Newell Road/San Francisquito Creek Bridge Replacement Project
Project Location
The Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project is located on Newell Road at the crossing of San
Francisquito Creek. The creek forms the boundary between Palo Alto and East Palo Alto, as
well as the boundary between Santa Clara County and San Mateo County.
Project Vicinity Map
No Scale
Project Description
The City of Palo Alto Public Works Department is managing a capital improvement project to
replace the existing Newell Road Bridge at San Francisquito Creek (SFC). City staff is
coordinating closely with staff from the City of East Palo Alto, the San Francisquito Creek Joint
Powers Authority (JPA), and the Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) on this project of
regional significance and impact. The primary purpose for replacing the bridge is because it
creates a bottleneck in the creek that prevents the passage of the 1% (100-year) flow without
overtopping of the banks. The existing reinforced concrete bridge, constructed in 1911, is also
considered functionally obsolete due to its narrow width, severe vertical profile, and poor sight
distances.
Newell Road is classified as an urban collector street and carries an Average Daily Traffic
(ADT) of approximately 3000 vehicles per day. The existing bridge is a 22-foot-wide (18-footwide travelled way) by 40' long, concrete reinforced through girder structure. The existing
bridge has no provision for bicycle or pedestrian traffic.
The proposed replacement bridge will be a 45-foot-wide by 86-foot-long structure with two 16foot-wide shared lanes (11-foot vehicle lane and 5-foot bike lane/shoulder) and two 5-foot
sidewalks. This configuration will greatly improve bicycle and pedestrian access and safety.
Improved bicycle and pedestrian access across the bridge will fit in well with the City of East
Palo Alto’s plans to construct a bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing of Highway 101 that will have
its western landing at Newell Road and West Bayshore Road.
The Newell Road Bridge is within the reach of a study being conducted by the JPA and the
District to identify proposed channel and bridge improvements that will alleviate flooding issues
and provide 1% flood protection for local residents and businesses. The new clear span between
abutments of 76.7 feet matches the distance between the top of the SFC banks, allowing the new
abutments to be constructed outside of the creek’s waterway including high flow events. In
order to accommodate the 1% event, Newell Road will need to be raised approximately 4’ above
the existing roadway profile. The road profile will need to be raised on the adjacent segments of
both Newell Road and Woodland Avenue on both sides of the bridge as well. This will result in
a series of retaining walls at the back of sidewalk alongside the two adjacent single-family
residential properties on Newell Road in Palo Alto and alongside the two apartment complexes at
the Woodland Avenue/Newell Road intersection in East Palo Alto. The height of retaining wall
is expected to reach a maximum of approximately 5 feet. The profile of the retaining walls will
mimic that of the roadway approaches on both sides of the bridge. A railing will be required
along the top of the retaining wall in order to provide for pedestrian safety in areas where there
will be a vertical differential between the top of wall and adjacent ground greater than 30 inches.
Project Alternatives
The project design team evaluated three basic project alternatives for the replacement of the
existing Newell Road Bridge:
• Pedestrian/ Bicycle Bridge
• Vehicular Bridge on Exiting Newell Road Alignment
• Vehicular Bridge on Realigned Newell Road Alignment
1) Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge
This alternative consists of replacing the existing vehicular bridge with a pedestrian/bicycle
bridge. This option was identified as a possible project alternative based on comments received
at the initial public outreach meeting for the Newell Road Bridge on June 27, 2012. Staff
contracted for a traffic study to determine the impacts to the local traffic pattern if the
replacement bridge was constructed as a pedestrian/bicycle bridge. The study revealed that the
predominant movement of vehicles during peak traffic periods was between local Palo Alto
neighborhoods and University Avenue/Highway 101. The study concluded that closing Newell
Road to vehicular traffic across SFC would divert the 3000 vehicles per day currently crossing
the existing bridge to local (non-collector) residential streets in Palo Alto, including Hamilton
Avenue, Center Drive, Lincoln Avenue, East and West Crescent Drives, and Chaucer Street.
The diversion of traffic to these residential streets not designed for the predicted increase in
traffic volumes would create a negative impact to the local community. As a result of the traffic
study conclusions, the Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge option has been dropped as a viable alternative
for the replacement of the existing Newell Road Bridge.
2) Vehicular Bridge on Existing Newell Road Alignment
This alternative consists of replacing the existing vehicular bridge with a new vehicular bridge
placed along the existing Newell Road Bridge alignment. This option maintains the existing
alignment of Newell Road, crosses over San Francisquito Creek, and ties into Woodland Avenue
at the same location as the existing. The result is that the existing offset intersection is
maintained at Woodland Avenue (see Attachment 1). The key advantages and
disadvantages of this road alignment option are listed below:
Advantages:
• Maintains familiar traffic pattern
• Offset intersection acts as a traffic calming device
Disadvantages:
• Offset intersection at Woodland Avenue maintains inadequate sight distance for
northbound Newell vehicles to see eastbound Woodland vehicles and pedestrians.
• Creates less distance to transition from the bridge raised replacement bridge profile to
the grade of the existing Woodland Avenue/Newell Road intersection.
• Maintains direct headlight glare into the residential property on east side of Woodland
in East Palo Alto
• Creates an indirect route for pedestrians and bicycles travelling along Newell Road
• Retaining wall heights are higher than under the Realignment option
3) Vehicular Bridge on Realigned Newell Road Alignment (Preferred Alternative)
This alternative consists of replacing the existing vehicular bridge with a new vehicular bridge
placed on a realigned alignment to create a standard four way intersection with Woodland
Avenue in East Palo Alto. Under This option, both the north and south legs of Newell at
Woodland align and form a more traditional 4-legged intersection (see Attachment 2). The
replacement bridge would cross San Francisquito Creek west of the existing bridge. The
realignment of Newell Road is achieved by introducing a horizontal curve in Newell Road prior
to reaching the creek. The key advantages and disadvantages of this road alignment option are
listed below:
Advantages:
• Eliminates offset and establishes more traditional 4-legged intersection
• Creates a safer interaction between vehicles and pedestrians by creating an intersection
with more standard movements
• Provides better sight distance for northbound Newell vehicles to see eastbound
Woodland vehicles and pedestrians
• Allows for more distance to transition from the bridge to Woodland Avenue/Newell
Road intersection
• Eliminates direct headlight glare into the residential property on east side of Woodland
• Provides a more direct route for pedestrians and bicycles to the future East Palo Alto
Highway 101 overcrossing structure
Disadvantages:
• Impacts residential backyard in southwest quadrant of project (Does not require
acquisition of additional right-of-way, however, since a portion of the existing backyard
lies within City right-of-way per a revocable encroachment permit.)
• Eliminates traffic calming resulting from offset intersection, thus requiring new traffic
calming measures to be installed
In comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each option, the Realignment alternative has
more advantages than the Existing Alignment alternative and has, therefore, been recommended
as the preferred alternative.
Bridge Aesthetics
The design consultant has retained a bridge architect as a member of the design team. The
elevated bridge profile will be visible from the westbound direction of Woodland Avenue. The
roadway profile requires the use of a prominent vertical curve resulting in an arch-like bridge
vertical alignment. The resulting aesthetic enhancement will add to the visual quality of the new
bridge. The use of a modified Caltrans Type 80SW bridge railing is recommended as an
additional aesthetic enhancement. The Type 80SW barrier provides vehicular and pedestrian
safety as well as 5-foot-long by 11-inch-high openings spaced at 6'-4” intervals above the
sidewalk curb, approximately 1.5 to 2.5 feet above the road surface, to provide the driver with an
open feel to the bridge. The openings will be filled with impact-resistant glazing to preserve the
full height of the opening for viewing, while providing the 4-foot freeboard above the expected
1% water elevation required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fluted lighting
standards similar to those used in the older sections of Palo Alto are also proposed along both
sides of the bridge. As an additional aesthetic enhancement, each sidewalk is proposed to have a
curved 16-foot-wide overlook at the mid-span of the bridge that extends seven feet out beyond
the edge of the bridge deck. Conceptual bridge aesthetic renderings have been provided as
attachments to this report.
The Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project is subject to the City’s Art in Public Places policy,
and staff will be coordinating with the Public Art Commission to retain an artist to work
cooperatively with the bridge architect to incorporate art into the project. A budget of $10,000
has been incorporated into the capital improvement project (1% of the estimated cost of the new
bridge structure) for the public art element. Further considerations of aesthetic features will be
undertaken after the preferred bridge type is selected and an artist is brought on board by the
Public Art Commission. The project team will be meeting with the Public Art Commission to
present the project on November 15. Additional aesthetic features may include further
refinement of the bridge layout, evaluation of concrete colors, textures and finishes, artistic
lighting, and other amenities as identified by the Public Art Commission.
Public Outreach
Staff held a community meeting to solicit public input and comments on the Newell Road Bridge
Replacement Project on June 27, 2012. In addition, staff made a presentation to the Crescent
Park Neighborhood Association at one of their regular meetings. The primary concerns
expressed by the members of the public to-date are summarized below:
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Concern about increased traffic and speed causing more accidents.
Consider replacing the existing bridge with a bike/pedestrian bridge.
Incorporate traffic calming measures into the project to slow traffic.
Minimize spillover glare from bridge lighting into adjacent yards and the creek.
Minimize the height of proposed retaining walls.
Concerned about current use of Edgewood Drive and Newell Road as an “overflow”
parking lot for East Palo Alto apartment residents.
Concern that an improved bridge will encourage use of Newell Road as a cut-through
route between Highway 101 and Palo Alto.
Design project to minimize habitat (tree) loss.
Concern about loss of on-street parking on the East Palo Alto side during construction.
Concern about increased dust/debris and noise during construction.
Information about the project
www.cityofpaloalto.org/newell.
is
available
on
the
project
web
site
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Project Schedule
The Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project is currently scheduled for construction during the
Spring and Summer of 2014.
Attachments
1 – Existing Alignment Alternative
2 – Relignment Alternative (Preferred Alternative)
3 – Proposed Bridge General Plan
4 – Bridge Profile (including retaining walls)
5 – Fact Sheet from June 27 Community Meeting
6 – Bridge Architectural Renderings
Fact Sheet – Newell Road/San Francisquito Creek
Bridge Replacement Project
Project Overview
The City of Palo Alto (City) is managing a capital improvement project to replace the Newell Road bridge
that spans San Francisquito Creek. The 40-foot-long bridge (18 feet wide curb to curb), which was
originally constructed in 1911, is considered functionally obsolete. The traffic lanes are substandard, and
the bridge has no provision for bicycle or pedestrian traffic. In addition to the traffic deficiencies, the
existing bridge abutments are located within the creek bed, causing a flow constriction in the channel that
prevents it from accommodating the estimated 1% (100-year) flow event. The Newell Road bridge is
within the scope of an ongoing study being conducted by the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers
Authority (JPA) to identify potential channel and bridge improvements that will provide increased flood
protection to the area.
Project Description
At this time, the City is considering two alternatives to replace the existing bridge. The first alternative
would maintain and widen the existing horizontal alignment, and the second alternative would realign the
bridge slightly to the west to create a standard 4-way intersection at Newell Road and Woodland Avenue.
Both alternatives would:
• Demolish the existing bridge
• Construct a new 75-foot-long bridge (32 feet wide curb to curb, plus two 5-foot-wide sidewalks)
to replace the existing functionally obsolete structure
• Provide for bicycle and pedestrian traffic across the bridge
• Potentially construct (and reconstruct) floodwalls along the creek and construct new retaining
walls at the Newell Road/Woodland Avenue intersection
One of the alternatives will ultimately be selected for implementation based on several factors, including
design feasibility and public input.
Project Design and Environmental Compliance
The City has retained NV5, an engineering consulting firm, to assist with the design and environmental
assessment of the project. Although the consultant will be managed by the City, extensive coordination
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with City of East Palo Alto, JPA, and Santa Clara Valley Water District staff will be performed
throughout the project. The consultant team will be responsible for compliance with both the California
Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Project Funding and Timeline
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is funding 88.5% of the project design, with the
Santa Clara Valley Water District providing the remaining 11.5%. The City will apply to Caltrans for
funding of 88.5% of the construction cost; funds for the remaining 11.5% of the construction cost have
not yet been identified.
The design and environmental review portion of the bridge replacement project are anticipated to be
completed in summer 2013. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2014 and be completed in four
to six months.
Public Input Opportunities
The City is committed to keeping the public informed about this project. There will be several
opportunities for the public to provide input on the project during the design process. We encourage you
to visit the project web site at www.cityofpaloalto.org/newell. Here you can find the most up-to-date
information about the project’s design, upcoming public meetings, and past meeting minutes and
presentations. We look forward to your involvement.
You may also contact Project Engineer Rajeev Hada at:
City of Palo Alto
Public Works Engineering Services
(650) 329-2469
[email protected]
Project Partners
Newell Road bridge
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