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<br /> . If Council proceeds with any approach other than cease activity, Council should seek a <br /> commitment from SMCT A on the question of funding; <br /> Council questions focused on access to the $23.8 million now set aside for a Whipple <br /> A venue Grade Separation and if enough funds would become available to fund the best <br /> alternative; and, if those funds or any of the matching funds could be used for other <br /> transportation projects in Redwood City. <br /> In response to other Council questions, Engineer Lee advised that Whipple Avenue would <br /> suffer major disruptions for two years if the project goes forward; there has been one fatality <br /> at that crossing in the last four years (a car drove around the gates); and the available $23.8 <br /> million will not fund Altematives C and E, staff is not sure about B and D, but it will fund <br /> Alternative A. <br /> Council discussed impacts on neighborhoods, which Manager Patterson said would <br /> depend a lot on the grade that was built and necessary property acquisition. <br /> In response to Council questions regarding traffic flow, City Manager Everett, Manager <br /> Patterson and Engineer Lee explained that CaiTrans "owns the green time on El Camino <br /> Real" and therefore the proposed grade separations will have little or no impact on traffic <br /> flow on Whipple and El Camino Real (except Altematives C and E which would cost much <br /> more than the $23.8 million available at this time.) They explained that grade separations <br /> do not reduce traffic, that signalization on El Camino Real controls traffic flow, and <br /> Alternatives A, B, and D will get rid of tracks at grade level, but will not influence traffic. <br /> (Alternatives C and E would have the most impact on traffic due to realignment of El <br /> Camino Real.) <br /> City Manager Everett advised that there will be more available infonnation regarding <br /> traffic on El Camino Real and Whipple after the two grade separations are completed in San <br /> Carlos at Holly and Brittan, and a new 101 on/off ramp is completed at Brittan. He said <br /> these projects will impact traffic on Whipple and El Camino Real, but no one can predict to <br /> what extent at this time. <br /> Councilman Leipzig said he would rather see improvements on Woodside Road, Seaport <br /> Boulevard and Broadway than the proposed Whipple Avenue Grade Separation. <br /> Councilwoman La Berge agreed that other transportation projects in the City were higher <br /> priorities, and asked if the $23.8 million could be used for the Council's other priorities. <br /> Mayor Pro Tem Howard called upon Edgar Ugarte, Program manager, SMCTA, who <br /> provided the history of Measure A funds and said 49% of available funds were earmarked <br /> for CalTrain (including grade separations), and 49% earmarked for streets/highways, and the <br /> balance for bicycle paths and roads. Mr. Ugarte advised the qualified projects have already <br /> been identified and no new ones will be added. The Whipple A venue Grade Separation was <br /> on the list and was considered a priority project. Mr. Ugarte said if the Council decided not <br /> to go forward with the Whipple Avenue Grade Separation the measure A funds would go <br /> back into the SMCTA general fund and not be available for other projects in the City. <br /> REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 NOVEMBER 18,1996 <br /> MINUTES PAGE 8 <br /> Page No. 030 <br />