REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a Presentation and Provide Feedback on the De La Cruz/Coleman Bikeway Planning Project
Report
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Clara received a Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Measure B planning grant to develop the De La Cruz Boulevard/Coleman Avenue Bikeway Plan (Plan). The Plan is studying De La Cruz Boulevard from Central Expressway to Lafayette Street/Alviso Street and Coleman Avenue from De La Cruz Boulevard to Brokaw Road (Attachment 1). In December 2022, City Council approved an agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Consultant) to assist in the development of the Plan.
The Plan, which is anticipated to be completed in Summer 2024, will identify improvements to complete bicycle network gaps, increase mobility, and make biking more comfortable for people of all ages and abilities for the 1.8-mile project corridor. The Plan also includes reviewing potential options for parking removal. The Plan will ultimately produce a parking study, street design concepts, and a draft and final Project Report that will discuss opportunities and constraints of the potential design options.
It should be noted that this is only a planning level document and does not include design, environmental review, or construction of any alternative. At the completion of the work effort, if Council decides to move forward with a specific alternative, then additional funds would be required to design, bid, and construct the alternative.
DISCUSSION
City staff will present draft design concepts for the Class IV bikeway project through an interactive presentation. A Class IV bikeway is a bikeway that is separated by a physical barrier from the roadway travel lanes. The Commission and the public will be invited to ask questions and share feedback on the design concepts (Attachment 2 and 3). The Commission and members of the public may also provide written feedback on the concepts using a survey link, which will be provided during the presentation and available at the project’s webpage at www.SantaClaraCA.gov/BikePedProjects until November 29 <http://www.SantaClaraCA.gov/BikePedProjects%20until%20November%2029>, 2023.
De La Cruz Boulevard/Coleman Avenue Draft Design Concepts
Two concept alternatives were developed for the project corridor (Refer to Attachment 2, “Corridor Concept A” and “Corridor Concept B” exhibits).
• Concept A includes Class IV cycle tracks on each side of De La Cruz Blvd between Central Expressway and Reed St. At Reed St, the Class IV cycle tracks would transition to a two-way cycle track on the east side of Coleman Ave.
• Concept B includes a two-way cycle track along the west side of De La Cruz Blvd between Central Expressway and Martin Ave and Class IV cycle tracks on each side of De La Cruz Blvd between Martin Ave and Reed Street. At Reed Street, the Class IV cycle tracks would transition to a two-way cycle track on the east side of Coleman Avenue.
Each concept exhibit also includes high-level recommendations for intersection improvements to accommodate the proposed bikeway improvements.
Cross Sections:
Typical cross sections were developed to illustrate existing and concept alternative conditions along the corridor (Refer to Attachment 3). The following cross sections are included in the section maps:
• Section 1: De La Cruz Blvd from Central Expressway to Airport Technology Park
o Existing (“No Build”) Scenario - Six-travel lanes, raised median, and parking on the west side
o Section 1A - remove parking on the west side, one-way class IV cycle tracks on each side of the road
o Section 1B - remove parking on the west side, two-way cycle track on the west side
• Section 2: De La Cruz Blvd from Airport Technology Park to Martin Ave
o Existing (“No Build”) Scenario - Six-travel lanes, center turn lane, and parking on the west side
o Section 2A - remove parking on the west side, one-way class IV cycle tracks on each side of the road
o Section 2B - remove parking on the west side, two-way cycle track on the west side
• Section 3: De La Cruz Blvd from Martin Ave to Reed St
o Existing (“No Build”) Scenario - Six-travel lanes, center turn lane, and parking on both sides
o Section 3A - remove parking on the west side, one-way class IV cycle tracks on each side of the road
• Section 4: Northbound Coleman Avenue from Reed Street to South of Tri-Level
o Existing (“No Build”) Scenario - Two-travel lanes and a paved shoulder
o Section 4A - two-way cycle track on the east side
• Section 5: Northbound Coleman Avenue from South of Tri-Level to Brokaw Rd
o Existing (“No Build”) Scenario- Seven-lanes wide, center turn lane, and paved shoulder
o Section 4A - two-way cycle track on the east side
Tri-Level:
A detailed investigation was performed to examine the feasibility of designating exclusive space for bicycles on each of the tri-level ramps. It was determined that, for most movements through the tri-level, it is not feasible to implement bicycle facilities without major roadway and bridge reconstruction, given the following factors:
• High vehicle speeds and volumes,
• Limited sight distance,
• Some roadway widths too narrow to provide protected bike lanes,
• Multiple bridge structures,
• Many convergence and divergence points, and
• Many potential conflict points between people biking and autos.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Receive a presentation and provide feedback on draft design concepts.
Staff
Prepared by: Carol Shariat, Principal Transportation Planner, Public Works
Approved by: Dale Seale, Acting Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Project Study Area
2. Aerial Concepts
3. Section Map Concepts