City Council Public Hearing
September 27, 2022
Caltrain Grade Separation
Feasibility Study:
Sunnyvale Avenue
Study Issue DPW No. 14-13
2City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Project Background
3City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Project Locations
4City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Community Outreach & Public Meetings
• Email list created
• Project webpage
• On-going Business Outreach Meetings
• July 12, 2017 – Agency Stakeholder Meeting
• July 26, 2017 – Business Outreach Meeting
• Aug. 10, 2017 - Mary Avenue Community Meeting
(100 participants)
• Aug. 17, 2017 - Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
Commission Meeting
• Aug. 22, 2017 - Mary Avenue Expressions Complex
Meeting
• Aug. 24, 2017 - Sunnyvale Avenue Community
Meeting (65 participants)
• Sept. 2017 - Mary Avenue Online Survey
(128 responses)
• Sept. 2017 - Sunnyvale Avenue Online Survey
(77 responses)
• Sept. 6, 2017 - Sunnyvale Downtown Association
Meeting
• Oct. 17, 2017 - City Council and BPAC Joint Meeting
• Jan. 23, 2018 - City Council Meeting
5City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Community Outreach & Public Meetings, cont.
• City Council Study Session
(April 5, 2022)
• City Manager’s Update (May
13, 2022)
• Multiple Email blasts
• Art & Wine Festival booth
(June 4-5, 2022)
• Multiple NextDoor posts
• Multiple Facebook posts
• Horizon article (Summer 2022)
• Mary Avenue Community
Meeting (June 8, 2022)
• Sunnyvale Avenue Community
Meeting (June 9, 2022)
• Survey from June 13 to July 31,
2022 (462 responses)
• Downtown Association Board
• Chamber of Commerce Policy
and Business Committee
• Chamber of Commerce Board
• Agency Stakeholder Meetings
• Direct emails, letters and
meetings:
Local Businesses
Residents
Property Owners
Impacted Stakeholders
HOAs
Community Groups
Schools
Places of worship
VTA
6City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Options
7City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel
110-122 S.
SUNNYVALE AVE.
130 S.
SUNNYVALE
AVE.
8City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel
Traffic Study Summary
Circulation changed from “no build”
• Sunnyvale and Evelyn disconnected
• Sunnyvale and Hendy partially
disconnected
• Shifts traffic onto Washington and
California
Bicycle circulation
• Bike lanes in roadway
• Multi-use path
Pedestrian circulation
• Multi-use path
• Sidewalks at existing elevation
Transit circulation
• Impacts to Routes 20 and 55
• No impacts to Route 21
VTA Bus Route 20 VTA Bus Route 21 VTA Bus Route 55
9City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel
Bicycle Circulation
10City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel
Bicycle Circulation
11City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel
Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation
Caltrain Station bicycle/pedestrian
access from Hendy at Francis
12City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel
Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation
13City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel
Bicycle and Pedestrian Circulation
OPEN SPACE
OPPORTUNITY
14City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel
Parking and Loading Opportunities
ADDITIONAL
PARKING
OPPORTUNITY
ADDITIONAL
PARKING AND
LOADING ZONE
OPPORTUNITY OPEN SPACE
OPPORTUNITY
15City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian
Undercrossing
16City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass
Traffic Study Summary
Circulation changed from “no build”
• T-intersections at Evelyn and Hendy
• Sunnyvale Ave. vehicles rerouted to
Mathilda or Fair Oaks
Bicycle and Pedestrian circulation
• Dedicated undercrossing
• Ramps at Evelyn and Hendy
Transit circulation
• Impacts to Route 55
• No impacts to Routes 20 and 21
VTA Bus Route 20 VTA Bus Route 21 VTA Bus Route 55
17City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 2035 Vehicular Traffic Volumes
(AM/PM Peak Hour)
Northbound
(AM/PM)
Southbound
(AM/PM)
Total
(AM/PM)
Mathilda
Avenue 3212 / 1358 1489 / 3317 4701 / 4675
Sunnyvale
Avenue 824 / 672 650 / 1082 1474 / 1754
Fair Oaks
Avenue 1824 / 1354 1113 / 1887 2937 / 3241
18City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Mathilda Avenue vehicular delays in seconds
(AM/PM peak periods)
No Build
2035 Underpass Bike/Ped
Mathilda/
California 201.3 / 271.8 99.8 / 263.1 123.8 / 273.0
Mathilda SB
ramp/Evelyn 446.2 / 158.2
14.1 / 14.5 33.5 / 25.8
Mathilda NB
ramp/Evelyn 270.2 / 71.4 11.6 / 26.4 12.8 / 39.8
Mathilda/
Washington 270.2
/ 71.4 159.0 / 72.0 135.9 / 63.3
19City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Fair Oaks Avenue vehicular delays in seconds
(AM/PM peak periods)
No Build 2035 Underpass Bike/Ped
Fair Oaks/
California 50.0 / 129.2 35.6 / 115.7 63.0 / 220.7
Fair
Oaks/Kifer 44.9 / 110.5 12.1 / 132.3 90.5 / 314.4
Fair Oaks/
Evelyn 74.8 / 82.5 95.6 / 110.7 139.9 / 231.4
20City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Vehicular Travel Times in seconds – Mathilda and
Fair Oaks (AM / PM peak periods)
No Build 2035 Underpass Bike/Ped
SB Mathilda
(Indio to
Washington)
181 / 565 178 / 582 174 / 622
NB Mathilda
(McKinley to
California)
367 / 161 374 / 162 389 / 175
SB Fair Oaks
(Arques to
Evelyn)
160 / 466 126 / 428 291 / 660
NB Fair Oaks
(McKinley to
California)
389 / 213 431 / 329 624 / 362
21City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Option Comparison
Underpass Tunnel Ped/Bike Undercrossing
Safety • Improved over “no build” • Improved over “no build” Noise • Decreased from “no build” • Decreased from “no build” Circulation - Vehicle • Reduced or similar delays
• Shorter travel times – Sunnyvale
• Shorter travel times – Mathilda
• Shorter travel times – Fair Oaks
• Potential to add parking and
loading zone
• Increased or similar delays
• Longer travel times – Sunnyvale
• Longer travel times – Mathilda
• Longer travel times – Fair Oaks
Circulation – Bicycle and
Pedestrian
• Separated facility
• Open space opportunity
• At-grade connectivity
• Separated facility
Circulation – Transit • Local VTA bus rerouting • Farther VTA bus rerouting Potential Private Property
Impacts
• More property impacts • Less property impacts
Construction Impacts • More driveway impacts – minor
• More utility impacts
• More roadway reconstruction
• More construction time
• Less driveway impacts
• Less utility impacts
• Less roadway reconstruction
• Less construction time
Construction Cost Estimate • Higher cost: $225M - $275M • Lower cost: $90M - $120M 22City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue – Survey Summary
• 462 responses
• Most use local businesses
(34%) or Downtown (25%)
• Most travel by car (61%) or
bicycle (23%)
• Highest secondary mode is
walking (42%)
• Option Preferences:
Bike/Ped Tunnel (56%)
Underpass (29%)
Dislike both (13%)
Like both equally (3%)
• Reasons for preferences:
Better circulation for bikes
Safest
Better circulation for vehicles
Lower cost
Better circulation for pedestrians
Less property impacts
Less private property and
construction impacts
• Comments
Bike/pedestrian friendly
Access for those who must drive
Transit rerouting
Downtown connectivity
Security in tunnels
Construction impacts
23City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue – Community Feedback
• Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Most prefer Bicycle and Pedestrian Only Tunnel
For Underpass, prefer separated bike lanes
Interest in creating direct connections
• Businesses
Some prefer Bike/Ped Tunnel – less property impacts
Some prefer Underpass Tunnel – maintain vehicle access Concerns about construction duration and impacts,
accessibility into their businesses
Concerns about connectivity between east and west of
Sunnyvale Ave.
• Sunnyvale Downtown Association
Opposed to Underpass
24City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue – Staff Recommendation
• Select the Sunnyvale Avenue Underpass Tunnel option
to be defined as the Proposed Project for the grade
separation of the Sunnyvale Avenue crossing of the
Caltrain railroad tracks for the Environmental Review
25City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue – Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Commission Recommendation
• Recommend to City Council the selection of the
Sunnyvale Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Only Tunnel
option to be defined as the Proposed Project for the
grade separation of the Mary Avenue crossing of the
Caltrain railroad tracks for the Environmental Review
• Amendment:
If Underpass selected, bicycle
facilities in tunnel should be
physically separated and
protected by concrete
26City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass
Trial Project Idea
Bicycle and pedestrian only at-grade crossing
Close Evelyn to Hendy avenues to vehicles
Experience unanticipated impacts
Considerations
• Traffic signals modifications
• VTA Bus Route modifications
• Caltrain and CPUC coordination
• Coordination with service providers
• Timing and duration
• Community notifications
• Environmental clearance
• Grade Separation funding opportunities
• Prioritization with other projects
• Goals and criteria for success
27City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Sunnyvale Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian Underpass
Trial Project Idea
Staff recommendation:
• Do not approve the trial
project at this time
Considerations
• Create project with CIP
budget process
• Staffing and resource
availability
• Workload/project priorities
• Funding to complete trial
• Funding opportunities for
final project
28City of Sunnyvale – Caltrain Grade Separation Feasibility Study, Sunnyvale Avenue – September 27, 2022 Thank You