NORTH-SOUTH GREENWAY UPDATE
By Deb Hubsmith, Summer 2005
Read about the Alto Tunnel
Read about the Cal Park Tunnel
Read about Rails with Trails
Read the 2004 progress report
A recent "Urban Mobility Study" from the Texas Transportation Institute determined that traffic congestion in the San Francisco Bay Area is the second worst in the nation, and that we are rapidly closing in on Los Angeles for the dubious distinction of the most time wasted in traffic for any region in the United States. The study further estimates that over $3 billion is lost each year in time and fuel consumed in traffic jams in the Bay Area. Add to these statistics the fact that 65% of adult Americans are overweight or obese, and it makes you wonder why it's taking so long to build the North-South Greenway, a multi-use pathway separated from automobiles that is planned to run along the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad (NWP) right-of-way from Sausalito through Sonoma County. The idea for the North-South Greenway first surfaced in the 1970s with the adoption of Marin County's 1974 Bikeway Policy. In the 1980s, Marin County Supervisors and local government officials had the foresight to preserve vast tracts of the railroad right-of-way for "future transportation purposes" through grants from the federal government. In 1994, the Marin County North-South Bikeway Feasibility Study resurrected the idea of a pathway along the railroad grade, and detailed short term and long term alignment plans. In 1998, the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) was founded as a non-profit organization and made the long awaited North-South Greenway a top infrastructure priority for the organization. MCBC has worked diligently along with the non-profit Transportation Alternatives for Marin to paint a picture of a pathway that will become a "linear park" as well as a non-motorized transportation corridor parallel to Highway 101. Separated from automobiles, the Greenway will connect with transit centers, downtown areas, places of employment, schools and residences, providing a viable alternative to the automobile. To make this vision a reality, the MCBC continues to navigate through planning studies, environmental impact reports, engineering concerns, timelines, deadlines, public meetings, stakeholder meetings, funding shortages, legislation, and a maze of multi-jurisdictional entities that govern the future of this right-of-way, and thus the fate of the North-South Greenway. Here's an update, traveling from north to south. |
1 - SMART Rail with Trail from Sonoma County to San Rafael
Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) has been working since 1999 to plan, engineer and build passenger rail service along the former NWP right-of-way (ROW). In the near future, the 75 miles of ROW from Corte Madera to Cloverdale will be entirely owned and operated by SMART.
Since 1999, the MCBC has been working with SMART to ensure that a multi-use pathway parallel to the rail line would be included as part of SMART's plans. In February 2004 the SMART Commission approved a rail-with-trail Implementation Strategy which divides the pathway project into buildable sections within each city along the corridor. The SMART Commission-approved initial expenditure plan for the ¼ cent sales tax ballot measure going to voters in November, 2006, includes $40 million of the estimated $70 million cost for Phase I of the North-South Greenway.
The SMART Environmental Impact Report and Study (EIR/EIS) is scheduled to be released this summer. MCBC will be providing public comment on the EIR/EIS document, and will continue to work with SMART on the funding, planning, and construction of pathway segments which are within their wide jurisdiction.
2 - Lincoln Hill Segment
Anyone who has traveled by bike on Lincoln Avenue knows how difficult it is to commute between Terra Linda and downtown San Rafael. For years, MCBC has been advocating for the construction of the North-South Greenway in the vicinity of the "Lincoln Hill Segment" to be completed at the same time at the HOV Gap Closure Project. The ROW in this region is narrow, but we have maintained that construction and relocation of a new soundwall for Highway 101 and rail creates an opportunity to build the pathway simultaneously.
Our big break came in the summer of 2004 when the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) finalized the Expenditure Plan for Measure A, Marin's ½ cent sales tax which was approved by voters in November of 2004. MCBC worked with San Rafael's Mayor Al Boro and Supervisor Susan Adams to advocate successfully for the inclusion of this segment of pathway as a Measure A expenditure. It was recently announced that $15 million in Measure A funds remain for noise abatement, landscaping and the pathway, assuming no further cost overruns on the highway project! It is our hope that the bikeway segment will go to construction during 2007, at the same time as the final phase of the HOV Gap Closure Project.
3 - Cal Park Hill Tunnel Rehabilitation
Community leaders have been working for more than thirty years to provide a non-motorized connection between San Rafael and Larkspur Landing Circle in the vicinity of the Cal Park Hill Tunnel. After decades of struggle, this project is finally moving forward.
Since 2001, MCBC has worked with the County of Marin to garner $5.4 million in bikeway funds for the Cal Park Hill Tunnel pathway rehabilitation project. The balance of the approximately $10 million needed for this project is coming from Regional Measure 2 (RM2) funds which were approved by Bay Area voters in March of 2004.
Engineering studies showed that the bikeway and rail could co-exist inside the tunnel and along the ROW to Anderson Drive. The original plan was to run the bikeway down the center of the tunnel and relocate it if and when the railway was extended to Larkspur. The SMART Commission decided this spring, however, to require that the pathway be constructed in its ultimate location and to do additional work to prepare the tunnel for rail use at the same time that it is rehabilitated for the multi-use pathway.
SMART will be requesting $7.3 million in funds from RM2 to pay for the additional costs of the full build-out of the tunnel and ROW to accommodate future rail. At the present time, we are working with SMART and TAM to discuss the pathway alignment, and the merits of an east side pathway versus a west side pathway.
The Initial Project Project (IPR) schedule indicates that the tunnel could break ground for construction next year. With Bill Whitney (former Fairfax Public Works Director) recently hired as the RM2 Project Manager for TAM, and with Supervisor Kinsey continuing to lead the charge as Chairman of TAM, we are certain that we will see the light at the end of the Cal Park Hill tunnel!
4 - Central Marin Ferry Connection Project
South of the Cal Park Hill Tunnel, the Central Marin Ferry Connection Project (CMFCP) will provide a much needed crossing of East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Corte Madera Creek. The CMFCP plan (which is at 30% design) calls for the existing wooden trestle to be replaced by a new fixed bridge, with a ramp that would provide access down to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal. Once across Corte Madera Creek, the pathway would continue south along the ROW to the intersection of Redwood Highway and Wornum Drive. Special thanks go out to the City of Larkspur for leading this project through the alternatives analysis phase.
The CMFCP has now been turned over to the Transportation Authority of Marin and is slated to receive RM2 funding for construction. Progress on the CMFCP has been tied to the future Greenbrae Interchange Project, a full diamond interchange that will also be funded through RM2 and is planned to be located near Wornum Drive. Environmental impact reports still need to be completed for the CMFCP, but fortunately, the Initial Project Report shows the CMFCP project as being fully funded.
5 - Sandra Marker Trail
Bicyclists and pedestrians have a smooth ride along the North-South Greenway on the newly paved Sandra Marker Trail which boasts a stunning view of Mount Tamalpais. The Town of Corte Madera constructed the pathway segment from Tamalpais Drive up to and including the High Canal Bridge. The City of Larkspur paved the remainder of the pathway last year.
6 - Alto Tunnel Rehabilitation
The County of Marin currently has a grant pending with the State to complete an Alto Tunnel rehabilitation study which would include an assessment of the condition of the tunnel, a cost estimate, and community outreach. The Town of Corte Madera and the City of Mill Valley have both passed resolutions in support of this study on the former train tunnel which is 2100 feet in length. Supervisor Charles McGlashan has led the charge to get the Alto Tunnel study back on the table as a priority for the County of Marin.
7 - Mill Valley Pathway and Gate 6 Road
A few years ago, the County of Marin had programmed $150,000 to resurface this popular multi-use pathway; however, with drastic state funding cuts, this project has been deferred to the unforeseeable future. In the meantime, Supervisor McGlashan is working with the County's Open Space District staff to repair specific areas of the pathway which are most susceptible to flooding. He is also working to secure funds to fix the dangerous intersection of the Mill Valley pathway with Gate 6 Road and Bridgeway.
8 - Sausalito Bridgeway Bike Lanes and Pathway Construction
The new bike lanes on Bridgeway opened to the public in the fall of 2003. MCBC and Transportation Alternatives for Marin are now working with the City of Sausalito to pursue a grant from the Bay Trail Project to develop a study, an alignment, and the design for a multi-use pathway to traverse the ROW from Gate 6 Road to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal.
9 - Vista Point and the Golden Gate Bridge
Vista Point (on the Marin side of the Golden Gate Bridge) was recently reconstructed with bike racks, bicycle warning signs, speed tables, and safer pathways. The Golden Gate Bridge now includes a safety railing separating the sidewalk from the roadway.
Conclusion
When it is completed, the North-South Greenway will provide a healthful, environmentally sound transportation route that will be a model for the nation. Imagine how many people will chose to walk or bike to work, to the store, and to school when they are presented with a viable alternative.
The MCBC is working to maximize every opportunity to work with our government partners to build the North-South Greenway as quickly as possible. We have come a long way, but there will be many more meetings, studies, and reports to be created before this vision will be fully realized. Together, we have the opportunity to offer Marin County a transportation facility that will improve the environment, health, and livability of our community.
If you are interested in helping with this long term project, please contact Deb Hubsmith, MCBC Advocacy Director, at (415) 454-7430 or deb@marinbike.org.
