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Home My WebLink AboutStaff Report 2410-3620CITY OF PALO ALTO Rail Committee Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 19, 2024 2:30 PM Agenda Item 2.Rail Committee 2024 Annual Summary Report Rail Committee Staff Report From: City Manager Report Type: ACTION ITEMS Lead Department: Transportation Meeting Date: November 19, 2024 Report #:2410-3620 TITLE Rail Committee 2024 Annual Summary Report RECOMMENDATION This report summarizes the Rail Committee's accomplishments for 2024. No action is required by the Rail Committee. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As established by the City Council, the Rail Committee plays a key role in reviewing projects related to the rail corridor that runs north-south through Palo Alto, connecting communities along the San Francisco Peninsula. Several infrastructure projects intersect with the rail corridor, including major initiatives such as grade separations at existing at-grade crossings, bicycle and pedestrian access across the tracks, quiet zones, security enhancements, and other safety improvements. The Rail Committee provides a venue for public input and Council engagement on detailed technical issues in order to make recommendations to the City Council. BACKGROUND The Caltrain corridor runs along the San Francisco Peninsula connecting the communities in the County of Santa Clara and County of San Mateo from San Francisco to Gilroy. This corridor runs north-south through Palo Alto and is managed by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (PCJPB). The rail corridor is used by the commuter rail services by Caltrain and freight service provided by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Company. In addition, the corridor is planned to serve the California High Speed Rail which will provide the high-speed train connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles. There are currently seven streets where people and vehicles can cross the railroad tracks in Palo Alto. Three of these intersections, called grade crossings, are already grade-separated, but the other four cross the tracks at the same level. The four at-grade crossings are Palo Alto Avenue, Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road. •Rail Grade Separation Projects at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road •Quiet Zone Projects at Palo Alto Avenue, Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, & Charleston Road •Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update & Bicycle and Pedestrian recommendation between Seale Avenue and Kellogg Avenue •Caltrain Corridor Strategy and Delivery Guide •Safety Improvement Projects such as fencing improvements, intersection safety, etc. ANALYSIS April 2024: Provided updates and sought guidance on various rail-related issues. In addition, the City and Caltrain presented high-level comments from Caltrain impacting the project alternatives. May 2024: During May, the Rail Committee reviewed the Funding Agreement between the City and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the obligation of the $6.0 million in grant funding. The Rail Committee also reviewed updated materials for Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road Grade Crossings incorporating and addressing technical comments and four tracking elements recommended by Caltrain. August 2024: During June, the Rail Committee was updated about Caltrain‘s security improvement project and funding concerns previously awarded by the California State Transportation Authority (CalSTA) funding from the Transit and Intercity Regional Capital Program funding for the grade separation project. The Caltrain staff is considering a project after hearing concerns from the City of Palo Alto resulting in raising fence height with winglets to the perimeter fence north of Churchill Avenue. September 2024: At this meeting an information report providing updates on various ongoing projects within the vicinity of Churchill Avenue Rail Grade crossing along the Caltrain corridor was discussed at the Rail Committee. No action was required. November 2024: At this meeting, staff plans to bring the scope of work included in the three- party Cooperative Agreement between VTA, Caltrain, and the City for performing the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation and funding contribution of $14 million from the Measure B Grade Separation funding for the Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road crossings. In addition, the staff plans to bring the Bicycle and Transportation Plan update for feedback and comments from the Rail Committee. The Rail Committee has rigorously reviewed and discussed issues throughout the year. It also serves as a platform for community input and feedback, which informs the committee’s recommendations to the City Council. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT The work associated with the Rail Committee’s review and action are incorporated into the individual transportation capital projects involving Transportation Improvements. Staff support is necessary to support the administration of a brown act body both preparation of materials and public availability of the meeting and resources. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT The Rail Committee meetings are open to the public and therefore provide the community with opportunities to provide comments to the rail committee and the City. The Rail Committee meetings are regularly conducted, and their information is posted on the City Calendar. Residents who have subscribed to City Meetings notifications receive notifications about the Rail Committee meetings. Additionally, notifications about the Rail Committee and the City Council meetings are disseminated through the City’s YouTube Channel and City Clerk agenda posting notification to its subscribers. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW ATTACHMENTS APPROVED BY: