The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in conjunction with Caltrans, is scheduled to activate ramp metering on the southbound ramps of Highway 101 on November 9, 2009, from Embarcadero Road to De La Cruz Blvd. in San Jose.  The ramps to be metered in Palo Alto include the Oregon Expressway and Embarcadero Road southbound on-ramps during the evening commute from 3-7 p.m., Monday through Friday only.  The Memorandum of Understanding for the ramp metering project, approved by the VTA Board of Directors in March 2009, describes the operational aspects of the project and the roles and responsibilities of Caltrans, VTA and the local agencies, and process for addressing operational issues on local streets resulting from ramp metering. 

An information report was included in the packet for the October 26 City Council meeting to provide background information on the ramp metering project and a detailed analysis of the metering process and monitoring program.  The report also includes a letter from Caltrans submitted to the City last week in which Caltrans commits to working with the City to address any problems that may arise after the metering is activated. 

Information Report:  http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=17442

For any questions, contact Caltrans at (510) 286-4531

Sam Peiris, Project Engineer
City of Palo Alto
(650) 329-2520
(650) 329-2425