SamTrans Grand Boulevard Initiative

October 29, 2025 progress update

SamTrans presented the coordinated Caltrans planning approach, vision, proposed improvement menu, cost range, and schedule. The initiative seeks a corridor-wide framework for safety, complete-street mobility, and implementation funding across 15 jurisdictions including Palo Alto. The presenter described a five-agency partnership pursuing a regional framework, technical assistance for cities, phased funding, and future cross-jurisdictional design negotiations. Construction was estimated at approximately $750 million, with an anticipated SMCTA highway call-for-projects source potentially funding up to 50% of total project costs. The presenter said Caltrans-required traffic analysis, stormwater reporting, and other engineering work would begin during the project initiation document phase in 2026, with more detailed modeling in later design phases. SamTrans and the TA will explore alternative delivery methods.