Highway 101 Pedestrian / Bike Bridge Project

In the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto (along with its neighbor to the south, Mountain View) is home to hundreds of technology and research-based companies, including a number of major employers such as Google, Intuit, and Space Systems Loral that have clustered in close proximity to Highway 101 and the Bay Trail. To better link these growing job centers with regional trails and bicycle facilities, and improve access to superb recreation opportunities like the Baylands, the City has prioritized the funding and construction of a new, year-round bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing over Highway 101 at Adobe Creek near the City’s southern border.
The Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bike Bridge Project at Adobe Creek will replace the existing seasonal Benjamin Lefkowitz Underpass that is available only half the year (on average) due to seasonal flooding. It would also complement an existing, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) non-compliant, overpass that is 1.25 miles north. The new overcrossing will include a new Class I trail connection, connecting West Bayshore Road to the Baylands.
The Project is funded from local, state and federal sources, including a $4 million grant from the County of Santa Clara’s Stanford Recreation Mitigation Fund.
|
- The project includes the principal span structures consisting of self-weathering steel trusses over Highway 101 and East and West Bayshore Roads, the east and west concrete approach structures, three trailheads, and the Adobe Creek Reach Trail. The pathway will be 12 feet wide.
- The Adobe Creek Reach Trail will connect the trailheads at East Meadow Drive and West Bayshore Road.
- Site amenities, signage, landscaping, and lighting are also included.
|
There are no upcoming meetings. Please check back for updates.
Environmental assessment and project design were completed in late 2017 and early 2019, respectively. Caltrans approved the right-of-way certification, encroachment permit, and Authorization to Proceed in 2019. On November 18, 2019, Council approved the construction contract for the project. Construction began in late January 2020 and is anticipated to be completed by summer 2021.
Construction Activities Completed from January through April 2020:
The following activities were performed:
- Pre-construction meeting
- Submittals preparation and review (e.g. Traffic Control Plans, Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, shop drawings, etc.)
- Stakeholder coordination
- Project documentation, management, and control
- Vegetation removal
- Utility markings, coordination and relocation on West Bayshore Road
Construction Activities Completed from May through November 2020:
The following construction activities are planned:
- Implemented Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Traffic Control Plans..
- Completed construction of joint utility trench and relocation of utilities along West Bayshore Road.
- Continued steel fabrication and inspections and testing.
- Completed bridge piles, columns, and supports construction.
- Completed Adobe Creek Bridge fabrication, erection, and deck concrete pouring.
- Completed falsework and began rebar installation on East Approach Structure
- Began falsework for West Approach Structure
Construction Activities Planned from December 2020 through February 2021:
The following construction activities are planned:
-
Continue implementing Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Traffic Control Plans.
-
Continue steel fabrication and inspections and testing.
-
Complete rebar installation and concrete deck pouring on East and West Approach Structures.
-
Complete fabrication and erection of the steel bridge sections along Highway 101, and East and
-
West Bayshore Roads and complete concrete deck pouring.
-
Complete excavation, rebar installation, and concrete pouring for retaining walls along West
-
Bayshore Road.
-
Complete concrete pouring for new curb, gutter and sidewalk along West Bayshore Road.
-
Begin railing, fencing, and lighting installations.
|
|
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program |
|
Concept Plans and Graphics
|
|
November 27, 2017 City Council Staff Report ID# 8260
|
|
September 26, 2017 Parks and Recreation Commission Staff Report
|
|
September 26, 2017 Parks and Recreation Commission Presentation Materials |
|
September 13, 2017 Planning and Transportation Commission Staff Report ID #8258 |
|
September 13, 2017 Planning and Transportation Commission Presentation Materials |
|
Final Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration |
|
|
|
May 31, 2017, Planning and Transportation Commission Presentation Materials |
|
May 31, 2017, Planning and Transportation Commission Staff Report ID# 8014 |
|
March 28, 2017, Parks and Recreation Commission Staff Report and Meeting Materials |
|
November 2016 City Council Staff Report ID# 7209 |
|
May 2016 City Council Staff Report ID# 6578 |
|
December 2015 City Council Staff Report ID# 5780 |
|
March 2015 City Council Staff Report ID# 5523 |
|
September 2014 City Council Staff Report ID# 5050 |
|
December 2012 City Council Staff Report ID# 3348 |
|
Youth Bridge Art Showcase |
|
November 2011 Feasibility Study |
|
September 2010 Community Meeting Voting Results |
|
September 2010 Community Meeting Presentation |
Architectural Review Board Documents
|

Last Updated: Dec 9, 2020