Sunnyvale studies East Channel Trail alternatives to link schools, parks and transit

Esther Jung, a traffic engineer with the city's transportation and traffic group, presented an update on the East Channel Trail study at the Sunnyvale Sustainability Commission meeting on Sept. 15, outlining alternatives for a multiuse trail that would run roughly north–south along the East Channel and link parks, schools, transit and employment centers.

The study, which the city began in late 2024 with funding from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Measure B and a donation from Google, is a planning exercise to evaluate feasibility, route alternatives, crossing treatments and an implementation strategy; the city has not identified design or construction funding. Staff said the study will inform subsequent design, permitting and funding decisions if the City Council decides to move forward.

The East Channel runs about five and a half miles along Sunnyvale’s eastern edge and includes a maintenance road 12 to 16 feet wide in some sections that staff said could accommodate a shared‑use path. Jung said the study is coordinating with multiple agencies and stakeholders, including Valley Water, VTA, Caltrans, Caltrain, Santa Clara County, PG&E, nearby cities and local school districts, to identify engineering, permitting and maintenance issues.

"The East Channel is major flood channel managed by Valley Water today," Jung said, noting the study team is using Valley Water hydraulic models and coordinating with Valley Water staff to evaluate capacity and flood behavior. Jung added the study team would consider closing the trail temporarily during high‑water events and would work with the city's maintenance crew on operational procedures.

Commissioners focused substantial discussion on flood risk, maintenance and safety. Commissioner Pronto asked, "Are we prepared, for the increasing precipitation that we have seen?" He pressed staff for hydraulic modeling that accounts for future precipitation increases rather than relying solely on historical data. Kevin Chen, senior traffic engineer for the city, said Valley Water is upgrading east–west channels now designed for a 10‑year flood to roughly 100‑year capacity and that typical practice is to design to a 100‑year event.

Jung and Chen told the commission the study includes hydraulic analysis and that staff will request technical details from Valley Water on design assumptions and planning horizons. Jung said the project team will evaluate both short‑term on‑street connections and longer‑term grade‑separated options (bridges or tunnels) for major crossings such as El Camino Real, Caltrain tracks, Central Expressway, Tasman Drive, U.S. 101 and Highway 237.

Public outreach and usage data were a central part of the presentation. Staff reported more than 300 people reached through pop‑ups, two in‑person and one virtual community meeting (52 participants), three walk‑shop sessions with 68 participants, and an online survey that received more than 1,100 responses. Jung summarized survey highlights: 85% of respondents said they would use the trail more than once a month and 40% of adjacent residents said they would use it daily. Residents prioritized shade and native landscaping, lighting, signage and seating; common concerns included safety, maintenance, homelessness and privacy for adjacent properties.

Commissioners also raised operational and policy questions: how to limit high speeds by e‑bikes and e‑scooters, whether surveillance cameras would be practical, how to reduce litter and illegal dumping, and which agency would maintain which parts of the corridor. Jung said the study team is exploring design measures such as bollards or narrowed entrances to slow speeds and will continue discussions with the Department of Public Safety about enforcement. She said cameras are easier to install near power sources at segment ends than mid‑trail and that staff are discussing litter mitigation and maintenance options with Valley Water staff.

On jurisdiction and maintenance, Jung said staff expect to negotiate a maintenance agreement with Valley Water. "It is most likely that the trail portion will be maintained by the city, and then the channel portion will be maintained by the Valley Water," she said.

Staff described the project timeline as three phases: Phase 1 (fall 2024–spring 2025) covered existing conditions and initial community input; Phase 2 (current) focuses on alternatives analysis and preferred route identification and concept design; Phase 3 (2026) will finalize the concept design and provide an implementation strategy including permit needs, phasing and estimated costs. Jung said the second community survey and additional workshops and school outreach (including presentations requested by PTAs and district student groups) are planned in Phase 2.

Commissioners suggested additional outreach to neighborhood associations, school districts (Fremont Union High School District and specific high schools mentioned), and populations near North Sunnyvale; they urged that the study consider interim segments that could open before costly grade separations are funded and built.

Ending note: staff reiterated that no design or construction funding has been committed and that the study is intended to guide future decisions on route selection, phasing, permits and funding priorities. The commission also handled a routine consent vote after the study session; the approval of the Aug. 18 meeting minutes passed by majority vote (see “Votes at a glance” below).

Votes at a glance: Consent calendar item 25‑0918 (approval of Aug. 18, 2025 Sustainability Commission meeting minutes) — motion moved (mover not specified), seconded by Commissioner Ford; roll call produced six yes votes and one abstention (Chair Navin). Outcome: approved by majority.