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Middle Avenue complete streets

Pedestrian crosses Middle Ave at Blake Street and people scooter, bike, and drive along Middle

The Middle Avenue Complete Streets project will install bicycle and pedestrian improvements along the entire length of Middle Avenue between El Camino Real and Olive Street. The project is being designed to enhance safety of all users, especially pedestrians and bicyclists, reduce vehicle speed and improve connectivity to schools, parks, grocery stores, downtown and residential neighborhoods.

On October 18, 2022, the City Council approved the conceptual traffic calming measures (concept exhibit) and construction is expected to commence in summer 2025, pending conclusion of the pilot.

On February 14, 2023, the City Council approved the installation of buffered bike lanes as a pilot project. In October 2023, the buffered bike lanes were implemented by: 1) removing parking on both sides of Middle Avenue, and 2) reconfiguring the Nealon Park frontage parking (frontage parking design changes(PDF, 3MB)).

Project status

Data collection

The City collected transportation data (i.e., volume, speed, parking occupancy) and conducted an online survey for the evaluation of the pilot. A link to these results are provided below:

Upcoming public meetings:

March 19: Zoom virtual community feedback meeting, 6:30 pm (Zoom.us/join - ID# 861 5462 3455)
Thursday, March 28: In-person community feedback meeting, 6:30 pm (Nealon Park - tennis courts)
April 10: Complete Streets Commission Meeting, 6:30 pm (Meeting details) - recommendation of permanent bike lanes configuration.
April 24: Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, 6:30pm (Meeting details) - provide feedback on bike lanes configuration.
May 7 (THIS WEEK): City Council Meeting, 6:00 pm (Meeting details) - approval of permanent bike lanes configuration.

Traffic calming measures and street resurfacing

The City has hired a professional design consultant to develop designs for the permanent project. Construction is planned for after the conclusion of the buffered bicycle lanes pilot and in coordination with resurfacing of portions of the street (from San Mateo Drive to El Camino Real).

El Camino Real and Middle Avenue signal improvement evaluation

Evaluation of various signal improvements for the Middle Avenue approach (e.g., bicycle signal, no right turns on red, separate pedestrian and vehicular phases, etc.) is underway. The results and recommendations will be presented to the City's decision making bodies.

Project background

The project will include construction of continuous bicycle lanes, parking safety improvements along Nealon Park frontage, enhancements to existing pedestrian crossings, and installation of other traffic calming elements that reduce vehicle speeds and conflicts.

Stanford University will be responsible for the design and construction of the segment between El Camino Real and University Avenue as a part of a required mitigation measure for its Middle Plaza at 500 El Camino Real project. The City is coordinating with Stanford University to ensure the development of a consistent vision for the entire corridor.

The project includes an outreach program to capture input from the community and stakeholders. Staff provided a project summary video that covers the outreach for the project, City Council actions to date and options for the bikeway installation.

This project is being coordinated with the Middle Avenue rail crossing project.

Project history

Date	Description	Action taken
April 24, 2024	Park and Recreation Commission meeting Cancellation notice	Meeting canceled due to lack of quorum.
April 10, 2024	Complete Streets Commission meeting Agenda packet(PDF, 2MB) Meeting recording	The Complete Streets Commission recommended to City Council to proceed with staff's recommendations on the buffered bike lane pilot, and provided additional feedback on key concerns.
Mar 28, 2024	Buffered bike lane pilot - community meeting #2 Presentation boards(PDF, 8MB)	Community provided feedback on the buffered bicycle lanes pilot.
Mar 19, 2024	Buffered bike lane pilot - community meeting #1 Presentation slides(PDF, 629KB) Meeting recording	Community provided feedback on the buffered bicycle lanes pilot.
Nov 8, 2023	Complete Streets Commission meeting Agenda packet Meeting recording	The Complete Streets Commission provided feedback on the buffered bicycle lanes pilot evaluation methodology.
Feb 14, 2023	City Council meeting Agenda packet Meeting recording	The City Council approved installation of no parking zones on both sides of Middle Avenue to implement buffered bicycle lanes as a pilot.
Oct 18, 2022	City Council meeting Agenda packet(PDF, 14MB) Meeting recording	The City Council approved installation of an all-way stop at Middle Avenue and San Mateo Drive and temporary closure of Blake Street at Middle Avenue and directed staff to return with options for bikeway implementation.
Sep 13, 2022	City Council meeting Agenda packet(PDF, 12MB) Meeting recording	The City Council directed staff to return with details and prerequisites to implement and evaluate a bike lane pilot project by removing parking on both sides of Middle Avenue.
Aug 23, 2022	City Council meeting Agenda packet(PDF, 31MB) Meeting recording	The City Council received an informational item on project background, outreach effort, conceptual design options and commission recommendation.
July 13, 2022	Complete Streets Commission meeting Agenda packet(PDF, 13MB) Meeting recording	The Complete Streets Commission received and provided recommendations on conceptual design options.
May 11, 2022	Complete Streets Commission meeting Agenda packet Survey results Meeting recording	Complete Streets Commission provided feedback on how to select the preferred improvement options.
Mar 3, 2022	Community meeting Presentation slides(PDF, 1MB) Presentation boards (PDF, 37MB) Meeting recording	Community provided feedback on the project.
Mar 9, 2021	City Council discussed yearly work plan and priorities, including various projects on Middle Avenue	City Council directed staff to add Middle Avenue traffic calming project as a complete street project.
Nov 17, 2020	Transportation Master Plan proposed bicycle facility: El Camino Real to Olive Street - Class II bicycle lanes	City Council adopted the Transportation Master Plan.
Oct 13, 2020	Speed limit survey: El Camino Real to University Drive - reduced from 30 to 25 mph; University Drive to Olive Street - remained 30 mph	City Council directed staff to return with options for traffic calming on Middle Avenue to achieve a 25 mph zone.
May 21, 2020	Complete Streets Commission presented yearly work plan, including a high-level Middle Avenue and Olive Street bicycle improvement project scope	City Council approved work plan with modifications.
Apr 10, 2019	Street resurfacing from San Mateo Drive to Olive Street; Developed alternatives for bicycle lanes	Complete Streets Commission recommended a preferred alternative to City Council.
Oct 10, 2017	500 El Camino development: Responsible for bicycle facility design/implementation from El Camino Real to University Drive (Mitigation Measure TRA-2.1)	City Council approved the development project also known as Middle Plaza.
Nov 29, 2016	General Plan proposed bicycle facilities: El Camino Real to University Drive - Class II bicycle lanes; University Drive to Olive Street - Class III bicycle routes	City Council adopted General Plan - circulation element.