Traffic Safety and Development Updates

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

In my last post earlier this month, I shared the City’s plans to improve transportation safety along the Alameda corridor after an Aragon student was hit in the crosswalk last month.  City staff, working in conjunction with the Aragon High School community, parents, nearby residents, and Move San Mateo, has made substantial progress on their plans (read below).  Many of the improvements are well ahead of schedule.  

I have been honored to be a leading voice coordinating these efforts, but the real work and thanks are due our community and City staff.  It is a great example of how residents’ collective voices and local government’s nimbleness can bring about very positive change.  We have a long way to go and I will keep you updated.  But every milestone for safety is one to celebrate.

We also are making good progress in raising resident quality of life issues as part of a development project’s overall scope.  I share in this issue a new effort that Councilmember Rob News (District 3) and I have launched with the heads of each City Department: the CALM Program.  We did this to ensure residents’ quality of life is a priority focus during the construction phase of any  future development.

Finally, there are many fun events and community meetings happening in the next month, including the unveiling of the new Central Park Adventure Land on November 10 at 4pm in Central Park.  I know this is one of the most anticipated event in the City for all our families and kids.  Mark it in your calendar and get ready to join in the fun!   

Thank you for staying engaged and working with me to get things done for San Mateans!

As always, please contact me directly at lisa@lisaforsanmateo.com with questions or ways I can help you.  

IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ALONG THE ALAMEDA CORRIDOR

Thanks to Aragon High School and nearby neighborhoods for working with me and the City to implement major new safety enhancements for the Alameda corridor. Several of these improvements were delivered well ahead of schedule by City staff and several were ideas supported by the school, the PTSO and their neighbors, as well as Move San Mateo, a local coalition promoting pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

The following is a comprehensive update provided by City staff on their Transportation Safety webpage.  This is the page to bookmark to stay updated on the latest progress all over the city, including along the Alameda corridor:

Alameda de las Pulgas Quick-Build Safety Improvements - Fall 2026

Project Update

The City is installing quick-build safety improvements at four intersections on Alameda de las Pulgas to make these crossings safer for all users:

• At Aragon Boulevard and Hobart Avenue work is complete as of October 15, 2026.

• At Nevada Avenue and Kentucky Avenue, work is underway.

  
  

Quick-build projects prioritize rapid implementation of low-cost safety improvements with flexibility to make adjustments based on how they work and community feedback.

Work Dates: Mid-October through early November 2026.

Why We Are Doing This

The intersections along Alameda de las Pulgas at these four locations are used daily by pedestrians and have been under consideration by the City for potential safety improvements. At the September 22, 2026, City Council meeting, community members and Council Members asked for safer crossings near Aragon High School.

What We Are Adding

Alameda de las Pulgas and Nevada Avenue, Kentucky Avenue, Aragon Boulevard

These improvements are in progress at Nevada Avenue and Kentucky Avenue, and complete at Aragon Boulevard. 

• Exclusive East-West Pedestrian Phase: All vehicles stop while people cross Alameda de las Pulgas. No cars are turning at the same time.

• No Right Turn on Red: Drivers wait for the green light before turning right. This keeps the crosswalk clear.

• Centerline Hardening: Curbs and posts on the centerline slow left turns and tighten turning paths

• Red Curb: No parking is allowed at red curbs. Helps drivers see pedestrians who are about to cross

Alameda de las Pulgas and Hobart Avenue - Completed

• Red Curb: No parking is allowed at red curbs. Helps drivers see pedestrians who are about to cross

• New Crossing Signs: Alert vehicles to pedestrians

• New Road Markings: Remind vehicles to yield to people in the crosswalk

What to Expect

• Crews will be working near Aragon High School. Please slow down and watch for them.

• At Nevada Avenue, Kentucky Avenue, and Aragon Boulevard, you can no longer turn right on red.

• You may wait a little longer at the traffic signals while people cross. Please plan extra time.

Several medium and long-term safety enhancements for the Alameda corridor are also detailed:

Alameda de las Pulgas Corridor – Phased Safety Improvements

Staff are implementing a phased series of safety improvements along the Alameda de las Pulgas corridor, as follows:

• Immediate Term:

• 31st Avenue Safe Routes to School Corridor Improvements:Traffic calming improvements are planned on 31st Avenue in front of Hillsdale High School, along with signalization and other intersection safety improvements at 31st & Alameda de las Pulgas. Design consultant selection is currently underway.

• Hillsdale Boulevard & Alameda de las Pulgas Intersection Safety Improvements: This project will install a new traffic signal, protected bike lane facilities, and updated pedestrian ramps to enhance safety for all users and reduce congestion through the intersection. The project is currently out to bid, with award anticipated in mid-November and construction expected to be completed in 2027.

• Alameda and Hobart Crosswalk Improvement [Quick-Build]:Signage and yield pavement markings will be installed at Alameda de las Pulgas & Hobart Street to improve existing crosswalk visibility. See the above section: Alameda de las Pulgas Quick-Build Safety Improvements - Fall 2026 for current updates.

• Alameda and Aragon Analysis [Quick-Build]:  The City is conducting an accelerated review of the Alameda de las Pulgas & Aragon Boulevard intersection to evaluate potential near-term enhancements. As part of this effort, staff is looking at options such as roadway markings, centerline delineation and signage that could be implemented within the Quick-Build program guidelines of under 6 months. Where existing traffic signal equipment allows, staff will also evaluate possible changes to signal operations that could separate pedestrian and vehicle movements at the intersection. See the above section: Alameda de las Pulgas Quick-Build Safety Improvements - Fall 2026 for current updates. 

• Signalized Intersections North of Barneson Ave [Quick-Build]: The City is also reviewing other signalized intersections along Alameda de las Pulgas north of Barneson Avenue for potential changes, similar to those proposed at Alameda and Aragon described above. Following evaluation, the City would aim to deliver these improvements within the Quick-Build program guidelines of under 6 months. More extensive signal improvements, such as dedicated left turns or pedestrian signal heads, would be considered as part of future capital improvement projects rather than as part of the quick build program, if warranted

• Medium Term:

• Alameda and Barneson Intersection Safety Improvement: An Intersection Multimodal Safety Improvement Project is planned at Barneson Avenue & Alameda de las Pulgas. This will include the installation of a new traffic signal and pedestrian-focused improvements. Funding for design has been requested for fiscal year 2027-2028 CIP budget.

• Alameda and Hobart Crosswalk Improvement: This project will relocate the existing crosswalk approximately 30 feet north and install new curb ramps long with rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs). It is estimated to be completed in fall of 2027.

• Long Term:

  
  

• Multimodal Complete Streets Project [Unfunded]: The corridor is identified in the City's adopted Bicycle Master Plan, shaped by significant community outreach, for bike facilities. The Project was ranked as top five priority in the County's Countywide Transportation Plan, reflecting its regional significance and supporting future funding eligibility.

Transportation safety will remain one of my priorities.  I look forward to sharing future improvements with you.  I welcome your ideas for the safety of everyone who uses our Alameda corridor for work, school or recreation.

“C.A.L.M.” PLAN TO KEEP RESIDENTS UPDATED ON CITYWIDE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

In July, District 3 Councilmember Rob Newsom and I requested that City staff develop timely, interactive ways to keep all residents and businesses up to date on all construction projects in the City.  As San Mateo will be growing over the next several years, we want to make sure that the quality of life of all of our residents and businesses remains a top priority.

Staff has responded by launching the CALM. Plan, aka “Citywide Active Livability Management”.  While that is a mouthful, it will mean that, as some of the substantial development projects begin next year, residents and businesses will have one place on the City website to get the latest information.  Check out what is happening on each construction project; how it will impact their daily lives; what they can do about it; and how to alert City staff when there are issues that need to be addressed.

The CALM Plan is a join effort across all City Departments, from Public Works to Community Development to Parks & Rec and beyond.  Councilmember Newsom and I represent the City Council and keep all Councilmembers updated.  This will be a mulit-year initiative that will impact all areas of San Mateo and our entire community.  Thank you to staff for coming together and treating quality of life issues so seriously.

The following was shared with City Council last week.  I will continue to advocate for quality of life improvements for all San Mateans as we grow and become a more vibrant city.  Please share this information and give me ideas to share with City staff.

About the CALM Plan

The CALM Plan is the City’s proactive, citywide framework for coordinating and managing construction impacts — designed to protect residents and visitors from the cumulative effects of noise, traffic, dust and other disruptions as the anticipated increase in construction activity starts in 2027–2028 and beyond.

Consistent with the implementation timeline presented to the Committee, staff is currently in Phase 2 (Months 3–5), which includes drafting new program forms, building GIS data layers and developing the initial layout for the public-facing CALM Portal. Phase 3 (Months 6–9) is planned to begin in January 2027 and will advance the mapping dashboard and portal into testing and staff training.

Active Construction Projects

The projects currently underway and coming online toward the end of the year remain well within staff’s regular oversight capacity. Below is a status summary of active construction projects.

Arbello - 477 9^th Ave 

• Scaffold removed; sidewalks and landscaping underway

• Construction fencing removal scheduled: Jan. 15, 2027

• Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) tentatively scheduled: Jan. 15, 2027

• Grind and overlay of the street paving on the S. Claremont and 9^th Ave frontages tentatively scheduled between Nov. 2 and Nov. 20, 2026

Peninsula Heights – 2655-2988 Campus Dr

• Ongoing on-site construction activities: currently in 2^nd tier of 1^st phase

• Construction expected to be completed Q1, 2028

435 E. 3rd Ave

• Ongoing standard pedestrian and vehicle lane closures

• Final concrete pour scheduled          

• Structural Concrete pours are complete

• Curbs and Flatwork in ROW April 9, 2027

• Construction continues through: June 9, 2027

• Grind and Overlay of 3^rd and Claremont May 10-13, 2027

Bay Meadows MU-2 (STA-6)

• Perimeter fencing in place around both sites; Derby Ave and W Kyne St are closed indefinitely

• Coordinating traffic control plans (TCPs) with Goodfellow Bros project

• Excavation ongoing; construction scheduled to continue throughout 2027 

Bay Meadows MU-3 (STA-7)

• Same as MU-2 (STA-6) excavation equipment rotation scheduled for January 2027

222 E. 4th St (former Draeger's site):

• Mobilization and demolition pending PG&E coordination and scheduling for electrical service removal

• Gas disconnection completed Monday, Oct. 10

• Public outreach: Virtual community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. 

• Dedicated project webpage with regular progress updates launching soon

• Construction expected to continue throughout 2027

31-57 S. B St (former Donut Delite)

• Mobilization and demolition pending PG&E coordination and scheduling

• First activity: Relocation of utility pole and underground electrical in private alley Oct. 29-30

• Construction fencing scheduled Oct. 26-30

• Demo scheduled to begin Nov. 2-6

• Construction expected to continue throughout 2027

Another quality of life issue I am proud to have championed is the banning of gas leaf blowers throughout San Mateo as of January 1, 2027.  Whether from a health, noise or clean environment perspective, getting rid of gas leaf blowers is one issue I think almost everyone agrees on.

City Council and City staff agreed with me that this transition had to be done with extensive community outreach and incentives for residents and landscape gardeners to transition with minimum economic impact.  The City has a popular Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Program to help make the transition easy.

Don’t wait until the last minute.  Take advantage of the Electric Leaf Blower Rebate Program before it goes away and help make San Mateans’ quality of life even better!

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP TONIGHT ON SAN MATEO’S HISTORIC POLICY UPDATE

Get the latest at a virtual community workshop TONIGHT as the City wraps up San Mateo’s Historic Policy Update!

📅 Tonight, Thursday, Oct. 22 | 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Learn about the updated historic preservation policies, tools and materials to support them, and the upcoming 1989 Historic Building Survey update. Bring your questions!

💻 Visit www.cityofsanmateo.org/4877 to learn more about the project and RSVP and access the Zoom meeting link.

If you are unable to attend, there will be a recording of the event made available on the City’s website soon.

BAYWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN CONTEST

SATURDAY, OCT. 31, 2PM, BAY TREE PARK

If you’re a Baywood resident whose creativity comes out every Halloween by carving pumpkins, or a young “Baywoodian” who decorates pumpkins with fervor, bring your pumpkin to the Baywood Halloween Pumpkin Contest party put on by the Baywood Neighborhood Association.  Winners will get a giftcard from Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria.  Winners will be selected by attendees.

RSVP by October 28th to secure a spot for your pumpkin or help choose the winners.

Please let me know of other events in District 1 you’d like me to promote.  Nothing like having fun together to build a great neighborhood!

CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF CENTRAL PARK’S “ADVENTURE LAND” PLAYGROUND NOV. 10 AT 4PM

After months of watching mysterious structures grow from behind construction fencing, it is time to celebrate!  Please join us on Tuesday, November 10, at 4pm to officially open “Adventure Land.”  Watch the happy faces of all our young San Mateans as they try out what will surely become one of San Mateo’s most treasured destinations.

Thanks to the generations of San Mateans who contributed their dreams to making Adventure Land a reality.  Join us on Nov. 10th at 4pm to learn more about the journey and understand what a special place Adventure Land will be for children of all abilities!

Congratulations to City of San Mateo Parks & Recreation for championing this project and making it a reality.  See you On Nov. 10 at 4pm at Adventure Land!