Drivers in Palo Alto, brace yourselves for a series of upcoming road disruptions as the city embarks on numerous construction projects. Motorists are advised to prepare for delays, seek alternative routes, and stay alert for changing conditions, per a recent update from the City of Palo Alto.
One of the major disruptions will stem from the Caltrain electrification and modernization efforts, particularly along Alma Street at Forest Avenue. Starting February 5 and continuing until February 14, construction work will clog traffic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, with partial lane closures impacting vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. "Directional signs and cones will direct vehicle traffic safely through the closures during construction," reports the City of Palo Alto. Expect only one direction to be closed at a time, but plan for the added hassle.
Heads up on several roadway construction projects. Expect delays and use caution when in or around the construction areas. Please be aware of changing road conditions as this work continues. Find all the details to plan your commute here: https://t.co/F5QNRl812x pic.twitter.com/jyrzjCCmg0
— City of Palo Alto (@cityofpaloalto) January 27, 2024
Night owls will not escape the fracas either. Caltrain has eight weeks of overnight construction planned for the railroad bridge over the Oregon Expressway starting on the 5th of February. Detours will reroute traffic around the westbound lane closures, initially, and later affect the eastbound lanes, starting March 4. The City advises the public to stay tuned to guides for navigating around the disruptions.
But wait, there's more: The El Camino Real will also be under construction, from Palm Drive to California Avenue, with its own set of lane and driveway closures wrapping up on February 12. "Message and directional signs will be in place" and "driveways will have limited and/or restricted access while construction activities take place," the City announced.
Furthermore, the Alma Street/Churchill Avenue Safety Improvements project kicked off on January 25 with initial repairs and will stretch into spring. This project tackles immediate safety concerns and will involve extensive work, including the installation of utility systems and the laying of concrete foundations for new traffic signals. If you're using these routes for your daily commute, consider yourself forewarned.
For those seeking more information or looking to voice their concerns, the Caltrain project information line and the contractor, George Bianchi Construction, can be contacted directly. More details about the projects can be found on Caltrain's dedicated webpage.
