REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Selection of the Preferred Alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project to be Defined as the Proposed Project for the Project for Environmental Review
Report
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION AND MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNCIL ACTIONS
The Mountain View Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission considered this item on February 22, 2023. The Commission passed a motion recommending to the Mountain View City Council the selection of the eastern alignment alternative as the preferred alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project. The vote was 4-0, with one abstention.
The Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission considered this item on March 16, 2023. The Commission passed a motion recommending to the Sunnyvale City Council the selection of the eastern alignment as the preferred alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project. The vote was 5-0, with Commissioner Davé absent.
The Mountain View Council Transportation Committee (CTC) considered this item on April 10, 2023. The CTC was established to oversee programs and activities intended to improve and enhance the City of Mountain View’s transportation systems. The CTC consists of Mountain View Councilmember Ellen Kamei (Chair), Mayor Alison Hicks, and Councilmember Lisa Matichak. The CTC passed a motion recommending that the Mountain View City Council select the eastern alignment alternative as the preferred alignment for the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project. The vote was 3-0. Comments from the CTC members included the following:
• Desire to include public art;
• Preference for a separation between bicycles and pedestrians;
• Request to include safety features for a variety of concerns including collisions between modes, potential for assaults, lighting, visibility; and
• Request to hear more about funding at a later date.
Additionally, there were four public speakers on the item; all were in favor of the project and most were in favor of the eastern alignment alternative.
The Mountain View City Council considered this item as a consent item on April 25, 2023. The Mountain View City Council passed a motion to approve the Council Transportation Committee’s recommendation to select the eastern alignment alternative as the preferred alignment for the design and environmental review of Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing. The vote was 7-0.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council meeting agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board at City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Public Library and in the Department of Public Safety Lobby. In addition, the agenda and this report are available at the NOVA Workforce Services reception desk located on the first floor of City Hall at 456 W. Olive Avenue (during normal business hours), and on the City's website.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Selection of the Eastern Alignment as the Preferred Alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project.
2. Selection of the Western Alignment as the Preferred Alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project.
3. Do not Select any Preferred Alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Alternative 1: Selection of the Eastern Alignment as the Preferred Alignment of the Bernardo Avenue Undercrossing Project.
Based on the feedback heard to date, the eastern alignment is the preferred alignment. The community, the Mountain View Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Sunnyvale Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and the Mountain View City Council have all stated a preference for the eastern alignment. This alignment is also preferred by Caltrain staff as it provides more space for multiple options of construction methods. The additional space within the County-owned triangular property can be used for construction activities, which would decrease the need to close lanes on Central Expressway. This alternative also allows for a larger opening to let in natural light. This opening would also create a more open feel for the undercrossing. To the east of North and South Bernardo Avenues, there are fewer utilities present that would conflict with the tunnel construction. The eastern alignment requires less utility coordination and relocation. Due to these reasons, the eastern alignment is expected to have a shorter construction duration and lower construction cost. Generally, the eastern alignment is expected to have fewer impacts to the community, the commuting public and utility facilities during construction, and greater benefits to the active transportation users once built when compared to the western alignment.
Staff
Prepared by: Angela Obeso, Principal Transportation Engineer
Reviewed by: Dennis Ng, Transportation and Traffic Manager
Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission [23-0030, March 16, 2023] (without attachments)
Additional Attachments for Report to Council
2. Excerpt of Draft Minutes of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission Meeting of March 16, 2023