Traffic Signal Installation at Town & Country Shopping Center & Palo Alto High School
Effective Tuesday September 29, 2009, traffic on Embarcadero Road between El Camino Real and High Street will likely experience periodic delays and congestion due to construction. The City of Palo Alto will be installing a new traffic signal at the intersection of the Town & Country Village Shopping Center and the Palo Alto High School Driveway and will be modifying the existing pedestrian signal on Embarcadero Road.
Construction hours are 9 a.m., to 4 p.m., so expect traffic delays of 5-10 minutes during construction.
The improvements fulfill conditions of approval for the construction of the new Trader Joe's grocery store in the Shopping Center, and will be funded to a substantial degree by the developer (the remainder is funded from the City’s Traffic Signal System Upgrade capital improvements program). The project will help to provide improved and safer access into and out of the Shopping Center to accommodate new trips from Trader Joe’s and the upgraded Town & Country Village Shopping Center.
Traffic controls will be provided for the six-week duration of the project. One lane of traffic will be closed periodically and pedestrian access will be restricted on Embarcadero Road to ensure safety during construction for pedestrians and for vehicular traffic. The construction is expected to be completed by early November 2009.
During most of the construction, pedestrians will be unable to cross Embarcadero Road directly from Palo Alto High School to Town & Country Village Shopping Center. Pedestrians will need to use the signal at the El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road intersection in order to cross Embarcadero Road during that time.
The City of Palo Alto asks that drivers be respectful of other drivers and be aware of the traffic controls intended to minimize the impact on pedestrians and vehicles. With the high school nearby, students will be using City streets and sidewalks and drivers should be especially aware and cautious.
The City is coordinating the effort with Ellis Partners and the merchants at the Shopping Center and with Palo Alto High School and the School District. All businesses within the Shopping Center and access to the Center will remain open for business during the construction period and the many business owners continue to welcome business from residents, employees, and visitors.
For information contact:
Sam Peiris, Project Engineer
City of Palo Alto
(650) 329-2520
(650) 329-2425
Contractor, WBE Traffic Signal Inc.
Brian Finley
(415) 898-1400
