November 2023: Caltrans formally notified the City of their proposed SR 82 El Camino Real Bikeway Project in a letter dated November 3, 2023. On November 17, 2023, the City sent an official communication to Caltrans in response to their proposed addition of new bikeways along SR 82. The City asked several questions about the proposed project and requested additional information in an effort to ensure that the Palo Alto community and businesses potentially impacted by Caltrans plan are given an opportunity to fully understand the details, timeline and opportunities for input.
February 2024: Caltrans hosted an in-person community meeting on February 29, 2024 at Palo Alto High School Media Arts Center where Caltrans shared the proposed bikeway plans and gained input from over 60 attendees. The meeting recording is available on the City’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto
March 2024: A Joint Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC)/City/School Transportation Safety Committee (CSTSC) meeting was held on March 7, 2024 at Mitchell Park Community Center. The meeting recording is available on the City’s YouTube channel linked above.
The City sent a letter to Caltrans on March 18, 2024 after engaging Fehr & Peers to conduct an analysis of how the proposed project aligns with the Safe System Approach, sharing bike facilities design comments.
A Joint Planning and Transportation Commission/Human Relations Commission meeting was held on March 13, 2024 at City Hall. The meeting recording is available on the City’s YouTube channel linked above.
April 2024: The City sent a follow-up letter to Caltrans in response to recent meetings and questions from Caltrans staff regarding the outreach and notification plan from Caltrans to vehicle dwellers related to the Caltrans Proposed SR 82 / El Camino Real Bikeway Project. A summary of questions received is included in the letter.
On April 1, 2024 the Council voted to have Caltrans return with added safety measures in the bikeway design based on the Safe Systems Approach and other best practices, and following community engagement with businesses and residents to identify parking alternatives including modifications to our Residential Parking Permit (RPP) program, Palo Alto Transportation Management Association (PATMA), and coordinated efforts to accommodate RV dwellers focused on the possible removal of parking on El Camino Real to add bike lanes.
May 2024: On May 15, 2024 Caltrans sent the City a revised bikeway design with added safety measures based on the Safe Systems Approach and other industry standards, per City Council request. A summary of the changes between the new draft bike lane plans and the previous January 2024 version include:
- Reduced vehicle lane widths from 11’ to 10.5’ for lanes 1 and 2, closest to the median, in accordance with Design Information Bulletin-94.
- Increased bike lane widths.
- Extended separation treatments on Class IV bike facilities to increase total amount of physical separation provided along the corridor.
- Added “Qwick Kurb Channelizing Systems” as vertical elements for separation on Class IV bike facilities. Qwick Kurb Channelizing Systems is under review by Caltrans.
- Extended dedicated bike lanes at four locations:
- Northbound approach at El Camino Real and Charleston Road/Arastradero Avenue intersection
- Northbound past El Camino Real and Sheridan Avenue intersection
- Southbound and northbound at El Camino Real and Churchill Avenue intersection
- Provided “No Right Turn On Red” signage restrictions and added two-stage bike turn queue boxes at several intersections. A two-stage turn queue box offers bicyclists a way to make left turns at multi-lane signalized intersections from a right side bike lane.
- Added additional striping details according to the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
- Although not shown, Leading Pedestrian Intervals are included at signalized intersections. A Leading Pedestrian Interval, or LPI, gives pedestrians the opportunity to enter the crosswalk 3-7 seconds before vehicles are given a green indication at an intersection.
- Improved bus stop near the north-east corner of the El Camino Real and Park Boulevard/Serra Street intersection to include a dedicated bike lane and separated pull out area for buses.