REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan Update (Garcia)
Report
BACKGROUND
The City is currently in the process of developing a Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan (Master Plan). The Master Plan includes the following three corridors (Attachment 1):
• Calabazas Creek: Benton Street to the Bay Trail just north of Highway 237
• Hetch-Hetchy Right-of-Way: Calabazas Creek to the Guadalupe River
• Saratoga Creek: Forbes Avenue to Monroe Street
The Master Plan will be completed based on the findings resulting from the 2013 Creek Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Study, engineering analysis, and input from stakeholders, including members of the public.
The Master Plan has the following key deliverables:
• Engineering Drawings - including trail segments and crossings
• Architectural Drawings - project location maps including typical trail cross sections with habitat preservation and integration
• Trail Design Standards and Guidelines - including typical trail widths, signage, and cross slopes
• Cost Estimates - including probable costs based on conceptual plans
• Environmental Analysis - including a study that identifies potential project impacts
• Final Report - summarizing project findings, concepts, constraints, design guidance, and recommendations on trail implementation and phasing
DISCUSSION
As noted in the FY 2024/25 and 2025/26 Adopted Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget, “Santa Clara has…placed a priority on enhancing multi-modal transportation for residents and businesses by providing additional bicycle facilities throughout the City based on the Bicycle Master Plan, adopting a Pedestrian Masterplan, creating a Shared Mobility Permit Program (bicycle and scooter share), and is in the process of completing a Creek Trail Network Expansion Masterplan for future expansion of trail facilities to complement the existing San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail.” Santa Clara hopes to build upon the success of the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail (STACT), which is the most used pedestrian and bicyclist facility in the city according to data presented in the Bicycle Master Plan Update 2018 and the Pedestrian Master Plan.
In fall 2017 Santa Clara initiated the Creek Trail Network Expansion Master Plan (Master Plan). The Master Plan builds upon the City’s 2013 Creek Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Study, which provides an overview of three corridors under evaluation and serves as background to the Master Plan. The study can be accessed on the City’s website at: <https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-g-z/public-works/engineering/traffic-engineering/santa-clara-creek-trail-master-plan>
The Master Plan project kicked off with the project consultant, Jana Sokale, completing a review of relevant City documents including the 2013 Creek Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Study, Bicycle Master Plan, and other planning documents to help guide the initial development of the trail concept plans. In addition, the project team began data collection and analysis tasks which included a review of topographic surveys, right-of-way maps, utility maps, field observation visits, and creek conditions. The project team also prepared a draft traffic analysis to evaluate at-grade roadway trail crossings. Upon completion of these tasks, trail alignments and concepts for the three corridors were prepared for initial review by stakeholders and City Departments.
The ability of Santa Clara to deliver new trail projects relies upon partnerships and agreements with landowners and agencies with jurisdiction over the three corridors. These potential trail corridors are owned by City of Santa Clara, Valley Water, City and County of San Francisco (Hetch Hetchy), Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), County of Santa Clara, and various other landowners. Over the past several years, the consultant team has reviewed background materials, conducted fieldwork, undertaken survey work, prepared base maps, identified preliminary trail alignments and developed conceptual engineering solutions for trail underpasses, overcrossings, bridges and at-grade crossings, and explored avenues for mitigating trail impacts on the environment. These preliminary designs have been further refined through hydraulic studies and traffic analyses. The preliminary trail alignments and engineering designs have been presented and reviewed by many of the landowners and agencies.
The project team met with the following stakeholders to discuss the initial trail alignments and to gather feedback and comments on the proposed trails:
• City Departments
• Valley Water
• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
• Caltrans
• Caltrain/Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board
• High-speed Rail Authority
• Santa Clara County Roads and Airports Department
• Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department
• City of Sunnyvale
• Mission College
• Cedar Fair (Great America Theme Park)
• Levi’s Stadium Authority
• Ulistac Natural Area Restoration and Education Project
• Private Landowners Proposing Development Projects
Comments received by the City project team on the initial trail alignments indicated several concerns from the stakeholders including safety, infrastructure access, emergency access, site and parking impacts, environmental deterioration, noise impacts from trail users, railroad clearances, roadway impacts, and access easement agreements. Based on this input, the project team modified the initial trail alignments to address stakeholder comments and resolve any issues identified. Consequently, the stakeholder input helped guide the project team to identify roadway and rail crossing options.
In addition to stakeholder coordination, City staff has requested input on specific plans, park master plans and development proposals that have the potential to impact the three trail corridors. This coordination has been intended to preserve land for trails, acquire land or easements along the three corridors and secure funding through development agreements when an appropriate nexus exists between development projects and pedestrian and bicycle circulation. The consultant team has provided input on the following projects and plans:
• Homestead Park Renovation Plan
• Bowers Park Rehabilitation Plan
• Central Park Master Plan
• City of Sunnyvale Lawrence Station Area Plan Update
• City of Sunnyvale Sense of Place Plan
• City of Sunnyvale Housing Study Update
• West Valley Mission Community College District Master Plan Update
• 3005 Democracy Way Rezoning Application
• Patrick Henry Specific Plan
Since the completion of the 2013 Creek Trail Network Expansion Feasibility Study much has changed in regards to trail planning in the region. In December 2021 Valley Water adopted “Public Trails on Valley Water Lands: Policy Criteria and Guidance.” In 2015 San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) adopted “SFPUC Interim Water Pipeline Right of Way Use Policy for San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda Counties.” These policies have implications for trail development along the three potential trail corridors. The consultant team has evaluated this new guidance.
The project team is currently working with stakeholders to address any outstanding issues with the redesigned trail alignments. Once the trail concept designs are considered feasible by the project team, they will be presented to the public for comment. It is anticipated that public outreach events will be scheduled for Fall/Winter and the public release of the draft report will be in Summer 2025. The final report and project completion are anticipated by the end of 2025.
At this time, staff would like to provide the BPAC with an update on the project and highlight upcoming opportunities for community engagement over the coming months.
Staff
Written by: Ralph Garcia, Senior Civil Engineer, Public Works and Jana Sokale, Project Consultant
Reviewed by: Carol Shariat, Principal Transportation Planner, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENTS
1. Creek Trail Master Plan Corridor Map