Cupertino mayor pitches Sunnyvale for more funds
By Jana Seshadri
"I'm here to ask for money," Cupertino Mayor Richard Lowenthal said at the May 7 Sunnyvale City Council meeting.
Lowenthal presented a design and financial plan of the proposed bike and pedestrian bridge along Mary Avenue across Highway 280, which the city of Cupertino has been working on. However, this bridge will greatly benefit Sunnyvale residents as well, Lowenthal explained.
"One entrance to the bridge will be right next to Homestead High School," he said during his pitch. "Homestead is in Cupertino, but only 7 percent of its students are from Cupertino."
Residents from throughout the area, especially from Sunnyvale, will use the bridge and greatly benefit from it, Lowenthal said.
"We conducted an extensive outreach effort through our Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee," he added. "Our residents have been consistently asking us for this."
The bridge would offer a way for pedestrians and bikers to freely cross over the highway without having to stop at traffic signals or worry about traffic, he said. Several issues, including the privacy and security concerns of residents, have also been taken into account, he said.
According to the Cupertino Public Works Department, the total cost estimate of the project is $6.8 million. Valley Transportation Authority's 80 percent share, approved by Measure B, will ensure $5.4 million.
"VTA is considering this as one of their top priority issues," Lowenthal said.
Local funds and grants will make up $1.3 million. Lowenthal requested that Sunnyvale come up with the $240,000 needed to complete the project.
Sunnyvale city council members directed staff to explore funding sources and options and return to council with different possibilities. The council also suggested that staff consult with Cupertino city staff about the study.
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
