City project
Charleston/Meadow and Churchill Rail Grade Separation Projects
Rail grade-separation design work for the Charleston/Meadow and Churchill crossings.
- Current status
- Current phase is fully funded; the City and Caltrain are obligated to complete 35% design and environmental clearance.
- Location
- Churchill Avenue and Seal Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
September 28, 2026: 35% design advancement considered
Staff presented the completed 15% design and requested direction to advance to 35% design and environmental documentation. One councilmember recused because their home was within 500 feet of the Charleston construction site; no action on the request occurred within this chunk.
Read related coverageAugust 12, 2026: Community meeting announced
Staff announced a community meeting from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mitchell Park Community Center.
Read related coverageAugust 10, 2026 community-meeting update
The City Manager announced late-August community meetings concerning the grade separations.
Read related coverageFebruary 25, 2026: Temporary Churchill closure analysis
Staff is analyzing a possible temporary closure at the Churchill Avenue rail crossing, with Council consideration anticipated within 60 days or by mid-April. The temporary-closure analysis would not change the long-term grade-separation plan.
Read related coverageFebruary 9, 2026: Rail-safety update
The rail-safety ad hoc committee reported that grade-separation design work continues while near-term safety options are being assessed.
Read related coverageJanuary 24, 2026: Staff proposed design advancement
Staff proposed selecting a local preferred alternative and advancing each crossing to 35% design.
Read related coverageDecember 2025 Council direction
Staff reported that Council selected preferred alternatives and advanced the project to 15% design. Council selected a Charleston Road underpass with a direct-access ramp, a Meadow Drive hybrid alternative, and a Churchill partial underpass, and requested analysis of implementing only the Charleston underpass.
Read related coverageDecember 15, 2025 Council action
Council adopted an unidentified motion related to the project by a 6-0-1 vote; Keith Reckdahl recused.
Read related coverageDecember 10, 2025: 15% design update
Staff noted that a discussion of alternatives and the 15% design was occurring in Council Chambers.
Read related coverageDecember 10, 2025: Alternatives and 15% design direction
Staff presented refined alternatives and community feedback. The current phase is funded by VTA Measure B and a Federal Railroad Administration rail-crossing-elimination grant; staff described 15% design as the next phase, followed by 35% design and environmental work.
Read related coverageNovember 17, 2025: Upcoming alternatives review
The Rail Committee was scheduled to discuss alternatives on November 18, 2025. A special Council meeting was scheduled for December 10, 2025, with continued deliberation and consideration of next steps on December 15, 2025.
Read related coverageNovember 12, 2025 Design Review Update
The City hosted two community meetings at Mitchell Park earlier in fall 2025. Following Rail Committee review, City Council is scheduled to consider the project and provide formal direction on December 10 or December 15, 2025.
Read related coverageSeptember 29, 2025: Public design workshops announced
The City Manager announced public workshops from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Mitchell Park Community Center for community review of the latest design updates.
Read related coverageCommunity-meeting update
Staff reported two community meetings scheduled for September 30, 2025, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Read related coverageSeptember 8, 2025 update
Staff announced that a previously two-day workshop will be held as an extended workshop on September 30, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Read related coverageAugust 18, 2025 design and engagement update
Staff announced a September 16, 2025 Rail Committee meeting; community workshops focused on Churchill Avenue on September 30 and Meadow Drive and Charleston Road on October 1; and a planned Council update in November.
Read related coverage
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