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  • North Fair Oaks intersection

North Fair Oaks Bicycle and Pedestrian Railroad Crossing and Community Connections Study

We want to hear from the community! Find out more about this study and how to participate below.

The County of San Mateo is working on the North Fair Oaks Bicycle and Pedestrian Railroad Crossing and Community Connections Study to assess the potential for a pedestrian and bicycle railroad crossing over or under the Caltrain tracks, making it easier to walk and bike in North Fair Oaks and part of adjacent Redwood City. The Study will also explore potential bicycle and pedestrian improvements on local streets in North Fair Oaks that provide connections to the new rail crossing and local destinations on both sides of the tracks. The Study team seeks to develop a community-guided plan that reflects the priorities of the North Fair Oaks community and defines a path forward for implementing the improvements. The Study team includes County staff, community organization Nuestra Casa, and consultants.

Why are we conducting this Study?

The North Fair Oaks Community and part of adjacent Redwood City is separated by the four-track Caltrain Railroad Corridor. The railroad tracks separate residents from local destinations that include, but aren’t limited to, community facilities and services, schools, shopping, and local bus service. There is a need for enhanced and connected bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

According to the Unincorporated San Mateo County Active Transportation Plan (ATP), North Fair Oaks has both the highest potential demand for walking and biking and the highest concentration of bicycle and pedestrian collisions per square mile of all San Mateo County unincorporated communities. Making streets easier to walk and bicycle on and making it easier to get to destinations with a new bicycle and pedestrian railroad crossing could help reduce collisions.

The Study aims to create options for a new pedestrian and bicycle crossing that brings the following benefits to the community:

  • Access: Improved access for people walking, rolling, and biking across the rail corridor and nearby neighborhoods.
  • Safety: Safer and well-lit public spaces that are comfortable and inviting for people of all ages and abilities.
  • Equity: Improvements for people traveling without a car that reflect community priorities and achieve local and regional sustainability goals with no housing displacement.
  •  Community Design: Sense of community through attractive public spaces, public art, and structures.
  • Constructability: Minimal construction impacts on the community and feasible project budget.
Timeline of Study starting in 2022 going into winter of 2024. 2022 focuses on existing conditions and development of alternatives, 2023 includes preferred alternatives and a draft study with the final report being published in winter 2024.

The Study area is located within the unincorporated community of North Fair Oaks. The boundaries of the Study area are Middlefield Road to the north, 5th Avenue to the east, El Camino Real to the south and the unincorporated County/Redwood City limit to the west.

Option A Dumbarton Avenue Tunnel is shown in purple. Option B Dumbarton Avenue Bridge is shown in blue. Option C Middlefield Junction Bridge is shown in orange. More details will be shared at the community outreach events and via the survey.

Map of study area in North Fair Oaks showing the Caltrain corridor.

Looking to provide feedback on this Study?

Outreach Events

We look forward to engaging with community members during the second phase of engagement. The following is a table of community engagement activities that will take place in spring 2023.

    DateTimeLocation
    Friday, March 249:00 AM to 1:00 PMNorth Fair Oaks Library and Fair Oaks Community Center, 2600 Middlefield Road
    Monday, March 27 8:00 to 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Jornaleros Laborers and Samaritan House Free Clinic, 114 5th Avenue
    Wednesday, March 299:00 AM to 1:00 PMVerbo Family Services, 2789 Bay Road
    Wednesday, March 29 3:00 to 6:00 PMWillow Market, 37 Willow Street
    Wednesday, March 291:00 to 4:00 PM Mi Tienda Market, 812 5th Avenue
    Sunday, April 2 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Verbo Church, 2789 Bay Road
    Wednesday, April 5th 5:00 to 8:00 PM Casa Circulo Cultural, 3090 Middlefield Road
    Wednesday, April 5th 3:00 to 6:00 PM Hoover Park, 2100 Spring Street
    Thursday, April 6th 3:00 to 6:00 PM Food Distribution at Hoover School, 703 Charter Street
    More events will be announced!
    Completed Events
    Saturday, June 11
    Casa Circulo, 3090 Middlefield Road
    Saturday, June 11Hoover Park, 2100 Spring Street
    Monday, June 13Chavez Supermarket, 3282 Middlefield Road
    Wednesday, June 15North Fair Oaks Library, 2510 Middlefield Road
    Wednesday, June 22Verbo Family Services, 2798 Bay Road
    Wednesday, June 22Familias Unidas Virtual Presentation
    Thursday, June 23North Fair Oaks Community Council Virtual Presentation
    Friday, June 24Willow Market, 37 Willow Street
    Saturday, June 25Siena Youth Center, 2625 Marlborough Ave
    *Note: This is a combination pop-up at the start of the event followed by a community bike ride. To learn more and to register, visit: www.tinyurl.com/NFObici
    Tuesday, June 28Mi Rancho Supermarket, 150 Charter Street
    Tuesday, June 30Chavez Supermarket, 46 5th Ave
    Friday, July 8St. Anthony's, 3500 Middlefield Road

We thank community members that have already engaged with us during the first phase of outreach in summer 2022 and shared their feedback on travel needs and priorities to improve pedestrian and bicycle access. The Phase 1 Engagement Summary can be found under Study Documents.

In the meantime, you can continue to share thoughts, comments and ask questions by sending us an e-mail at: OOS_NFOwalkbikesmc@smcgov.org  

This Study is being made possible through a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Grant as part of a financial partnership between the County of San Mateo and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Questions About This Project?

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