Millbrae council approves cost‑share with Burlingame for Merchant Drive bike lanes

Millbrae City Council on May 12 voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to execute an agreement with the City of Burlingame to build bicycle improvements on Merchant Drive.

City Engineer Ahmad Haya told the council the project—extending from Sequoia Avenue past Mills High School to California Drive—would add buffered Class 4 bike lanes and new crosswalks. “The total project cost is $498,000 and the city of Millbrae share is $249,000,” Haya said, noting the city’s net streets‑fund impact would be about $149,000 after a $100,000 reallocated grant from the county association.

Haya said the estimate includes a $76,000 construction contingency and an optional intersection feature at Magnolia and Merchant Drive estimated at $96,000. Construction management, inspection and design support were estimated at $118,000; Redwood Construction Contractors was identified as the Burlingame‑awarded contractor, with work expected to begin in June and run roughly three months.

During council questions, Haya said long‑term maintenance will be divided by jurisdiction, with each city responsible for its side, and that staff would return to council if costs were forecast to exceed the authorized $249,000 share. Vice Mayor Raldi said the city would not exceed the approved amount without council authorization.

The resolution passed on a roll call vote, 5–0.

What happens next: staff will coordinate final design and construction oversight with Burlingame and the project’s construction manager; council members asked to be notified if change orders would push the city’s share beyond the approved amount.