UPDATE (5/3): PG&E has assured us that they will limit "certain construction activities such as truck crossing and x-ray work during peak commute hours to minimize impacts to the path." They will also host an Energizer Station on the west side of the closure on Bike to Work Day, where staff will be available to explain the project and any future impacts to bikes and pedestrians.
UPDATE (4/30): As several readers have pointed out, PG&E's suggested detour is not very pleasant. SVBC member Janet Lafleur has prepared a map with a suggested route that takes advantage of nearby bike bridges over the freeway. Click on the image in the sidebar to expand.
UPDATE: PG&E has contacted SVBC to let us know that the bike route closure will be intermittent, not around-the-clock as previously believed. Specifically:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will be conducting a gas pipeline modernization project on Manila Drive in Mountain View. This work is part of a system-wide program to ensure the safety of our natural gas transmission pipeline system. Manila Drive will closed at times throughout the length of the projects. The road closure extends about 0.5 miles, from just east of Ellis Street to roughly Enterprise Way. Crews will be working mostly around the clock, including weekends, to finish the project as quickly as possible.
What we previously reported:
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is currently working on Manila Drive in Sunnyvale for a pipeline modernization project. Due to excavations and heavy equipment, the road is unsafe for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. The road is expected to remain closed throughout the duration of the project, which is scheduled to be complete by 6/15/2012.
See the above image depicting the closed section and PG&E's suggested detour, or download a PDF of the map here.
Comments
Janet
April 25, 2012 - 1:07pm
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This is really bad timing to
This is really bad timing to have Manila Rd, a heavily used bike route, closed on Bike to Work day! When I first considered bike commuting from Mtn View to North San Jose in 1996 someone from the SVBC suggested Ellis/Manila/Moffett Park which worked great for the newbie I was.
The suggested detour on Mathilda includes two harrowing freeway crossings over Hwy 101 and Hwy 237. The new bike bridges East of Mathilda would be a better choice for many riders. Could that route option be included in the map too?
Ken
April 25, 2012 - 2:23pm
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I agree with Janet that
I agree with Janet that Mathilda is a lousy detour. The bike bridge at Borregas Ave is a much better choice, especially during rush hour.
peterh
April 30, 2012 - 11:13am
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i heard the pge permit
i heard the pge permit application with mountain view stipulates the trail is not impacted, only the road. can a subcontractor be fined for not obeying the conditions of the permit? i sure hope so!
Jeremy
May 1, 2012 - 11:21am
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I heard from a fellow rider
I heard from a fellow rider that the sidewalk is still open. But I didn't see it clearly marked as a bike detour. I will find out soon.
john
May 1, 2012 - 4:52pm
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The sidewalk on Manila was
The sidewalk on Manila was definitely NOT open as of Friday 4/27. The previous Friday they were staging and the fence at either end of the construction site was "open" . Now, no way to use Manila.
Tony
May 1, 2012 - 9:48am
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Janet's detour works well for
Janet's detour works well for me. If you have a light rail pass, use that to go to the next station on the other side of the road closure (many companies along the light rail route, like Cisco and Juniper, offer free annual passes).
Jeff Segall
May 7, 2012 - 10:28pm
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The sidewalk on Manila is now
The sidewalk on Manila is now open for cyclists and pedestrians!!!
When the road closed in late April, I left a complaint on PG&E's website that the alternate suggested route of 101 FWY was not really appropriate for cyclists. About a week later, someone from PG&E left me a VM saying that the sidewalk would be opening the first week of May for bikes and peds. And it is. I've ridden the sidewalk three times now.
The PG&E person said that they may have to close the sidewalk intermittently. When they do, workers will provide free tokens for cyclists to take the light rail one station around the construction.
Tony
May 17, 2012 - 6:37pm
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Manila Drive sidewalk is open
Manila Drive sidewalk is open (many thanks to whoever made that possible) but I've noted that Persian Drive (on the other side of the highway) is closed by PG&E until sometime next week (according to Judy Chu's (City of Sunnyvale) best knowledge. Persian Drive is a nifty alternative but it is closed for this week.