Lombard Street, known as Crooked Street, in San Francisco, United States. Image: Istock.com/Ken Badgley via AFP Relaxnews
Visitors and tourists hoping to capture an Instagram snap while driving down San Francisco’s most iconic “Crooked Street” may have to pony up an entrance fee.
After years of putting up with traffic and congestion around Lombard Street, better known as Crooked Street for its steep hairpin turns, a proposal to impose a toll and reservation system is being considered in the California Legislature.
According to the bill, the tourist attraction draws more than two million visitors a year, who queue for up to 10 hours for the chance to drive down the iconic street, snarling traffic and resulting in overcrowding in the residential neighborhood.
During peak periods, traffic can stretch three blocks and even impact traffic on the state highway system.
To remedy the situation, the bill proposes implementing a reservation system, in which drivers would have to book a specific time to visit.
Entrance fees being considered range from $5 to $10 (about P260 to P520).
Lombard Street is the latest neighborhood street to become overrun with visitors. In Paris, residents of rue Crémieux in the city’s east end asked the city to consider closing their street on evenings and on weekends to reduce the number of tourists descending en masse on their pastel-colored, Instagram-friendly neighborhood. CE/JB
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