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Menlo Park staff outline CIP priorities and a $60 million estimate for the Middle Avenue Caltrain crossing
Summary
Public works gave the Complete Streets Commission an overview of the capital improvement plan, highlighted 2026 street‑maintenance projects, Safe Routes to School intersection upgrades and EV charger and plaza work, and warned that the long‑planned Middle Avenue Caltrain crossing could cost about $60 million, creating a funding shortfall.
Menlo Park public works staff on Dec. 10 told the Complete Streets Commission that the department has prioritized projects tied to council goals including climate action, downtown vibrancy, emergency preparedness, housing and safe routes to school, and outlined a five‑year capital improvement plan and 2026 construction priorities.
At a meeting chaired by Athena Ira Comos, Public Works Director Azalea Mitch said the department has an operating budget of about $42 million and a staff of roughly 72 but has struggled with vacancies in recent years. "We presented to the city council a plan with 66 CIP projects," Mitch said, and staff are balancing carryover funding and a $19 million request for the coming year.
Why it matters: the presentation folded project planning, design and construction into a unified CIP approach intended to preserve pavement condition and deliver safety and accessibility upgrades while working within limited staffing and funding.
Staff highlighted five projects identified for 2026 construction: an annual slurry seal program covering up to 14…
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