The Menlo Park City Council plans to hold a study session on Tuesday, Nov. 27, on “grade separations” — separating the Caltrain tracks from the roadway at key intersections.
The study session will start at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers at the Civic Center, between Laurel and Alma streets.
Council members are expected to discuss the costs, impacts and feasibility of separating the tracks from the road at four Menlo Park streets: Ravenswood, Oak Grove, Glenwood and Encinal avenues.
Proponents of grade separations say allowing traffic, bicycles and pedestrians to use an elevated or sunken roadway to pass over or under more heavily used tracks would reduce traffic congestion and improve safety. Critics say constructing grade separations will worsen congestion, and severely impact nearby homes and businesses.
According to Caltrain’s latest estimates, grade separations could cost anywhere from $95 million to $447 million in Menlo Park alone. It’s unclear whether they could be built unless the California High Speed Rail Authority, which is considering using the Caltrain tracks in an effort to send high-speed trains from Los Angeles to San Francisco, paid for the project.
Hazardous waste drop-off
Batteries, paint, pool chemicals, motor oil, and other hazardous materials can be disposed of on Saturday, Dec. 8, at a drop-off site in Redwood City.
To make an appointment to drop-off waste, and to find out the location of the drop-off site, call 363-4718, or go to SMHealth.org/hhw.
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