Caltrain to Present Burlingame Station Plans to City Council

Following extensive community outreach, Caltrain staff Monday will present to the Burlingame City Council updated plans for upgrades to the city’s two train stations.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in the council chambers at City Hall, 501 Primrose Ave.

In July, Caltrain officials presented plans to the council for reconfiguring both the Broadway and Burlingame stations for ‘‘outside boarding’’ of trains, which means that riders will board trains from either side of the track instead of a center platform.

This configuration will be safer for pedestrians and motorists, and crossing gate “down time” from passing trains will be reduced considerably.

Outside boarding also allows for improved train operations. Currently, when trains coming from opposite directions approach the Burlingame stations, one train holds back until the other has left the station, because of concern that pedestrians might walk in front of the other train. This is called the “hold-out rule.”

The combination of a center-track fence and relocated pedestrian crossings with warning gates will allow trains to proceed into or through the station on either track.

At Monday’s council meeting, Caltrain staff will respond to public comments, including those received during community meetings in July and August. The comments concerned possible station location alternatives, the pedestrian crossings, future rail options and connections to downtown.

The $6.9 million Burlingame projects will bring similar aesthetic improvements and passenger amenities as have been added to other stations which Caltrain has upgraded in recent years, including new platforms and shelters, public address and visual message systems. The shelter at the downtown station will be in keeping with the architecture of the historic Burlingame landmark.

At the Broadway station, the location of the northbound boarding platform will be moved just north of Broadway Avenue. At the Burlingame station, South Lane will be closed, with new platforms extending from North Lane to Howard Avenue. The pedestrian crossing at North Lane will provide an attractive, even walking surface to facilitate the connection between downtown Burlingame with neighborhoods east of the railroad tracks.

A pedestrian crossing at Morrell Avenue, located near Burlingame High School, will be upgraded with pedestrian gates and signals and an accessible path.

There will be no change in the Caltrain service level as a result of the two station projects.

10/1/04