Land purchase approved for major interchange upgrade

“This is a safety issue, it’s really important this project happens for the safety of our constituents,” Councilmember Isabella Chu said.  

The proposed improvements to the Highway 101/Woodside Road interchange include significant efforts to “enhance traffic safety, reduce congestion and pollution, and provide safer bicycle and pedestrian facilities,” the staff report read. 

The project plans to widen Woodside Road to six lanes, three in each direction, with turn pockets. It also will reconstruct all ramp connections between the road and Highway 101, and construct two flyover ramps for Veterans Boulevard from northbound Highway 101 and to southbound Highway 101. The revamp is to eliminate the existing five-legged intersection at Broadway and Woodside Road. Major upgrades to pedestrian and bicycle facilities throughout the project area will also be done. 

Much of the right-of-way acquisitions are due to street widening and to “facilitate safe and effective construction” of improvements to bike and pedestrian facilities,” said Leo Scott, consulting project manager for land acquisitions. 

The procurements are estimated to cost approximately $2.8 million. 

Two property owners submitted paperwork objecting to the procurement of their property, and one member of the public sent in a written public comment ahead of the meeting raising concern over the closure of businesses because of the land acquisition, but staff and councilmembers clarified that none of the land taken will require businesses to close. 

City staff and consultants began presenting offers to the various property owners beginning in October, and settlement negotiations are ongoing. The negotiations will continue, but the council approved issuing eminent domain lawsuits if no settlement is reached, Scott said. The final acquisition of properties is estimated by January. 

ana@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 106