Caltrain Grade Separation
At a glance
- What: Grade separation design for Caltrain crossings at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road in Palo Alto.
- Where it stands: City Council directed advancement of 15% design concepts to 35% design and environmental documentation on September 28, 2026 (vote 6-0-1, Reckdahl recused).
- Next: 35% design phase due end of 2026, with environmental review (CEQA/NEPA) proceeding. Council to evaluate traffic impacts of Charleston-only option.
Project options
Three crossing alternatives being advanced to 35% design:
| Crossing | Type | Estimated Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchill Avenue + Seale Ave bike/ped | Partial underpass + bike/ped underpass | $420M-$450M | 3-4 years |
| Meadow Drive + Charleston Road concurrent | Hybrid (raised tracks) + underpass | $1B-$1.1B | 5 years |
| Meadow Drive + Charleston Road sequential | Hybrid + underpass | $1.2B-$1.3B | 9 years |
| Charleston Road alone | Underpass | $480M-$530M | 4 years |
Sources
- City Council special meeting minutes, September 28, 2026: https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=19166&compileOutputType=1
Log
- 2026-09-28 - City Council Special Meeting - Council voted 6-0 (Reckdahl recused) to advance four options to 35% design and environmental review, adding an evaluation of traffic impacts of building Charleston only; staff estimates ranged from about $420 million to $1.3 billion depending on crossings and sequencing.
2026-10-27 - Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting
The Council liaison reported Council advanced the Charleston and East Meadow options from 15 to 35 percent design; the city may only be able to afford one.