|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Facing construction delays and supply shortages, Palo Alto is now plans to open its new bike bridge over U.S. Highway 101 in late October, according to a city announcement.
The project, which was initially slated for completion this summer, has made some visible progress in recent months, with contractors installing the middle span of the $23 million structure in June. The installation was delayed by weeks because of complications in transporting the middle portion from Arizona, which included difficulty in finding state police escorts for the large component.
The next step for the bridge is the architectural railing fabrication process, according to the city, which includes galvanization and staining, fencing and installation of railing lights. That process, however, has been hindered by supply chain issues — namely, a shortage of steel and trucking — and limitations in the fabrication shop. These factors, as well as design changes, have caused the project completion to be pushed into the fall, according to the city’s announcement.
“With the architectural railing constituting the majority of the remaining work, construction activities in the field may be slower in September for a few weeks as the remaining railing components are fabricated and delivered to be installed,” the announcement states.
At the same time, the city is moving ahead with planned trail improvements near the bridge, which will replace the seasonal Benjamin Lefkowitz undercrossing at Adobe Creek and give pedestrians and bicyclists a new entrance point into the Baylands from south Palo Alto.
According to the announcement, the new Adobe Creek Reach Trail could be completed in September and open for public use before the rest of the project is completed.
There is no surprise here.
The tunnel is very much missed. I suspect parking in residential neighborhoods will be an issue. At times it is hard to park on the lot at the end of San Antonio so parking on Meadow and even Loma Verde will occur.
Additionally, the creek path should be extended to Loma Verde. There is space behind the offices and Girls Middle School for a pedestrian path. This would definitely improve access as biking on Bayshore is dangerous.
Haven’t you read elsewhere on this news forum that local politicians are eager to place temp housing for the unhoused right on San Antonio “near the end of it” by the MV Baylands parking. Terrible idea IMO.
I agree it would be good to extend the creek path to Loma Verde, and then extend the bike path markings on Loma Verde where they are missing currently.
For that matter, many of the creeks could have a walk / bike path next to them. Mountain View have done this in a few places.
1). I’m very sorry about this delay. I have missed the Benjamin Lefkowitz Tunnel access to the bay trails I use frequently on foot and on a bike, depending on whether I am strolling to enjoy the birds or commuting.
2). I hope that Mr. Lefkowitz, who did so much to promote bicycling in our community, will continue to be honored by having his name on the new bridge that will replace the bike/pedestrian tunnel that was named after him. He (and his family and many friends in the community) would be delighted to see that we finally have a year-round connection to the bay lands and trails.
I am quite disappointed by the 3 month delay. Can they not open the underpass while the bridge gets done?
Many of us have been waiting YEARS for this bridge to be built, at this point I could wait three more months standing on my head. I’m not here to complain, rather to celebrate what should be a major upgrade to bike and pedestrian infrastructure when it finally opens. Looking forward to giving out high fives to everyone I bike by on the Lefkowitz Bridge this fall.
Open up the underpass!!!! Crazy to stop people from crossing, The waiting will be easier, if the old route still operates.