REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update on the Temporary Eastbound Tasman Lane Closure and Consideration to Extend the Closure Duration
Report
BACKGROUND
Tasman Drive between Fair Oaks Avenue and Lawrence Expressway is a four-lane commercial/industrial collector, with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail line running in the center of the roadway between the eastbound and westbound directions of traffic. Sidewalks are present on the south side of the roadway; however, a gap in sidewalk approximately 1,600 feet in length exists between about 800 feet east of Tasman Court (opposite the west entrance to Casa De Amigos) and Vienna Drive. There is currently no existing bicycle facility on Tasman Drive. The VTA operates the Orange Light Rail Line along the Tasman Drive corridor that connects Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Jose, and Milpitas.
When the Orange Light Rail Line was extended into Sunnyvale to its current terminus in Mountain View in the late 1990's, there was insufficient width along the Tasman corridor to install complete sidewalks and bicycle lanes without purchasing and demolishing existing mobile homes that back onto Tasman Drive, and removing all mature trees for long segments. Today's roadway configuration reflects the compromise, with gaps in the sidewalk along both sides of Tasman Drive and lack of bicycle facilities.
On June 30, 2020, City Council approved a temporary eastbound Tasman Drive lane closure during the COVID-19 pandemic (RTC No. 20-0633), but with a stipulation not to exceed ten (10) months, in order to create a temporary pathway for the public to perform outdoor activities and to walk to and from the nearby grocery store. Staff was directed to monitor traffic conditions to ensure that the temporary lane closure did not negatively impact traffic along the segment of Tasman Drive between Fair Oaks Avenue and Vienna Drive and at the signalized intersection of Fair Oaks Avenue and Tasman Drive.
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