November 18, 2025 Item No. 1B - 25-1103
City Council
CITY OF Item No. 1.B, RTC 25-1103
Study Session on
1852 Pedestrian Access on
THE MISSION CIT County Expressways
November 18, 2025
1 City of
Santa Clara
The Ce ter of Whats Possible
Agenda
• Background • Expressway Signage
• Expressway Operations and • Enforcement/Collisions
Enforcement Current Conditions and Safety
• Regulatory Framework Considerations
• 2006 City Council Review • Staff Recommendations
• Current Pedestrian Restrictions
=
2 POST MEETING MATERIAL
1 City of
Santa Clara
Thee Center of Whats Possible
Background
• Mr. Akos Szoboszlay requested repeal of Council
Resolution 5603 (1991).
- Prohibits pedestrians on portions of Lawrence and San Tomas Expressways.
• Mr. Szoboszlay has stated that the prohibition is
unnecessary and that pedestrians should be allowed to
walk on County Expressways, even portions without
sidewalks.
3 3
City of
Santa Clara
Expressway Operations and
Enforcement
• County of Santa Clara (County), Roads and Airports
Department:
- Operates and maintains the Expressway system
- Manages pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle traffic
• Santa Clara Police Department provides traffic
enforcement/investigations on the Expressways within
City limits.
4 2
City of
Santa Clara
They Center of What's Possible
Regulatory Framework
• Both the County and the City have jurisdiction related to pedestrian use of County Expressways
• California Vehicle Code 21960 allows the County and
local authorities to prohibit or restrict pedestrian use of expressways.
• Current: Resolution 5603, adopted June 4,
1991, prohibits pedestrians on portions of Lawrence
and San Tomas Expressways.
5 City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
2006 City Council Review
• June 20, 2006: Council reviewed a petition
from Mr. Szoboszlay to repeal Resolution 5603
Council action:
- County to lead on pedestrian prohibition ordinances where appropriate - Repeal Resolution 5603 upon adoption of future County ordinances modifying pedestrian prohibitions.
- Request County to develop program and funding to add sidewalks. 3 City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What Possible
Current Pedestrian Restrictions
E2
TANTAU AVE
STE
EVENS CREEK
- EXP LAWRÊNCE EXPY».
" LAWRENCE EXPY
DRA VISTA AVE
HOMESTEAD RD
LEGEND:
•WESTERLY SIDE RESTRICTION
EASTERLY SIDE RESTRICTION
EXISTING PEDESTRIAN
SIDEWALK OR TRAIL ON EXPY
7 City of
Santa Clara
The Conter of Whats Possible
Current Pedestrian Restrictions
Ô MAN
ONE A3A KIELY BLVD
BAY SHIMON
BOWE AVT
76 Shoulder Aces Only la
LOOLA OR CENTRAL EXPY
LAS PALMAS SE
-STEVENS
SAN TOMAS EXPY- SAN TOMAS EXPY
29 SAN TOMAS EXPY €
LEGEND:
• WESTERLY SIDE RESTRICTION
EASTERLY SIDE RESTRICTION
EXISTING PEDESTRIAN
SIDEWALK OR TRAIL ON EXPY SPACE MARK DR
EXISTING "PEDESTRIANS
PROHIBITED" SIGN
City of
Santa Clara
Expressway Signage
• County has pedestrian prohibition signage in areas
where restrictions are in place and where sidewalks
do not exist.
• County implementing new guidance sign
installations for alternative pedestrian routes where
sidewalks are absent.
9 City of
Santa Clara
Tin: Center of What: Postilla
Expressway Signage
Northbound San Tomas at Monroe
Southbound San Tomas at Walsh
10 5
City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
New Guidance Signs
SIDEWALK ENDS
USE TRAIL
El Camino Real
Northbound San Tomas at Cabrillo Northbound San Tomas at El Camino Real 11 11 City of
Santa Clara
The Center af Whats Possible
Enforcement/Collisions
• Expressway Citations (Jan 1, 2023 - Oct 27, 2025):
- 2,085 citations issued
- No citations related to pedestrians
• Expressway Collisions (Jan 1, 2022 - Dec 31, 2024)
- 808 collisions
- 18 collision involved pedestrians (17 at intersections) 12 12
6 City of
Santa Clara
The Conter of What Possible
Current Conditions & Safety
Considerations
Areas without sidewalks do not meet ADA/pedestrian design standards. • Limited lighting reduces nighttime visibility.
• Debris, uneven surfaces, and drainage structures pose walking hazards along expressway shoulders.
• High-speed traffic, breakdowns, and maintenance activities create conflicts.
Absent of sidewalks, restricting pedestrian access may mitigates liability from unsafe conditions.
13 13
City of
Santa Clara
Tile Center of Whity Fussible
Staff Recommendations
• Align with Council's 2006 direction:
- County to lead on pedestrian prohibition ordinances where appropriate. - Repeal Resolution 5603 upon adoption of future County ordinances modifying pedestrian prohibitions.
• Collaborate with and support the County's Active
Transportation Plan.
• City development projects include construction of new expressway sidewalks. 14
14 City of
Santa Clara
Thy Concer of Whiny Possible
Questions/Comments
15 15
City Council
CITY OF Item No. 1.B, RTC 25-1103
Study Session on
1852 Pedestrian Access on
THE MISSION CIT County Expressways
November 18, 2025
16 8