Project Background
Caltrain and the City of Palo Alto (City), in close coordination with other key community partners, are advancing the grade separation projects at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road (Project) through the Preliminary Engineering (PE) and Environmental (ENV) documentation step. The Project is a long-term initiative aimed at improving rail safety, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing mobility along the Caltrain corridor in the City. The Project stems from ongoing efforts to address safety concerns and transportation challenges posed by at-grade rail crossings along Alma Street, where seven major crossings intersect the rail line.
Caltrain, operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (PCJPB), has served as a key transportation corridor for the region, but with electrification and expanded service under the 2040 Business Plan, increased train frequency is anticipated to lead to longer gate downtimes and greater congestion at at-grade crossings. Three of the City’s crossings—Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road (Project crossing locations)—remain at-grade, posing safety risks and traffic challenges.
Conceptual Alternatives
In June 2024, the City Council approved advancing the Project into the Preliminary Engineering (35% design) and Environmental Documentation step for the following alternatives:
Churchill Avenue
Churchill Avenue: The Partial Underpass at Churchill Avenue with a Bicycle and Pedestrian crossing at Seale Avenue was chosen as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA), with the Closure alternative as backup.
Meadow Drive and Charleston Road
Meadow Drive and Charleston Road: The Hybrid (including a mixed wall/column approach) and Underpass alternative were chosen to advance.
Churchill Avenue | Meadow Drive | Charleston Road |
|---|---|---|
 PARTIAL UNDERPASS ALTERNATIVE Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) |  UNDERPASS ALTERNATIVE | |
Will grade separate Churchill Avenue from the current Caltrain tracks via an underpass. Traffic on eastbound Churchill Avenue will descend and pass under the railroad and terminate at a lowered T-intersection at Alma Street then ascend and return to grade along Alma Street. | Will retain the railroad tracks at the current grade and lower Meadow Drive and Charleston Road under the tracks and under Alma Street for through traffic. | |
STREET CLOSURE ALTERNATIVE Backup |  HYBRID ALTERNATIVE | |
Will retain the railroad tracks at their existing location and grade. Churchill Avenue will become a T-intersection with Alma Street. A pedestrian/bike only undercrossing will be constructed. | Will combine different grade separation techniques to raise the railroad tracks above Meadow Drive and Charleston Road. The new electrified railroad will begin rising near El Verano Avenue, remain raised above Meadow Drive and Charleston Road, and return to the existing elevation north of Ferne Avenue. | |
Project Goals
Improve Safety
Improve Mobility
Minimize Environmental Impacts
Minimize potential private property impacts
Study Area
