Menlo Watch: Report on rail crossings posted online Menlo Watch: Report on rail crossings posted online (September 22, 2004)

More information is now available on-line about dramatic plans to separate vehicle and train traffic at Menlo Park's four crossings, either by lowering the roads or raising the tracks, or a combination of both.

City staff members have put up a version of the presentation they made at a September 8 city meeting covering the options studied for the crossings at Ravenswood, Oak Grove, Encinal and Glenwood avenues.

The City Council has asked staff to focus on two options: a "split-level" design with tracks elevated and roadways depressed by 10 feet each, and a deep underpass design, which would keep the tracks at the same elevation but lower the road by 20 feet.

A Redwood City engineer is proposing an alternate deep underpass design that would lower the road only by 17 feet.

If California voters approve bonds to build a high-speed rail system from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the city would have no choice but to separate vehicle and train traffic, officials say.

To read the report, go to www.menlopark.org and click on "Transportation Projects" in the "City Project Pages" menu. Then go to "Railroad Grade Separations."

Remembering a city volunteer

Menlo Park Mayor Lee Duboc and Councilman Chuck Kinney will work together to make a recommendation on which city building would be best to name after Tom Harrison, a former Parks and Recreation Commissioner who died in February after an illness.

Council policy states that a building cannot be named after someone until five years after his or her death, but the council voted 4-0-1 on September 15 to make an exception in light of Mr. Harrison's contributions to the city.

Councilman Paul Collacchi abstained, saying he likes the policy because it might be best to wait and "keep grief from clouding the decision."

Ms. Duboc has expressed interest in naming the new pool at Burgess Park after Mr. Harrison once it's finished. Mr. Harrison was active in the successful 2001 campaign to pass Measure T, a $38 million bond measure that is funding several parks projects, including the one at Burgess Pool.

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