Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Atherton has finally received the encroachment permit it has been waiting for from Caltrans to install a pedestrian-activated stoplight on El Camino Real at Almendral Avenue, Community Services Michael Kashiwagi said.

Mr. Kashiwagi said bids for the work are scheduled to be opened Nov. 10. Construction should start by next March and be completed by the end of May, he said.

The board of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District will pay half the approximately $330,000 cost of the stoplight, which will remain dark unless activated by a pedestrian or bicyclist, or remotely by a fire vehicle. Once activated it will go through a yellow and red cycle just as conventional signals do.

The city decided to install the stoplight on its own after 32-year-old Atherton resident Shahriar Rahimzadeh was fatally injured in July 2014, crossing El Camino at Almendral. Caltrans had previously agreed to install two similar stoplights on El Camino at Isabella and Alejandra avenues, sites of other serious and fatal accidents. However, despite political pressure from the town, Caltrans does not plan to install the stoplights until sometime in 2017.

This graphic shows what the stoplight on El Camino Real at Amendral Avenue would look like, looking northbound. The light will remain dark unless activated by pedestrians, bicyclists or the fire department. (Graphic courtesy town of Atherton.)
This graphic shows what the stoplight on El Camino Real at Amendral Avenue would look like, looking northbound. The light will remain dark unless activated by pedestrians, bicyclists or the fire department. (Graphic courtesy town of Atherton.)

Most Popular

State: Menlo Park must amend housing plan if Measure P passesState: Menlo Park must amend housing plan if Measure P passesOctober 31, 2026 1:14 pm
Should the state’s tax commission even exist?Should the state’s tax commission even exist?May 14, 2026 2:12 pm
San Mateo County Measures AA and L propose updates to charter preambleSan Mateo County Measures AA and L propose updates to charter preambleOctober 22, 2026 4:19 pm

Join the Conversation

2 Comments

  1. I am so glad this will finally come through. I am hoping the next one will be at Selby Lane and El Camino Real. Despite a crossing guard, there are too many close calls as elementary students walk home from Selby Lane School.

  2. A similar stop sign should be installed at Selby and ECR..
    its just a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt either walking or in a auto accident.. I have witnessed many close calls

Leave a comment