November 18, 2025
1 Agenda
• Background
• Expressway Operations and
Enforcement
• Regulatory Framework
• 2006 City Council Review
• Current Pedestrian Restrictions
2 Item No. 1B- 25-1103
City Council
Item No. 1.B, RTC 25-1103
Study Session on
Pedestrian Access on
County Expressways
November 18, 2025
• Expressway Signage
• Enforcement/Collisions
• Current Conditions and Safety
Considerations
• Staff Recommendations
OST MEETING MATERIAL
1 3
4 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.
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.
2 5
6 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.
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 7
8 Current Pedestrian Restrictions
Current Pedestrian Restrictions
! scon IILVD
•
r a
4 9
10 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.
Southbound San Tomas at Walsh
5 11
12 New Guidance Signs
11 Northbound San Tomas at Cabrillo Northbound San Tomas at El Camino Real 11 ~i City of
\{
1 ~
~ j) Santa Clara ':'1,.!C•;"tt: o c,•;•111.,· , ?..,,.,.,1,1,, 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 6
13 14
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.
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.
13 • City development projects include construction of new expressway sidewalks. 14
7 15
16 Questions/Comments
City Council
Item No. 1.8, RTC 25-1103
Study Session on
Pedestrian Access on
County Expressways
November 18, 2025
15 8