SamTrans Survey Abandons Dumbarton Rail - Streetsblog San Francisco

"SamTrans has opened a community survey to gather public input for " Reimagine Dumbarton," a planning initiative to explore improved transit, walking and biking connections along the Dumbarton Corridor on the Peninsula. Notably absent from the survey: any mention of the long-punted effort to rebuild the Dumbarton rail bridge (imagined in the lead image) which is part of the full corridor, and finally give a high-quality transit option between the mid-Peninsula and Union City in the East Bay."

"The project is exploring the feasibility of introducing fast, reliable zero-emission bus service, making it safer and easier to travel by transit, bike or on foot between communities in southeastern San Mateo County. And to avoid any confusion: this survey is about the Dumbarton rail corridor - not the Highway 84 Dumbarton Bridge. Reimagine Dumbarton seeks to understand how people travel today and what improvements they want for future connections between East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, North Fair Oaks and Redwood City."

"'And so now in the wake of yet another rail defeat, SamTrans wants to 'Reimagine Dumbarton' and at least build a busway atop just the west side of the SamTrans-owned rail line,' said Adrian Brandt, a Peninsula rail advocate and San Mateo County's representative on the Caltrain Citizens Advisory Committee."

SamTrans launched a community survey for Reimagine Dumbarton to evaluate improved transit, walking, and biking connections along the Dumbarton rail corridor. The survey centers on near-term options and explicitly explores fast, reliable zero-emission bus service and safer active-transportation access rather than constructing a new Bay crossing. The effort focuses on connections between East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City and will guide planning through winter 2027. The survey omits mention of rebuilding the Dumbarton rail bridge, prompting criticism from rail advocates who had prioritized restoring rail service across the corridor.

Read at Streetsblog