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
- Conceptual alternatives are being narrowed before development toward 15% design.
- Location
- Park Boulevard and Alma Street, 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 coverageDecember 1, 2025: conceptual-alternatives presentation
Staff and the Rail Committee recommended Alternative A/A1—a tunnel under the railroad between El Dorado Avenue and Park Boulevard plus a new signalized Alma Street crossing—and study of A2, a fully grade-separated crossing under both the railroad and Alma Street. No council action on the alternatives occurred within this chunk.
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 24, 2025 public concern and anticipated commission review
During oral communications, residents objected to alternatives they believed could require acquiring homes. Staff identified the project and said it would return to the commission in November.
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 27, 2025 project update
Staff presented completed existing-conditions work, six potential crossing opportunity areas, and draft design priorities for commission feedback. Phase-two community engagement on alternatives is planned for fall 2025, followed by a public draft report and a final plan for Council adoption.
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
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