REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
De La Cruz Boulevard, Lick Mill Boulevard, and Scott Boulevard Bicycle Improvements Project (Garcia)
Report
BACKGROUND
On October 10, 2023, Council accepted Federal Community Project Funding in the amount of $2.725 million and established a new project for the De La Cruz Boulevard, Lick Mill Boulevard, and Scott Boulevard Bikeway Improvements Project (Project). The Project scope of work includes traffic analyses and design concept analysis, public outreach, design, and construction of bicycle facilities on: 1) De La Cruz Boulevard from Montague Expressway to Trimble Road, 2) Lick Mill Boulevard from Tasman Drive to Montague Expressway, and 3) Scott Boulevard from the Calabazas Creek Trail to Saratoga Avenue (Attachment 1). The goal is to enhance safety, improve mobility, and reduce vehicle emissions by implementing high priority bicycle projects identified in the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan while connecting local residential communities, schools, libraries, and major employers within Santa Clara. It is important to note that as part of the design concept analysis, vehicle lane and/or parking removals will be considered and neighborhood outreach will be conducted as these corridors do not have sufficient roadway space to accommodate new bicycle facilities.
DISCUSSION
At the August 26, 2024 BPAC meeting, draft design concepts were presented for the three project corridors based on recommendations from the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan, the available roadway space, and the project construction budget. BPAC members provided comments on the draft design concepts. The concepts were slightly revised and will be presented to BPAC at the October 28, 2024 BPAC meeting, along with more information about the existing geometry of each of the corridors. In addition, the project consultant will discuss the schedule for the project, public input opportunities, and status of the corridor analyses.
Similar to the August 26, 2024 presentation, the revised design concepts are divided into two segments for the De La Cruz Boulevard corridor, two segments for the Lick Mill Boulevard corridor, and five segments for the Scott Boulevard corridor (Attachment 1).
De La Cruz Boulevard
Segment D1: Montague Expressway to Montague Park - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends a Class II Bike Lane on this segment. This section of De La Cruz Boulevard consists of single-family homes and Montague Elementary School with four lanes (two lanes northbound and southbound separated by a centerline stripe). There is on-street parking on both sides of the street adjacent to single-family homes. The draft concept options include Class II Bike Lanes and Class IIB Buffered Bike Lanes with the removal of travel lanes or parking.
Segment D2: Montague Park to West Trimble Road - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends a Class IV Separated Bikeway on this segment. This section of De La Cruz Boulevard south of Montague Park consists of mostly large commercial parcels with four lanes (two lanes northbound and southbound separated by a centerline stripe). There is on-street parking on both sides of the street adjacent to the large commercial properties. The draft concept options include Class II Bike Lanes, Class IIB Buffered Bike Lanes, and Class IV Separated Bikeways with the removal of travel lanes or parking.
Lick Mill Boulevard
Segment L1: Tasman Drive to Laird Circle (S) - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends a Class IV Separated Bikeway on this segment. This section of Lick Mill Boulevard includes single and multi-family homes as well as the Ulistac Natural Area and Lick Mill Park located along the roadway. The roadway consists of four lanes, a landscaped median with left-turn pockets at intersections, and on-street parking on both sides of the street. The draft concept options include Class IIB Buffered Bike Lanes and Class IV Separated Bikeways with the removal of travel lanes or parking.
Segment L2: Laird Circle (S) to Montague Expressway - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends a Class IV Separated Bikeway on this segment. This section of Lick Mill Boulevard south of Laird Circle (S) includes multi-family housing, Thamien Park, and Don Callejon Arts and Design School along the roadway. The roadway consists of four lanes, a landscaped median with left-turn pockets at intersections, and on-street parking on the west side of the roadway. The draft concept options include Class IIB Buffered Bike Lanes and Class IV Separated Bikeways with the removal of travel lanes or parking.
Scott Boulevard
Segment S1: Arques Avenue (City Border) to Central Expressway - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends a Class IIB Buffered Bikeway on this segment. This section of Scott Boulevard includes multi-family housing and large commercial parcels along the roadway. The roadway consists of four lanes, a landscaped median with left-turn pockets at intersections, and Class II Bike Lanes. The draft concept options include Class IIB Buffered Bike Lanes with roadway re-allocation (travel lane narrowing).
Segment S2: Central Expressway to Martin Avenue - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends a Class IIB Buffered Bikeway on this segment. This section of Scott Boulevard includes large commercial parcels along the roadway. The roadway consists of five travel lanes (two southbound, three northbound), a two-way left-turn lane with left-turn pockets at intersections, and Class II Bike Lanes. The draft concept options include Class IIB Buffered Bike Lanes with roadway re-allocation (travel lane narrowing).
Segment S3: Martin Avenue to Monroe Street - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends a Class IIB Buffered Bikeway on this segment. This section of Scott Boulevard includes large commercial parcels along the roadway. The roadway consists of six travel lanes, a concrete median barrier, and Class II Bike Lanes. The draft concept options include Class II or Class IIB Buffered Bike Lanes with lane removal.
Segment S4: Monroe Street to Homestead Road - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends Class II Bike Lanes on this segment. This section of Scott Boulevard includes single and multi-family homes and large commercial properties along the roadway. The roadway consists of four travel lanes, a two-way left-turn lane with left-turn pockets at intersections, and on-street parking on both sides of the street. The draft concept options include Class II Bike Lanes with parking removal.
Segment S5: Homestead Road to Saratoga Avenue - the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan recommends Class II Bike Lanes on this segment. This section of Scott Boulevard mostly consists of single-family homes along the roadway. The roadway consists of four travel lanes separated by a centerline, with left-turn pockets at signalized intersections, and on-street parking on both sides of the street. The draft concept options include Class II or Class IIB Buffered Bike Lanes with lane or parking removal.
The project team will present the revised draft concepts at the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting. The BPAC and members of the public will be invited to share input on their priorities for the corridors and comment on the revised draft concepts as well as other project details.
Staff
Written by: Ralph Garcia, Senior Civil Engineer, Public Works
Reviewed by: Steve Chan, Transportation Manager
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENT
1. Project Study Limits