REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
237/101/Mathilda Interchange Design Update (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
On June 10, 2014 the City Council held a Study Session on design alternatives for the Mathilda Avenue and Highway 237/101 Interchange Improvement Project. An overview was provided on the status of the project including funding, schedule, and specifically the design alternatives under consideration. Staff presented three different alternatives. All three alternatives proposed the same design for 101/Mathilda (A partial cloverleaf interchange) but provided different options at 237/Mathilda. Below is a summary:
· Alternative 1 - Tight Diamond Interchange Design (Attachment 1)
· Alternative 2 - Diamond Interchange Design (Attachment 2)
· Alternative 3 - Diverging Diamond Design (Attachment 3)
DISCUSSION
The project is currently in the Project Initiation (PI) phase. Over the last few months VTA, Sunnyvale and its consultants met with Caltrans and further developed the three alternatives. At this time Alternative 2 will be eliminated as a preferred alternative which will make the process more efficient and allow for a better schedule. It also follows the more standard process to only include fewer preferred designs for further analysis and environmental clearance. Below is a summary of the reasons for dropping Alternative 2:
· It closes both the easterly and westerly connections of Moffett Park Drive (on the west side of Mathilda Avenue) which would shift all inbound and outbound traffic to Innovation way.
· Shifting all traffic that currently uses Moffett Park Drive to Innovation Way creates capacity concerns on Innovation Way.
· Additional potential construction-related air quality, noise, and traffic impacts to adjacent businesses.
The project will continue to analyze Alternatives 1 and 3. As part of the current schedule, the PI phase will be completed in early 2015, the Environmental Document in late 2016, and the Final Design in early 2017. As discussed at the June 10 Study session the funding for construction has not been fully identified, however it is expected to be funded with City traffic impact fees and VTA funds. Once full construction funding has been identified, the construction will require approximately 14-18 months.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
Staff
Prepared by: Manuel Pineda, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Robert A. Walker, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Alternative 1 - Tight Diamond Interchange Design
2. Alternative 2 - Diamond Interchange Design
3. Alternative 3 - Diverging Diamond Design