HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-09 Rail Agenda Packet1
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agenda packet are available for public inspection in the city’s website at www.cityofpaloalto.org
CITY COUNCIL RAIL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Regular Meeting
Community Meeting Room
1:00 PM
Pursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council and Committee meetings will be held as “hybrid”
meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To
maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of
the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the
public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/99227307235)
Meeting ID: 992 2730 7235 Phone:1(669)900-6833
The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media
Center at https://midpenmedia.org.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public Comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom meeting. All requests to
speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments
can be submitted in advance to city.council@cityofpaloalto.org and will be provided to
the Committee and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly
indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your email subject line.
CALL TO ORDER
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda.
ACTION ITEMS
1.Discuss Consideration and Prioritization of Bicycle and Pedestrian
Crossings as it relates to Grade Separations Across the Caltrain Rail
Corridor and Make Recommendations to the City Council Regarding
any Proposed Changes.
Presentation
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City Council Rail Committee Regular Meeting August 9, 2022
VERBAL UPDATE ON INTERAGENCY ACTIVITIES
a.Caltrain
b.VTA
c.City Staff
NEXT STEPS AND FUTURE AGENDAS
CORRESPONDENCE (INFORMATION ONLY)
•June 23, 2022 Letter from Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority Re: Request for 2016 Measure B Caltrain Grade
Separation Funding for Advance Planning of Grade Separation
Projects
•June 14, 2022 Letter from Palo Alto to Cal Train RE: Four-
tracking Refinement Requests (late add)
•June 14, 2022 Letter from Palo Alto to Cal Train Re: Request to
Review and Respond to Key Technical Issues/Questions (late add)
ADJOURNMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to hybrid meetings via email, in
person, teleconference, or by phone.
1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to
city.council@cityofpaloalto.org.
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the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the City Clerk
prior to discussion of the item.
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City Council Rail Committee Regular Meeting August 9, 2022
• When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will
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Click to Join Zoom Meeting ID: 992-2730-7235 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA)
Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities,
services or programs or who would like information on the City’s compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact (650) 329-2550 (Voice) 48
hours or more in advance.
City of Palo Alto (ID # 14576)
City Council Rail Committee Staff Report
Meeting Date: 8/9/2022 Report Type: Action Items
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Title: Discuss Consideration and Prioritization of Bicycle and Pedestrian
Crossings as it relates to Grade Separations Across the Caltrain Rail Corridor
and Make Recommendations to the City Council Regarding any Proposed
Changes.
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Transportation Department
Recommendation
Review and discuss the current and future plans for determining the location and other aspects
of several new potential bicycle and pedestrian crossings across Caltrain and make
recommendations to the City Council regarding any proposed changes.
Executive Summary
The Rail Grade separation project currently includes the grade separations at the existing at-
grade crossings across the Caltrain corridor. However, the need for bicycle and pedestrian
crossings at locations other than the four existing at-grade crossings across the Caltrain corridor
has been recognized in multiple City planning efforts. The City’s Comprehensive Plan, Bicycle
and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan, 2013 Rail Corridor
Plan, etc. have identified various opportunities for these across-barrier connections. This
agenda item brings forth a discussion of bicycle and pedestrian crossings across the rail
corridor.
Background and Discussion
The Caltrain Rail corridor runs north-south through the City of Palo Alto resulting in the need
for east-west crossings for all modes of traffic. There are three existing grade separated
vehicular crossings across this corridor at University Avenue, Embarcadero Road, and Oregon
Expressway. The City is planning for the grade separations at four existing (Churchill Avenue,
Meadow Drive, Charleston Road, and Palo Alto Avenue) at-grade crossings across this corridor.
However, various other locations across this corridor have been identified with opportunities to
provide for bicycle and pedestrian crossings.
The City’s 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (BPTP) and the City’s Comprehensive Plan
recognize the need to provide for the following crossings across the Caltrain barrier in addition
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to the existing at-grade crossings. The brief description and various actions that were taken on
these crossings are described below:
1. Seale Avenue/Peers Park Connection:
The 2012 BPTP proposed a new Caltrain barrier connection concept at Peers Park
between the Churchill Road surface crossing and California Avenue undercrossing. This
connection would link the Serra Street/Park Boulevard and Stanford Avenue east-west
bikeways (along with the north-south Castilleja-Park-Wilkie Bicycle Boulevard) across
Caltrain to Seale Avenue, a low-volume residential street that has been identified in the
BPTP as a future bicycle boulevard.
2. El Camino Park Caltrain/Alma Barrier Connection at Everett Avenue
This undercrossing was proposed as part of the 2003 Bicycle Transportation Plan and
potential (partial) funding for its construction was identified as part of the Stanford
Medical Center expansion project. Further analysis through the 2012 BPTP revealed
significant utility conflicts and higher priority improvements to an adjacent facility
(University Avenue undercrossing). Therefore, it was recommended to be considered as
a potential long-term project.
3. Matadero Creek Caltrain undercrossing:
The 2012 BPTP also recognized the need for Across Barrier Connections at Matadero
Creek. This crossing was proposed to connect Midtown to the future Matadero Creek
Trail. In 2016 a feasibility study was conducted to evaluate the Midtown connection
along the Matadero Creek (Midtown Connection Feasibility Study). The study provided
three conceptual alignments for crossing at 1) Matadero Creek, 2) El Carmelo Avenue,
and 3) Loma Verde Avenue.
In addition to the feasibility study mentioned above, the North Ventura Coordinated
Area Plan (NVCAP) was identified as a significant opportunity to plan for a walkable,
mixed-use neighborhood. The NVCAP intended to include a comprehensive community
outreach program to provide opportunities for meaningful input throughout the
planning process.
In 2019, the City Council directed staff that the bicycle and pedestrian crossing in the
vicinity of Loma Verde Avenue across the Caltrain corridor be included in a future study
separate from the Grade Separation Project for access and feasibility (Staff Report 9993)
In addition to the above-referenced crossings, the 2013 Palo Alto Rail Corridor Study proposed
a potential crossing at the following location crossing the rail corridor.
4. Kellogg Avenue/Alma Street:
The 2013 Rail Corridor study identified a potential crossing at Kellogg Avenue that
provides for direct access to Palo Alto High School and Castilleja School from
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City of Palo Alto Page 3
surrounding residential neighborhoods. In addition, the Partial underpass alternative for
grade separation at Churchill Avenue is proposed for the pedestrian and bike crossing at
this location.
As part of the Churchill Avenue Grade separation Alternatives discussion on November 29, 2021
(Staff Report 13787 & 13543), the City Council directed staff to ensure that the Bicycle and
Pedestrian Transportation Plan includes the following elements:
• Consideration of the merits of Seale vs Kellogg;
• Consideration of bike improvements on the north side of Embarcadero;
• Evaluation of South Palo Alto bike/ped crossing in the vicinity of Adobe Creek
consistent with the 2013 Rail Plan.
After discussing the Meadow Charleston Grade separation crossing alternatives on August 23,
2021 (Staff Report 13435), the City Council directed staff to continue work on the bike plan in
parallel with consideration of construction time and interaction with grade crossing plans. The
grade separations for crossings at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road will
include provisions for providing and accommodating pedestrians and bicycle traffic during the
construction phase.
Timeline & Workplan
The Office of Transportation Staff is currently working towards obtaining consultant services for
updating the 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, which will include the elements
of the grade separation crossings directed by the City Council. The BPTP update is anticipated to
be completed by July 2024.
The BPTP update will provide recommendations for additional bike/ped rail crossing
locations that support bike network connectivity, indicating which locations serve the
community’s needs best and connect best to the existing bike network. Following this
evaluation, feasibility analysis and community outreach will be needed for each
location. Typically, it takes about 12-14 months to complete a feasibility study. Therefore, it is
anticipated that with the availability of resources, the feasibility studies for these additional
crossings can be completed by the Fall of 2025.
The feasibility study would include but not be limited to the following elements:
• Key stakeholder outreach (i.e., Caltrain, Stanford, Palo Alto Unified School District,
etc.)
• Community priorities for each crossing (requires outreach)
• Design parameters (i.e., Caltrain Joint Powers Board/High Speed Rail design
requirements or other limitations)
• Design alternatives
• Right-of-way needed
• The off-site infrastructure needed to support the new crossing
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• Funding needed
Once a preferred alignment/project is approved by Council, the environmental review can
occur, and staff can pursue grant funding. This is estimated to occur in 2025/2026
Resource Impact
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update is currently in the procurement process
as such the costs associated with the update is not available. However, a major portion of the
funding required to perform this update will be coming through the Transportation
Development Act Grant (TDA3). Any additional funding required beyond TDA3 grant funds is
available in the approved FY22-23 Capital Improvement Budget (CIP 04010). With regards to
additional studies or projects that are identified through BPTP update process, a review of the
need for additional resources will be required.
Environmental Review
The recommendation in this report does not constitute a project in accordance with the
California Environmental Quality Act and is therefore not subject to environmental review.
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Y◄~anta Clara Val(ey
Transportation
Authority
June 23, 2022
Honorable Mayor Pat Burt
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Re: City of Palo Alto request for 2016 Measure B Caltrain Grade Separation Funding for advance planning
of Grade Separation Projects
Dear Mayor Burt,
Thank you for your letter dated March 29, 2022 (received on April 13, 2022), regarding the City's request for
2016 Measure B Caltrain Grade Separation funding for additional technical studies for the Churchill A venue
and Meadow Drive/Charleston Road project site as well funding for standalone bicycle/pedestrian under
crossings. We have reviewed your request and agree that additional technical studies should be conducted to
better inform subsurface realities, such as water level and soil conditions, ultimately better informing cost-
effectiveness, construction timelines, and potential construction methods for the projects.
The additional technical studies are eligible project costs and will be funded by Palo Alto's approved
FY2022/FY2023 Biennial Budget allocation request for early engineering work. My staff has already
reached out to Palo Alto staff for cost and scope of work for these additional technical studies so that we can
begin drafting the necessary cooperative agreements.
As for the request to use Grade Separations funding for planning of standalone bicycle/pedestrian under
crossings, we need more information on the City of Palo Alto's Caltrain Grade Separation Program as a
whole to understand how the bicycle/pedestrian-only facility/facilities will be incorporated into both the
individual crossings and the citywide Grade Separation Program. As you are aware, there is a distinct 2016
Measure B Program category for bicycle/pedestrian facilities, and we need to better understand if the
bicycle/pedestrian-only facility funds are better suited for this category. For your information, the next 2016
Measure B Bicycle/Pedestrian Planning competitive grant program call for projects is expected to be released
in spring 2023.
My team will be reaching out to Palo Alto staff to get additional information on the City of Palo Alto's
Cal train Grade Separation Plan and the incorporation of the bicycle/pedestrian-only facilities in the Plan.
If you have any questions, please contact Jane Shinn, 2016 Measure B Program Manager, ofmy staff. She
can be reached at jane.shinn@vta.org or 408.321.5513.
Cc: Ed Shikada, City Manager, City of Palo Alto
Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official, Office of Transportation, City of Palo Alto
Ripon Bhatia, Senior Engineer
3331 North First Street
San ,Jose, CA 95134-1927
Administration 408-321-5555
Customer Service 408-321-2300 Solutions that move you
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CITY OF PALO ALTO | 250 HAMILTON AVENUE, PALO ALTO, CA. 94301 | 650-329-2100
June 14, 2022
Michelle Bouchard
Acting Executive Director
Caltrain
1250 San Carlos Avenue — P.O. Box 3006
San Carlos, CA 94070-1306
RE: Four-tracking Refinement Request
Dear Ms. Bouchard,
The Caltrain 2040 Business plan’s inclusion of a possible passing track segment in either Palo Alto
or Mountain View presents challenges for grade separation planning in Palo Alto. This letter
respectfully requests Caltrain concurrence that four-tracking not be required as a design
consideration at Charleston, Meadow, or Churchill Avenue crossings.
The City of Palo Alto has been diligently working on the development of grade separation
alternatives at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road crossings along the
Caltrain’s Corridor. The City has selected the partial underpass alternative as the preferred
alternative for the Churchill Avenue crossing and is currently pursuing further evaluation of
alternatives in consideration for the selection of a preferred alternative at Meadow Drive and
Charleston Road. The three remaining alternatives under consideration for Charleston and
Meadow grade crossings include digging a trench for rail, constructing an underpass for vehicles
and bicycles, and a hybrid option. We have identified key elements that are needed to proceed
forward with the next steps of alternative selection that will lead to the preparation of
environmental documentation and engineering design. Some of these elements relate to right-
of-way constraints and therefore we require determination of the proposed Caltrain four-track
segment location. At each of these crossings, Caltrain’s requirement that grade separation
designs not preclude four-tracking is a significant impediment to the timely and cost-effective
project development.
Based on Caltrain’s 2019 Business Plan and Caltrain’s Long Range (2040) Plan, it is our
understanding that Caltrain plans to have provisions to accommodate a four-tracks passing
system as part of the blended system approach between Caltrain and California High-Speed Rail
service along this corridor. Palo Alto has previously requested Caltrain to identify the limits of
these four-track location needs. Caltrain staff had indicated that Caltrain is taking the most
conservative approach in considering the potential for a four-track segment between the San
Francisquito Creek Bridge in Palo Alto to just through the Mountain View Station (the area in
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1872512F-59EA-459D-ADEC-0855973562F4
CITY OF PALO ALTO | 250 HAMILTON AVENUE, PALO ALTO, CA. 94301 | 650-329-2100
which a 4-tracks segment is operationally viable for the intended purpose). However, the
ultimate extent of the area preserved for four tracks does not need to encompass this full length.
The High-Speed Rail Authority has recently released the San Francisco to San Jose Project Section:
Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) in which they are
currently not proposing either three or four tracks for passing in Palo Alto. Given the adjacent
single family residential uses at Charleston and Meadow crossings, four-tracking is prohibitively
impacting the evaluation of grade separation alternatives.
The Caltrain right-of-way significantly reduces as it approaches Churchill Avenue from the south
through Palo Alto Avenue to San Francisquito Creek Bridge. In addition, due to the proximity of
the San Francisquito Creek bridge, an environmentally sensitive area, and proximity to Palo Alto
Avenue Train Station, there are additional constraints within this segment of the Caltrain right of
way. For Charleston and Meadow, two of the options under consideration would require moving
the tracks. Therefore, we believe that four-tracking in this area will be impractical and cost-
prohibitive. As a result, Palo Alto is requesting elimination of the four-tracking requirements.
We sincerely appreciate Caltrain's review of the proposed four-tracking segment along this
corridor within the city of Palo Alto. We request that Caltrain considers narrowing the extent of
the four-track segment. Caltrain’s decision in narrowing this segment for consideration of four-
tracking will be supportive to moving forward with the selection of preferred alternatives and in
pursuing the next steps of project design and environmental documentation.
City Staff are available and would like to meet with you to discuss these issues. We can also
request additional input and expertise from members of our Expanded Community Advisory
Panel who are very familiar with these issues. Thank you again for your consideration of this
request.
Sincerely,
Ed Shikada
City Manager
City of Palo Alto
cc: Rail Committee Members
Patrick Burt, Mayor
Lydia Kou, Vice Mayor
Alison Cormack, Council Member
City Staff
Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official
Ripon Bhatia, Senior
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1872512F-59EA-459D-ADEC-0855973562F4
CITY OF PALO ALTO | 250 HAMILTON AVENUE, PALO ALTO, CA. 94301 | 650-329-2100
June 14, 2022
Michelle Bouchard
Acting Executive Director
Caltrain
1250 San Carlos Avenue — P.O. Box 3006
San Carlos, CA 94070-1306
RE: Request to Review and Respond to Key Technical Issues/Questions
Dear Ms. Bouchard,
In the development of grade separation alternatives in Palo Alto, some technical issues and
questions have surfaced that require Caltrain’s review and response, which are outlined below.
This letter requests review of these design criteria with the goal of reducing their impact on grade
separation project cost and complexity.
Under the current development of the Palo Alto grade separations, Palo Alto City Council has
selected the partial underpass alternative as the preferred alternative for the Churchill Avenue
crossing and is currently pursuing further evaluation of alternatives in consideration for the
selection of a preferred alternative at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road. The three remaining
alternatives under consideration for Charleston and Meadow grade crossings include digging a
trench for rail, constructing an underpass for drivers and bicycles, and a hybrid option. The key
technical issues identified are necessary for the City to proceed forward with the next steps of
alternative selection in order to make informed decisions and prevent inflated costs. Receiving
responses to these issues will help to confirm alternative selection which will lead to the
preparation of environmental documentation and engineering design. Some of these elements
relate to technical standards that we understand that Caltrain will be reviewing and updating.
As such, we would like to request that Caltrain reviews the following technical issues/questions:
Consideration of increasing the maximum allowable grade design, which is required or
helpful for certain alternatives currently under consideration by Palo Alto.
Consideration of a reduction in freight speed standards will shorten the distance that is
necessary for either raising or lowering the train tracks, which has an impact on both
designs and cost.
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CITY OF PALO ALTO | 250 HAMILTON AVENUE, PALO ALTO, CA. 94301 | 650-329-2100
Consideration of reducing the thickness of the bridge deck, which reduces the depth of
the underpass. This reduced elevation change reduces the underpass length, lowering
costs and mitigating neighborhood impacts.
Consideration of reducing vertical clearance standards for any structures that may need
to go over the tracks should also be reviewed, as having higher clearances can increase
costs.
Consideration of allowing cities to use newly created space underneath elevated tracks
as public spaces. Will Caltrain allow cities to use newly created space underneath
elevated rail tracks?
Consideration of the curve of track alignment at Palo Alto Avenue. Will Caltrain expect
that the curve(s) in track alignment between the Palo Alto Transit Center and Menlo Park
will need to be straightened in the future?
City Staff are available and would like to meet with you to discuss these issues. We can also
request additional input and expertise from members of our Expanded Community Advisory
Panel who are very familiar with these issues. We trust that Caltrain will review and consider
these issues, and when necessary, revise your technical design standards, as these impact our
decision-making. Thank you for your consideration of these requests.
Sincerely,
Ed Shikada
City Manager
City of Palo Alto
cc: Rail Committee Members
Patrick Burt, Mayor
Lydia Kou, Vice Mayor
Alison Cormack, Council Member
City Staff
Philip Kamhi, Chief Transportation Official
Ripon Bhatia, Senior Engineer
DocuSign Envelope ID: 1872512F-59EA-459D-ADEC-0855973562F4