Q: Several months ago, I was thrilled to read in your column that, after very spotty pothole filling after winter storms, the long overdue repaving of El Camino in Palo Alto and Mountain View would begin in August or September. We’re at the end of October and no repaving! Meanwhile, potholes and root bumps keep getting bigger and bigger. Do you have updates?
Marion Krause, Robert Sutis, Jerry Brodkey, Lydia Cooper, Larry Castelli, Caroline Bliss, J.J. Luranc, Jim Evans, Jim Wissick, Ed King and many more
A: Information provided last week by Victor-the-Caltrans-spokesman for Santa Clara County shows construction beginning this fall. The El Camino project extends from 0.7 miles south of Highway 237 to Sand Hill Road. It will last more than a year and be complete in spring 2025.
The work will improve El Camino’s road surface and increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists along this route. The current road surface will be partially removed and improved by an overlay of rubberized asphalt concrete.
Existing curb ramps will be made ADA-compliant. Pedestrian signals will be upgraded and crosswalk markings will be made more visible. Pedestrian hybrid beacon crossings, which help pedestrians safely cross higher-speed roadways (see https://highways.dot.gov/safety/proven-safety-countermeasures/pedestrian-hybrid-beacons), will be installed at three locations: where El Camino crosses Bonita Avenue, Crestview Drive and Pettis Avenue.
Approximately six miles of Class II or Class IV bicycle lanes will be installed (see https://bikesiliconvalley.org/resources/bikeway-design). Pavement, pedestrian and bicycle crossing delineations will also be upgraded.
For more project information, see: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/d4-santa-clara-sr82-pavement-rehabilitation-and-ada-improvements
Q: I have a question about the train signal at Alma Street and Churchill Avenue in Palo Alto. Ever since Caltrain upgraded the infrastructure at that intersection to accommodate electrification, the train signal and gates are activated when a northbound Caltrain stops at the California Avenue station. This leaves many motorists, cyclists and pedestrians stranded while the signal is activated. The signal properly activates again after the same train leaves the station and approaches the Alma/Churchill intersection. Would you please ask if Caltrain can adjust the signal so that it does not needlessly activate like this? A lot of time is wasted and emissions are needlessly generated by idling cars, which is surely not a desirable outcome, and is at odds with the environmental benefits of Caltrain electrification.
John
A: Dan-the-Caltrain-spokesman replied that they are aware of the problem, and should have a fix early in 2024.
The new signal system that controls the railroad crossing gates, installed as part of Caltrain electrification, cannot determine if a train is stopping at or bypassing a station. Caltrain will install wireless, real-time communication between trains and gates, making it clear when a train is making a scheduled stop at the station.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.