April 15, 2026
Expedited Evaluation of the
Churchill Ave. Temporary
Rail Crossing Closure
Alex Andrade
Assistant to the City
Manager/Economic
Development Manager
PaloAlto.gov
2 Special City Council Meeting
• Background – Expedited Evaluation of Temporary Rail
Crossing Closure
• Key Findings of Expedited Evaluation
• Mitigation Measures, Disrupting Suicide Cluster, Monitoring Staff, Evaluation Elements & Closure Period
• City Council – Two Decision Pathways
• Next Steps
• Recommendation
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April 15, 2026
• Emergency Action: mid-April City Council Evaluation
• Restricting Access to Lethal Means
• Rail Safety Ad Hoc Committee
• Community & Stakeholder Engagement
Background – Temporary Churchill Ave Crossing Closure Evaluation PaloAlto.gov
4 Analysis - Temporary Churchill Ave Crossing Closure Evaluation Key Takeaways of Expedited Evaluation
Urgent Public Safety Rationale: Public Health Crisis
Significant Community Disruption: 8K+ Daily Vehicle Trips Impact on Emergency Response: Fire & Police Departments Potential Uncertainty on Regulatory Processes: CPUC/Caltrain & State/Federal Databases
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April 15, 2026
Analysis - Temporary Churchill Ave Crossing Closure Evaluation
PaloAlto.gov
• Mitigation Measures
• Potential Impact on Disrupting the Suicide Cluster
• Monitoring Staff in Place Since Feb. 23rd & Mitigation History • Potential Evaluation Elements of Temporary Rail Crossing Closure • Closure Period - Approximately Six Months to One Year
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April 15, 2026
City Council – Decision Support Considerations
PaloAlto.gov
Should Council Direct Staff to Proceed with Temporary Closure & Considerations A. Closure duration with intermediate checks
B. Expedite ped/bike improvements
C. Quiet Zones at Meadow and Charleston rail crossings
D. Detour plans for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists E. Estimated Costs
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April 15, 2026
City Council – Decision Support Considerations
PaloAlto.gov
Should Council Direct Staff Not to Proceed with Temporary Closure & Considerations A. Churchill Avenue Quiet Zone
B. Ongoing track monitoring staff
C. JED Foundation
D. Intrusion prevention efforts
E. Estimated Costs
8 Next Steps
• May 11th City Council Meeting Continuation & Direction • Replica Data – Ped/Bike Simulation
• Partner with Caltrain, JED Foundation, & PAUSD
• Budget Appropriation
• Churchill Ave Enhanced Bikeway & Embarcadero Road
Improvements Project
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April 15, 2026
Staff recommends the City Council receive the expedited evaluation of a temporary closure of the Churchill Avenue rail crossing and provide direction on next steps. The Rail Safety Ad Hoc Committee recommends that after receiving the evaluation and public input, the City Council continue the item to a subsequent City Council meeting to finalize direction.
Recommendation/Discussion
PaloAlto.gov
Alex Andrade, MPA
Assistant to the City Manager/Economic Development Manager [email protected]
650.496.5039