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Following the intense deluge of storms that hit the Bay Area this past winter, potholes and road conditions on El Camino Real got noticeably worse.
Caltrans has plans to rehabilitate the pavement and improve accessibility on the portion of El Camino Real that runs through Palo Alto, Mountain View and Los Altos. The project’s been in the works since 2020, with construction originally slated to start in early 2023. That timeline has since been slightly delayed, with construction now anticipated to begin this fall.
Meanwhile, the winter storms increased the urgency to get these improvements done, State Sen. Josh Becker (D-San Mateo) said in a June 13 update.
“The condition of El Camino Real in Palo Alto and Mountain View has eroded much faster than anticipated,” Becker said. “The pavement is extremely rough, and a large number of potholes – some of them dangerously deep – began to appear, causing frustration and concern from many of you who need to commute on these roads daily.”
Becker said that he and state Assembly member Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) are working with Caltrans and local jurisdictions to expedite the project as much as possible.
“My team will continue to work with the cities of Palo Alto and Mountain View to push Caltrans to deliver critical safety solutions to the roadways we rely on,” Becker added.
Right now, emergency surface repairs are already underway by Caltrans in Palo Alto, Mountain View and Los Altos, Becker said. The pavement rehabilitation project will tentatively begin this fall, with construction expected to be complete by winter 2024.
Becker said the project was adjusted to coordinate with local improvements, like sewer line modernization.
“This is an efficient and practical adjustment, given Caltrans’ emergency repairs to potholes in the meantime,” he said.
Residents who notice a road issue are encouraged to inform Caltrans through their online customer service request. Becker also encouraged his constituents to reach out directly to his office if they have an issue with a state agency or need information about state programs.
While the condition of the roads has been blamed on recent rains, the level of deterioration has been problem for years. Driving to Stanford Shopping Center via the El Camino Real is particularly jarring. I’m glad that Caltrans is finally focusing on fixing the problem.
It is about time… what an embarrassment the condition of these streets have been for far too long… dangerous too.