Walnut Creek Transportation Commission Meeting - September 17, 2026

The Walnut Creek Transportation Commission met on September 17, 2026, from 6:02 PM to 8:27 PM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Commissioners present were Chair Charles Kreling, Jared Asch, Edward Guerrero, Ryan McMahon, and Student Commissioner Adam Zelin. Vice Chair Laura Patch was absent. The meeting focused on two major bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects: the Newell Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Projects (Phase 1 funded, Phase 2 conceptual) and the Parkside Drive Cycle Track Improvements. The commission provided feedback to staff; no binding votes were taken on these items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (May 21, 2026): Motion by Jared Asch, seconded by Edward Guerrero, carried unanimously (4-0, with Vice Chair Patch absent). The minutes were approved without edits.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4a (Newell Avenue Projects): Three speakers addressed the commission:
  • Michael Vecchio (resident, member of Walk Bike Walnut Creek) expressed strong support for the project, raising concerns about adequate signage to separate bicyclists from pedestrians on the raised bike lane, signal operations to prevent right turns during the scramble phase, and the potential for bicyclists to continue using the roadway instead of the new facility.
  • Tony Phillips (resident of Parkmead neighborhood) supported the project and requested that speed limits be reduced to 25 mph on Newell Avenue before the underpass to improve safety for cyclists.
  • Tony Almeida (resident on Newell Avenue, Parkmead area) emphasized the need for protected right-turn signals to prevent “right hook” collisions between cars and cyclists, and noted a design inconsistency where a bike lane buffer disappears near a bus stop.
• Item 4b (Parkside Drive Cycle Track): One speaker:
  • Michael Vecchio supported the project, noting that Parkside Drive is currently unsafe for children walking or biking to school (Buena Vista Elementary and Walnut Creek Intermediate) and that a better east-west connection to BART could be achieved further north on Ygnacio Valley Road.
• No public comments were received on items not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

• 4a. Newell Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Projects

  • Staff Presentation: Austin Pato (Assistant Engineer) presented Phase 1 (Broadway to Capwell) and Briana Byrne (Associate Engineer) presented Phase 2 (Capwell to city limits). Phase 1 is funded through the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Cycle 3: $7 million in federal funds, of which $4.5 million is dedicated to the Newell/Broadway intersection, plus $600,000 in local traffic impact fee match. Phase 2 is unfunded, estimated at $7.8 million for a sidewalk-grade cycle track or $6.3 million for an at-grade buffered bike lane.
  • Key Design Features: A pedestrian scramble (all-pedestrian phase) at Newell and Broadway, raised bike lanes (Phase 1), curb extensions to reduce crossing distances (from ~100 ft to ~70-80 ft), diagonal crosswalk with decorative theme (horse/horseshoe motif), and removal of a southbound vehicle lane on Broadway to add metered parking. Phase 2 would extend buffered bike lanes to city limits, including a mid-block crosswalk with a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) near Kaiser Permanente.
  • Traffic Analysis: At most, average vehicle delay increases by 17-23 seconds during peak hours at the Newell/South Broadway intersection; all intersections operate at LOS D or better. Queue lengths are expected to increase at some locations.
  • Timeline: Environmental clearance received August 2026; 65% design plans reviewed; right-of-way clearance anticipated November 2026; final plans and construction funding expected January 2027; construction targeted for summer 2028.
  • Commissioner Feedback: Commissioners expressed strong support for the intersection improvements and scramble, but some (Commissioner Guerrero, Chair Kreling) questioned whether the bicycle traffic volume justified the corridor-wide investment in Phase 2. Commissioner McMahon noted that safer facilities would encourage more use. Commissioners requested clearer before-and-after overlays and more detailed cyclist/pedestrian count data. The student commissioner suggested coordinating with Los Lomas High School on bike-to-school days.

• 4b. Parkside Drive Cycle Track Improvements

  • Staff Presentation: Briana Byrne presented the project, which aims to add a protected bikeway along Parkside Drive between San Juan Avenue and Civic Drive. The project is funded by the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant, tied to the 93-unit 100% affordable housing project at 699 Ygnacio Valley Road (under construction). Cost estimate is less than $1 million.
  • Alternatives: Alternative 1 (recommended) – a two-way cycle track on the south side of Parkside Drive, retaining one westbound vehicle lane; Alternative 2 – one-way cycle tracks on both sides, requiring removal of one lane in each direction. Alternative 1 reduces conflict points from 47 to 30, while Alternative 2 reduces to 37. Operational analysis showed LOS D or better for both, with some stop-controlled approaches exhibiting LOS F (but overall intersection LOS A).
  • Constraints: Parkside Drive carries 14,000 vehicles per day (9,000 westbound, 5,000 eastbound), with a posted speed limit of 30 mph. Existing pavement width of 24 ft cannot accommodate standard bike lanes without removing travel lanes. Heavy trucks use the corridor to access I-680.
  • Commissioner Feedback: All commissioners preferred Alternative 1. Concerns were raised about the impact on auto dealerships (loading needs) and the need for ongoing outreach. Commissioner McMahon noted that the reduction in conflict points is a key safety benefit. Commissioner Ash asked about displaced parking (under the BART overpass); staff indicated those spaces are used by commuters walking to BART. Commissioners supported moving forward with design.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved minutes of May 21, 2026 (unanimous).
• Newell Avenue Projects: Staff will incorporate commissioner feedback (e.g., clearer overlays, consideration of bicycle traffic data) into further design. No formal motion was made; the item was for feedback only.
• Parkside Drive Cycle Track: Staff will advance Alternative 1 (two-way cycle track on south side) to a 10% concept design, incorporating feedback from businesses and the public. The commission expressed clear support for this alternative.
• Commissioner Announcements:
  • The Walk and Roll program (presented in January 2026) received a Fan Favorite award from Sustainable Contra Costa.
  • Safe Routes to School maps are available on the city website.
  • Staff are pursuing multiple grant opportunities (CCTA, HSIP, Sustainable Communities).
  • The General Plan Workshop will be held on September 24, 2026, at Civic Park from 5-7 PM.
  • An update on Woodlands neighborhood improvements is pending due to limited funding; staff are determining the best scaled-back approach.