Atherton seeks San Mateo County Transportation Authority grants for Selby/El Camino and Alameda projects; council approves resolutions

The Town of Atherton on Sept. 17 adopted resolutions authorizing grant applications to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) for two projects: the El Camino Real at Selby Lane traffic safety and mobility improvements, and the Alameda de las Pulgas traffic and safety improvements. The council approved both resolutions unanimously.

Staff said the Selby project application requests funding for design and construction to accelerate delivery of intersection improvements. Two primary alternatives were discussed: full traffic signalization (which staff said would better regulate traffic and facilitate pedestrian crossings) or a HAWK (High‑Intensity Activated crossWalK) beacon paired with additional measures such as restricting left turns from Selby Lane. Staff told the council that the grant application left flexibility as to the exact treatment and that a design team would further analyze alternatives during the design phase if funding is awarded.

Caltrans, which has jurisdiction over El Camino Real, and San Mateo County will need to review and approve any work on the highway. Staff said the town has coordinated with the TA and Caltrans during the project development; the TA indicated at a pre-application meeting that requesting both design and construction funding may be acceptable, but its final recommendations will determine whether one or both phases receive awards. The TA review timeline in the packet anticipates initial recommendations in November and presentation to its board thereafter.

For the Selby/El Camino application staff said the town requested $3,000,000 from the TA. For the Alameda de las Pulgas project staff said federal funding had been secured for part of the Alameda project and the town sought additional TA funds (the staff presentation referenced roughly $1,000,000 request) to cover construction shortfalls.

Public comment included one resident, Zach Whitman of Selby Lane, who said he and some neighbors oppose signalization at the Selby/El Camino intersection because they value the area’s rural character and believe many past collisions stem from driver error rather than the intersection layout. Council members said further public outreach and an updated traffic analysis would be part of the design process if grant funding is awarded, and that the town will not commit to final configuration until design and community input are complete.

The council authorized staff to file the applications and to pursue design if funding is awarded; staff emphasized it will not expend nonreimbursable funds on final design until awards are confirmed.