Mountain View’s 2014-15 Bicyclist and Pedestrian Projects

by | Jun 17, 2014 | Bike lanes, CIP, City Council, Trails

Source: Flickr gregraisman

Tonight, the Mountain View City Council adopted the FY2014-15 Budget and Capital Improvement Program. In addition to the projects underway, the budget includes several projects aimed at improving the bicycle and pedestrian experience. Great Streets Mountain View met with City staff and City Councilmembers and, spoke at City Council, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Environmental Planning Commission meetings to push for bike and pedestrian projects. Thanks to all of you who also spoke or emailed and lent your support! Please see the list of projects funded for the coming year.

Mobility Coordinator Position
Funding: $150,000
Provides funding for a new Mobility Coordinator position. This is intended to be a two-year, limited-term position to focus on furthering the Council goal of Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility. This new position would provide expertise in developing policies, guidelines, and projects; support the B/PAC; and provide input on private development projects. It will also free up some staff resources in Traffic Engineering and Transportation to focus on other priorities.

Associate Civil Engineer—Traffic
Funding: $110,500
Provides funding for an Associate Civil Engineer position to support the increased workload in the Traffic Section due to the high levels of private development activity.

Permanente Creek Trail, Rock Street to West Middlefield Road, Design
Funding: $370,000
Extension of the Permanente Creek Trail from its terminus at Rock Street to West Middlefield Road.

Permanente Creek Trail Extension – West Middlefield Rd to McKelvey Park, Feasibility Study
Funding: $55,000
Feasibility study to extend the Permanente Creek Trail from West Middlefield Road to McKelvey Park.

Permanente Creek Trail – Amphitheatre Parkway Crossing, Construction
Funding: $1,265,000
Construct improvements to the existing Trail under-crossing at Amphitheatre Parkway.

Modifications to Grant/Phyllis/Martens Intersection
Funding: $897,000
Pedestrian improvements including shortened pedestrian crossing distances, elimination of free right-turn lanes to reduce vehicle speeds, and replacement of an aging traffic signal with a new signal with a dedicated left-turn movement.

Shoreline Boulevard Pathway (Villa St to Wright Ave), Design
Funding: $280,000
Design of pathway and connection improvements for bicycles and pedestrians along Shoreline Boulevard between Villa Street and Wright Avenue.

Green Bike Lane Pilot Project
Funding: $65,000
This pilot project will improve bike safety through the application of green paint to bike lanes in select areas to be determined.

Dana Street Reconstruction
Funding: $374,000
Additional funding for the existing West Dana Street reconstruction project to provide a safe pedestrian route to Mariposa Park from the adjacent neighborhood. Additional outside design services are required.

Additional projects to be undertaken by the Mountain View City Staff

  • Feasibility study for safer bike lanes on Shoreline Blvd from El Camino Real to Wright Ave with the possibility of reducing lanes from six to four to improve  the bicyclist and pedestrian experience
  • Feasibility study of an east-west trail with the first option to be studied being the Caltrain Corridor
  • Study greater access to bulk transit passes for residents
  • Study a city-wide community shuttle
  • Library Bike Stop, including a bike fix-it service station

Capital Improvement Plan Project Updates

by | Apr 4, 2014 | Bicycle Transportation Plan, California Street, Castro Street, CIP, Escuela Avenue, Shoreline Boulevard

CA&MVThis week we met with Jacqueline Solomon, Mountain View’s Deputy Public Works Director, and got an update on the bicycle and pedestrian related projects that were approved in the 2013-2014 Capital Improvement Program. To keep up with the progress on these projects as well as future projects, please sign-up for the GSMV Newsletter or Like our Facebook Page.

California Street / Escuela Avenue Study
Funding: $250,000
The study of California Street and Escuela Avenue will focus on improvements to the bicycle and pedestrian environment across and along California Street, including elimination or narrowing of vehicle lanes, increased areas for bicyclists, curb bulbs to reduce crossing width for pedestrians, and improved lighting and signage. The City is in the process of selecting a consultant for the project and they expect the study to begin in June and will span 12-18 months. They plan to conduct community meetings to gather input.

Shoreline Boulevard Crosswalk Improvements
Funding: $150,000
The City plans to install flashing beacon lights on South Shoreline at High School Way, Mercy Street, and Dana Street. Plans will be presented to the City Council for review on May 20th.

Downtown Bike Racks
Funding: $50,000
The City has sent the project out for bids and is expecting the bike racks to be installed in May or June. GSMV’s Wendee Crofoot has been the driving force on this project and we’re expecting her to make great use of these when they appear.

Castro Street Modifications by Graham Middle School
Funding: $950,000
The modification to Castro Street will improve pedestrian and bicycle safety by reducing vehicle lanes from two to one in each direction, add bicycle lanes, install curb bulb-outs at intersections, add high-visibility crosswalks with in-roadway warning lights at two crosswalks, and eliminate the free right turn from Castro Street to Miramonte Avenue. This project was funded in part by a $840,000 grant from VERBS (Vehicle Emissions Reductions By Schools). The City will be planning a community meeting in the summer or fall to get feedback on the plans and will seek approval from the City Council later this year. If approved, the City expects to build the project in the summer of 2015.

Bicycle Transportation Plan
Funding: $200,000
The Bicycle Transportation Plan will set forth a coordinated plan for bicycle transportation in Mountain View (including existence and location of bike boulevards, protected or buffered bike lanes, and green bike lanes). The planning process kicked off last week and it is being headed up by Linda Forsberg, Transportation and Business Manager. The City will have a website to invite online feedback and will be conducting several community meetings.