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Page 2 of 6 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org <br />ANALYSIS <br />The primary purpose of the Project is to reduce traffic fatalities and severe injuries and to provide safe <br />bicycle and pedestrian facilities where none currently exist. The existing interchange configuration poses <br />safety hazards on the freeways, the ramps, and the adjoining local streets. From 2017-2021, the U.S. 101 <br />and SR 84 Interchange experienced 190 collisions within the immediate project area, including one fatal <br />vehicle-vehicle crash and seven severe vehicle-vehicle collisions. <br />The current SR 84/U.S. 101 interchange configuration, paired with traffic congestion, backs up traffic onto <br />the U.S. 101. This causes a dangerous speed differential between free flow and stopped traffic, leading to <br />vehicular collisions. The free flow ramps (slip ramps) result in merge/weave issues that cause crashes <br />along SR 84. The complete absence of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure along SR 84 between Bay Road <br />and the interchange compounds collision hazards in the Project area. <br />Notably, 11 broadside collisions occurred at the SR 84 and Broadway 5-legged intersection between 2017 <br />and 2021. This illustrates how the current geometric design fails to support or reinforce proper driving <br />behavior and underscores the need for an improved design to improve safety. Modifying SR 84/Broadway <br />intersection to a four-legged intersection will make vehicle movements more predictable and reduce <br />conflict points for all Users. <br />Project Description <br />The Project will improve freeway ingress and egress, reduce vehicle queuing onto U.S. 101, and eliminate <br />bottlenecks on the freeways by reconfiguring the ramps, increasing vehicle storage, and installing <br />coordinated, signalized intersections. Operational improvements on SR 84 and Seaport Boulevard will <br />reduce congestion-related collisions and address merge/weave challenges. The construction of an <br />elevated section (flyover) of Veterans Boulevard, an arterial roadway that crosses the Project area, <br />connecting to the U.S. 101 will help reduce traffic congestion on SR 84. The Project includes new turning <br />pockets, merge capacity on Woodside Road from U.S. 101 to Bay Road, and the installation of new <br />interconnected traffic signals. <br />Additionally, the project will construct 4.2 miles of new bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including <br />sidewalks, multi-Use pathways, protected on-street bike lanes, and pedestrian gates at two railroad <br />crossings. These improvements will enhance safety and encourage active transportation in the Area. A <br />visual simulation of the completed Project in operation was recently produced to assist project fundraising <br />and final design refinement. This helpful tool is featured on Redwood City’s updated Project webpage at <br />www.RedwoodCity.org/101-84. <br />Right-of-Way Acquisition Phase <br />The Project requires both the permanent acquisition of certain land and temporary construction <br />easements, making Right of Way (R/W) acquisition necessary. According to the Project Agreement <br />between the City and Caltrans, the City is responsible for acquiring the parcels and easements, then <br />transferring them to Caltrans prior to construction. <br />9.A. - Page 2 of 6 <br />82