We, the undersigned residents of Saratoga, formally petition the City Council and the Public Works Department to take immediate action to reinitiate and sponsor the construction of a permanent, safe, and fully compliant pedestrian-only railroad crossing to connect Fredericksburg Drive with Lido Way/Guava Court. For decades, this project has been a community priority, known by various names including the "Blue Hills Pedestrian Crossing" and the "Reconnect Saratoga" effort. Its completion is essential for the safety and connectivity of our neighborhoods.

For many years, a crossing existed at this location, providing a vital link for residents and schoolchildren. Its closure in 2007 severed a direct and safe route between our neighborhoods, forcing pedestrians, including children, onto busier arterial streets. While the Fredericksburg Drive access point was reopened with the completion of Joe's Trail in 2013, the connection remains incomplete. The permanent closure of the Lehigh Permanente Cement Plant and the resulting dormancy of the rail line present a clear and compelling case of “public convenience and necessity.” The immediate public benefit of restoring this neighborhood connection now far outweighs the negligible impact on rail operations.

Crucially, this is not a new or speculative request requiring extensive preliminary study. A clear, low-risk path forward has already been established by California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Decision 19-01-034, issued on January 31, 2019. This decision, which granted the City of Saratoga authority to construct a nearly identical crossing at this exact location, serves as a complete procedural and engineering template. It removes legal ambiguity and provides a replicable, previously successful blueprint for the City to follow, ensuring compliance with all state safety and accessibility standards.

This project directly supports the City's own adopted policies. It is a tangible implementation of Goal CI-6a of the Saratoga 2040 General Plan, which is to "Support a safe pedestrian and bicycle network for people of all ages and abilities". We understand from recent city updates that challenges related to Right-of-Way costs from Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) exist. However, we believe that formal action from the City Council is the necessary catalyst to empower city staff to resolve these final hurdles, pursue all available funding, and proceed with the project, even if it must be phased.

Therefore, we respectfully urge the Saratoga City Council to agendize this matter at the earliest opportunity and adopt a formal resolution that:

• Directs and authorizes the Public Works Department to prepare and file the necessary application with the CPUC, using Decision 19-01-034 as a guide.
• Authorizes the allocation of funds for the design, negotiation, and construction of the crossing.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this vital community project. Respectfully submitted by the following residents: