REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Stadium Event and Super Bowl Impacts (Chan)
Report
BACKGROUND
At the July 23, 2023 Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting, BPAC member Megas requested to have the BPAC discuss Stadium Event and Super Bowl Impacts (Attachment 1).
A number of factors in connection with large events at Levi’s Stadium (e.g. day of the week, time of event, type of event, size of event, pre-event set-up requirements, security concerns, etc.) influence the City’s Traffic Management Plan and access to the San Tomas Aquino/Saratoga Creek. The Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) takes several factors into consideration when planning for each event, including concerns and ideas from the public. While the SCPD is attempting to be accommodating to various community requests, its first priority is always public safety.
With public safety in mind, the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail (STACT) is closed between Agnew Road and Tasman Drive during certain event days at Levi's Stadium. Bicyclists are detoured via Agnew Road, Lakeshore Drive, Gianera Street, the VTA Great America Train Station Parking lot, Stars and Stripes Drive, new Access Road through the future Related Santa Clara development, Great America Parkway, and then back to the STACT (Attachment 2).
DISCUSSION
The following Stadium Event items were raised for discussion:
- Trail Detour markings and wayfinding.
SCPD and Public Works staff recently reviewed STACT closure detour signage for stadium events. Some signage gaps were identified for the southbound trail at Great America Parkway to the detour route along Stars and Stripes Drive. Supplemental detour signage will be installed in the short term to improve guidance for cyclists during upcoming stadium events.
In addition, an update to the overall STACT bicycle detour signage is currently being developed and is expected to be implemented in late 2024. This update will involve replacing the current detour signage with new guidance signage along the bicycle detour route. Additional signage will also be installed between the detour waypoints to inform cyclists that they are on the correct detour route. The guidance signage will be continuously displayed and will not need to be covered and uncovered for each stadium event, which will minimize disruptions to trail users.
- Getting event sign trailers out of bike lanes. It's pretty routine where these go. Could we put permanent signs up on existing posts?
The City's Permanent Changeable Message Sign Project is currently under construction and will provide 10 new overhead electronic message boards on Great America Parkway and Tasman Drive. These overhead message boards will provide enhanced traffic and parking advisory information for stadium events. Upon construction completion, the nearby message sign trailers will be reevaluated and may be removed from the area during stadium events. In the short term, staff will evaluate current signage based on the comment related to signs being placed in bike lanes.
- Trail closure and reopening. Contract staff for non-49ers events seem to be the least informed. Sometimes trail gates aren't reopened fully after an event, and usually the trail ramp to Tasman Drive has metal barricades left across it long after events.
Stadium Manager Operations staff are responsible for the STACT closure and reopening. STACT is closed when the stadium parking lots open for an event and will reopen when the event is over. Some of the metal barricades are stored nearby the trail entrance and should not be blocking access ramps. Staff will coordinate with the Stadium Manager on the comment that additional training may be necessary.
- Reducing impacts from Super Bowl LX and other extra-large events. If the only options are to ride on Great America Parkway or Lafayette, could we have protected bike lanes there by then, that aren't blocked by event signs?
Currently the City, NFL, and FIFA are in early discussions related to the upcoming 2026 events at Levi’s Stadium. Staff does not have information regarding stadium event management requirements for these events at this time. There is currently no plan to alter the bike detour and as mentioned above, 10 new permanent overhead message signs are under construction and will be operational at the end of 2025. Upon construction completion, the nearby message sign trailers will be reevaluated and may be removed from the area during stadium events.
- Post-event litter removal and trail cleanup.
The current stadium event operation plan does not include provisions for post-event trail litter clean-up. The public can request trail litter clean-up through the MySantaClara app or the city’s website.
Staff
Written by: Steve Chan, Transportation Manager, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENTS
1. Stadium Event and Superbowl Impacts Topic Request Form (Megas)
2. Stadium STACT detour map