Transportation Projects

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1 Calendar of Events August 2018 There s been no summertime lull around Palo Alto during this time of year, particularly when it comes to tackling Council Priorities. City employees from several departments have been pulling out all the stops for various transportation projects this summer. Transportation Projects Paving the Way for Safer Roads New safety features will be installed along the Charleston/Arastradero Corridor in the coming months that include widened sidewalks, a continuous bicycle lane along the corridor, curb extensions, and curb ramps compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Temporary markings were put up along the corridor for five weeks this summer for staff to make evaluations and obtain community feedback. Most of the temp markings are being removed, except the white paint and signs that show the layout of the new features. Labor Day Holiday Administrative Offices Closed Mon., Sept. 3 Palo Alto City Libraries Closed Friday, Aug. 31 Friday Night at the Art Center Palo Alto Art Center 1313 Newell Road Fri., Sept. 14, 7-10 p.m.

2 Those temporary markings have already been used to guide minor changes in the intersections of Coulombe and Arastradero, and Carlson and Charleston, such as reducing the bulb-outs or increasing the width of the receiving lane, and adding a right turn lane at the Coulombe intersection. The new features are aimed at increasing safety by moderating vehicle speeds and turning speeds, decreasing pedestrian crossing times and exposure to traffic, and increasing the visibility of oncoming traffic when exiting side streets. To learn more, visit the project page at: cityofpaloalto.org/cacorridor. You can your feedback to: pwecips@cityofpaloalto.org The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch Palo Alto Art Center 1313 Newell Road Sept , 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Find us on Facebook and Twitter Subscribe to Our Palo Alto enewsletter Our Palo Alto Community Events Calendar Our Palo Alto mobile App for iphone and Android The intersection of Park Boulevard and Page Mill Road began operating as a signalized intersection in late July. All four approaches now have a marked crosswalk and accessible pedestrian signals, plus bicycle detection for all left and through approaches. Left turning bicycles and vehicles need to yield to opposing traffic going through the intersection or making right turns.

3 Also, the finishing touches to the Midtown bike and pedestrian safety project were added in the form of a creative Go with the Flow koi fish design in the crosswalks. Come check out the roadway art designed by Bay Area based artist Damon Belanger at the Louis/Fielding intersection, near Ohlone Elementary School. Roundabouts, wayfinding, raised intersections and crossings are just some of the features of these Neighborhood Traffic Safety & Bicycle Boulevard Projects designed to reduce automobile speeds and prioritize safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Have you seen the new 25 MPH signs rolling out this month? They serve as a reminder for drivers that this is the citywide speed limit unless otherwise noted. The signs are going up near City of Palo Alto signs at 12 gateway locations into the City. Getting the Green Light The Metropolitan Transportation Commission gave the green light to a $81,130 grant to coordinate traffic signals along University Avenue from the Dumbarton Bridge to Middlefield Road. The project will re-time 14 signals on University Avenue between Bayfront Expressway and Middlefield Road and four signals on Donohoe Street, which serves the retail center that includes IKEA and Home Depot. The work should be completed by June 2019 and is estimated to help reduce travel time and emissions between percent.

4 Stop Your Engines On Aug. 6 the Council unanimously approved a new law banning car idling. Enforcement of the law will be done primarily through an educational campaign explaining the negative impacts of idling on the environment. Sitting in traffic or at a signal light doesn t count. The concern is more about instances when engines are running while the vehicle is sitting still. Save the Date: San Antonio Traffic Safety Meeting The Office of Transportation will be hosting a second public meeting for the San Antonio Road at East Charleston Road Traffic Safety Project on Wednesday, September 5 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center. This project is designed to improve motor vehicle circulation and pedestrian and motorist safety at this high-collision location. At this meeting, staff will share revised concepts and additional ideas based on feedback from the April community meeting. Teaming Up to Create a Connected Bikeway

5 Join us at Burgess Park in Menlo Park on Saturday, September 8 as the City teams up with Menlo Park, Mountain View and Redwood City to celebrate the opening of an interim bikeway and begin planning for a future permanent Peninsula Bikeway. Elected representatives and staff from the cities will also be on hand at this family-friendly event to hear from the community. The temporary bikeway route covers almost 16 miles in the four peninsula cities and runs from Evelyn Avenue in Mountain View to Warwick Street in Redwood City as it travels along California, Bryant, Oak Grove, Laurel, Elena and Austin, among others. The route takes advantage of existing facilities with a focus on including low stress bike streets. The event at Burgess Park runs from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. and includes: fun events for kids and families a pop-up separated bikeway e-bike test rides Click here for more information and to view a map of the interim bikeway. Get Pumped for Bike Palo Alto Grab your helmet and hop on your bike as the 9th Annual Bike Palo Alto returns for riders of all ages on Sunday, September 30 from 1-3 p.m. Fairmeadow Elementary School serves as the headquarters to register, get maps, and a quick safety check of tires, brakes and chains. Participants can choose between three self-guided routes, with free treats offered at rest stops along each route. Bike Palo Alto also kicks off this fall s Walk & Roll Week in Palo Alto schools. Bike Palo Alto is completely volunteer-run. If you would like to help, please fill out this form. For more information, click here.

6 Returning from the Call to Duty A team of Palo Alto firefighters traveled across California as part of a county strike team assisting with California s deadly wildfires. Engine 65 from Station 5 first traveled more than 450 miles to respond to the Cranston Fire in the Southern California mountain community near Idyllwild in July. The team was then redeployed to the Mendocino Complex fire in Northern California. That fire has since grown to become the largest fire in state history. Firefighter Manny Macias, Captain David Dahl, Apparatus Operator Orely Hatfield, and Firefighter Jeremy Palmitier. Captain David Dahl, apparatus operator Orley Hatfield and firefighters Manny Macias and Jeremy Palmitier made up the Palo Alto crew that helped battle the fires throughout the state. Palo Alto's off-duty crews also jumped into action, helping staff a reserve engine at Station 5 on Arastradero Road until the firefighters and Engine 65 returned from the call to duty.

7 Welcome Week for Newcomers Palo Alto is already known as an inclusive community and now it is extending the welcome mat by participating in Palo Alto Welcome Week, a community collaboration led by the Palo Alto Family YMCA from September This week is part of the National Welcoming Week and celebrates new Americans and all newcomers to our community. It s a chance for both immigrants and local residents to get to know each other and learn what unites us as a community. Some of the activities planned are: Welcome Week Kick-off Party at the Palo Alto Art Center for the fall exhibition, Care and Feeding: The Art of Parenthood on Friday, Sept. 14. Take one of several self-guided storytelling walking tours hosted by the Y. Explore immigrant stories through written word and videos at the Palo Alto Libraries, and videos from Made into America from the Midpen Media Center. Share your newcomer story of when you (or your family) arrived, and how you contribute to our community (personal or business) - through our online portal. Join us at Avenidas for the Fall Moon Festival on Friday, Sept. 21. Find more information at: PaloAltoWelcomeWeek.org. Socials of the Month Are you following us on social media? Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

8 Jeff Aug 14 First day of School in Palo Alto Looking forward to PA's finest welcoming all the kids back to school this morning, & encouraging safe driving, drop offs, & exits from Middle & @GregScharff Steven Lee, Palo Alto Human Relations Commissioner Aug 15 Kris Aug 2 are going to time the lights at 18 intersections along University Ave and Donohoe Street to cut traffic time by up to 40%. Tell me: so you think it ll work? It s my story this a.m.

9 Sanjay Aug 16 Delighted to welcome Mayor of and City Manager Jim Keene, to the Palo Alto campus, one of the best places to work! To find out how you can get involved, or more information about Our Palo Alto, go to: