TO: TRANSPORTATION AND FROM: John Ristow
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: CITY ROADMAP: REGIONAL DATE: January 19, 2022
TRANSPORTATION ACTIVITIES
QUARTERLY REPORT
Approved Date
1/21/22
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the status report on regional transportation funding, programs, and projects of interest to the City of San José involving other regional, state, and federal agencies such as the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the California High Speed Rail Authority, and the State Department of Transportation (Caltrans), as part of the approved City Roadmap for 2021-2022.
BACKGROUND
The Transportation and Environment Committee work plan includes verbal quarterly reports on current activities related to regional transportation funding, programs, and projects. This written report, that will be provided annually, focuses on current regional highway, rail and transit projects.
ANALYSIS
I. Regional Highway Projects
Staff regularly reports to the Transportation and Environment Committee the status of the following six priority highway-related projects in San José that are eligible for VTA 2016 Measure B funding.
The first two projects listed are currently in construction and fully funded through Measure B, Senate Bill 1, and/or local funds. The last four projects listed are currently in the environmental phase and are partially funded through Measure B and other local funds.
T&E AGENDA: 02-07-2022
ITEM: (d) 3
TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
January 19, 2022
Subject: Regional Transportation Activities Quarterly Report
In October 2021, City prepared and submitted applications for the last four projects as part of VTA’s Call for Projects of the 2016 Measure B Highway Interchanges Competitive Grant Program. Thirteen projects were received by VTA and were ranked/prioritized into a list to guide VTA and team on the development of their 10-year Program (FY2022 to FY2031) recommendations for the Highway Interchanges program.
A) US 101/Blossom Hill Road Interchange Improvement Project The US 101/Blossom Hill Road Interchange Improvement project was identified in the Edenvale Area Development Policy (EADP). The EADP emphasized the goal of improving traffic congestion and providing safer and convenient multi-modal access between jobs, housing and retail development. Improved east-west pedestrian and bicycle access across US 101 near the Blossom Hill interchange is critical, particularly as:
• Coyote Creek Trail, east of the US 101/Blossom Hill Rd Interchange, is a major northsouth trail used by people for active transportation and recreation. • Xander’s Crossing pedestrian bridge, west of the US 101/Blossom Hill Rd Interchange, provides safe connectivity across the railroad tracks and Monterey Rd to access the nearby Blossom Hill Caltrain Station and nearby high-density mixed-use development.
The bridge also connects people to Cottle Light Rail Station via Cottle Rd.
To accomplish the goals of the EADP, the project will:
• Construct a Class I bicycle/pedestrian path along the north side of Blossom Hill Rd through the interchange, connecting Xander’s Crossing and Coyote Creek Trail • Widen the existing roadway over US 101 to add a vehicular travel lane along Blossom Hill Rd in each direction
• Widen the existing southbound and northbound off-ramps to accommodate additional turning lanes and modify the traffic signals at each intersection The project was environmentally cleared in May 2018 and design was approved in March 2020. In December 2019, City executed an agreement with VTA to have VTA manage the construction phase and administer the Measure B funds on the project. The project was advertised and awarded in June 2020 and broke ground in September 2020. The project is proceeding per schedule with expected completion by early 2023. Total project cost is estimated at $47 million, with funding from Measure B and local (development-based) sources.
B) US 101/Trimble Rd/De La Cruz Blvd Interchange Project The US 101/Trimble project is one of the City’s priority transportation projects, as it upgrades the regional highway system, supports economic development opportunities, and connects people bicycling and walking to the Guadalupe River Trail. The project is included in the North San José Area Development Policy and will improve traffic, enhance safety for vehicles merging
TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
January 19, 2022
Subject: Regional Transportation Activities Quarterly Report
onto southbound US 101 from the De La Cruz Blvd/Trimble Rd interchange, and improve safety/mobility for bicyclists and pedestrians across the interchange. The project will:
• Construct a separated bike/pedestrian path overcrossing, connecting the Guadalupe River Trails System to De La Cruz Blvd and Central Expy;
• Reconstruct the existing three-quadrant cloverleaf interchange to a partial cloverleaf interchange;
• Replace the existing De La Cruz-Trimble Rd overcrossing structure to provide additional lanes and structural support for the bike/pedestrian facilities; • Provide an additional through lane in each direction on De La Cruz Blvd, from Trimble Rd to Central Expy;
• Reconstruct the intersection of De La Cruz Blvd and Central Expy to add additional through and turn lanes and improve operational and multimodal connectivity; and • Construct a new intersection at the terminus of the US 101 southbound off-ramp at De La Cruz Blvd.
The project’s final design was completed in early 2021 and broke ground for construction in September 2021. The total project cost is estimated to be $76 million, with funding from Measure B, Senate Bill 1, and local (development-based) sources.
C) US 101/Mabury Rd-Berryessa Rd-Oakland Rd Corridor Improvement Project The project, included in North San José Area Development Policy (NSJADP) and US 101/Oakland/Mabury Transportation Development Policy and Traffic Impact Fee, will alleviate traffic congestion at the nearby US 101/Oakland and US 101/McKee interchanges and improve local traffic circulation and freeway access in the area. It will also provide access to the Berryessa/North San José BART Station, planned Berryessa Urban Village, and approved new development at the Flea Market. With US 101 serving as a major barrier for people walking or bicycling, the proposed project will enhance bicycle/pedestrian connectivity to the mentioned development in the area, the planned Coyote Creek Trail extension, and San Jose’s Better Bikeway network. The scope of the project includes:
• Construct a full interchange over US 101 at either Mabury Rd or alternately at Berryessa Rd with modifications to the current US 101/Oakland Rd interchange with the latter alternative;
• Enhance the bicycle/pedestrian connectivity in the area in accordance with the City’s Complete Streets Design Standards and Guidelines.
In August 2018, Caltrans accepted findings that the US 101/Mabury Interchange would not adversely impact safety or operations along US 101; however, Caltrans stipulated that certain operational improvements – namely, auxiliary lanes – would have to be included and studied in
TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
January 19, 2022
Subject: Regional Transportation Activities Quarterly Report
the environmental phase. In addition, Caltrans and the City agreed to also study the local street network and other interchange improvements.
In tandem, the City began looking at the whole US 101 corridor from Mabury Rd to Oakland Rd and considering an interchange at Berryessa Rd as a potential alternative. An interchange at US 101 and Berryessa Rd would include modifications to the US 101/Oakland Rd interchange and improve interchange spacing along US 101. The City coordinated with Caltrans to include this alternative as part of the study and received concurrence from Caltrans in July 2019.
In December 2019, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to evaluate the US 101/Mabury-Berryessa-Oakland corridor and allow for new perspectives on the project. The RFP solicited engineering consultant services to prepare scoping, environmental studies, project reports, and potentially a final design of the project. The City awarded the project to HNTB in October 2020 and is advancing environmental review with a virtual scoping meeting on January 19, 2022. This scoping meeting will provide information on the proposed project and gather initial input from the public.
As part of the VTA’s Call for Projects to prioritize Measure B Highway Program funds, the project was ranked second among thirteen projects that were submitted.
Total project cost is currently estimated at $227 million.
D) US 101/Zanker Rd Overcrossing Project
The project, identified in the North San José Area Development Policy, proposes to construct a new bridge overcrossing connecting Zanker Rd to Skyport Dr/North 4th St over US 101. In addition, the project will modify and consolidate existing US 101 on- and off-ramps. The project will accomplish the following:
• Improve access to the San Jose International Airport; • Improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities within the project area; • Enhance transportation services within the North San José development area.
In June 2020, Caltrans concurred with the conclusions of the Design Information Bulletin 77 (DIB77) studies performed to ensure that the Zanker Rd Overcrossing Project will not have a significant adverse impact on the safety and operation of US 101.
A virtual scoping meeting was held on October 20, 2021 to provide information on the proposed project and gather initial input from the public. The project is currently in the environmental phase with final design expected to start in 2023.
As part of the VTA’s Call for Projects to prioritize Measure B Highway Program project, the project was ranked third among thirteen projects that were submitted.
TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
January 19, 2022
Subject: Regional Transportation Activities Quarterly Report
Total project cost is currently estimated at $240 million.
E) I-280/Winchester Blvd Interchange Project
The project will improve traffic operations and reduce congestion on local roadways, provide new access from northbound I-280, and improve bicycle and pedestrian access in the project area. The project will provide for a new freeway-to-freeway connector ramp to provide access from northbound SR17 to northbound I-280, and a new Monroe Ave pedestrian overcrossing to replace the existing pedestrian overcrossing that is currently underused and would conflict with the new northbound I-280 off-ramp. Additionally, this project would include the following improvements:
• Widen the existing Winchester Blvd bridge over I-280 by approximately 35 feet to provide enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities in both directions. As part of this, the lane configuration on Winchester Blvd across the bridge would be modified to improve operations at both the Winchester Blvd/Moorpark Ave and the Winchester Blvd/Tisch Way intersections.
• Remove and replace a portion of the existing soundwalls along the north side of I-280 and east of Winchester Blvd.
• Construct buffered bike lanes and approximately 10-foot wide sidewalks on both northbound and southbound Winchester Blvd within the project limits. • Construct dedicated bike lanes on Tisch Way from Hatton St to Winchester Blvd.
The project is in the initial phase of environmental study with environmental clearance and final design expected to start by the end of 2022.
As part of the VTA’s Call for Projects to prioritize Measure B Highway Program project, the project was ranked fourth among thirteen projects that were submitted.
Total project cost is currently estimated to be $229 million.
F) Charcot Overcrossing Extension over I-880 Project
The project, included in the North San José Area Development Policy, proposes to extend Charcot Ave over I-880, and connect with Silkwood Ln to provide a safe multi-modal facility that will:
• Improve connectivity between the east and west sides of I-880; • Increase capacity for the east/west travel across I-880; • Provide safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities over I-880 in compliance with the City of San Jose's Complete Streets Design Standards and Guidelines.
TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
January 19, 2022
Subject: Regional Transportation Activities Quarterly Report
The City Council environmentally cleared the project in June 2020 with a 2-lane overcrossing that turns to 3 lanes at the intersection of Charcot Ave and Oakland Rd.
As part of the VTA’s Call for Projects to prioritize Measure B Highway Program project, the project was ranked tenth among thirteen projects that were submitted.
Currently, the project has been put on hold awaiting further direction from City Council on possible reallocation of project funding to other Regional Projects. Total project is estimated to cost $50 million.
II. Regional Rail & Transit Projects
A) Eastridge to BART Regional Connector (EBRC)
This project, which is being designed and constructed by VTA, will extend light rail services approximately 2.4 miles along Capitol Expy from the Alum Rock Station to the Eastridge Transit Center with elevated structures along the alignment and grade separations at Capitol Ave, Story Rd, Ocala Ave, Cunningham Ave, and Tully Rd. The project includes stations at Story Rd and the Eastridge Transit Center. The EBRC extension will operate primarily in the median of Capitol Expy within a partially exclusive and partially semi-exclusive right-of-way. The EBRC project includes an aerial guideway (with Mechanically Stabilized Earth wall approaches), trackwork, two passenger stations as noted above, two traction power substations, and minor road widening.
The project is currently in the final design stage with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2022, pending funding availability, and passenger service expected by end of 2027. Total project cost is estimated to be $512 million.
B) High Speed Rail
Approximately 21 miles of the California High-Speed Rail (HSR) project is within San José City limits, extending from the Santa Clara Caltrain station in the north along the Caltrain line through Diridon Station, Tamien Station, Communications Hill, and along Monterey Corridor through South San José and Coyote Valley.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report/Statement (EIR/S) for the San José to Merced Project Section was released on April 24, 2020 and was available for a 60-day public review period ending June 23, 2020. The City released an Information Memo about the Draft EIR/S (https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showdocument?id=60920) and submitted comments. 1 The
Final EIR/S is expected to be released in February 2022. 1 https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments/transportation/transit/california-high-speed-rail
TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
January 19, 2022
Subject: Regional Transportation Activities Quarterly Report
The City and the HSR Authority have been developing a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate their work going forward after the Final EIR/S is adopted in March 2022. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is scheduled to come before City Council for consideration in February 2022. The MOU will memorialize shared objectives of both agencies, and the future roles and responsibilities of each agency regarding:
• Access planning around Diridon Station
• The future Diridon Integrated Station project
• Grade separations along Monterey Road
In late November 2021, DOT applied for federal funds for preliminary design and environmental review of the three grade separations along Monterey Rd. Funding decisions are anticipated in Spring 2022.
C) Caltrain
Caltrain continues to electrify its tracks and the majority (75%) of its train cars. Completion of the Caltrain Electrification Project is expected in late 2024. Construction activities within the City limits is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2022 and passenger service in Fall 2024. In December 2021, Caltrain updated its budget and schedule, increasing the costs by $462.44 million, resulting in a $410 million funding shortfall.2 D) BART Silicon Valley, Downtown/Santa Clara Extension (Phase II) BART Phase II will extend six miles from the Berryessa/North San José Station into downtown San José and terminate in the City of Santa Clara. It will include three underground stations in San José, 28th St/Little Portugal, Downtown, and Diridon; and one at-grade station in the City of Santa Clara adjacent to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station. Most of the alignment in San José will be underground in a single-bore tunnel containing double tracks.
On October 25, 2021, VTA received a Letter of Intent from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announcing their intention to obligate federal funds for the Project. The Letter of Intent will be in effect for up to two years to allow VTA time to collect and refine actual construction cost estimates, further mitigate or eliminate risks, and solidify the funding plan to execute a Full Funding Grant Agreement with FTA.
VTA is currently reviewing proposals for the Contract Package 2 Tunnel and Trackwork and anticipates the VTA Board award the contract in Spring 2022. The Request for Proposal for the Contract Package for the Stations, Newhall Yard/Santa Clara Station and Systems are under development.
2 https://www.caltrain.com/about/MediaRelations/news/Cost_of_Caltrain_Electrification_Increases__Project_on_ Track_for_2024.html.
TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
January 19, 2022
Subject: Regional Transportation Activities Quarterly Report
VTA and the City are working on the supplemental cooperative agreements as outlined in the Master Cooperative Agreement. The supplemental cooperative agreements will define provisions for reimbursements, betterments, permits and inspections. The Phase II project is anticipated to start in 2023, complete substantial construction in 2028, and complete testing and begin passenger service by 2029/2030.
E) Diridon Station
The HSR Authority, Caltrain, VTA, MTC, and the City of San José (Partner Agencies) are working together on a plan to expand and redesign Diridon Station. In the coming years, electrified Caltrain, BART, and high-speed rail will add to the current mix of trains, buses, and light rail that currently serve San José Diridon Station. This is expected to increase the daily number of passengers at the station from 17,000 today to 140,000 in 2040.
Future phases of work will focus on: (1) exploring governance and organizational structures; (2) further advancing work on the relation of the station to surrounding neighborhoods; (3) station access planning; and (4) scoping technical studies to a number of interrelated projects that the realization of the Diridon Station vision depends, including further study of the Historic Depot and separate endeavors like the potential future relocation of facilities such as the Caltrain Maintenance yard, the PG&E Substation, and others.
/s/
JOHN RISTOW
Director of Transportation
For questions, contact Jessica Zenk, Deputy Director for Transportation Planning and Project Delivery, [email protected], (408) 535-3543.