The Sunnyvale Sun

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Neighbors form group to oppose bridge over highways

By Stephen Baxter

Opposition is swelling against a proposed four-lane, $47.5 million bridge on Mary Avenue over Highway 101 and State Route 237 in Sunnyvale, and a neighborhood association is forming around the cause.

The Sunnyvale West Neighborhood Association applied for city recognition on May 7, and it has held two meetings about the Mary Avenue project that each drew more than 70 people. Many neighbors are concerned their property values will fall if more cars use Mary Avenue, but the city officials say increased traffic and growth are inevitable.

The bridge would span the highways and likely link to H Street or 11th Avenue on the north side. Ramps would not connect to either highway.

The city plans to hold community meetings on the proposed project, and a draft environmental impact report is tentatively due May 28.

To cope with projected growth, Sunnyvale planners have looked at extending Mary Avenue over the highways since the 1980s. Planners say the bridgeis intended to better serve new office buildings in Moffett Park north of 237. The city council has approved the Moffett Towers project, which includes seven eight-story office towers on H Street across from Moffett Field. The bridge would also take pressure off the intersection of Mathilda Avenue and 237.

A late 1990s traffic study indicated there would be 10,000 more daily car trips on Mary with the bridge, and the figure now may be higher. City officials believe traffic will increase on Mary regardless of the bridge, especially north of Central Expressway. However, there are no plans to widen Mary Avenue.

"It's not a matter of stopping traffic growth; it's a matter of handling it. We feel the bridge is necessary to work with the development of Moffett Park," said city spokesman John Pilger.

Neighbors rally

After hearing of Mary bridge plans, Sunnyvale resident Josh Salans held a meeting at his house in April that drew about 70 people. Another meeting in Washington Park in late April drew about 100, and many shared concerns about the bridge proposal.

"It's going to be an issue for the next year," Salans said.

The new neighborhood association's boundaries would encompass Mary Avenue and surrounding streets, and the city is now reviewing its proposed borders. The association would be the city's 20th, and its website is www.sunnyvalewest.org.

It is not uncommon for associations to form in opposition to a project and later include community events. Salans and other leaders said they plan to host block parties and other meetings. Its next meeting is at 7 p.m., May 21 at the De Anza Park building at 1150 Lime Drive.

Next steps

The environmental impact report on the proposed bridge is expected to include traffic studies in the area, and public comment will be taken at community meetings tentatively planned for June 7 and 28. The planning commission will review the bridge proposal June 11, and the city council is scheduled to take it up in October.

Officials said plans for the bridge are not definite.

"I've seen more than one project get dramatically changed because of community input," Pilger said.