HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/4/2025 Item 6b, Collins and Horn - Staff Agenda Correspondence (2)City of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: November 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Scott Collins, Assistant City Manager
Prepared By: Matt Horn, Major City Project Manager
VIA: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM #6b – PRADO INTERCHANGE AND BRIDGE VALUE
ENGINEERING
Staff would like to clarify the recommendations made by the Active Transportation
Committee (ATC) at its October 23rd meeting. As noted in the staff report, the ATC
unanimously supported the following items, with clarifications italicized:
1. An elevated Class I bikeway (shared-use pedestrian/bicycle path) on south side of
Prado through entire length of project.
2. A one-way bike lane on each side of the roadway throughout the entire length
of the project in addition to the shared-use path on the south side of Prado.
3. The use of elevated Class IV (protected) one-way bike lanes in place of Class II
(paint only) bike lanes throughout the project, where feasible.
4. Overall support for the value analysis alternative with the refinements noted
above.
As noted above, the ATC prefers that the bike lanes be raised protected (Class IV)
throughout the corridor (Segments 1, 2 and 3) wherever feasible. However, this may not
be possible in all locations due to physical constraints and design challenges. For
example, within the Caltrans right-of-way where Prado Road crosses over U.S. 101,
Caltrans design standards require a minimum 5 -foot clear shoulder on both sides. If Class
IV bike lanes were constructed in this segment, as shown in Figure 13 of the staff rep ort,
the bridge would need to be widened —adding approximately $4 million to project costs.
To avoid the need for additional bridge width, the Committee voiced their support to the
use of painted (Class II) bike lanes on this segment in lieu of Class IV pro tected bike
lanes. The figure below illustrates a recommended cross section for the Prado Road
overcrossing with Class II bike lanes that generally reflects ATC’s recommendations.
ITEM # 6b – PRADO INTERCHANGE AND BRIDGE VALUE ENGINEERING Page 2
While staff will continue to incorporate the ATC’s recommendations wherever feasible,
accommodating both a Class I shared -use path and elevated Class IV bike lanes along
both sides of Prado Road may not be achievable in certain areas due to design limitati ons
and cost constraints, which will be discussed at the November 4, 2025, City Council
meeting.