Palo Alto, CA -- The Homer Avenue Caltrain Undercrossing Project is scheduled for its groundbreaking event on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 from 10:30 to 11:00 am. The location is just behind the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) property, on the bike path adjacent to the railroad tracks. The event is free and open to the public.

"The tunnel will be a real boon to cyclists and pedestrians. It's going to provide much easier access from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), Town and Country Shopping Center, and businesses along El Camino Real to Downtown Palo Alto and the South of Forest neighborhood," said Mayor Dena Mossar, who will be speaking at the event.

Anderson Pacific is the contractor for the project, and the estimated completion date is Summer, 2004. The tunnel will be approximately 140 feet long and 18 feet wide and will run from the intersection of Alma Street and Homer Avenue, under the railroad tracks, to the existing bike path from PAMF to the train station on the west side of the tracks. A new extension of the bike path from PAMF to Churchill Avenue is currently under construction and will be completed in 2004 as well. The estimated project cost is $5.4 million and the funding is primarily through Federal and State transportation funds, plus some local private development fees. Contributors include the Federal Highway Administration, PAMF, the Sheraton Hotel, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and the Caltrain Joint Powers Board.

"Pedestrians and cyclists using this facility will eliminate car trips and parking congestion," said Mossar. "The estimates are that a minimum of 500 new bike trips and 125 new pedestrian trips will replace vehicle trips to PAMF, the South of Forest area (SOFA), the train station and Downtown Palo Alto. This is another way of making Palo Alto a more walkable and bicycle friendly town."

For more information about the groundbreaking event, contact Elizabeth Ames, Project Manager, at 329-2502 or check the city's website at www.cityofpaloalto.org.

See Announcement and Map.

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