Officials and residents are working alongside the state Department of Transportation to draft a new vision for Burlingame’s stretch of El Camino Real, while balancing safety concerns against the desire to preserve a historic tree grove.
A task force comprised of residents seeking improvements to the main thoroughfare met Monday, Feb. 26, to discuss their recommendations for El Camino Real’s future.
Assuring pedestrian safety, fixing badly damaged sidewalks, suggesting placing utilities underground and preventing flooding were among the infrastructure projects identified by the task force.
Such work must be done in tandem with Caltrans, the state department overseeing El Camino Real, while also keeping an eye to the prized grove of eucalyptus trees along the street, said Mayor Michael Brownrigg.
“There is a template to plant new trees and design new sidewalks that I think could make El Camino Real beautiful and safe while creating a new tree-lined street for our kids and grandkids.”
As the task force seeks potential improvements, officials said consideration will be paid to the trees surrounding the road in an interest to preserving the street’s character. Many Burlingame residents care deeply about the groves of eucalyptus trees lining El Camino Real, and consider them a defining characteristic of the city.
“That stretch of trees is iconic. It’s incredibly important to the identity of Burlingame that we have a stretch of El Camino Real with a beautiful grove of trees,” said Councilwoman Emily Beach.
However, Public Works Director Syed Murtuza noted the trees are growing older, which requires officials to draft contingency plans in case of their ailment and eventual death. He noted the existing intent is to maintain the trees, while also developing plans for eventually planting new ones.
Brownrigg shared a similar perspective.
“What we need to do is preserve the grove and make sure there are enough trees always on El Camino Real,” he said.
While a vision including trees along El Camino Real is continually crafted, officials agreed they must remain cognizant of their disruptive nature. To that end, Murtuza pointed to the sidewalk wreckage caused by the root system as a primary safety concern for pedestrians.
“As much as we want to retain the character of El Camino Real, and as much as we want to retain the trees, you have the opposite impact to safety with trees,” he said.
The task force was charged with examining a three-block stretch of the state highway, but not with addressing the intersection of El Camino Real at Floribunda Avenue, home to the Howard-Ralston row which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Recommended for you
Caltrans officials previously suggested removing some of the trees to improve safety and visibility for motorists, but city officials and residents were critical of the proposal.
Ultimately, city and Caltrans officials were able to compromise and agree to attempt less invasive measures such as preventing left turns for drivers heading south, going toward downtown. A pilot program was agreed upon to track effectiveness on reducing accidents at the problematic intersection before tree removal is brought back to the table.
The compromise marks a departure from the previously contentious relationship between the city and Caltrans which existed when the trees were threatened. Since then, Beach credited the state’s willingness to collaborate with local officials.
“We’ve proved that the city and Caltrans can talk to each other and work together and listen and understand issues,” said Beach.
Caltrans showed a willingness to consider the task force’s recommendation while also offering up to $100 million for improving infrastructure through the city’s stretch of El Camino Real, said Brownrigg.
Looking ahead, Burlingame officials said they will continue discussing the initiative with Caltrans while developing a more detailed approach to implementing some of the suggested fixes.
Lauding the hard work of the task force in crafting the plans for El Camino Real’s future, Brownrigg said all parties will work together toward improving the thoroughfare.
“We are committed to building an El Camino Real that is safe and gorgeous,” he said.
Beach agreed, while emphasizing the value of taking a long view on the project as it moves ahead.
“The safety and livability of that road is critically important, and the trees are too,” she said.
(650) 344-5200 ext. 105
(4) comments
The Eucalptus trees are non native to California and were planted at first in Burlingame in the 1870's
https://burlingametreestest.wordpress.com/trees-in-burlingame-today/the-eucalyptus-loved-and-hated-in-burlingame/
They are ugly and dangerous trees (dropping branches, breaking sidewalks and growing into the right of way of the street) that also pollute the soil.
I'd like El Camino in Burlingame to always be tree lined but not with these oversized and dangerous monsters that are a hazard to drivers, pedestrians and nearby homes. Let's convert to native trees.
Burlingame seems to have always been about local control, especially when compared to surrounding cities.
When was that row of eucalyptus trees planted, and who planted them?
The city should have Caltrains deed that part of El Camino Real to Burlingame. This way the the future of the trees will by controlled by the Burlingame. Also the the part of trees on California Dr between Broadway and El Grove from City & County of San Francisco should be the same.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.