A major construction revamp along the Burlingame section of El Camino Real was originally slated to begin work this spring but is now being pushed out as Caltrans and Pacific Gas and Electric finalize plans, Burlingame Assistant Public Works Director Kevin Okada said.
There are two major elements to the project. One, a Caltrans effort to repair the road, sidewalk and street lights that will span from Millbrae to San Mateo, may begin work by fall of this year, however, that construction may start in one of the other cities first.
The second aspect of the project is a Burlingame-specific push for PG&E to underground utilities. The construction start date for that work has been delayed to the second quarter of 2026, Okada said.
Delays to Caltrans’ work on the road revamp are being caused in part by the need for signed reconciliations that affirm property owners are aware if their driveways, gardens and retaining walls in the public right-of-way will need to be removed to make way for sidewalk work.
The city has committed to paying for the reconstruction of those facilities if property owners allow them to be temporarily removed, Burlingame Councilmember Donna Colson said, but has still run into trouble obtaining all of the necessary documentation of the easements.
“One thing that we have been working on diligently is getting easements for the project, talking to residents and homeowners, asking them for easements,” Okada said. “I understand that work needs to happen before work can be completed.”
On the PG&E side, the paperwork for procuring a contractor has been delayed, Okada said.
While the city is working with both entities to begin construction at the same time, the project is complex and has a variety of moving parts, making a concrete timeline challenging to pin down.
Burlingame Vice Mayor Michael Brownrigg, who has been a leader on the long-awaited project, stressed those complexities in a statement.
“Not only is it a heavily used state highway in an urban setting, but it entails two separate, very large organizations coordinating their work,” he said. “All while ensuring minimal inconvenience to residents along ECR and to motorists, all while being mindful of construction costs that include rebuilding sidewalks, gutters and drainage and large tree removals.”
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