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Discussion regarding an update of the Junipero Serra Boulevard and I-280 Westborough Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity and Safety Project Feasibility Study (st2301). (Lawrence Henriquez, Senior Civil Engineer)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Staff recommends that City Council receive an update and provide feedback regarding the Junipero Serra Boulevard and I-280 Westborough Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity and Safety Project Feasibility Study ("project").
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The existing conditions along the corridors of Junipero Serra Boulevard and Westborough Boulevard currently do not conform to the Active South City (Active SSF) plan for active transportation safety, comfort, and equitable mobility; active SSF is an update to the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Active SSF is tailored towards integrating walking, bicycling, and other active transportation modes into a single plan that prioritizes project and program recommendations to increase safety and comfort for active multi-modal users in South San Francisco. The project aligns with the target goals of Shape SSF 2040 General Plan, which is an update to the City's General Plan to create a livable city where daily activities and functions can be performed without the need or desire for a single occupancy vehicle. Findings from the City's Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) identify Junipero Serra Boulevard and Westborough Boulevard as areas of utmost concern for aggressive and impaired fatal/minor injuries - Attachment 1. Attachment 2 shows a High Injury Network Map extracted from the Active SSF plan highlighting the importance for bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Westborough Boulevard.
In summary, the Junipero Serra Boulevard and Westborough Boulevard corridors lack pedestrian and bicycling facilities, creating hardships for residents desiring to use alternate modes of transportation to reach destinations such as BART, shopping centers, schools, libraries, and recreation. Additionally, a significant obstacle to multi-modal users is the intersection of Junipero Serra Boulevard and Westborough Boulevard due to the I-280 on-ramp and off-ramp configurations. One of the project goals will be to redesign the intersection into a safe, travelable pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians.
FEASIBILITY STUDY PHASE
To address the aforementioned lack of pedestrian and bicycling facilities along the project limits, Vicinity Map Attachment 3, a feasibility study began in the summer of 2023 with grant funding, $450,000, provided by the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) through the Measure A/W Pedestrian and Bicycling Program. The project's objective is to develop a set of alternate designs addressing pedestrian and bicycling needs. The City will ultimately make a recommendation for the desired alternate design to advance it further into the subsequent phases. A vital project component was the public engagement events held with staff participation. A summary of the public outreach events attended is outlined below:
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DATE |
EVENT |
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August 1, 2023 |
National Night Out |
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October 28, 2023 |
Library / Parks and Recreation Center Grand Opening |
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April 27, 2023 |
Farmer's Market |
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June 23, 2024 |
St. Augustine Church |
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June 25, 2024 |
Community Workshop / Civic Campus Social Hall |
Public input was also gathered through the use of an interactive social pinpoint map accessed through this website link: bikelanesfortheboulevards.com (website image shown below):
Following is a highlight summary of key themes collected throughout the website:
• 372 people visited the website, with 106 comments provided
• 65% of the comments provided were linked to bicycling and walking concerns
• Requests for dedicated off-street facilities to access major destinations such as Westborough Square
• High vehicular speeds were a concern for both roadway corridors
• The Junipero Serra Boulevard / Hickey Boulevard, Chestnut Avenue / Antoinette Lane, I-280 ramps / Westborough Boulevard, and Gellert Boulevard / Westborough Boulevard intersections were deemed challenging
Thus far, with input provided by the community engagement efforts, the project has developed a set of alternative concept plans (Attachment 4) that address deficient alternate modes of transportation mobility matters throughout the project limits. Public comments were captured and summarized in a memo in Attachment 5. Throughout the various community engagement events, staff was able to gather a large volume of data regarding biking and walking facilities residents would prefer while providing key input into areas of utmost concern. The data gathered has been summarized in a Public Outreach Memo, Attachment 6, which will provide direction in developing a toolbox of recommended bike/ped amenities, and Attachment 7 summarizes the public comments in a graphical format. The public engagement process culminated in a Community Workshop to unveil the alternative concept plans and collect further public feedback. Staff also presented the project before the City's Traffic Safety Commission and Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Key takeaways from the Community Workshop:
• Preference for a multi-use path along Junipero Serra Boulevard and Westborough Boulevard with separate lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians
• Public expressed interest in the diverging diamond interchange configuration
• Agreed with removing the pedestrian overhead bridge at Clay Avenue and signalizing the intersection to help slow vehicles.
• Lack of pedestrian and bicycling facilities at the Junipero Serra Boulevard / Hickey Boulevard intersection
• Request for benches along the pedestrian/bicycling pathways
• Request for bicycle repair stations
• Install more lighting along pathways
The Feasibility Study Final Report will be completed in Fall 2024; it will contain information from the past year's effort regarding the various alternative bike and pedestrian configurations that were developed and analyzed. Consequently, with Council's input, it will recommend the City's preferred alternative bike/ped configuration layout that will be advanced in the future phases. The Final Report will bolster the City's chances of securing future grants as the project advances, ultimately reaching the crucial construction phase.
FISCAL IMPACT
Holding the discussion session with Council has no fiscal impact.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Holding the Feasibility Study update discussion with Council will achieve one of the City's Strategic Plan goals to improve the Quality of Life for residents.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that Council provide feedback regarding the Junipero Serra Boulevard and I-280 Westborough Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity and Safety Project Feasibility Study.
Attachments:
1. Local Road & Safety Plan / Aggressive & Impaired fatal/minor injuries
2. High Injury Network Map
3. Vicinity Map
4. Alternative Plan Exhibits
5. Public Comments to Alternative Plan Exhibits
6. Public Outreach Summary
7. Public Comments Graph