HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW Highway 101 to Interstate 580 Connector ProjectAgenda Item No: 7.b
Meeting Date: December 7, 2020
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Public Works
Prepared by: Bill Guerin,
Director of Public Works
City Manager Approval: __________
TOPIC: HIGHWAY 101 TO INTERSTATE 580 CONNECTOR PROJECT
SUBJECT: INFORMATIONAL REPORT FROM TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY OF
MARIN (TAM) ON THE 101 TO 580 CONNECTOR PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the informational report.
BACKGROUND: The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) sought and received voter support
for funding a freeway-to-freeway connector between Highway 101 and Interstate 580 in the
local Marin Transportation Sales Tax Measure AA, approved in November 2018. TAM also
advocated for this project to be included in Regional Measure 3, which was approved in June
2018.
The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) began the planning and environmental phase of the
proposed project in spring of 2019. TAM will complete the environmental analysis to evaluate
options and work with the community and stakeholders to select a preferred alternative. This
project is a collaborative effort between TAM, the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans), and the cities of San Rafael and Larkspur.
ANALYSIS: Currently, drivers who wish to access the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (I-580)
via northbound US-101 must exit the freeway and travel on East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard or
across Bellam Boulevard to get to the bridge. Having to drive on local streets causes congestion
and traffic delays on northbound US 101 and on local streets, including Sir Francis Drake
Boulevard and Bellam Boulevard. The proposed project will allow vehicles to continue along US-
101 northbound onto a new highway connector in San Rafael and merge directly onto I-
580 eastbound toward the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
The objective of the proposed project is to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow on NB US-
101 and local streets. TAM will accomplish this by providing a direct highway connection from
northbound US-101 to eastbound I-580 and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. The project will
also enhance existing multi-modal (bicycles pedestrian, and transit) connections including bicycle
and pedestrian connection improvements along Bellam Boulevard.
PUBLIC OUTREACH: TAM has conducted a series of meetings with stakeholder groups to gain
feedback and insight as they develop the various alternatives for consideration. In addition to
these meetings, TAM has maintained an updated project website to keep interested parties
____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: December 7, 2020
Disposition: Accepted Report
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
apprised as the analysis is developed. The informational presentation to Council is the latest
effort to inform the community of this project.
FISCAL IMPACT: As an informational report, there is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
OPTIONS: The City Council has the following options to consider relating to this matter:
1. Accept the informational report as presented.
2. Do not accept the informational report.
RECOMMENDATION: Accept the report.