EL CAMINO REAL ROADWAY RENEWAL PROJECT
Construction Starting Soon!
Caltrans will begin construction on the El Camino Real Roadway Renewal Project in Winter 2025. Construction work will start with drainage improvements along the entire project length and tree removal on the northbound (NB) side of El Camino Real.
Full closures of northbound El Camino Real will occur during tree removals. Closure and detour information will be posted on the Caltrans website at elcaminorealproject.com.
Welcome
This site is home to all of the educational outreach materials presented during the Caltrans project development process. The ECR Roadway Renewal Project is a critical endeavor that will improve the function, access, and safety of El Camino Real (Route 82) while retaining the character of this highly-traveled corridor. The project area stretches 3 miles, between East Santa Inez Avenue and Millbrae Avenue, and encompasses uniquely challenging pavement, vegetation, sidewalk, utility, drainage, and safety issues. This particular stretch of El Camino Real is also host to the Howard-Ralston Eucalyptus Tree Rows, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contribute to the unique character of the corridor.
Construction Timeline & Phases
Project Area
Construction is expected to begin in Winter 2025 and continue through 2029.
Between December 2025 and April 2026, Caltrans will be repairing drainage on the southbound (SB) side of the corridor and removing trees on the northbound (NB) side. Caltrans will be closing lanes temporarily to conduct project-wide potholing work during this time.
Full closures of northbound El Camino Real will occur during tree removals. Check back for closure information and detour maps. Closure and detour information will be posted on the Caltrans website at elcaminorealproject.com.
Click image to enlarge
In later phases, reconstruction of the roadway will be completed from south to north, with each segment of work completed in approximately 6 to 8-week intervals. Residents and businesses will continue to have driveway access, though lane and sidewalk closures will occur within active work zones.
Caltrans expects PG&E to begin undergrounding of overhead powerlines on the southbound side in early 2026 and continue through early 2028. Work on the southbound side will resume once PG&E’s work is complete.
Benefits
With this complete roadway renewal, Caltrans has the opportunity to tackle not just the problem areas for drivers, but also improve travel experiences for pedestrians. In total, this project will provide several benefits to the community including:
- Wider, ADA-compliant sidewalks to improve accessibility
- Upgraded drainage system to reduce flooding
- Well-planned plantings to improve visibility of all travelers
- New lighting and buried power lines
- Landscape buffer between sidewalks and road to improve safety of pedestrians
- Replanting and maintenance program for all trees
- New, smoother pavement for better ride quality
FEIR/FEIS
The Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement, Final Section 4(f) Evaluation, and Record of Decision (FEIR/FEIS) is approved and available for viewing!
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this important project milestone, which wraps up the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PAED) phase and starts the Project Design (Plans, Specifications and Estimates or PS&E) phase.
FEIR/FEIS and Appendices
A hard copy, full-color, bound version of the FEIR/FEIS can be viewed at the Burlingame Public Library and the Caltrans District 4 Office. For more information about this project, please visit ElCaminoRealProject.com. To request the FEIR/FEIS in a special format, please contact Alejandro Lopez at Alejandro.Lopez@dot.ca.gov or call (510) 385-6856.
I love the eucalyptus, having grown-up here, but they definitely cause problems.*
I think it’s integral to Burlingame’s character and charm to keep the eucalyptus for which it is known.*