The City of Cupertino--in partnership with the Cupertino Union School District and Fremont Union High School District--is pleased to announce a new road improvements project aimed at creating a safer environment for our students, families and residents, particularly those who bike to work and school.

The City’s first leg of a new network of separated bike lanes will be built on McClellan Road from Imperial Avenue to Stelling Road. This project is intended to improve biking conditions to Lincoln, Monta Vista, and Kennedy schools. Cupertino’s separated bike lanes will physically separate cyclists from motor vehicles using posts and curbs.

Work began on Monday, May 20, 2019 and will last for three months if there are no unanticipated delays. Work will occur at approximately 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. while school is in session. While there should be little impact to the school commute in the morning during the last three weeks of the school year, delays may occur after 9:00 a.m. and in the afternoon when classes are dismissed. During the summer, the work hours will start at 7:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m.

The City and school districts would like to highlight a few things:

• Safety: Safety is the top priority for the City, CUSD, and FUHSD. We will be implementing safety measures for our children, neighbors, and commuters during construction.
  
  
• Communication: The City, CUSD, and FUHSD are working closely together to guarantee that there will be active, timely, and consistent messaging to project neighbors, residents, and families about this project. Expect additional letters, information on our respective websites and social media channels, and notices with additional details in the coming months.
  
  
• Traffic Impacts: The road will be narrowed during construction. Routes for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained on McClellan during construction. Please take some time in the coming weeks to review your family’s morning drop off and pick up routines and/or the route your child takes to school. You may consider making changes to your route, walking if possible or carpooling. Suggested walking and biking routes to your school can be found here.

We appreciate your patience and understanding through this process. Staff from our respective organizations will continue to collaborate in order to mitigate the impacts of this project on our families as much as possible. We believe that this project, once completed, will be a huge benefit to our community and greatly improve safety for the many students, families and staff members that utilize bike transportation on their way to and from school.

Construction timeline updated August 15, 2019:

Separated bike lane construction on McClellan Road between Stelling Road and Imperial Avenue will continue longer than expected due to unanticipated utility conflicts. The project is now expected to extend through mid-September. Contractors have been working weekends and making every attempt to complete the project as quickly as possible.

Construction will occur after 9 a.m. on school days.  When school lets out in the afternoon, bike lanes may be intermittently closed for construction. We advise cyclists who encounter construction in the bike lane to share the road by cycling in the middle of the travel lane (make sure to look over your left shoulder for oncoming cars and signal your intent to enter the travel lane with a hand signal before exiting the bike lane), or if uncomfortable sharing the road, get off your bike and walk it on the sidewalk around the patches of bike lane construction. Students under 13 may ride on the sidewalk (per Cupertino City ordinance) where no pedestrians are present. They should walk their bike when there are groups of pedestrians.

The following is a summary of what to expect as construction continues:

Week of August 12, 2019

• On the south side of the street , driveways will be installed and the storm drain system will be completed. Expect intermittent bike lane impacts after 9 a.m. during this installation. Existing bike lane striping will remain as-is during this week.

• On the north side of the street the vehicle lane will have additional width. The bike lane will be open but not marked with a stripe.

Week of August 19, 2019 (Note: any impacts to the bike lane will occur after 9 a.m.)

• Concrete island installation will begin, which will separate the bike lane from the vehicle lane. Expected duration: 7-12 business days.

• During concrete island construction, bike lanes will be impacted.

• Once concrete islands are installed there will be a protected bike lane in both directions.

Week of August 26, 2019

• Slurry seal and restriping will be installed at intersections.

• Old traffic poles will be removed.

Week of September 2, 2019

• Signage and striping will be installed.

Week of September 9, 2019

• Flexible posts will be installed on the concrete islands between the bike lane and travel lane.

While the City will make every attempt to meet or exceed this schedule, please keep in mind that construction schedules are subject to change. Expect to see more Sheriff's Office deputies patrolling the area prior to the first bell and after the last bell. Thank you for bearing with us as we work towards completing this project. We look forward to students enjoying a safer walking and biking route to school once it is complete.