Foothill Expressway Improvements Between El Monte and San Antonio June 29, 2017 - Los Altos Community Meeting
Introduction Project Background Agenda Visit Stations: Provide Input and Ask Questions Reconvene: Input Summary and Additional Comments Next Steps
Expressway Plan 2040
County Expressway System Designed to supplement freeways and relieve local streets 8 expressways for total of 62 miles Nearly 1.5 million vehicles a day Expressway Plan 2040 Long term plan for improvement and maintenance of Expressway System 55 percent of residents use a County expressway almost everyday Foothill Foothill Expressway Expressway Improvements Improvements between between El El Monte Monte and and San San Antonio Antonio
Expressway Plan 2040 Los Altos Participation Policy Advisory Board: Councilmember Jeannie Bruins Technical Working Group: Susanna Chan County/VTA BPAC: Wes Brinsfield Community: Expressway Plan 2040 Open House in Los Altos on January 16, 2014 Foothill Expressway Community Meeting in Los Altos on May 5, 2014 and October 21, 2014 Additional community outreach planned for release of draft plan document in Fall 2017
Foothill Expressway Overview 7.3 miles long 4 lanes wide 11 signalized intersection 1 freeway connection: I-280 94,000 vehicle trips daily Primarily residential land uses Downtown Los Altos Key school crossing areas Very popular bicycle facility EXPRESSWAY PLAN 2040
Location San Antonio to El Monte (Tier 1) I 280 Interchange to Homestead (Tier 1) Magdalena/Springer (Tier 2) Arastradero (Tier 3) Various Intersections Expressway Plan 2040 Foothill Expressway Improvements Potential Improvement Widen from 4 to 6 lanes by extending right turn lanes and make intersection improvements at El Monte and San Antonio (MEASURE B) Add signal at the southbound I 280 off ramp intersection and intersection improvements at northbound I 280 off ramp, including pedestrian crossing enhancements, potential Stevens Creek Trail and northbound auxiliary lane on Foothill to Homestead (MEASURE B) Intersection operational improvements Grade separation (eliminate signal) and improve bike/ped access to high school Pedestrian and bicycle crossing enhancements Along Expressway Bicycle travel improvements
PROJECT BACKGROUND
San Antonio Rd Project Vicinity Foothill Expwy: north south El Monte: east west
Existing Conditions PM peak heavy demand on southbound right turn Free running right turns can be challenging for pedestrian crossings El Monte Ave AM peak heavy demand on eastbound left turn Foothill Expressway Westbound traffic backup blocking Covington
Existing Conditions 2013 2025 During the peak traffic conditions, back ups occur on Foothill Expressway beyond San Antonio to the north and El Monte to the south.
Project Scope Add auxiliary lanes between El Monte Avenue and San Antonio Road 2 nd westbound through at El Monte 3 design alternatives developed focused on intersection improvements Design Funding: City of Los Altos Construction Funding: VTA s 2016 Measure B Sales Tax
Project Features Common for all three alternatives Bike slot 2 through lanes on El Monte Auxiliary lanes on Foothill in both directions 8 foot shoulders Pedestrian sensors
Alternative 1 (Northbound Foothill Focus) All corners squared (no free running right turns with pork chops) Three left turn lanes At El Monte Dual right turn lanes At San Antonio
Alternative 2 (Southbound Foothill Focus) Two right turn lanes 3 Squared corners Three through lanes on approach At El Monte At San Antonio
Alternative 3 (Combined Alt 1 and 2) Two right turn lanes All corners squared Three through lanes on approach Three left turn lanes Dual right turn lanes At El Monte At San Antonio
Pros: Pros and Cons for All Alternatives Auxiliary lanes address traffic back-ups on Foothill in AM & PM Squaring northwest Foothill/El Monte corner improves pedestrian access through sound wall Adding 500 feet of 2 nd through westbound El Monte lane will assist Covington left-turns onto El Monte Adds bike slot for northbound Foothill at San Antonio Pedestrian sensors at El Monte
Cons: Pros and Cons for All Alternatives Squaring off corners might increase delays for right turning traffic Narrowing the median will require removing the trees in the median
Pros of Alternatives 1 & 2 Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Square corners enhance pedestrian crossing Less back up for northbound Foothill Expressway Triple left turns at El Monte serve 2025 traffic conditions Square corners enhance pedestrian crossing Three southbound through lanes on Foothill at San Antonio increases throughput at intersection Double southbound right turn lanes at El Monte serves 2025 traffic conditions
Cons of Alternatives 1 & 2 Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Truck turn challenges with triple left turn on eastbound El Monte Tree removal with northbound double right turn lanes at San Antonio Truck turn challenges with southbound double right turn at El Monte Does not square southeast corner right turn at El Monte Third through lane on southbound approach at San Antonio could create weaving issues (creates right turn trap lane)
VISIT STATIONS Stations 1 & 2: Conceptual Design Alternatives 1, 2 & 3 Station 3: Feedback on Existing Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing at El Monte Mix and Match Design features shown on each of the alternatives can be mixed and matched to come up with the preferred concept
INPUT SUMMARY
Next Steps Conceptual Design Alternatives Summer 2017 Final Design Early 2018 Construction - Summer 2018 Community Engagement (throughout the project) Public Meetings Fall 2017
Community Input Website: www.countyroads.org Select Projects Sign up for project updates
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