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2012 Bicycle Network Implementation
In Marin Cities and Towns
Every spring, Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) reports on what's been happening with implementation of the bicycle network in each of Marin's 12 jurisdictions (including the County of Marin and all of Marin's incorporated cities and towns). We're continually collaborating with public works staff and elected officials to expand the network of bike lanes and pathways, bicycle access to public transit, to schools and between neighborhoods, and bike parking. These projects will serve to connect communities, facilitate an increase in bicycle ridership, and result in safer, more accessible routes for cyclists.
Belvedere
Community Action to Reduce Traffic (CART)
A new effort nicknamed CART (Community Action to Reduce Traffic) was launched this year by the Town of Belvedere and the City of Tiburon. The goal of CART is to envision and implement strategies to reduce traffic on Tiburon Boulevard. The hope is to identify and reduce impediments to children walking, biking, busing, or carpooling to school. CART will also be looking at ways in which people exiting and entering the Tiburon Peninsula can modify their travel times or methods to help reduce traffic congestion.
Bicycle Parking
The City installed two new bike racks around town: one 9-bike capacity U-rack adjacent to Tom Price Park (near the tennis courts) and one 5-bike capacity rack at City Hall, made from recycled materials.
Corte Madera
Alto Tunnel
On August 23rd, the Marin County Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $600,000 of Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program funds, for studying the Alto Tunnel. Funds will be used to conduct a geotechnical study to more accurately assess the tunnel's condition. The study will result in more accurate cost estimates for rebuilding the tunnel. Some of the funds will be used to conduct a property study, including determining easement ownership for properties above the tunnel. The property study will help resolve debates about tunnel easement ownership.
Corte Madera Creek Multi-Use Pathway
On December 10th, 2011, the Corte Madera Creek Multi-Use Pathway was re-opened after a five-month closure for improvements. The popular creekside path, which runs from the bridge at Bon Air Road to the pump station across from Kent Middle School, was completely refurbished. The Ross Valley Sanitary District laid new asphalt, refurbished the gravel running path, and relocated the benches to make the path ADA compliant and more user-friendly to all.
Fairfax
Bicycle Parking
Thirty-six new bike racks were installed around town. The new rack locations include: Fair-Anselm Plaza, the new Good Earth Natural Foods store, Avatar, the Post Office, Fairfax Theatre, Sleeping Lady, Roco Dance, Ferraro Gas and Service, and the Crystal Chalice.
Fairfax Bike Spine
In October 2011, the Transportation Authority of Marin awarded the Town of Fairfax $110,000 to install signage and street markings to help make safer routes to three schools in the area. The first phase of the project, known as the Fairfax Bike Spine, will be designated along Bolinas Road, Park Road, Arroyo and/or Sequoia Roads, Manor Drive, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Oak Manor Drive and Glen Drive, to connect much of Fairfax with Cascade Canyon School, Manor Elementary School, and White Hill Middle School. The overall goal is to improve the safety of the Town's streets for student bicyclists and increase the awareness of motorists who share the road with them.
Larkspur
South Eliseo Drive: Sharrows Added
Sharrows and new striping were painted on South Eliseo Drive from Bon Air Road to the top of the hill near the path along Corte Madera Creek. The improvements provide cyclists of all ages and abilities with a safer and more enjoyable ride.
Magnolia Avenue: Bicycle Lanes
and Sharrows Added
The completion of the Larkspur Magnolia Avenue Signing/Striping project, funded by the Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program, resulted in the addition of a Class II bicycle route on north Magnolia Avenue, where none previously existed. Where the width was not available to accommodate a separate bike lane, sharrows were added.
Sandra Marker Trail: Ramps
ADA-compliant concrete ramps were constructed at two key locations, one on each side of the Sandra Marker Trail. The ramps make accessing the trail much easier and more convenient for all users.
Doherty Drive Corridor Improvements
Construction will begin in the fall of 2012 on the Doherty Drive Corridor Improvements Project. The project will provide a multi-use pathway and bike lane along the south side of Doherty Drive between Magnolia Avenue and Riviera Circle West to connect Magnolia Avenue and downtown Larkspur with three schools and residential neighborhoods. A bridge over Baltimore Creek is included in the project.
Bicycle Parking
Twenty-seven new bike racks were installed around the town of Larkspur, primarily on Magnolia Avenue, between the Lark Theater and City Hall, and in Piper Park. Eight additional racks will be installed once their locations have been determined. Bicyclists now have several convenient places to park in Downtown Larkspur.
Mill Valley
Miller Avenue Streetscape Plan
On July 6, the Mill Valley City Council adopted the Miller Avenue Streetscape Plan. The overall goal of the Plan is to make Miller Avenue a safe, efficient, and enjoyable street for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users.
Mill Valley 2040 General Plan
In January, the City began work on the Mill Valley 2040 General Plan update. This process will have significant implications for the future of bicycle and pedestrian safety and future development of bike/ pedestrian facilities throughout Mill Valley.
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Guide
The City Council recently adopted its Neighborhood Traffic Calming Guide, with the final version available soon. The Guide reflects the needs of neighborhoods throughout Mill Valley looking to improve the safety of residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and students from vehicular travel speeds, traffic volumes, and inappropriate driver behavior on residential streets. The Traffic Calming Program is expected to be in operation by the summer of 2012.
Almonte Boulevard Safe-hit Posts Installed
The City installed reflective "safe-hit posts" along the curved section of southbound Almonte Boulevard. This physical barrier, which deters vehicles from infringing upon the bicycle lane, is a welcomed safety improvement and is of particular benefit to students and others cycling to and from Tamalpais High School and Tam Valley.
Alto Tunnel
Please see Corte Madera section above.
Novato
Enfrente Pathway
December 16 marked the grand opening of the Enfrente Pathway (a.k.a. Novato Commuter Connection Project). The pathway, which was funded primarily with Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program funds, fills a critical former gap in Marin's North-South Greenway, providing cyclists and pedestrians with a much needed connection from South Novato Boulevard, just before it merges with Highway 101, to Ignacio Boulevard and Alameda Del Prado.
Hill Road and Indian Valley Road Bicycle Lane Gap Closure
Pavement rehabilitation and bikeway, walkway and drainage improvements were completed on Hill Road and Indian Valley Road, successfully closing the gaps in bicycle lane and sidewalks on Indian Valley Road between Arthur and Hill.
Boulevard Pedestrian Path
The City has completed work on the Novato Boulevard Pedestrian Path, successfully stabilizing the asphalt pathway that had been sliding.
Rowland Way/Vintage Oaks Multi-use Pathway
The multi-use pathway at Rowland Way, west of Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, was also successfully rehabilitated.
Olive Avenue Bicycle Lane Gap Closure
The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved $600,000 in funding to close the Class II bicycle lanes gap on Olive Avenue, from Atherton Avenue to the County line near Richardson Way.
Bel Marin Keys Multi-Use Pathway
In November, the Bel Marin Keys Multi-Use Path project received $127,000 from the Transportation Authority of Marin to repave about 3,300 feet of an 8-foot-wide trail connecting Hanna Ranch Road with Frosty Lane. Another Bel Marin Keys project received $35,000; it will add bicycle lanes in both directions on Bel Marin Keys Boulevard from the Novato city limit to near Montego Key.
Hanna Ranch Mixed Use Project
On December 13th, the Novato City Council approved a final environmental impact report for the Hanna Ranch Mixed Use Project. The project will include a Class I paved bicycle/pedestrian path beginning at Rowland Blvd/Vintage Way and extending south to Hanna Road along the SMART right-of-way, allowing bicycle access to and from Bel Marin Keys Blvd, and providing a very important link in the North-South Greenway.
Ross
Sir Francis Drake/Lagunitas Road Intersection Improvements
The Sir Francis Drake and Lagunitas Intersection Improvement Project is currently in the design phase. The intersection improvements, made possible through a federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant, will enhance the safety of the intersection through traffic and pedestrian signal upgrades, sidewalk and curb-ramp improvements, and roadway realignment. MCBC has been actively involved in the design process in an effort to ensure that a bike lane on the south side of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is included through Ross as part of this project.
San Anselmo
Wade Thomas Elementary School
Wade Thomas Elementary School held a sidewalk dedication to celebrate their first sidewalks since the school was built 114 years ago. San Anselmo's Public Works Director, Sean Condry, finished the project on time and under budget, enabling him to also repair sidewalks at various locations along school routes.
Student Safety Infrastructure Upgrades
The Town received a grant from CalTrans to make infrastructure upgrades that promote student safety. The five locations that were approved for upgrades include: Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Butterfield Road to Broadmoor Avenue; Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Tamal Avenue/San Francisco Boulevard; the Lower Brookside Elementary School neighborhood; San Francisco Boulevard Neighborhood Route to School; and Barber Avenue Route to Wade Thomas Elementary School. These projects, currently in the design phase, will include a combination of new sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic signal improvements, ADA compliant curb ramps, safety barriers, and traffic calming measures. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2013.
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard/Bank Street Intersection Improvements
Safety improvements have been made at the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard/Bank Street intersection. They include adjustment of the traffic signal to allow cyclists more time to cross busy Sir Francis Drake, and striping of a pedestrian/bicycle crosswalk through Creekside Parking Lot from the pedestrian/bike bridge to the sidewalk on Sir Francis Drake.
Sierra Avenue/Sir Francis Drake Boulevard/ Broadmoor Intersection Improvements
Among other ADA improvements, a lead pedestrian interval (which allows time for pedestrians to begin crossing the street prior to cars being allowed to proceed) will be implemented in the summer of 2012 at the Sierra Avenue/Sir Francis Drake Boulevard/ Broadmoor intersection. The interval will provide pedestrians and cyclists crossing Drake a lead of three to five seconds on the cars at Broadmoor and Sierra. This added safety feature will be of particular benefit to students traveling to and from Drake High School.
San Rafael
East Francisco Boulevard Multi-use Pathway
The final project design is complete for an eight-to-ten foot sidewalk/multi-use path on the north side of East Francisco Boulevard between Vivian Way and Second Street. Additionally, the Grand Avenue Bridge will be widened to accommodate the new sidewalk/multiuse facility. This corridor is the primary access route for Canal residents to the Montecito Shopping Center, San Rafael Transit Center, and downtown San Rafael. The project is expected to be complete by summer of 2013.
Downtown San Rafael SMART Station Area Plan
The City is in the final stages of preparation of the Downtown San Rafael SMART Station Area Plan (SAP) for the future Downtown SMART Station. The SAP is intended to set the stage to create a vibrant, mixed-use, livable Downtown area supported by a mix of transit opportunities, including passenger rail service and bicycle/pedestrian facilities. Among other considerations, the Plan should consider the operations and ease of use of the transit complex through better connections for bicyclists and pedestrians, including improvements to the streets, sidewalks and other facilities in the station area. MCBC has provided extensive comments on the Downtown SAP that support inclusion of a separated, multi-use pathway along Tamalpais Avenue between 2nd and 4th Streets, and also on West Tamalpais Avenue along the SMART right-of-way between Mission Avenue and 4th Street.
Puerto Suello-Transit Center Connector
Construction on the Puerto Suello-Transit Center Connector project (a.k.a Hetherton Pathway) is anticipated for the summer of 2013. The project will provide a Class I multi-use pathway between the San Rafael Transit Center and the Puerto Suello Hill Pathway (a.k.a. Lincoln Hill Pathway).
San Rafael Transit Center Improvements
Improvements to the San Rafael Transit Center will be underway soon to improve the functionality of the Center for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as improving improving connectivity to the surrounding area. The project is expected to be complete by this summer.
Sausalito
Bridgeway to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal Pathway
This City of Sausalito recently completed a pedestrian and cycling path, funded with Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program funds, which serves to connect Bridgeway to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal, previously separated by a large parking lot.
Gate 6 Project
In February, the Transportation Authority of Marin programmed $88,530 in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to Sausalito's Gate 6 project for preliminary engineering/environmental review. The project will ultimately result in traffic signal modifications to improve bicycle commuting around the Gate 6 intersection, including indicators, detectors, timing and phase changes, and striping.
Tiburon
Tiburon Boulevard Pathway Study
Tiburon has been busy gathering community input in the preparation of a pathway study intended to enhance service of bicycle and pedestrian traffic along Tiburon Boulevard from East Strawberry Drive to McKegney Green. The study will develop a plan to close a gap in the Bay Trail.
Community Action to Reduce Traffic (CART)
Please see Belvedere section above.
County of Marin
Marinwood Avenue Bicycle Lanes
In late 2011, the County of Marin was awarded a grant from the Transportation Authority of Marin to construct Class II bicycle lanes along Marinwood Avenue, connecting the Pacheco Pass Pathway along Highway 101 with the existing Class II bike lanes along Las Gallinas Avenue. Construction is expected to commence in 2012 or 2013.
Marin Avenue/Bell Lane Walkway
Tam Valley celebrated the completion of the Marin
Avenue/Bell Lane Walkway Improvement project.
The project provides an accessible sidewalk fromGreen Glen Way along Marin Avenue to Tamalpais
Valley Elementary School on Bell Lane, including new
curb ramps and crosswalk striping. Also benefiting
students was the installation of new crosswalks on
Shoreline Highway and Flamingo Road.
Tennessee Valley Pathway & Manzanita Connector
Phase 1 construction on the Tennessee Valley Pathway has begun. It includes construction of a pedestrian bridge over Coyote Creek and the Pathway segment between Marin Avenue and Shoreline Highway. Ultimately, the entire project will provide a new pathway along Coyote Creek between the Mill Valley-Sausalito Pathway and the Tam Valley Community Center at Marin Avenue. The Manzanita Connector, a spur path between the Tennessee Valley Pathway and the Manzanita Park and Ride lot, is a separate project on Caltrans property. Construction of the Manzanita Connector is planned for 2015.
Resurfacing of County Pathways
Marin County received $118,000 in federal transportation funds to enable resurfacing of portions of the Mill Valley-Sausalito path from Gate 6 Road to Vasco Court, portions of the Corte Madera Creek path from Bon Air to Lagunitas roads, and the Bacich School pathway from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Creekside Park.
Read the April 2011 Update
Read the April 2010 Update
Read the April 2009 Update
Read the April 2008 Update
Read the April 2007 Update
Read the April 2006 Update
Read the April 2005 Update