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Study session lays out candidate locations and criteria for South Palo Alto bike/ped grade-separated crossings
Summary
City staff presented initial findings and six candidate locations for new grade‑separated bicycle and pedestrian crossings in South Palo Alto, asking the Rail Committee to weigh draft design priorities and evaluation criteria and to advise which locations should be prioritized for 15% design.
City transportation staff asked the Rail Committee on May 20 to review the existing conditions report and preliminary crossing opportunities for the South Palo Alto bike/ped connectivity study and to comment on draft design priorities and evaluation criteria.
Project purpose and schedule Charlie Cole, senior transportation planner, said the project’s purpose is to improve bicycle and pedestrian access across the Caltrain corridor in southern Palo Alto by identifying two locally preferred grade‑separated crossings and preparing 15% designs for those locations. The study area is bounded by Oregon Expressway, Middlefield Road, San Antonio Road and El Camino Real. Staff described a phased schedule: existing‑conditions and Phase 1 engagement (now), Phase 2 alternatives development and public review, refinement and a final report with an implementation and funding plan. Staff said the team expects to pursue grant funding beginning in mid‑2026 to support next steps.
Candidate crossing locations and data The existing conditions report presents six candidate locations (labeled A–F in the staff materials): - A: near Colorado Avenue / Page Mill Road - B: vicinity of Matadero / El Dorado / Loma Verde (often discussed as a priority East–West connector) - C: near Barron Creek / El Verano - D: between Meadow Drive and Charleston (potential connections near Lendero Drive / Robles Park) - E: near Adobe Creek (Eli Place / Green Meadow Way) - F: near the San Antonio Road interchange (including possible modifications to the San Antonio overpass and connections to Alma)
Cole said the report uses multiple data sources, including a Replica (Replika) big‑data origin‑destination dataset (spring 2024) filtered to one‑way trips under five miles that cross the rail corridor, a level‑of‑traffic‑stress analysis for bikeways, and an online public survey that had received roughly 700 responses as of the meeting.
Draft priorities and evaluation criteria Staff presented draft design priorities—accessibility, safety, connectivity, equity, cost and constructability—and a proposed set of evaluation metrics tied to those priorities. The plan proposes community meetings and technical workshops, including focused technical sessions for stakeholders who want to review tradeoffs in detail.
Committee and public feedback Committee members urged staff to show more explicit maps tying candidate crossings to expected new housing, schools and major employment centers (for example, the Stanford Research Park and local high schools) and to include isochrone/access-shed maps that show how a crossing changes travel time and access. Several public commenters suggested prioritizing locations that serve the greatest change in connectivity and urged the project team to accelerate grant applications once locations are narrowed.
Ending / next steps Staff said Phase 1 engagement will continue through online outreach and targeted meetings; Phase 2 will develop and evaluate alternatives and seek input on two locally preferred crossings to advance to 15% design. Staff will return with refined alternatives and seek council adoption of a final plan after public review.
