City Council Meeting
Connecting Palo Alto
Grade Separation Projects
June 18, 2024 www.cityofpaloalto.org
1 City of Palo Alto
Philip Kamhi
Ripon Bhatia
Caltrain
Nicole Soultanov
Navi Dhaliwal
Consultant
Millette Litzinger (AECOM)
Andrew Osaki (AECOM)
Gary Black. (Hexagon)
Purpose
2 Purpose
• Review of the Grade Separation Alternatives for Meadow Drive and Charleston Road Crossings
• Review Rail Committee’s recommendation to the City Council • City Council Advances (or Eliminates) Specific Alternative(s) for Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation.
AGENDA
Purpose
Technical Reviews
Draft and deliberative - For discussion purposes only
Project Planning
Next Steps
Alternatives Update
• Meadow Drive
• Charleston Road
Background
Cost Estimates Update
Rail Committee
Recommendations
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 22 -May 2023)
• Reviewed and updated Council
Adopted criteria (March-April 23)
• Conducted Review of Preliminary
Geotechnical Analysis (August 23)
• Reviewed Matrix with updated
Council Adopted Evaluation
Criteria (Feb 2024)
• Reviewed technical studies and
Caltrain feedback and technical
comments provided
recommendations to Council
(March – May 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 Ave Partial Underpass
17 Churchill Avenue – Partial Underpass
18 Widened & elongated Bridge
and outside walls providing
space for maintenance and
emergency vehicles
Reduced Caltrain
ROW encroachment
Updated Roadway profile to reflect
new vertical clearance requirements
Adjusted the horizontal
alignment and spacing
between tracks, OCS poles,
Added Buffer Zone for Safety
Improved turning radius
Churchill Avenue – Partial Underpass
19 Adjusted sidewalk, curb, trees and
underground overhead electrical
within existing right of way
Widened Roadway
Meadow Drive Underpass
20 Meadow Drive - Underpass
21 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
Provide 16’-6” clearance in the
entire Full Caltrain ROW Width
Extended the limits of roadway
profile to address vertical and
horizontal clearance requirements
Meadow Drive - Underpass
22 Charleston Road Underpass
23 Charleston Road- Underpass
24 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
Provide 16’-6” clearance in the
entire Full Caltrain ROW Width
Extended the limits of roadway
profile to address vertical and
horizontal clearance requirements
Charleston Road- Underpass
25 Meadow/Charleston Hybrid
26 Meadow Drive - Hybrid
27 Adjusted the horizontal alignment
and spacing between tracks, OCS
poles, and outside walls
Widened Bridge to accommodate
updated standards providing space for
maintenance and emergency vehicles
Provide 16’-6” clearance in the
entire Full Caltrain ROW Width
Widened to full width for utility
of Caltrain ROW
Meadow Drive - Hybrid
28 Charleston Road- Hybrid
29 Adjusted the horizontal alignment
and spacing between tracks, OCS
poles, and outside walls
Widened Bridge to accommodate
updated standards providing space for
maintenance and emergency vehicles
Provide 16’-6” clearance in the
entire Full Caltrain ROW Width
Widened to full width for
utility of Caltrain ROW
Charleston Road- Hybrid
30 Charleston Road- Hybrid
31 Estimated Costs
32 Alternative Previous
Estimate
Previous
range 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 Increase
by %
2031
Range
Meadow/ Charleston
Hybrid 210 190-230 331 344 358 372 387 403 419 436 107% 390-480 Meadow/ Charleston
Underpass 380 340-420 582 605 629 655 681 708 736 766 102% 690-850 Meadow/ Charleston
Viaduct 450 400-500 679 706 734 764 794 826 859 894 99% 790-980 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 Rail Committee Recommendations
33 The Rail Committee Recommendations
• 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
34 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 18 Council consideration of key decisions:
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 Actions
Execute Cooperative Agreement with VTA & Caltrain for allocating $14 million of the Measure B Grade Separation Funding and for Caltrain to be the lead agency for the Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation phase of the project.
35