The Across Barrier Connections Plan: Improving Pedestrian and Bicycle Connections Across Freeways (“ABC Plan”) will identify and prioritize locations in Santa Clara County where bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Caltrans’ limited access freeways can significantly benefit neighboring communities and encourage walking and bicycling. Most of Santa Clara County’s underserved communities are located within 1,000 feet of the freeway and experience more severe pedestrian and bicycle crashes, worse pollution, and greater connectivity barriers than other parts of the county. The ABC Plan will evaluate conditions within 1,000 feet of freeways; research and evaluate the historical impacts of freeway construction on communities; evaluate the current impact of freeways on community connectivity, health, and safety; evaluate current and future land use and destinations; and develop the plan to meet community needs and desires. The project will invite the community to identify barriers and develop recommendations through broad outreach to the entire county and through focused outreach to specific priority areas with assistance from local community-based organizations, neighborhood associations, and other groups. Recommendations will include safe-systems approach countermeasures, freeway ramp modifications, new or improved pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure through interchanges or along overpasses/underpasses, new or improved pedestrian/bicycle bridges across freeways, and interchange redesigns.
