The upkeep of Caltrain’s infrastructure requires continuous maintenance, repairs, and upgrades to the 51 miles of tracks and structures that comprise our railways.
Last winter’s severe storms and flooding caused erosion on the north bank at the site of the nearly 122-year-old bridge that spans San Francisquito Creek and the Alma Street Bicycle Bridge, located between the cities of Menlo Park and Palo Alto. Weather forecasters predict a wet winter ahead. As a result, the bank is susceptible to further erosion, which threatens the structural integrity of the rail bridge.
On March 29, 2023, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which oversees Caltrain, approved an emergency declaration for staff to expedite the procurement process to implement the necessary repairs. Caltrain procured a contractor and together with the cities of Menlo Park and Palo Alto agreed on a permanent solution design, which Caltrain intended to implement during the 2023 dry season. Unfortunately, Caltrain was not able to obtain the necessary permits in time to undertake the permanent repairs, which are now anticipated to be implemented in the summer of 2024.
In light of anticipated winter storms and the opportunity to undertake a temporary bank stabilization project to protect the creek bank against further erosion while the creek bed is still dry, Caltrain’s Executive Director declared an emergency on November 18, 2023 to enable Caltrain to proactively take steps in the short-term to support the safety of the bridge, ensure safe operations for riders, and to prevent environmental impacts to the creek while the permanent plan for the bridge is finalized.
Crews will be working from November 20 through November 22 on this temporary stabilization effort. This will entail light vegetation work and the installation of boulders to reinforce eroded sections directly beneath the bridge. On the Menlo Park side, a temporary minor detour of the pedestrian and bike path will be put in place during this three-day process. These temporary repairs are designed to prevent greater erosion and bridge failure in the short-term, until Caltrain can implement a permanent bank stabilization plan during the 2024 dry season.
The permanent project is designed to maintain safe rail operations over the bridge, as well as protect the creek itself, and will reinforce the creek's bank that also supports the Alma Street Bicycle Bridge and the Menlo Park drainage outfall. In addition, the project will make aesthetic enhancements.
Throughout the winter, crews will continue to routinely inspect the bridge to ensure there is no risk to the bridge, creek or general public. Caltrain continues to coordinate with the cities of Menlo Park and Palo Alto, Stanford, and the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority on efforts relating to this project and we appreciate the work of our partners in this effort. For more information on the permanent project, visit the San Francisquito Creek Bank Stabilization Project page.
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