Traffic relief and improved mobility for all modes of travel are coming to the City of Sunnyvale as part of VTA’s Mathilda Avenue Improvements Project. The $42 million project broke ground Friday morning.

California State Senator Jim Beall joined the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), Caltrans and the City of Sunnyvale to celebrate the future of better and safer access to an area that has experienced impressive growth over several decades due to a shift from agriculture, to aerospace and defense, and now the high-tech industry.

“As a Santa Clara County native, I know first-hand how traffic has changed our communities as the valley has grown. It is a quality of life issue,” said Senator Beall. “It takes strong partnerships to help shape our future in Silicon Valley, and the City of Sunnyvale and VTA are doing what it takes to keep our economy strong by delivering better and safer mobility options.”

The project is made possible through a combination of funds from the City of Sunnyvale ($8 million), 2016 Measure B ($17 million), and SB1 Local Partnership Program ($17 million).

“This project is an example of how Senate Bill 1 benefits both state highways and local community projects, such as the Mathilda Avenue Interchange,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. “With the help of SB 1 funding, this project will reduce congestion for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

“Along with the much-needed and appreciated SB 1 support, this is the first highway project to advance under 2016 Measure B, and we have Santa Clara County voters to thank for their willingness to invest in the very infrastructure we depend on,” said Teresa O’Neill, VTA Board Chairperson and Santa Clara City Council member.

Larry Klein, Mayor of Sunnyvale, also shared his appreciation and enthusiasm for the improvements saying, “Thanks to this great partnership and millions in state and local funding, thousands of daily travelers are looking forward to saying ‘good-bye’ to complicated mergers, confusing lane changes, and back-to-back signals, and ‘hello’ to less congestion, safer bike and pedestrian routes, and saner access to and from this important corridor. We’re happy to be saying goodbye to the Mathilda Monster!”

This project will transform Mathilda Avenue at SR 237 and US 101 by:

• Widening Mathilda Avenue to provide three lanes in both directions;
• Adding dedicated bike lanes and continuous sidewalks along Mathilda Avenue;
• Installing new signals at the US 101 interchange ramp intersections including new access to north bound US 101 from south bound Mathilda Avenue;
• Realigning and widening the north bound US 101 diagonal off-ramp providing access to both directions of Mathilda Avenue;
• Providing access to north bound Mathilda Avenue via new signal intersection;
• Providing a new multi-purpose trail along Moffett Park Drive between Borregas Avenue Pedestrian Overcrossing and Innovation Way to provide better access for bicyclists and pedestrians;
• Improving access at Mathilda Avenue signal intersections. Westbound ramps and Moffett Park Drive (West) are consolidated to one signal intersection.

• Encouraged to carpool or use transit.
• Advised to avoid the construction area on Mathilda Avenue if possible and use Fair Oaks and Ellis Street crossings of US 101 to reach their destinations.
• Reminded to pay attention to all directional signs. During ramp closures, traffic will be directed to use designated detours to minimize delays.