Foothill Expressway Improvements

Foothill Expressway is a critical artery for traversing the west side of Silicon Valley. It was originally a part of the path of the Vasona Branch of the Southern Pacific Railroad, traveling from Cupertino to Palo Alto, through Los Altos. The Vasona Branch was abandoned in January 1964, providing part of the path for Foothill Expressway, see https://www.abandonedrails.com/vasona-branch. Enhancing the safety of this road will provide commuters and recreational users with a long list of health and safety benefits. In order to support the transition to multimodal transportation, the County must commit to making substantive policy changes to support cycling on the Expressway. As the expressway currently stands, only “advanced cyclists” are able to utilize this roadway which limits transportation means for other ability levels. Protected bike lanes are necessary to ensure all types of transit can occur, including commuter cycling. Transit has changed over the last twenty years so it is time for a fresh look at how community members utilize this Roadway.

To Enhance safety, SR2DTLA is pushing for these key elements:

  • Removal of free right turn “slip lanes” and “porkchops” that are dangerous for Pedestrians crossing Foothill

  • Improve the timing of traffic lights for safer non-automobile crossings

  • Explore the addition of speed cameras 

  • Add protected bike lanes for cyclists

Measure B Planning Grant for the Foothill Expressway Multi-modal Feasibility Study:

The Safe Routes to Downtown Los Altos Team worked closely with the City of Los Altos and County of Santa Clara to support this grant application in February of 2023. Over 100 letters were received in support of this grant from the community at large and from other key players such as Stanford University, Employers on Foothill and the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition. The Grant was formally approved in June of 2023 and funding has been allocated in the Budget along with matching funds from the County. 

Silicon Valley Bike Coalition Summarizes the issues in their letter of support:

“All of the intersections along the Expressway have been the subject of concern from local residents due to the conflict of vehicular traffic (moving at high speeds, especially in the slip lanes) with bicycle and pedestrian activity, especially for school children and older residents”

Updates:

  1. Funding was formally allocated to the County of Santa Clara [Spring 2024]

  2. Consultant Selection is underway [July/Aug2024]

  3. Community Meetings and Engagement [Fall 2024]

  4. Formal Plan and Adoption [2025]

  5. Allocation of Funding and Timeline for Improvements [2025-2026]