REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Recommendation regarding Council Drafting a Letter for the Preservation of the Freedom Bridge
Report
BACKGROUND
In the late 1990's, a pedestrian bridge was constructed over the San Tomas Aquino Creek by the Intel Corporation (Intel). The bridge, known as the "Freedom Bridge", was permitted by Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) and constructed as a temporary bridge to facilitate the construction of structures on the Intel Campus located at 2200 Mission College Boulevard. While the City was aware of Intel's request to Valley Water, the City did not have a role in the permitting, construction, or ownership of the bridge as the bridge is located in Valley Water's jurisdiction. The bridge is located approximately 1,000 feet south of Mission College Boulevard and is currently being used by the public as a path to cross the San Tomas Aquino Creek from the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail directly into the Intel Campus (Attachment 1).
On November 16, 2018, Valley Water informed Intel in writing (Attachment 2) that they required the bridge be removed and the adjacent levee be restored. Currently, the bridge remains due to a lease agreement between Intel and Valley Water, which will expire on September 14, 2019. The lease has been extended several times and Valley Water intends to formally terminate the lease agreement and require the bridge to be removed. Valley Water has also stated that the bridge is not American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, is structurally deficient, and could potentially exacerbate flooding.
At the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) meeting on December 21, 2018, an Intel employee notified the BPAC that Valley Water requested Intel to remove the bridge by September 2019, and the employee wanted the BPAC's help to preserve the bridge. Staff responded that an update on this issue could be included at the next BPAC mee...
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