Welcome to the El Camino Real Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan!

The Town of Colma received a grant from the Caltrans Sustainable Communities Program to improve safety and mobility for people who walk and bike along El Camino Real, and to increase access to public transportation. Currently, El Camino Real in Colma has many challenges, particularly for those walking and biking. To address this, we are developing a bicycle and pedestrian improvement plan, and we want to know what you think! Improvements to the corridor will enhance safety, encourage the use of sustainable transportation, and provide better connectivity to BART stations and bus stops to improve overall quality of life.

A Town of Colma welcome sign is located on a grassy median strip of El Camino Real. — Welcome to the Town of Colma

What’s Happening Now?

Check out our roadway design concepts and let us know what you think!

A green El Camino Real street sign with a SamTrans bus passing by in the background — Help us make it safer to walk and bike and improve access to your local bus stops.

About the Plan

The El Camino Real Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan will identify walking and biking improvements on El Camino Real in Colma, from Daly City to South San Francisco. We want to enhance comfort, safety, access, and convenience for people walking and biking. Improving ways to walk and bike not only enhances your overall quality of life, but also helps us reach our sustainability goals!

Learn more about the plan

Why do we need the plan?

Segments of El Camino Real in Colma are challenging to access by walking, biking, or public transit. El Camino Real has no bicycle facilities and, in some areas, there are no walkways or the walking paths are not accessible for all people. This lack of multimodal facilities presents a barrier for safe and efficient travel. This plan will assess ways for how the corridor can be improved to provide safe paths of travel for people who choose to walk or bike.

What's being considered in the plan?

The plan will identify ways for improving walking and biking in the Town of Colma and will consider safety, comfort, accessibility, and convenience. Traffic congestion and parking occupancy levels will also be considered.

What is the process for developing the plan?

The plan will be developed in partnership with Caltrans and local and regional stakeholders. We will also incorporate input from the community, which we will gather at different stages throughout the process. First, we reviewed the existing transportation conditions along the corridor and asked the community to identify their priorities for El Camino Real. Based on these findings, we developed three conceptual design alternatives for El Camino Real. In Spring 2020, we are presenting these concepts to the community, Caltrans, and City Council to identify a preferred design. After this, we will prepare a Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan and present to Caltrans and City Council for approval. Finally, we will work with Caltrans to identify potential funding sources for implementation.

How will the plan be used?

The plan will outline the infrastructure changes along El Camino Real that are needed to improve walking and biking along the corridor. The final plan will include a preliminary cost estimate, an implementation strategy, design concept, potential funding sources, partnerships and programs. We will use the plan for guidance on how and when recommendations will be implemented.

Project Timeline

Summer 2019

Existing conditions evaluation

Data gathering & field observations
Identify existing facilities
Review plans, previous studies & planned improvements

Summer-Winter 2019

Community outreach phase 1

Understand community priorities
Identify constraints and opportunities

Project alternatives development

Spring-Summer 2020

Community outreach phase 2

Present three design alternatives
Identify preferred alternative

Community outreach phase 3

Present preferred alternative design concept
Request input on design elements

Fall 2020-Winter 2021

Complete preliminary design plan and report
Identify grant funding for design
City Council for approval and adoption

What we heard

In 2019, we reached out to the Colma community to understand your experience traveling on El Camino Real in Colma. We heard a lot of valuable information—thank you for partcipating! We asked for your input on project goals and improvements the community would like to see prioritized along El Camino Real in Colma.

Here are the results of your votes on the project goals and priorities for El Camino Real

Project Goals and Values

Safety and Public Health

Creating safe conditions reduces the severity and frequency of collisions for all modes, as well as promotes physical activity by enhancing the experience of walking and biking.

Connectivity and Access

Reducing gaps in the transportation network for all modes, including improving pedestrian sidewalks and crossings, bicycle paths, and transit access.

Quality of Experience

Creating an integrated environment for pedestirans and bicyclists with improved pathways, vibrant public spaces, and better landscaping.

Cost Efficiency

Prioritizing cost-effective solutions that align with potential funding sources and minimize project complexity.

Mobility and Reliability

Reducing travel times along the corridor for all modes, including increasing transit reliability and public parking.

Sustainability

Reducing vehicle use by making walking, biking, and riding transit more accessibility improves congestion and environmental impacts.

Economic Development

Developing solutions that encourage economic growth and equitable economic opportunities for all neighborhoods and corridor users.

View as PDF

Desired Improvements on El Camino Real

Sidewalks

Improved Pedestrian / Bike Crossings

Traffic Calming to Reduce Speeding

Lighting

Improved Accessibility (E.G., Curb Ramps)

Bike Lanes

More Reliable Public Transit

Landscaping and Street Trees

On-Street Parking

Small Public Spaces Such as Pocket Parks or Plazas

View as PDF

We also asked you to share specific improvements you would like to see at certain locations, and barriers that prevent you from traveling by bike or on foot in this area. We reviewed those, along with recommendations from previous studies and existing transportation conditions.

Here is what we learned about existing barriers and specific improvements you’d like to see

This map shows a variety of corridor and intersection issues — Click to enlarge

Corridor Issues

No Bicyle Facility

Speeding

Potential Corridor Improvements

Provide Bicycle Facilities

Implement Road Diet

Provide Trees

Provide Pedestrian Scale Lighting

Install Speed Feedback Signs

Provide Public Space Around Bus Stops

Provide Sidewalks Where Missing & Increase Number of Pedestrian Crossings

Intersection Issues

High Risk Intersection

Missing Sidewalk

Failure to Yield to Pedestrians

Conflict with Major Street

Wide Travel Lanes

Unsafe Crossing

Poor Visibility

Potential Intersection Improvements

Add Pavement Marking Delineation

Install Traffic Signal

Green Pavement Markings for Bike-Vehicle Conflicts

Implement Leading Pedestrian Interval

Install Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon

Add / Entrance Crosswalk

Reduce Number of Left Turn Lanes

Update Signal Timing

Prohibit Right Turn on Red

Review ADA Compliance

Provide Protection for Bicycle Turning Movement

Modify Turn Lane

View as PDF

Comparing the alternatives

Expand the sections below to learn about the cross‐section alternatives we’re considering to improve travel on El Camino Real. There are alternatives for Segment A , from Albert M Teglia Boulevard to Mission Road, and Segment B, from Mission Road to Arlington Drive. As you review these, please compare the design and tradeoffs for the alternatives.

Existing Cross-Sections

Click to enlarge to see locations of each cross section

Segment A: Albert M Teglia Boulevard to Mission Road

We are considering the following alternative cross‐sections for the segment between Albert M Teglia Boulevard and Mission Road. All alternatives include bicycle and pedestrian facilities and provide access to destinations along El Camino Real, and maintain most existing parking along the corridor.

Existing Conditions

cross section diagram shows current El Camino Real roadway configuration between Albert M Teglia Boulevard and Mission Rd. Includes three lanes in each direction, curbside parking on both sides of the street, a wide, landscaped median, and sidewalks — *LOS A: Free-flow traffic, unimpeded speed | Click to enlarge

This cross section shows the lane configuration on El Camino Real between Albert Teglia boulevard and Mission Road as it exists today.

Alternative A.1

In this alternative, the median would be reduced to create enough space for bike and pedestrian facilities. There are two options for accommodating people who bike or walk, and those are described below — *At the open channel, there will be no parking on the west side of El Camino Real, which is consistent with the existing conditions | Click to enlarge

In this alternative, the median width would be reduced and the lanes of traffic would be moved toward the center, allowing space for bicycle and pedestrian facilities on both sides of El Camino Real. There are two options for bicycle and pedestrian facilities with Alternative A.1, and these are described below.

Alternative A.1.1 with shared use path

In this option to Alternative A.1, a path would provide shared space both for people who walk and bike — Click to enlarge

This option would include a shared path for people walking and biking.

TRADE-OFFs

Maintains existing three travel lanes per direction (LOS A)

Does not address speeding issue on El Camino Real

Provides opportunity for landscaping strip

Increases bicyclist safety and comfort by creating bikeway physically separated from vehicles, although space shared with pedestrians

Increases pedestrian safety and comfort by providing buffer between people and vehicle lanes, although path shared with bicyclists

Medium cost level

Alternative A.1.2 with bike lane and sidewalk

In this option to Alternative A.1, a bike lane and sidewalk would provide separate space for people who walk and people who bike. — Click to enlarge

In this option, a bike lane and sidewalk would provide people biking and people walking with separated space on each side of El Camino Real.

TRADE-OFFs

Maintains existing three travel lanes per direction (LOS A)

Does not address speeding issue on El Camino Real

Does not provide opportunity for landscaping (only at median)

Increases bicyclist safety and comfort by creating a parking-protected bikeway

Increases pedestrian safety and comfort by providing buffer between people and vehicle lanes

Medium cost level

Alternative A.2

In this alternative, one lane of traffic in each direction would be removed to provide enough space for a protected bike lane and sidewalk. — *At the open channel, there will be no parking on the west side of El Camino Real, which is consistent with the existing conditions | Click to enlargeI

In this alternative, one travel lane would be removed to provide space for a protected bike lane and sidewalk, separated from the car lanes by landscaping. This alternative will address speeding and prioritize safety as well as public health.

TRADE-OFFs

Reduces number of travel lanes to two travel lanes per direction (LOS B)

Reduces vehicle speeds through reduction in number of travel lanes and wide planting strip

Provides opportunity for street trees

Increases bicyclist safety and comfort by reducing number of travel lanes and creating a parking-protected bikeway physically separated from vehicles

Increases pedestrian safety and comfort by reducing number of travel lanes and providing buffer between people and vehicle lanes

Medium to high cost level

Segment B: Mission Road to Arlington Drive

We are considering the following cross‐section alternatives for the segment between Mission Road and Arlington Drive. All alternatives include bicycle and pedestrian facilities as well as access to destinations along El Camino Real.

Existing Conditions

cross section diagram showing current El Camino Real roadway configuration Mission Rd. and Arlington Dr.. Includes two lanes in each direction and landscaping on both sides of the street — Click to enlarge

This cross section shows the lane configuration on El Camino Real between Mission Road and Arlington Drive as it exists today.

Alternative B.1

In this alternative, some of the landscaping on the sides of the roadway would be removed to create space for bike and pedestrian facilities. There are two options for accommodating people who bike or walk, and those are described below. — Click to enlarge

In this alternative, some existing landscaping would be removed to allow space for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. There are two options for accommodating the bicycle and pedestrian facilities as part of Alternative B.1, described below.

Alternative B.1.1 with shared use path

This option would include a shared path for people walking and biking.

TRADE-OFFs

Maintains existing two travel lanes per direction (LOS B)

Does not address speeding issue on El Camino Real

Increases bicyclist safety and comfort by creating bikeway physically separated from vehicles, although space shared with pedestrians

Increases pedestrian safety and comfort by adding a path on both sides, although path shared with bicyclists

Very high cost level - all improvements outside of existing paved surface; requires addition of grading and retaining walls

*Right-of-way at Arlington Drive is narrower (67 feet) than the proposed cross-section for Alternative B.3 (76 feet); adjustments at the intersection will be needed.

Alternative B.1.2 with bike land and sidewalk

In this option, there would be a bike lane and a sidewalk to provide separated spaces for people walking and biking on each side of El Camino Real.

TRADE-OFFs

Maintains existing two travel lanes per direction (LOS B)

Does not address speeding issue on El Camino Real

Increases bicyclist safety and comfort by creating bikeway physically separated from vehicles

Increases pedestrian safety and comfort by adding a sidewalk on both sides

Very high cost level - all improvements outside of existing paved surface; requires addition of grading and retaining walls

*Right-of-way at Arlington Drive is narrower (67 feet) than the proposed cross-section for Alternative B.3 (76 feet); adjustments at the intersection will be needed.

Alternative B.2

In this alternative, one travel lane would be removed to provide space for a protected bike lane and sidewalk.

TRADE-OFFs

Reduces number of travel lanes to one travel lane per direction (LOS D)

Reduces vehicle speeds through reduction in number of travel lanes

Increases bicyclist safety and comfort by reducing number of travel lanes and creating a bikeway physically separated from vehicles

Increases pedestrian safety and comfort by reducing number of travel lanes adding a sidewalk on both sides

Medium cost level - most requirements within existing paved surface, requires new curbs and drainage

El Camino and Mission Road (Y Intersection) Potential Improvements

During the first phase of the project, the Y intersection was identified as a location in particular need of improvements. Based on an analysis of existing transportation conditions, a review of recommendations from previous studies, and input gathered from the community, we identified a set of recommendations for intersection improvements.

Existing Conditions

Current aerial of intersection of El Camino Real and Mission Rd. It is in the shape of Y so is referred to as a Y Intersection. safety issues include: missing sidewalks, unsafe crossings, no bike facilities, and speeding — Click to enlarge

Intersection Issues

High-risk intersection

Missing sidewalk

Poor visibility

Wide travel lanes

Unsafe crossing

Speeding

No bicycle facility

Difficulty in making left turns from southbound El Camino Real to Mission Road

Potential Improvements

Key Safety Improvements

Square-up intersections to improve sight lines and shorten crossing distance, reduce turning radii and speeds of turning vehicles.

Install traffic signal

Add high-visibility crosswalks

Allow left turn

Other Potential Improvements

Provide clear zone for line of sight

Provide pedestrian-scale lighting

Provide pedestrian facilities

Explore opporunities for curb extenstion

Provide bicycle facilities

Add advance stop lines

Resources

Community outreach meetings and activities

Throughout this project, we've provided multiple in-person opportunities to provide feedback, including tabling at the Colma BART station and hosting community meetings uring phases 1 and 2 of outreach. We appreciate the community input we received at this events.

Project Documents and Related Efforts

Men and women gather at a restaurant in the Town of Colma for a community outreach meeting. — Join us at an upcoming outreach meeting to share your thoughts on walking and biking in Colma.

Project Documents and Related Efforts

Project documents

Related planning efforts

Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) – October 2018
Mission Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Plan
Serramonte and Collins Master Plan – in progress

Contact Us

Send us a question or comment

We've detected that Javascript is not enabled. It is required for an optimal survey taking experience.
Please check your browser's settings and make sure Javascript is turned on. Learn how to enable Javascript.

Skip survey header

Interested in learning more about the project?

Contact: Abdulkader Hashem
Associate Engineer/Project Manager
1198 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
www.colma.ca.gov
ahashem@colma.ca.gov
650.757.8897

What’s Happening Now?

Why do we need the plan?

What's being considered in the plan?

What is the process for developing the plan?

How will the plan be used?

Summer 2019

Summer-Winter 2019

Spring-Summer 2020

Fall 2020-Winter 2021

Existing Cross-Sections

Existing Conditions

Intersection Issues

Potential Improvements

Key Safety Improvements

Other Potential Improvements

Community outreach meetings and activities

Project documents

Related planning efforts

Send us a question or comment

El Camino Real Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan - Contact

Interested in learning more about the project?

Follow us on social media

Share this site with others