The Sunnyvale Sun

News

Mary Avenue may bridge highways 101 and 237

By Stephen Baxter

Transportation authorities are planning a bridge for cars and bikes that would extend Mary Avenue over Highway 101 and State Route 237.

Planners say the extension would help support future housing and office developments north of 237, and the new Moffett Towers offices. Roughly 20 Mary Avenue neighbors attended a presentation of the project Feb. 21 at the Sunnyvale Community Center, and another meeting is scheduled in June.

Mary Avenue would be extended from Almanor Avenue across the two highways and likely connect with 11th Avenue. Bridge details have not been finalized, but planners are discussing a four-lane overpass with a sidewalk and a bike path.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is working with Caltrans and the city of Sunnyvale on the project and the city has spent $550,000 on engineering and environmental studies. The project's total cost hasn't been determined.

Some neighbors who live near Mary Avenue expressed displeasure with the project because it would add traffic to the street. A late 1990s traffic study indicated there would be 10,000 more daily car trips on Mary with the bridge, and that figure now may be higher.

"I don't know how I feel about the overpass one way or another, but I do think that a four-lane overpass is excessive," said Erik Hansen, who lives two blocks from Mary Avenue.

The Feb. 21 meeting took place during the winter break holiday for many schools, which may have led to low attendance, Hansen said.

The Sunnyvale City Council on Jan. 23 approved further study on the use of 11th Avenue as the primary alignment for the bridge.

The draft environmental impact report on the project is due in May.