Castro Street project to end vehicle traffic at Mountain View Caltrain tracks - San Jose Spotlight

"Mountain View's north entrance to downtown Castro Street is finally getting a makeover after years of lingering half-measures, temporary traffic signs and roadway cones, with proposed changes that will finally eliminate all vehicle traffic crossing the Caltrain tracks. The transit project, which the city's Council Transportation Committee reviewed Tuesday, would eliminate northbound traffic on Castro Street across the Caltrain tracks, instead diverting cars towards Shoreline Boulevard along West Evelyn Avenue."

"Bicyclists and pedestrians would continue to be able to cross the train tracks at Castro Street, with the installation of upgraded bike lanes and crosswalks. The project would also create a contiguous route for bike and vehicle traffic along West Evelyn Avenue to cross Castro Street, which is currently blocked off by raised curbs, heavy bollards and bright orange plastic barricades."

"The intersection is a critical location in Mountain View, marking the nexus between Caltrain, VTA light rail service, downtown Mountain View and access to major employment centers to the north. More than 1,700 pedestrians and 800 bicyclists cross the tracks at the intersection each day, according to a city staff report. For nearly a decade, the plan has been to close Castro Street at the tracks and turn it into a T-intersection, with a goal of improving traffic safety."

Mountain View plans to permanently stop vehicle traffic from crossing the Caltrain tracks at the north entrance to downtown Castro Street, diverting northbound cars along West Evelyn Avenue toward Shoreline Boulevard. Southbound vehicle crossings have been blocked since the pandemic. Bicyclists and pedestrians will retain crossing access with upgraded bike lanes and crosswalks and a contiguous route along West Evelyn. The intersection connects Caltrain, VTA light rail, downtown and major northern employment centers, with more than 1,700 pedestrians and 800 bicyclists crossing daily. Closing the intersection into a T-intersection has been the preferred, lower-cost safety solution for nearly a decade.

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