A simpler plan for Broadway

A much less expensive solution would be ugly but buildable: elevating cars over the tracks.

A two-lane overpass could be constructed over California Avenue, beginning where Broadway widens just after Chula Vista. An overpass starting at this point could span California and the Caltrain track, ending at or just beyond Carolan. There is enough room for a lane in each direction, allowing access to and from California and Broadway. 

Cars going to and from the highway from California could be detoured onto side streets, such as Rhinette and Carmelita. Traffic from Carolan and Rollins, however, would be blocked from driving downtown. The closest access is Oak Grove, but building an additional overpass from Carolan, over the tracks to California at Carmelita would be fairly straightforward. The detours needed in a simple one- or two-overpass plan, would create their own traffic problems — more overpasses would improve the flow, but would and have to impinge on commercial property more.

In its simplest form, the overpass plan would probably cost in the tens of millions of dollars and could be constructed in a year or so. With exit and entrance overpasses, the cost might rise to the $100 million to $150 million range, and take a few years perhaps. In either case, we would have an unattractive and clunky, but safe, route over the tracks, saving lives.

Jonathan Roth

Burlingame