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Council approves design contract for North Rollins project and funds Vision Zero safety plan
Summary
Burlingame council unanimously approved a $400,000 design services contract for the North Rollins Road bicycle and pedestrian improvements and accepted a $480,000 federal grant to develop a citywide Vision Zero safety action plan, with staff promising robust public outreach before advancing designs.
Burlingame — The City Council voted unanimously Sept. 16 to advance two transportation projects designed to make Burlingame streets safer for people walking and biking.
Council approved a professional services agreement to design the North Rollins Road bicycle and pedestrian improvements, a project staff said flows from the North Rollins Road specific plan and a recent federal grant. “We received a $3.1 million federal grant,” Director Marza told the council, saying the design contract will fund outreach and detailed traffic studies leading to 35% plans and preliminary costs. Councilmembers pressed staff to ensure the consultant team engages directly with nearby businesses and residents before the project proceeds beyond preliminary design.
In a separate vote the council also embraced a citywide Comprehensive Safety Action Plan — commonly described as a Vision Zero planning effort — funded by a roughly $480,000 federal grant. Staff said the plan will evaluate collisions citywide, set five- and ten-year safety goals and prioritize investments across streets, including bicycle and pedestrian improvements that can be incorporated into the Rollins project.
Councilmember Brown R framed his questions around process: “I’d like to understand before we approve $400,000 in fees … how the professional team is going to engage our public,” he said. Staff responded that the Rollins effort included prior public engagement during the neighborhood-specific planning and that consultants will conduct multiple workshops, Traffic Safety Commission review and one-on-one outreach with property owners. “We will not proceed until we have feedback and we have Direction,” a staff member told the council.
Both resolutions passed by roll-call vote with Councilmembers Lee, Papa John, Brown R, Vice Mayor Stevenson and Mayor Donna Coulson voting yes.
What’s next: Staff said the Rollins project will produce 35% plans before returning to council for direction, with construction currently planned for 2026. The Vision Zero plan will produce a prioritized list of locations and a multi-year implementation guide for the council and departments to use when seeking funds.
Why it matters: The two measures combine targeted corridor work with a citywide strategy to reduce serious crashes and fatalities. Councilmembers emphasized clear, early outreach to businesses and residents to reduce the perception of “drive-by consulting” and to ensure affected proprietors understand proposed curb and parking changes.
