SunnyvaleRTC

August 10, 2004

SUBJECT: Mathilda Avenue Overcrossing Project Update – Information Only

REPORT IN BRIEF

This project involves widening and modifying the Mathilda Avenue bridge (at Evelyn Avenue and the Caltrain tracks) to address deficiencies which have been identified by Caltrans. The project is in the environmental clearance phase of design work. Staff plans to hold a community meeting to provide information about the project and to solicit input from the public on a variety of project related items in advance of consideration of environmental clearance. The Environmental Document for this project will be an Initial Study/Negative Declaration and is expected to be complete by the end of this calendar year.

BACKGROUND

The existing Mathilda bridge was built in 1965 and underwent seismic retrofits in 1981 and 1993. According to the latest Caltrans bridge inspection report done in April 2000, the bridge was evaluated with a Sufficiency Rating of 79.7, and was found to be “functionally obsolete.” The bridge is also on the Federal Highway Administrations Eligible Bridge List (EBL).

The City secured funding for preliminary engineering through the Federally funded Highway Bridge Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (HBRR) Program, and a funding commitment is in place for construction funding.

At its July 15, 2003 meeting, the City Council awarded a contract for design and environmental services to a project team lead by Mark Thomas & Company.

EXISTING POLICY

Land Use and Transportation Element C3, Attain a transportation system that is effective, safe, pleasant and convenient.

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.4, Maintain roadways and traffic control devices in good operating condition.

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.1.4, Study and implement physical and operational improvements to optimize roadway and intersection capacities.

Land Use and Transportation Element N1.5, Support a roadway system that protects internal residential areas from City-wide and regional traffic.

Land Use and Transportation Element C3.5, Support a variety of transportation modes.

DISCUSSION

The Mathilda Avenue Bridge Overcrossing project is intended to correct deficiencies with the existing bridge as well as improve access into downtown Sunnyvale. The current bridge does not meet bridge pier clearance standards nor does it meet current deceleration lane, shoulder width, or bridge railing design standards. Pedestrian facilities do not meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards as well. A contract was awarded on July 15, 2003 to Mark Thomas & Company, Incorporated to provide design and construction support services for the Mathilda project.

The project is currently in the environmental phase and staff has been working on a variety of issues relating to the project scope.

There has been strong community interest in this project from the surrounding residential community and the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). For this reason, outreach is being conducted throughout the environmental phase rather than waiting until the conclusion of the environmental process to seek public comment. Information on the proposed project was presented to the BPAC at their March 18, 2004 meeting. Items of interest to BPAC members were ensuring that the pedestrian facilities were ADA compliant and that bicyclists could be accommodated within the proposed street section. The BPAC was also informed that it would be necessary to eliminate the existing westerly pedestrian access due to right-of-way constraints and to lessen the impact on existing trees.

A community meeting has now been scheduled for August 25, 2004 to present community members with information about the project and to solicit their input regarding various project issues. The presentation will include visual simulations (see attached) of the future project with views from the perspective of the Charles Street neighborhood and the neighborhood directly north of the Sunnyvale Multimodal Station. Information will be provided on project issues that have arisen as part of the environmental process.

Some of the items that will be presented to the public, and the current direction proposed for the project, include:

§ Proposed pedestrian and bicycle access

ü widened, barrier-separated pedestrian crossing on the east side of the structure

ü 5’ roadway shoulders for bikes

ü removal of existing walkway on the west side of the structure

§ Changes to Charles Street access

ü Cul-de-sac with no access to Evelyn Avenue

ü Replacement of street access with a driveway for the northernmost three homes, potential limitation of fire access

§ Impacts to parking

ü Reduction of spaces in the Charles Street lot

ü Removal of parking spaces on west side of connector road from Evelyn

§ Location and number of trees to be impacted

ü Removal of one row of trees on the northwest side of the structure; retention of one row – 27 trees to be removed, 67 to remain

ü Removal of 10 trees on the northeast side of the structure; retention of 33 trees

ü Removal of two small trees at the southeast quadrant, retention of 13

ü Landscape mitigation opportunities, including tree replacement

§ Information regarding potential construction impacts such as pile-driving operations and traffic control

ü Pre-drilled piles – limited impact

ü Ramp closures – detours required

§ Community input on preferred landscape and other aesthetic treatments

ü Aesthetics consistent with downtown streetscape standards

ü San Andreas Court “woonerf” (shared resident vehicle/pedestrian access see Attachment E)

§ Noise Data

ü No new impacts

The intent of the public meeting is to keep the community informed about the current project scope and to solicit their input. Some of these items have previously been presented to the community such as the proposed cul-de-sac at the northerly end of Charles Street. However, there is now more detailed project information available that can be presented to the public. Feedback will be used to inform the environmental analysis. Staff will return to the City Council in Fall 2004 with a draft environmental analysis for final consideration of these issues.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact associated with this update.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Public contact was made through posting of the Council agenda on the City's official notice bulletin board, posting of the agenda and report on the City's web page, and the availability of the report in the Library and the City Clerk's Office.

In addition, for the public meeting notification will be made via direct mailings to adjacent residents and property owners within 400 feet of the project (per Council direction), by a press release and by contacting the appropriate neighborhood associations.

Prepared by:

Barbara Keegan

Assistant Director of Public Works

Reviewed by:

Marvin A. Rose

Director, Public Works

Approved by:

Amy Chan

City Manager

Attachments (All pdf format)

A. Visual Simulations – Charles Street, Beemer Avenue

B. Issues and Opportunities Drawing