The City of San Carlos would like to thank all those who participated in the web-based survey input on alternatives to improve access to and from US 101 via Holly Street.  Based on the  responses received, Alternative D, Optimized Use of  Existing Holly Street Curb to Curb Width + Full Partial Cloverleaf Interchange, was the most popular.

Summary of comments received.

In addition to the web-based survey, the Greater East San Carlos board also provided a  comment letter, supporting Alternatives D and I.   

Alternative D was also found to be one of the two alternatives which scored highest on the  Alternatives Comparison Matrix.  It provides better traffic benefits and bicycle/pedestrian benefits and reduced community impact as compared with the baseline project, the  Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) Mitigations.  Although it would cost more than the baseline project, it would be consistent with Caltrans standards and could be eligible for county, state, or federal grants.   

There was also quite a lot of interest in Alternative I,  Holly Street/Industrial Road Roundabout + Median Island Bike Path + Existing Cloverleaf Interchange.  As shown on the Alternatives Comparison Matrix, Alternative I also would provide better traffic benefits and bicycle/pedestrian benefits and reduced community impact as compared with the baseline project.  Many people appreciated that the roundabout would provide an opportunity for a unique entry statement to San Carlos.  Its costs would be about the same as the baseline project, but it would not be consistent with Caltrans standards, which could affect its eligibility for grants.  Also, it would require right of way and would have environmental impacts due to work in a sensitive wetland area.   

Several other concerns with Alternative I were identified as a result of community input.  Residents on Holly Street expressed concern that they would have greater difficulty getting in and out of their driveways as compared with current conditions.  Currently, the traffic signal at Holly Street and Industrial Road creates gaps in traffic that allow residents to back out of their driveways.  The roundabout would send a steady stream of traffic down the street, causing residents to wait longer for a gap.  Another concern was that access to the two gas stations at the corner of Holly Street and Industrial Road would be negatively affected, which would have economic impacts.  Lastly, Transportation and Circulation Commissioner Tony Panero researched safety concerns with roundabouts and prepared a  paper with summarizing what he found.  It is clear that more research would be needed before deciding that a roundabout is the best solution.   

Alternative C, which includes a  Bicycle Boulevard on East San Carlos Avenue, seems to have a lot of positive features and few negative features, other than cost.  It includes traffic signals at the intersections of Old County Road/East San Carlos Avenue and Industrial Road/East San Carlos Avenue.  The missing sections of sidewalk would be completed on the street and a continuous lane of on-street parking would be provided.  It is not truly an independent alternative, because the bicycle boulevard could be combined with most of the other alternatives. 

At their November 17, 2009 meeting, the Transportation and Circulation Commission asked numerous questions and directed the City’s engineering team to come back with more information for them to consider at their next meeting on December 15, 2009.  The Commission would like to have approximate cost estimates added to the matrix, more details about the proposed Bicycle Boulevard, feedback from the City of Redwood City on the alternatives, review of the safety concerns with two-lane roundabouts and a report discussing the recommended top alternatives.  The report will summarize that the engineering team has learned from the alternatives analysis, including what alternatives should be eliminated from consideration and the key problems solved by the top alternatives.  The Commission also asked the engineering team to discuss whether it would be possible to implement the alternatives in phases.  At their upcoming meeting, the Commission will consider making a recommendation to the City Council on the top alternatives to study in more detail.  The Commission meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers in City Hall, 600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA.