Rail Committee Meeting
Review of Updated Materials
Grade Separation Projects
May 23, 2024 www.cityofpaloalto.org
1 AGENDA
Purpose
Technical Reviews
Draft and deliberative - For discussion purposes only
Project Planning
Next Steps
Alternatives Update
• Churchill Avenue
• Meadow Drive
• Charleston Road
Background
Purpose
3 Purpose
• Review of the updated Grade Separation materials for Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road Crossings
Background
4 CAP & XCAP City Council Rail Committee Caltrain/PCJPB • Alternatives developed,
reviewed and updated
(2018 - July 2020)
• Community Outreach &
Community Feedback
(August – October 2020)
• Deliberation and
Recommendation to City
Council (November 2020 -
March 2021)
• Council Review and Discussion
• Meadow Drive –
Charleston (Narrowed
Alternatives) - August
2021
• Churchill Avenue
(Preferred Alternative &
Backup Selection) -
November 2021
• Approved Amendment with
AECOM June 2021
• Approve Updated Council
Adopted Evaluation Criteria
(June 2023)
• Study Session to Review the
Grade Separation Alternatives
(April 2024)
• Stakeholder Outreach and
Review of Underpass
Alternative (July – Nov 2022)
• Reviewed and Refined
underpass alternatives (Dec
2022 -May 2023)
• Reviewed and updated
Council Adopted criteria
(March-April 2023)
• Conducted Review of
Preliminary Geotechnical
Analysis (August 2023)
• Reviewed Matrix with
updated Council Adopted
Evaluation Criteria (Feb 2024)
• Service Agreement with
Caltrain (December 2022 -
June 2023)
• Technical Review and
Comments from Caltrain
(November 2023 –
January 2024)
• Four Tracking Review and
Comments from Caltrain
(November 2023)
• Caltrain Technical Review
Results (January – April
2024)
Project Planning - Rail Grade Separation Design and Approval Process
EXPENDITURES
Identify Project
Need Secure
Funding &
Programming
Prepare Project
Report &
Environmental
Studies
Secure Caltrain
& Other Agency
Approvals
Complete
Design,
Acquisition &
Agreements
Prepare
Construction
Contract
Construction
Consideration of
Alternatives
Prelim Engineering
(Caltrain):
• Rail Operations
• Freight
• Safety/Security
• Structural
• Hydraulics
• Geotechnical
• Constructability
Prelim Engineering
(City/Others):
• Traffic/Bike/Ped
• Property Needs
• Utilities
Conceptual
Engineering
Alternatives
Evaluation
Estimate Cost,
Schedule, and
Scope
Secure
Funding
Source(s)
Agency
Commitment
to Proceed
with Project
Development
Formal Review
& Approval of
Project Report
&
Environmental
Document
(PR & ED)
Prepare Plans,
Specifications &
Estimates (PS&E)
for Construction
Acquire Properties
incl. Temporary
Construction
Easements
Final Interagency
Construction &
Operations
Agreements
Obtain Permits
from Resource and
Responsible
Agencies
Prepare Traffic &
Constr. Mgt Plan
Problem
Statement
WE ARE
HERE
5 Project Planning
6 Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept
Review and selection of alternatives to
advance into next phase
Develop Service Agreement and/or Cooperative
Agreement with VTA, Caltrain, City for PE & Env
Phase
Develop and Execute Funding agreement
with FRA
City Council Review Alternatives
for Selection of Preferred
Alternative(s)
Begin PE & Environmental
Technical Review – Council Adopted Evaluation Criteria
Elements included in the Evaluation Criteria are as follows A. Facilitate movement across the corridor for all modes of transportation B. Reduce delay and congestion for vehicular traffic at rail crossings C. Provide clear, safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the rail corridor, separate from vehicles
D. Support continued rail operations and Caltrain service improvements E. Finance with feasible funding sources (order of magnitude cost) F. Minimize right-of-way acquisition (Private property only) G. Environmental Factors such as, Reduce rail noise and vibration, Sea Level Rise Susceptibility, Heat Island Effect, Stormwater Treatment
H. Maintain access to neighborhoods, parks, and schools along the corridor, while reducing regional traffic on neighborhood streets
I. Minimize visual changes along the corridor
J. Minimize disruption and duration of construction
K. Order of Magnitude cost
7 Technical Review - Alternatives Under Council Consideration 8 Churchill Avenue Alternatives
Partial Underpass
Alternative (Local Preferred
Alternative)
Closure with Mitigations (Backup)
Option 1 and 2
Meadow – Charleston Alternatives (Council)
Trench
Hybrid
Underpass Alternative
* Viaduct Alternative was considered by Rail Committee for additional review
Technical Review – Additional
Refined to incorporate feedback from stakeholders
Added Buffer Zones between vehicular and bicycle/pedestrian facilities
Reduced vehicular lane widths
Improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities
Improved maneuverability and turning radius
9 Technical Review - Caltrain Engagement & Technical Review Engagement with Caltrain
Grade Separation Projects Service Agreement
Caltrain Corridor Crossing Strategy Meetings
City & County Staff Coordination Group (CSCG) Meetings Local Policy Makers Group (LPMG) Meetings
10 Technical Review - Four Tracking Segments
Four tracking segments at the following three locations were evaluated:
Palo Alto Avenue Station (Four tracking between Palo Alto Avenue and Churchill Avenue)
California Avenue Station (Four tracking between Churchill Avenue and Meadow Drive)
San Antonio Station (Four tracking between Rengstorff and Charleston Road)
11 Technical Review - Caltrain Engagement & Technical Review Major Elements from Technical Review
Addressed updated vertical clearance requirements
Improved horizontal alignments to address Caltrain standards Reduced Right of Way Encroachments
Considered Four Tracking Segment Design
Updated plans to reflect new operation and maintenance requirements to address overhead contact system.
12 Technical Review - Kellogg Avenue Vs Seale Avenue Crossing 13 • Prior analyses and plans
• Proximity to alternative routes
• Landing location
• Network connectivity
• Community input
Technical Review – Conceptual Phase Property Impact Assessment Project is currently in conceptual phase (about 5% level of design) At this early phase, the project is identifying the potential properties that may tentatively be impacted, though further design and engineering is needed in the next phase
Rail Committee directed to reduce impacts to properties through refinements to the design during the Preliminary Engineering Phase The Rail Committee/City Council will have an opportunity to review and determine property impacts after the Preliminary Engineering Phase and before advancing to Final Design.
14 Technical Review – Real Estate Regulations
Federal and State Regulations: The Federal and State Regulations has specific requirements for property impacts assessment and acquisitions.
Federal: U.S. Constitution, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (Uniform Act) (49 CFR Part 24)
State: California Constitution, California Government Code, California Relocation and Real Property Acquisition Guidelines (CCR Title 25, Chapter 26), and the California Code of Civil Procedure Grade Separation Projects: The grade separation project involves State and Federal funding and therefore will be subject to these requirements.
15 Technical Review – Real Estate Regulations
Example of Community Information: The VTA has developed a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and provided information to the community on the applicable processes and regulations.
Find detailed information on the VTA’s website for the BART Project at the following link:
https://www.vta.org/projects/bart-sv/phase-ii/real-estate Link to FAQ: https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2023-06/Real-AcquisitionVTA-Projects.pdf Link to Document: Your Property…. Your Transportation Project:
https://www.vta.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/your-property-your-rights-information.pdf 16 Churchill Partial Underpass
17 Churchill Partial Underpass
with Kellogg Undercrossing Summary
Maximum 3’ encroachment into Caltrain, revocable
license agreement is required, subject to appraisal,
annual fee (indexed to CPI), and Board approval
Churchill Partial Underpass w/
Kellogg Undercrossing
Interior of bridge to
accommodate:
25’ offset from MT1 track center
(towards Alma St) and
12.5’ offset from MT2 track
center (towards private property)
New tracks must be 15’
on center
Widen railroad bridge to
accommodate
12.5’ offset from MT 2
Remain in existing 25’
easement (expired) or
widen to west
No further encroachment
into Caltrain ROW
Existing 25’ easement for
Embarcadero Bike Path has expired,
a revocable license agreement is
required, subject to appraisal,
annual fee (indexed to CPI), and
Board approval
Churchill Avenue – Partial Underpass
20 Widened & elongated Bridge
and outside walls providing
space for maintenance and
emergency vehicles
Reduced Caltrain
ROW encroachmentUpdated Roadway profile to reflect
new vertical clearance requirements
Adjusted the horizontal
alignment and spacing
between tracks, OCS poles,
Churchill Avenue – Partial Underpass
21 Provide 16’-6” clearance in the
entire Full Caltrain ROW Width
Extended the limits of roadway
profile to address vertical and
horizontal clearance requirements
Extended the limits of roadway
profile to address vertical and
horizontal clearance requirements
Increased grades to from 6.5% to 8%
minimize the limits impacts to
project footprint
Increased grades to from 11% to
12% to minimize the limits impacts
to project footprint
Increased grades to from 7% to 8%
minimize the limits impacts to
project footprint
Churchill Avenue – Partial Underpass
22 Widened and elongated the bridge
Added the center column
Reduced Shoulder width to minimize
encroachment into Caltrain ROW
Reduced Lane Widths
Churchill Avenue – Partial Underpass
23 Churchill Avenue – Partial Underpass
24 Churchill Avenue – Partial Underpass
25 106
(695)
110
118
126
138
1415
(277)
114
142
1425
(200)
1435
(195)
1445
(267)
105
(317)
102
(383)
103
(544)
119
117
123
135
1347
(21)
1325
to
1345
1525
(188)
1545
(193)
1551
(188)
1555
(237) 109 A 102
(217)
109
(343)
96 111
119
129
135
143
122
112
120
128
136
118
140
1511 1519
1527 1539 1547
1563
92 1512 1520
1528 1540 1550
1560
Churchill Av Partial Underpass Alternative
86 62
Tentative Property impacts based on current
conceptual phase. To be refined in future phases
Address
Area(SQFt)
Address
Address Tentative Full
Property Acquisition
Tentative Partial
Property Acquisition
Tentative No
Property Acquisition
Legend
Meadow Drive Underpass
27 Meadow Underpass Summary
Maintenance
vehicle crossing
Maintenance
vehicle crossing
Meadow UnderpassWill require revocable
license agreement
Interior of bridge extend
25’ from MT1 (towards Alma Street) and
12.5’ from MT2 (towards private property)
Pedestrian bridges typically have
additional vertical clearance due
to vulnerable users
Place fence on
Caltrain ROW line
Provide required OCS
pole offset
Track alignment
shifted to west
New tracks – 15’
on track center
Meadow Drive - Underpass
30 Adjusted the horizontal alignment
and spacing between tracks, OCS
poles, and outside walls
Updated Roadway profile to reflect
new vertical clearance requirements
Widened Bridge to accommodate
updated standards providing space
for maintenance and emergency
vehicles
Meadow Drive - Underpass
31 Extended the limits of roadway
profile to address vertical and
horizontal clearance requirements
Provide 16’-6” clearance in the
entire Full Caltrain ROW Width
Increased vertical clearance for
Pedestrian crossing from 8.0’ to 9’-6”
Widened Bridge to accommodate
updated standards providing space
for maintenance and emergency
vehicles
Meadow Drive - Underpass
32 Adjust the rail track offsets and
bridge width to meet Caltrain
updated standards
Widened Bridge to
accommodate updated
standards providing space for
maintenance and emergency
vehicles
Meadow Drive - Underpass
33 Meadow Drive - Underpass
34 Meadow Drive - Underpass
35 3553
Alma
3553
3553
3553
3553 3553
3553 3553
171
(157)
4097
Park
4093
4085
4081
4079
4075
4060
4068
4070
4080
150
(697)
150A
250
(77)
270
4101
4103
4105
4107
4104
212
Meadow Drive Underpass Alternative
Tentative Property impacts based
on current conceptual phase. To
be refined in future phases
Tentative Full
Property Acquisition
Tentative Partial
Property Acquisition
Tentative No
Property Acquisition
Legend
Address
Area(SQFt)
Address
Address
Charleston Road Underpass
37 Charleston Underpass Summary
Plan View
Charleston Road
Pedestrian bridges typically have
additional vertical clearance due
to vulnerable users
Interior of bridge extend
25’ from MT1 (towards Alma Street) and
12.5’ from MT2 (towards private property)
Charleston Underpass
Maintenance
vehicle crossing
Maintenance
vehicle crossing
Provide required OCS
pole offset
Place fence on
Caltrain ROW line
Track alignment
shifted to west
New tracks - 15’ on
track center
Charleston Road- Underpass
40 Adjusted the horizontal alignment
and spacing between tracks, OCS
poles, and outside walls
Updated Roadway profile to reflect
new vertical clearance requirements
Widened Bridge to accommodate
updated standards providing space
for maintenance and emergency
vehicles
Charleston Road- Underpass
41 Charleston Road- Underpass
42 Extended the limits of roadway
profile to address vertical and
horizontal clearance requirements
Increased vertical clearance from
15’-6” to 16’-6” within Caltrain ROW
Widened Bridge to accommodate
updated standards providing spacing
for maintenance and emergency
vehicles
Charleston Road- Underpass
43 Charleston Road- Underpass
44 Charleston Road- Underpass
45 Charleston Road- Underpass
46 4187
4183
4173
4180
4225
4217
4207
4203
4201
(351)
4231
4237
4206
4200
(1063)
265
(1044)
275
(952)
285
(437)
220
(200)
240
(666)
250
270
280
4201 &
4201A
(444)
4205
4215
Charleston Rd Underpass Alternative (west side)
Tentative Property impacts based
on current conceptual phase. To
be refined in future phases
Tentative Full
Property Acquisition
Tentative Partial
Property Acquisition
Tentative No
Property Acquisition
Legend
Address
Area(SQFt)
Address
Address
102
(2235)
174
126
(114)
160
170
214
228
(180)
242
Charleston
256
Charleston
272
(51)
3787
(240)
110
(873)
145
(980)
137
(689)
129
(917) 109
(461)
119
110
122
127
161
124
Charleston Rd Underpass Alternative (east side)
Tentative Property impacts based
on current conceptual phase. To
be refined in future phases
Tentative Full
Property Acquisition
Tentative Partial
Property Acquisition
Tentative No
Property Acquisition
Legend
Address
Area(SQFt)
Address
Address
Meadow/Charleston Hybrid
49 Meadow/Charleston Hybrid
80’
Implications of ROW Offset
at Meadow Drive
95’ 100’
Plan View
Meadow Drive
Meadow/Charleston Hybrid Summary
Meadow/Charleston Hybrid Summary
Plan View
Charleston Road
Meadow Drive - Hybrid
53 Moved Retaining Walls per Caltrain
comments for maximizing ROW use
by Caltrain
Moved Retaining Walls per Caltrain
comments for full ROW use
Moved the Retaining wall
10’ from property line
Moved the Retaining wall
10’ from property line
Meadow Drive - Hybrid
54 Increased vertical clearance from
15’-6” to 16’-6” within Caltrain ROW
Widened Bridge to accommodate
updated standards providing spacing
for maintenance and emergency
vehicles
Meadow Drive - Hybrid
55 Meadow Drive - Hybrid
56 Meadow Drive - Hybrid
57 Charleston Road- Hybrid
58 Moved Retaining Walls per Caltrain
comments for maximizing ROW use
by Caltrain
Moved the Retaining wall
10’ from property line
Moved the Retaining wall
10’ from property line
Moved Retaining Walls per Caltrain
comments for full ROW use
Charleston Road- Hybrid
59 Increased vertical clearance from
15’-6” to 16’-6” within Caltrain ROW
Widened Bridge to accommodate
updated standards providing spacing
for maintenance and emergency
vehicles
Charleston Road- Hybrid
60 Charleston Road- Hybrid
61 Charleston Road- Hybrid
62 Estimated Costs
63 Alternative Previous
Estimate
Previous
range 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 Increase
by %
2031
Range
Meadow/ Charleston
Hybrid 210 190-230 331 344 358 372 387 403 419 436 102% 390-480 Meadow/ Charleston
Underpass 380 340-420 582 605 629 655 681 708 736 766 107% 690-850 Meadow/ Charleston
Viaduct 450 400-500 679 706 734 764 794 826 859 894 99% 790-970 Churchill
Partial Underpass 180 160-200 220 229 238 247 257 268 278 290 61% 260-320 Notes
• Estimated Costs is Million Dollars
• Previous cost estimates are from 2018 escalated to 2025 with 3% inflation • New estimates are based on current costs with 4% inflation up to 2031 Charleston/Meadow Rail Committee Recommendations
64 The Rail Committee Recommendations
• Recommended Seale Avenue for Bicycle and Pedestrian crossing location at for the Partial Underpass Alternative at Churchill Avenue Crossing to advance into the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation Phase.
• Recommended the Underpass Alternative and Hybrid Alternative at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road as the preferred options to the City Council for advancement into the Preliminary Engineering review • Seek ways to reduce property impacts
• Optimize bike/pedestrian crossings and where feasible, improve connections to bike infrastructure beyond the study area to improve the network • Further refine the traffic circle on Charleston Road to reduce the property impacts
• Refine construction impacts to better understand possible mutations needed during the lengthy construction process.
Next Steps
65 Seek ways to reduce property impacts
Optimize bike/pedestrian crossings and where feasible, improve connections to bike infrastructure beyond the study area to improve the network Improve connection to Park Blvd
Explore modifications/refinements to the Bike Blvd, along Park Blvd to improve overall bike network
Further refine the traffic circle on Charleston Road to reduce the property impacts Refine construction impacts to better understand possible mutations needed during the lengthy construction process.
June 10 Council consideration of key decisions:
Selection of Bicycle and Pedestrian crossing location at Kellogg Avenue or Seale Avenue for the Partial Underpass Alternative at Churchill Avenue Crossing to advance into the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation Phase.
Selection of Preferred Alternative(s) at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road for advancing grade separation alternatives into the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental
Documentation Phase.
Future Council Action
Execute Funding Agreement with Federal Railroad
Administration to perform Preliminary Engineering and prepare Environmental Documentation for the project.
66