an emergency vehicle with lights blazing wanting to get through. Guess what, nowhere for anyone to go.”

— D. Don Johnson, Santa Rosa resident

“At a conference on gang violence, I once learned a simple but powerful lesson: violence often begins with name‑calling. Words can be an act of harm. If we want our marches to model peace, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard of speech and behavior.”

— Jennifer Shannon, Santa Rosa resident

“So, the White House (read Donald Trump) wants $1.5 trillion for the military? He needs congressional approval for the money. Since he started this war without consulting Congress, let him pay the tab. He certainly has made enough money off his current job.”

— Richard Durr, Santa Rosa resident

“Donald Trump wants $152 million — which is just a start — to turn Alcatraz back into a prison. But he wants to cut money spent on day care and Medicare at the same time. Now combine that concept with the fact that the national crime rate has dropped significantly over the past 10 years, and what you come up with is that it would be higher and better use of that money to turn Alcatraz into a day care center.”

— Carl Merner, Holualoa, Hawaii resident

“I am horrified that for all those hours of dedication to the well-being of students — teaching, caring for them, instilling in them respect and love of their fellow human beings and for our country — those careers have ended up supporting this infamous, rotten administration. I am disgusted that pension funds are invested in support for ICE, with software to assist its demonic goals, and money for munitions to wage war crimes.”

— Renee Kiff, Healdsburg resident

The takeaway

The letters highlight the growing divide in Santa Rosa over the city's efforts to reshape its streets and public spaces, with residents voicing concerns about safety, practicality, and government overreach. The debate reflects broader tensions nationwide around the role of local authorities in urban planning and the need to balance transportation needs with social and environmental goals.