Middle Avenue Caltrain Crossing

  • Project typeTraffic and transportation
Photo simulation of the proposed Middle Avenue Caltrain crossing looking south from above

This project will construct a pedestrian and bicycle undercrossing of the Caltrain railroad near Middle Avenue, connecting Alma Street near Burgess Park to El Camino Real at the open space plaza that is part of Stanford's Middle Plaza at 500 El Camino Real project. The crossing will improve connectivity for neighborhoods on both sides of the Caltrain tracks to city amenities, schools, public transit and downtown Menlo Park.

The project is partially funded by a grant from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.

Current status

Through coordination with Caltrain, the City Council approved an updated conceptual design of the undercrossing in August 2023, with a longer and deeper tunnel to accommodate Caltrain requirements not to build ramps in the Caltrain right-of-way and to build the tunnel without any stoppage of rail operations. The update did not impact the City's environmental review determination in 2020. 

Project renderings(PDF, 12MB) are available provide several images that show what the project will look like from several viewpoints. Caltrain and the City will also be exploring an open roof concept(PDF, 8MB) for the first 15 to 20 feet of the tunnel adjacent to Alma Street as requested by the City Council.

Staff are working with Caltrain on the development of the design for the undercrossing.

Project history

The project kicked off in May 2017 and is identified as a priority project for the City Council, most recently on April 20, 2021.

Date
 Topic
 Location
 May 7, 2024 City Council meeting, authorizing the city manager to execute a memorandum of understanding with Caltrain to develop design and environmental clearance
documents
 City Council Chambers
Aug. 29, 2023 City Council meeting, approving the update to the preferred concept for the Middle Avenue Caltrain crossing design City Council Chambers
July 11, 2023 City Council meeting, providing feedback on an update to the preferred concept for the Middle Avenue Caltrain crossing design

 

City Council Chambers

 
April 25, 2023

City Council meeting, adopting a resolution certifying compliance with State housing laws to be eligible for One Bay Area Grant funding for the Middle Avenue Caltrain crossing project.

 City Council Chambers
April 4, 2023

City Council meeting, authorizing the city manager to execute a service agreement with Caltrain to advance the Middle Avenue Caltrain crossing project.

 Belle Haven Branch Library
Jan 11, 2022 

City Council meeting, approving Purchase and Sale Agreement for a portion of 700-800 El Camino Real.

 City Council online meeting
Jan 28, 2020

City Council meeting, certify environmental document and approve plans

 City Council Chambers
Aug 27, 2019

City Council meeting, preferred concept selection

 City Council Chambers
Jul 16, 2019

Rail Subcommittee meeting

 City Hall - Downtown Conference Room
Jul 10, 2019

Complete Streets Commission meeting

 City Council Chambers
Jun 4, 2019

City Council Meeting, project status update

 City Council Chambers
May 13, 2019

Community meeting #2

 Arrillaga Family Recreation Center
Apr 22, 2019

Rail Subcommittee meeting

 City Hall Downtown Conference Room
Apr 9, 2019

City Council meeting - project status update (Informational Item)

 City Council Chambers
May 4, 2017

Community Meeting #1

 Menlo Church Social Hall

 

Contact us

Email
650-330-6770

 

Location

500 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025  View map

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