Broadway Burlingame Grade Separation Project - No Station Alternative
Summary
SCH Number
2025080942
Public Agency
Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board
Document Title
Broadway Burlingame Grade Separation Project - No Station Alternative
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/21/2025
Document Description
The Broadway Grade Separation Project is proposed by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) in cooperation with the City of Burlingame, San Mateo County. The project is located approximately 1.5 miles of the Caltrain corridor in
Burlingame, between Oxford Road and Oak Grove Avenue. The Broadway at-grade crossing is designated as the highest priority for elimination statewide based on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) safety-based prioritization methodology. The purpose of and need for the proposed project is to: (1) improve public safety by eliminating the existing at-grade railroad crossing at Broadway; and (2) modernize the Broadway station, including eliminating the hold-out rule
and improving pedestrian/bicycle access to and within the station area. The project involves elevating the railroad and depressing roadways to provide the minimum clearance necessary for Broadway traffic under the railroad. This will involve
reconstructing the railroad tracks on an elevated retaining wall structure and depressing Broadway, California Drive, and Carolan Avenue in the vicinity of the grade separation. The Broadway station will be reconstructed with an elevated central
boarding platform, stairs, and Americans with Disability Act-compliant ramp access improvements.
The JPB Caltrain service currently crosses Broadway at-grade in the City of Burlingame. The existing train service at the Broadway station only occurs on weekends, with 16 stops running in each direction for a total of 32 daily stops each day, Saturday and Sunday. JPB is evaluating the environmental review needs in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a grade separation project at the Broadway intersection and Broadway station location. One
alternative of the project would evaluate the railroad grade separation that eliminates an existing grade crossing and includes the closure and removal of the existing Broadway station from service (BBGS No Station Alternative). The BBSG
No Station Alternative would remove the physical elements of the Broadway Station such as the platforms, accessory sheltered benches, and an at grade parking lot as well as the change of land use.
Contact Information
Name
Bonny O'Connor
Agency Name
Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board
Job Title
Manager, Capital Projects and Environmental Planning
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Cities
Burlingame
Counties
San Mateo
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Cross Streets
Broadway and California Avenue
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 21080.13 of the Public Resources Code (CEQA Guidelines Article 18 § 15282); and Class 4 (Section 15304)
Reasons for Exemption
The project is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 21080.13 of the Public Resources Code (CEQA Guidelines Article 18 § 15282), which provides exemption for any railroad grade separation project which eliminates an existing grade crossing or which reconstructs an existing grade separation.
The No Station Alternative is categorically exempt from CEQA under the Class 4 exemption, CEQA Guidelines Section 15304, which applies to minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, or vegetation that do not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. The closure of the Broadway station involves minor alterations to the land, such as the removal of platforms and accessory structures and the weekend use of the station. These activities would not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees as the minor vegetation that may be removed
would be existing conventional ornamental landscaping around the existing parking lot. Closure of the Broadway station is consistent with the types of activities described in CEQA Guidelines Section 15304.
County Clerk
San Mateo
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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