Council,
Regarding Item M-3, Middle Ave undercrossing, please consider pausing this project for further study of its costs and benefits. The staff report indicates that the construction cost alone is estimated at $34 million with total costs at $62 million. The updated undercrossing design required by Caltrain makes the total traversal length 1026 ft which diminishes the usefulness of this route.
It is helpful to compare the proposed Middle Ave undercrossing distance of 1026 ft to that of the Ringwood 101 overcrossing at 939 ft.
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The proposed plan for the undercrossing has 8% grades on the east ramp which is steep enough that some cyclists will need to walk their bikes. Simply riding across the Big 5 parking lot is a better alternative as it is flat, has easier access and connects to popular destinations such as the Caltrain station, library, and City Hall.
The undercrossing design changes and ballooning costs merit further consideration. We can surely spend $62 million on projects that have greater benefit to the city.
Jonathan Weiner
