Burlingame Streetscape Project is Under Way

Written by Rob Klindt

After more than two years of research, planning, and negotiating with property owners, utilities and others, major construction on the Burlingame Streetscape Project is stepping up.

The renovation of the city’s main thoroughfare between El Camino Real and California Drive is designed to transform Burlingame Avenue into an urban promenade with wider sidewalks, parallel parking, fresh landscaping and improved traffic flow.

When finished in late summer 2014, Burlingame officials expect that this bustling retail area will resemble an outdoor mall with a mix of classic and contemporary architecture, new droplight street lighting, fresh landscaping and colored sidewalk pavers. The sidewalks will be widened from 10 to 16-feet to better accommodate pedestrians, parents with baby strollers and outdoor dining.

The project also will replace much of the city’s aging downtown utilities including some water and sewer lines which are more than 100 years old.

But until those improvements are in place, visitors and business owners in the area can expect dust, noise, traffic detours and general confusion as streets and sidewalks are torn up and parking is moved onto side streets.

But through it all, Burlingame officials emphasize that businesses will be open and downtown events like the Farmer’s Market and Dancin’ Off The Avenue will go on.

Construction schedule

Here’s a look at what to expect over the next several months.

Underground utility work to install a new water main, a new storm drain line, and a new sewer line will be ongoing during the month of August. An estimated three-week look-ahead schedule is provided below; exact dates may change as the project progresses.

• August 20 - 23: Streetscape work on Burlingame Avenue between Lorton Avenue and Park Road. Also, utility work between Primrose Road and El Camino Real.
• August 25 - 30: Streetscape work on Burlingame Avenue between Lorton Avenue and Park Road; streetscape work on the south side of Burlingame Avenue between Park and Primrose roads; utility work between Primrose Road and El Camino Real.
• September 3 - 6: Streetscape work on Burlingame Avenue between Lorton Avenue and Park Road.; streetscape work on the south side of Burlingame Avenue between Park and Primrose roads; utility work between Primrose Road and El Camino Real. 

Late August through November

Streetscape work will begin on the 1300 block of Burlingame Avenue in late August 2013. Sidewalk demolition is anticipated to begin on August 25 between Park Road and Primrose Road on the south side of Burlingame Avenue. The eastbound lane of Burlingame Avenue (toward California) will also be closed at that time.

Sidewalk demolition is anticipated to begin on the north side of Burlingame Avenue between Park Road and Primrose Road in September. Both lanes of traffic will be closed at that time. Burlingame Avenue between Park Road and Primrose Road will be closed to vehicular traffic until late November 2013, and will re-open prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. Pedestrian access to businesses and properties will be provided at all times.

During the closure of Burlingame Avenue between Park Road and Primrose Road, downtown Burlingame can be reached via Howard Avenue (south of Burlingame Avenue) or Donnelly Avenue (north of Burlingame Avenue).

Event relocations

Construction at the intersection of Burlingame Avenue and Park Road will force the monthly “Dancin’ off the Avenue” event to be moved to the south end of Parking Lot E, which is located between Lorton Avenue and Park Road. The dance is 4 to 8 p.m. the third Thursday of each month during the summer months. 

Because of construction at the intersection of Burlingame Avenue and Park Road, the Thursday and Sunday Fresh Market farmer’s market will be held near the intersection of Park Road and Howard Avenue. This location is on the same block as the previous Fresh Market, but slightly to the south. The market is open 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sundays.

Video explanation

The City of Burlingame has posted a video on its website of Mayor Ann Keighran, and Public Works Director Syed Murtuza explaining how the Burlingame Streetscape project came about and how it will impact the city, its residents and visitors.  See the video here.

For details about the streetscape project, call the Burlingame Public Works Department at 650-336-8326 or send an email to streetscape@burlingame.org.