Caltrain stabilizes San Francisquito Creek banks ahead of schedule

Caltrain has completed in-stream construction of the San Francisquito Creek Bank Stabilization Project, achieving this key milestone three weeks ahead of schedule. The stabilization measures help protect the San Francisquito Creek Railroad Bridge and the Alma Street Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge by reducing erosion and strengthening the creek banks against future storm impacts.

Caltrain owns and maintains the railroad bridge located between Menlo Park and Palo Alto. In 2023, severe winter storms caused significant erosion along the creek banks, threatening the stability of the ground supporting these bridges. In coordination with the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA), Caltrain implemented emergency temporary bank stabilization measures in November 2023 to address the immediate erosion concerns. 

The current project provides long-term creek bank stabilization and erosion protection, enhancing the resilience of both bridges and helping protect the historic El Palo Alto tree against future storm impacts. Key construction activities included: 

• Temporary creek diversion and shoring
• Creek bank excavation and grading 
• Installation of vegetated boulder revetment
• Construction of vegetated soil-wrapped lifts
• Replacement of the Menlo Park storm drain outfall with a backflow prevention device 
• Riparian habitat restoration through invasive vegetation removal and native plantings

The in-stream stabilization work was completed on September 23, three weeks ahead of the October 15 deadline established by environmental regulators from the US Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. This early completion marks a significant milestone for Caltrain’s Capital Delivery Program, strengthening critical infrastructure ahead of the anticipated severe winter storm season. Remaining landscaping and irrigation installation activities are underway and expected to be completed by the end of November.  

“As El Niño approaches, we’re making sure our infrastructure is ready to weather the storm,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “Stabilizing the creek and protecting our bridge will help us keep service running safely and on time.”

“The SFCJPA is pleased to see this important bank stabilization project successfully completed, and we congratulate Caltrain on reaching this milestone,” said SFCJPA Board Chair Greer Stone. “With the potential for El Niño to bring significant winter storms to our region, the timing of this work could not be more important. Strengthening this critical section of San Francisquito Creek will help reduce the risk of erosion and flooding and improve the resilience of communities along the creek as we prepare for the rainy season.”

Forecasters expect the weather pattern to continue to strengthen, causing flooding and related storm impacts along the entire West Coast. Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency ahead of the emerging El Niño storm season. 

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 project budget was $14 million, with the city of Palo Alto contributing $1.06 million and the city of Menlo Park contributing $1.16 million.

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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. Serving the region since 1863, Caltrain is the oldest continually operating rail system west of the Mississippi and the first railroad to convert from diesel to electric power in a generation. 

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