Fall 2021
Conducted detailed review of three alternatives being considered for Churchill Avenue railroad crossing; and provided scope and cost for additional studies that may help in decision making for selection of final/preferred alternative(s) at these crossings. Council eliminated the viaduct option from further consideration at this crossing. In addition, Council selected the Partial Underpass Alternative as preferred option and Closure with Mitigation Alternative as the backup Alternative for Churchill. Conducted detailed review of three alternatives being considered for Churchill; and provided scope and cost for additional studies that may help in decision making for selection final/preferred alternative(s) at these crossings. Council eliminated the viaduct option from further consideration at this crossing. Council also directed to place highest priority in addressing the Charleston/Meadow crossing.
Summer 2021
Conducted detailed review of four alternatives being considered for Meadow Drive and Charleston Road railroad crossings and provide scope and cost for additional studies that may help in decision making for selection Final/Preferred Alternative(s) at these crossings. Council eliminated the viaduct option and now only three alternatives (Hybrid, Underpass, and Trench) remain for further consideration for final selection.
Spring 2021
The XCAP completed their deliberations after reviewing the rail grade crossing alternatives at the three crossings of Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road. The City Council received the final report prepared by XCAP including their findings and recommendations on these rail grade crossings.
After receiving the XCAP final report and recommendations, the City Council eliminated the following tunnel alternatives from further consideration:
- South Palo Alto Tunnel (Passenger and Freight)
- South Palo Alto Tunnel (With At-Grade Freight)
A total of four (4) alternatives for Charleston and Meadow and three (3) alternatives for Churchill Avenue remain for further consideration.
Fall/Winter 2020
XCAP reviewed the various alternatives under consideration and initiated the deliberation process. They also updated the City council on their timings to deliver their recommendations and final report.
Summer 2020
The Virtual Town Hall launched; it was live from August 19th through September 14th.
XCAP initiated deliberation on Churchill Avenue location.
Staff presented a report to the City Council and described how the Virtual Town Hall will provide greater flexibility and extended period for community engagement and feedback within the COVID-19 environment.
Spring 2020
XCAP provided an update to City Council on their review of grade separation alternatives.
XCAP provided an update to City Council. Also, XCAP unanimously voted to eliminate two trench alternatives (with and without freight) from their deliberation process.
Rail Town Hall meetings discussing the rail grade separation alternatives for greater community engagement and participation.
City Council discusses new and existing alternatives that were narrowed down to seven alternatives for further evaluations. Also directed staff to include two new ideas presented by community members to the City.
Winter 2019
Citywide Community Meeting was held where the City started the first of many community conversations about the alternatives still under consideration. It was a comprehensive sharing of information about all seven (7) of the remaining alternatives.
At the XCAP meetings, the chairperson and vice chairperson were chosen, guiding principles were adopted, and ground rules were established for how they will function as a group and work towards consensus. They also reviewed materials for community outreach.
Fall 2019
XCAP had meetings on September 5 and September 25. They discussed proposed design workshop questions, looked at South Palo Alto animations, and discussed the new organization of the XCAP. Council voted to expand XCAP’s role, and the panel now has a chair and co-chair. XCAP decided to postpone the design workshop to a later date.
City Council sent a letter to Caltrain regarding the Caltrain Business Plan.
Summer 2019
City Council approved a $1.2 Million amendment to the AECOM contract to continue services.
Staff presented an idea to establish a Rail Blue Ribbon Commission to Council. XCAP had a meeting on August 21. XCAP discussed Measure B and a traffic analysis for Churchill Avenue.
Spring 2019
City Council convened as the Committee of the Whole to discuss the grade separation alternatives and directed staff to return to the City Council with a rail work plan and a few other action items.
Community Advisory Panel (CAP) received the traffic analysis for the Churchill Avenue Closure alternative and reviewed the bike/ped crossing options. CAP also prepared for the community meeting.
The City hosted a community meeting focused on Churchill Avenue and the Citywide Tunnel alternative.
City Council approved the rail work plan and provided direction to staff regarding the alternatives analysis, check-in meetings, and the AECOM contract. The approved work plan moved the selection date for the preferred alternatives from April 2019 to October 2019.
City Council further refined the list of alternatives to remove the Citywide Tunnel alternative and to reaffirm consideration of both options for the South Palo Alto Tunnel alternative.
City Council continued the discussion from December 2018 to narrow the alternatives. City Council also amended the list of alternatives through the following actions:
- Separated the Palo Alto Avenue crossing from study and including it in a separate comprehensive Coordinated Area Plan process.
- Separated the bicycle and pedestrian crossing in the vicinity of Loma Verde Avenue from study and including it in another planning process.
- Directed staff related to the Citywide Tunnel alternative as well as the South Palo Alto Tunnel ideas.
- Adopted a modified list of grade separation alternatives:
- South Palo Alto | Rail Tunnel
- Churchill Avenue | Full or Partial Closure and add Improvements (CAX)
- Meadow Drive and Charleston Road | Hybrid (MCL)
- Meadow Drive and Charleston Road | Rail Trench (MCT)
- Meadow Drive and Charleston Road | Viaduct (MCV)
- Citywide Tunnel (WBP)
- Provided direction to staff regarding funding, mitigations, evaluation criteria, and timeline.