Caltrain Kicks-Off Palo Alto Train Station Improvements

WHO:
José Cisneros, Caltrain Board chair and San Francisco Treasurer

Forrest Williams, Caltrain Board member, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board member and San Jose City Council member

Yoriko Kishimoto, Palo Alto Mayor

Community stakeholders

WHAT:
Caltrain will begin a year-long, $35 million construction project to improve the amenities, platforms and access at both Palo Alto train stations. The project includes improved safety features and bringing both stations up to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as increased track capacity. The project also includes the replacement of several rail bridges that are near the end of their useful lives.

The event will mark the official kick-off of construction. There will be a brief program of speeches, followed by refreshments.

WHEN:
Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 10:15 a.m.

WHERE:
California Avenue Caltrain Station – 101 S. California Dr., Palo Alto

WHY:
The Caltrain stations in Palo Alto, at California Avenue and the main station at University Avenue, were built in an era when the needs of the disabled was not a consideration. The design of the California Avenue station, particularly, with its center boarding platform causes a bottleneck in the system and poses a greater safety risk to pedestrians than other, newer stations. This project will make both stations fully accessible to persons with disabilities and improve Caltrain’s system infrastructure to help to lay the foundation for the future expansion of rail service in the region.

11/26/07 - jbw
Media Contact: Jonah Weinberg, 650.508.6238