About

Stevens Creek Boulevard
Corridor Vision Study

Project Description

Project Description

This study is a multi-jurisdictional two-year effort to create a shared vision for the future of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor. The study will gather input from community members on challenges and opportunities they see on the corridor. Those insights will be used to develop a vision for the corridor in addition to steps to reach that vision. This will include recommendations on how to direct transportation investment from the cities of San José, Santa Clara, Cupertino, the county and VTA.

This Vision Study builds on previous transportation planning efforts and seeks to harmonize shared values in the corridor so future transportation investment in infrastructure and services can be coordinated across the different cities, the County, and VTA.

Aerial view of Stevens Creek Boulevard. Photo credit Dick Lyon.

Background

The Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor is a major health, education, tech industry, shopping and housing spine in the South Bay. It is experiencing significant growth in commercial and residential land uses. In 2019, the cities of Cupertino, Santa Clara, San José, and Santa Clara County adopted resolutions in support of a vision study of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor to create a common vision for mobility to enhance quality of life for all community members. Additionally, regional funding for a high-capacity transit service on Stevens Creek was included as part of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC)’s Regional Transportation Plan after a joint submission by corridor agencies. A steering committee of elected officials corridor jurisdictions formed to provide a forum for elected representatives to meet, discuss and provide direction on a common vision for the Stevens Creek Corridor.

In February 2022 the City of Cupertino formally joined the study effort, with a particular interest in considering the potential for transit options that do not impact general purpose lanes or vehicular capacity on City surface streets, as well as the direction to extend the study limits to Foothill Boulevard.

The Stevens Creek Boulevard Vision Study began in January 2023, and the Engagement Plan is scheduled to be approved by the Steering Committee in June 2023 which will begin the formal outreach process for the Study.

About the Corridor

The Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor, beginning along West San Carlos Street near Diridon Station and extending to the west to Highway 85, is a major artery that connects regional job centers focusing on health, education, and tech to housing and commercial areas. Prominent sites along the corridor include De Anza College, Main Street Cupertino, Apple headquarters, Agilent Technologies headquarters, San José City College, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, five San José Urban Villages – one of which includes the Santana Row/Valley Fair shopping district, new West San José Innovation Zone and a “Future Focus Area” in the City of Santa Clara.

Get Involved

One of the main goals of this study is to hear from many voices from the community. The Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor includes a rich diversity of businesses and community members. The Project Team is dedicated to meeting with interested stakeholders to better understand challenges people face traveling within the corridor. We are committed to creating an inclusive vision for a safe and convenient connection between Cupertino, Santa Clara, and San José.

Engagement

Upcoming Engagement Project Schedule

Upcoming events to be listed here as logistical details confirmed.

Steering Committee Meeting #6 (Hybrid)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Santa Clara City Hall - Council Chambers

1500 Warburton Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050

Online Zoom registration here (must register to get Zoom link)

Agenda

Draft Implementation Plan

Draft Implementation Plan (Redlined Version)

September 6 Steering Committee Meeting Summary (Draft)

Previous Events

Phase One: Needs

Summer 2023

Community stakeholder interviews
Focus groups
Pop-ups
Corridor tours
Online community workshop on corridor needs
Steering committee meetings to approve the engagement plan and create the draft vision statement
Council and commission meetings throughout

FAQ

What is the purpose of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Vision Study?

The Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Vision Study will develop goals for the corridor to guide future investments in transportation. The Study will be guided by a comprehensive community engagement process. The Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor goes through the cities of Cupertino, Santa Clara and San José. Management, operations, and improvements are the responsibility of these cities in addition to the County of Santa Clara and Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Each agency acknowledges the importance of the corridor and the need for a shared vision for the future.
What are the parts of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Vision Study?

The Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Vision Study will consist of two parts: a Vision Statement and an Implementation Plan.
What are the different possible futures for the corridor?

We have an open visioning process for transportation options in the corridor. Possible futures include improvements to all modes of travel–walking, biking, driving, transit, and potentially new ways to get around.
What is the Vision Study schedule?

We will be developing the Vision Statement through the end of 2023 and will work on the Implementation Plan in 2024. The development of these components includes four phases: Phase 1 Needs - Learning about transportation needs and challenges in the corridor through outreach and technical analysis. Phase 2 Vision Development - Creation of a vision by reviewing the needs identified in Phase 1. Phase 3 Alternatives - Development and review of potential improvements. Phase 4 Final Vision and Implementation Plan - Creation of a planning document that serves as a roadmap for implementing the vision.
How can I be involved?

We welcome involvement from all stakeholders at all stages of the Study process. We will hold several outreach events during each Phase. These include interviews, focus groups, pop-up events and corridor tours. Scheduled events are shown on the Upcoming Events section of the website. You can also email or call us through the contact information.
What are the benefits of a Vision Statement?

Implementing meaningful transportation improvements takes support from the community, agency staff and elected officials. When there is a clear vision for the future there is a clear purpose for each step in the implementation process. Comprehensive community engagement will be key in the creation of the Vision Statement and Implementation Plan and the long-term success of the corridor.
What area is part of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor Vision Study?

The west edge of the study area is Stevens Creek Boulevard at Foothill Boulevard in Cupertino. From there, the corridor follows Stevens Creek Boulevard through Cupertino and Santa Clara to San José. In San José, the corridor follows Stevens Creek to where it becomes West San Carlos Street until that street intersects Barack Obama Boulevard in San José. North/south connections will be a part of the Study to help inform how the Stevens Creek Boulevard Corridor should connect to other existing and future transportation corridors.
How is the Vision Study process funded?

The Vision Study is cooperatively funded by VTA, Santa Clara County, and the Cities of Cupertino, Santa Clara and San José. The VTA portion of the funding is specifically tied to improvements to bus speed and reliability, which will be a specific component of the technical analysis of the Vision Study.
Who is making the decisions?

The Study includes a Working Group of agency staff and the consultant team that meet on a biweekly basis. This Working Group reviews community input and technical materials in detail. A Steering Committee of elected official designees from the Corridor agencies is scheduled to meet quarterly during the study process to approve Vision Study and Implementation Plan deliverables. Ultimately, each City Council, the County Board of Supervisors, and the VTA Board of Directors will be requested to take action on the Vision Statement and Implementation Plan.
Who is working on the project?

The Vision Study is a collaborative process of stakeholders facilitated by a team of consultants from the firms Iteris and Winter Consulting. Stakeholders include agency staff and elected officials from the participating agencies as well as community members, businesses, and corridor users.