NEWS RELEASE

8/12/02

CONTACT: Larry Horton, director of government and community relations
(650) 725-3324

Stanford, Menlo Park reach agreement on transportation improvements

Stanford University officials announced a major agreement with Menlo Park Monday that would complete Stanford's improvements to Sand Hill Road in the city of Menlo Park, the last link in a project that will create a four-lane corridor from El Camino Real to I-280.

The agreement was the product of negotiations between Stanford and Menlo Park's city manager and city attorney. It must be approved by the Menlo Park City Council.

 "This is a significant breakthrough," said Larry Horton, director of government and community relations. "We are extremely pleased that negotiations have produced an agreement that will correct a major transportation bottleneck and benefit residents of Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Stanford and all users of Sand Hill Road."

 Horton noted that the improvements would reduce cut-through traffic on West Menlo Park residential streets and ensure better access to the Stanford Medical Center.

 The agreement calls for the widening of Sand Hill Road to four lanes in Menlo Park, the widening of the bridge on the border of Palo Alto and Menlo Park to four lanes and the expansion of intersections at Alpine/Junipero Serra Boulevard and Sand Hill Road/Santa Cruz Avenue to include new turn lanes and bike lanes.

 Under the agreement, Stanford will design and construct the project and turn it over to the city upon completion. Stanford will assume all costs of the improvements.

 "This is an issue that has been debated for many years," Horton said. "We are very happy that Menlo Park staff and Stanford officials were able to reach agreement on a solution."

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