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Commission advances SamTrans temporary bus-stop designs on California Drive, flags bike-access concerns
Summary
Commissioners reviewed revised SamTrans designs for three temporary northbound bus stops on California Drive (Truesdale, Rosedale, Grove), endorsed moving toward implementation with continued coordination on materials, ADA access and bike safety, and approved the designs 5–0.
Commissioners reviewed revised SamTrans designs July 9 for temporary bus stops on California Drive and voted to advance the project toward implementation after asking staff to refine details on materials, bike access and resident notification.
Nicolette Tolmie, a senior planner at SamTrans, said the work responds to a Caltrans El Camino Real construction detour and focuses on three northbound locations—Truesdale, Rosedale and Grove—that currently have no accessible sidewalk on the northbound side. Tolmie said the agencies are proposing in-lane northbound waiting areas with buffer islands and RRFB (rapid-flashing beacon) treatments to increase visibility and pedestrian access; she told the commission the intent is to have installations in place by late summer or early fall.
SamTrans staff walked commissioners through design changes including raised buffer islands, a northbound waiting area outside the travel lane, RRFB flashers, a push-button pedestrian activation at Rosedale and an accessible landing area where sidewalk does not exist. Tolmie said the proposed layouts are “ADA-compliant” and that SamTrans is coordinating with bus operators to ensure ramps can be deployed from the proposed locations.
Commissioners and staff discussed temporary parking removal in places where in-lane stops are proposed, whether hardscape elements should be temporary or more durable given a multi-year detour, and how buses and cyclists will interact where bussing will use part of the bike facility. Several commissioners suggested additional signage or painted cues to warn cyclists that buses may be stopping in the bike lane. SamTrans staff said they are investigating a range of materials (rubber modular islands, formed concrete or asphalt) and will work with Caltrans and local staff on the final details.
Commissioner French moved to approve the designs and proceed with coordination and final design steps; the motion carried 5–0. Staff said they will continue to refine materials, finalize the placement and prepare resident notices before implementation.
