Alma Street/Churchill Avenue Safety Improvements Project

Project typeTraffic and Transportation
Project value$3,996,000

Project Description

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in cooperation with the Peninsula Corridor Joint Power Board (JPB) and the City of Palo Alto, proposed a railroad crossing improvement project at Churchill Avenue and Alma Street to enhance safety. A diagnostic team comprised of staff from the City, California Public Utilities Commission, and Caltrain analyzed the existing conditions at the intersection for vehicular travel, bicycle travel, pedestrian pathways, and rail traffic, and developed recommendations to enhance safety. Improvements will be designed and implemented by the City in the City’s right of way, and by the JPB in the JPB’s right of way.

This project is separate and independent from the on-going rail grade separation conversations and addresses more immediate safety concerns at this crossing.

This crossing was identified for possible funding of hazard elimination and safety improvements through Section 130 funds. The Section 130 program is a federally funded program, administered by the states, for the elimination of hazards at at-grade highway-rail crossings. Section 130 funding will reimburse the actual and direct costs of the design and construction of the improvements.

Scope of Work

Design elements and benefits include:

Installation of a pre-signal
Traffic signal modifications
Street lighting improvements
Roadway resurfacing
Sidewalk realignment and/or widening
Drainage improvements
Utility relocations
Signage and striping

Construction Updates

Construction resumed at the intersection on January 6, 2025. Staff anticipates the work to conclude in March 2025, weather permitting. Work includes:

Boring of new underground conduit runs
Removal of existing non-functional wooden poles in the Caltrain Right-of-Way, standing of remaining traffic signal poles
This work will be followed by the completion of the Caltrain crossing area concrete sitework, and finally repaving and striping of the intersection.

Note: Construction may disrupt traffic in the area during construction hours, typically 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding required night work.
All work is weather dependent.

Construction Notices

Upcoming Nightwork: January 25 and February 1

In preparation for upcoming traffic signal and concrete work, several abandoned wooden poles need to be removed from areas located near the Caltrain tracks.

Due to restrictions from Caltrain, these poles need to be removed during off-hours. Night work is scheduled to occur on Saturdays, January 25 and February 1, from midnight (12 a.m.) to 7 a.m. Traffic will be maintained in both directions; delays are to be expected. Find the traffic control plan sheet here(PDF, 392KB).

*Dates are subject to change per Caltrain.

Concrete Work on Pedestrian Crossing: Week of August 19, 2024

The City’s contractor O’Grady Paving and subcontractor Spencon will perform site concrete work on Tuesday, August 20, Wednesday, August 21, and Saturday, August 24. This includes sidewalk and crossing demolition and reconstruction on the northern side of the tracks, making the tracks impassible to pedestrians. Signage and other detour markings will direct pedestrians to cross at the southbound crossing until all work is complete and safety equipment is fully installed.

Partial lane closure of Alma Street may be needed to complete the work, and traffic signage and control will be set up prior.

Construction takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and may impact local traffic. Work will be avoided during school drop-off and pick-up hours.

Work performed by the City is expected to complete by Saturday, August 24, 2024. Ongoing construction performed by Caltrain will continue until late summer 2024.

Find Caltrain Work Details Here

Notice from Caltrain - Weekend Night Work: August 16 - 18, 2024

Caltrain sent the following notice about weekend night work.

Churchill Grade Crossing Palo Alto Weekend Work(PDF, 169KB)

Project Timeline

Fall 2020

Selection of Design Consultant

2021

Development and Approval of Concept Plan(s)

Spring 2021

Begin final design (up to 65% plan)

Spring 2023

Complete final design plan and approval of construction contract

Summer 2023

Begin construction

Past Meetings

Background

Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) discussed the two concept plan alternatives for improvements to this intersection at its March 31, 2021 meeting.City Council approved Concept #1 on May 3, 2021, and staff developed final design plans based on Concept #1. These final design plans were shared at Community Meeting #2 on November 16, 2021.City Council approved the construction contract with O'Grady Paving, Inc. on June 5, 2023; construction started in September 2023.