San Francisquito Creek Bank Permanent Stabilization Project

Overview

Caltrain owns and maintains the San Francisquito Creek Railroad Bridge located between Menlo Park and Palo Alto. In 2023, severe storms caused significant erosion along the creek bank adjacent to the rail corridor. To prevent further erosion and protect critical infrastructure ahead of the winter storm season, Caltrain implemented temporary stabilization measures in 2023.

Building on that work, the San Francisquito Creek Bank Stabilization Project is a partnership between Caltrain and the Cities of Menlo Park and Palo Alto to reinforce and restore a permanent creek embankment. The bank stabilization will include permanent erosion control measures including soil excavation, installation of boulders with native plantings to prevent erosion, and reinforcing earthen slopes along the creek. Additionally, an existing storm drain will be replaced and a new manhole and backflow prevention system will be installed.

This project will protect the Caltrain rail bridge as well as the bicycle and pedestrian bridge from future storm impacts and erosion.

Project Update - June 3, 2026

Beginning June 8, Caltrain, in partnership with the Cities of Menlo Park and Palo Alto, will start work on the San Francisquito Creek Bank Stabilization Project. Work activities will include vegetation removal, soil excavation, installation of boulders with native plantings, and reinforcement of earthen slopes along the creek. Additionally, an existing storm drain will be replaced and a new manhole and backflow prevention system will be installed. Residents can expect work activities and noise, including backup alarms, during daylight hours. Staging will take place on a portion of the bicycle and pedestrian path in Menlo Park, as well as along the westside of Alma Street.

Detours and no parking will be in place along the westside of Alma Street in Menlo Park for the duration of the work through February 2027.

Starting June 8, 2026 and continuing through February 2027, work will affect the bicycle and pedestrian path between Alma Street in Menlo Park and Palo Alto Avenue in Palo Alto. Minor detours will be in place on the Menlo Park side of the path, and bicyclists may need to dismount and walk their bikes along portions of the trail. Access will remain open, though brief closures may occur during equipment movements with flaggers on site to direct traffic.