CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 5 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 26-3111 File ID: 26-11479 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: September 22, 2026
SUBJECT:
East Bellevue Avenue Closure Project Funding — Agreement RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to approve a Section 130 funding agreement with the California Department of Transportation for the railroad crossing closure project at East Bellevue Avenue, appropriate $1,122,000 in Section 130 funding to the Capital Projects Fund, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented and any future amendments and grant documents.
BACKGROUND:
To advance City Council priorities related to safety, the City plans to permanently close Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue at the railroad crossings (Project). Improvements within the City right-of-way include, but are not limited to, construction of cul-de-sacs on either side of each closure, fencing along both sides of the tracks, new roadway pavement, signage, and striping. The closures will prohibit pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic from crossing the tracks, thereby reducing the risk of rail-related collisions.
In 2025, City staff presented the Project as a safety improvement to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to coordinate on potential funding opportunities. CPUC identified the Railroad-Highway Grade Crossing Program - Section 130 (Section 130) as a funding opportunity for the Project, which is led by CPUC and implemented by the California State Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in cooperation with local agencies and railroads.
During the same period that discussions with CPUC and Caltrans were underway regarding Section 130 funding, City staff advanced the closure designs using local funds. Although a portion of Section 130 funding may be used for preliminary engineering, including design, the funding will primarily support the construction phase of the Project. The total preliminary engineering and construction costs within the City right-of-way that are eligible for reimbursement by Caltrans under the funding agreement are $1,122,000.
Project improvements located in the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (PCJPB/Caltrain) railroad right-of-way will also be funded by Section 130 through a separate agreement between Caltrans and PCJPB/Caltrain. Each agency is responsible for implementing the improvements within their right-of-way. City staff anticipates construction of the Project in City right-of-way will start by Winter 2026/Spring 2027.
The Section 130 Agreement with Caltrans is required to authorize the City to receive reimbursement of federal funds for Project improvements within the City’s right-of-way. Section 130 funding for Villa Terrace has already been secured, and the City Council authorized the use of these funds for the Project at its March 16, 2026, meeting. Staff is now recommending approval of a separate Section 130 funding agreement with Caltrans for the railroad crossing closure project at East Bellevue Avenue.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
BUDGET IMPACT:
The appropriation of these Section 130 funds to Project #462205 in the Capital Projects Fund will primarily cover costs in the construction phase. Sufficient funding is included in the Project budget for the support staff and design costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
The approval of a Section 130 funding agreement for the construction phase of the railroad crossing closure project at East. Bellevue Avenue is exempt from CEQA review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, which covers minor alterations to existing facilities so long as they involve no or negligible expansion of use.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
This staff report supports the Public Safety initiative.
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Att 2 – Proposed Agreement
STAFF CONTACT
Charlie Evans, Assistant Engineer
[email protected]
(650) 522-7320