In 2018, the Public Works Department submitted a Vehicle Emissions Reductions Based at Schools (VERBS) Program grant application for the Harriet Avenue Sidewalk Improvement Project. The VERBS grant program is Santa Clara’s County locally programmed portion of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Climate Initiative Safe Routes to School program. The project goal is to improve safety, provide improvements that meet current ADA standards, and improve and encourage mobility along this school pedestrian route. This project is partially funded by this grant.

The purpose of this project is to reduce vehicle emissions based at Westmont High School. Harriet Avenue is a major walking route used by students living in the neighborhoods adjacent to Westmont High School. The west side of Harriet Avenue, between Westmont Avenue and Van Dusen Lane, currently has gaps in the sidewalk which discourages students from using alternative modes of transportation such as walking and riding bikes to school. This project will install sidewalks where gaps exist and will also install bicycle shared lane markings ("sharrows") between Hacienda Avenue and Westmont Avenue. The improvements will include new sidewalk, curb, gutter, and driveway aprons; striped crosswalks, ADA curb ramps and associated pavement work.