Wilkie Bridge Pilot Project

The James A. Hawkinson Memorial Bicycle-Pedestrian Bridge (Wilkie Bridge) is a heavily used bridge located along Wilkie Way between Whitclem Drive and Monroe Drive at Adobe Creek in Palo Alto. The City completed a pilot project on Wilkie Bridge to explore options that address issues raised by community members regarding the slick surface of the wood decking when wet. Two anti-slip surfacing products (Fiberglass Deck Strips and Rubberized Coating) were installed on the existing wood deck in two small sections of the bridge in fall 2022. 

Staff conducted online surveys from October 2022 through May 2023 to obtain feedback on how the anti-slip surfacing products performed during the wet and dry seasons. Thank you to all who completed the surveys and provided feedback on their experience. Below is a brief summary of the survey results. 

Online Surveys from October 2022 through May 2023(PDF, 547KB)
October 2022 through May 2023 Survey Results(PDF, 275KB)

Survey Results Summary

Wet Deck Surface Conditions

Overall: 169 survey responses 

• 129 Palo Alto residents (76%) and 40 non-residents (24%)
• Type of Bridge User: 60 Bicyclist (36%), 85 Pedestrian (50%), 22 Both (13%), 2 Scooter (1%)

Which product seems better for preventing slipping?

• Option 1: Anti-Slip Fiberglass Deck Strips: 99 (59%)
• Option 2: Non-Skid Rubberized Coating: 50 (30%)
• Both are OK. I have no preference: 17 (10%)
• Neither: 3 (1%)

Dry Deck Surface Conditions

Overall: 134 survey responses 

• 88 Palo Alto residents (66%) and 46 non-residents (34%)
• Type of Bridge User: 65 Bicyclist (49%), 54 Pedestrian (40%), 12 Both (9%), 3 Stroller (2%)

Which product do you like better in dry deck surface conditions?

• Option 1: Anti-Slip Fiberglass Deck Strips: 49 (37%)
• Option 2: Non-Skid Rubberized Coating: 63 (47%)
• Both are OK. I have no preference: 18 (14%)
• Neither: 3 (2%)

Most Common Feedback

Option 1: Anti-Slip Fiberglass Deck Strips

• Good grip/traction, addresses slipperiness
• Bumpy, noisy
• Concerns about screws coming loose and damaging bike tires 
• Concerns about wear/maintenance

Option 2: Non-Skid Rubberized Coating

• Does not address slipperiness
• Concerns about wear over time
• Less bumpy/smoother surface than Option 1