City project
Southern Palo Alto Bike/Pedestrian Railroad Crossing Alternatives Analysis
Alternatives analysis for bicycle and pedestrian railroad crossings in southern Palo Alto.
- Current status
- City Council narrowed eight alternatives to Alternative A near El Dorado Avenue and directed staff to advance two variants: A1 and A2.
- Location
- Alma Street and El Dorado Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
August 12, 2026: Workshop and grant application update
Staff announced an August 27, 2026 workshop from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Rinconada Library and reported pursuing grant funding.
Read related coverageAugust 10, 2026 workshop update
The City Manager announced an August 27 community workshop on the crossing project.
Read related coverageDecember 10, 2025: City Council alternatives update
A1 is a signalized crossing at Alma Street and El Dorado Avenue; A2 is a tunnel under Alma Street and the Caltrain tracks. Staff reported a slight preference for A2.
Read related coverageNovember 12, 2025 Crossing Alternatives Update
The Rail Committee will review eight crossing designs on November 18, 2025, followed by City Council on December 1, 2025. Council is expected to select up to two concepts in early 2026.
Read related coverageSeptember 10, 2025 study session
The Commission held a study session and provided initial feedback on eight potential crossing design alternatives. Staff plans to return in November 2025 seeking a recommendation of up to two conceptual design alternatives to City Council. Staff reported that a community meeting occurred September 9, 2025 and generated substantial feedback on eight alternatives.
Read related coverageMay 14, 2025 study-session presentation
Staff presented the project and the Commission discussed existing pedestrian access and safety conditions. The Commission provided feedback on initial candidate locations A through F and draft design priorities and evaluation criteria. Staff stated that feedback will inform phase-one criteria development before alternatives are developed and shared in phase two.
Read related coverageSeptember 25, 2024 Update
Staff said the analysis had recently started and was expected to return to the Planning & Transportation Commission in early 2025; work would be coordinated with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan update.
Read related coverage