Bay Trail Project Grants $60,000 to Larkspur To Study Bicycle and Pedestrian Connection Over Corte Madera Creek and East Sir Francis Drake

The San Francisco Bay Trail Project recently awarded $60,000 to the City of Larkspur to conduct a feasibility study and alternatives analysis for a bicycle and pedestrian pathway that would span Corte Madera Creek and East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, with access to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal.

This project, called the "Central Marin Ferry Connector Project" (CMFCP) ranked extremely high as a "gap closure" project during the County of Marin's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan process. The CMFCP is along the planned North-South Greenway. When the project is completed, it will be faster for many residents of Larkspur, Corte Madera, and Greenbrae to bike - or even walk - to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, than to drive.

While the CMFCP is a multi-jurisdiction project, the City of Larkspur stepped-up to be the lead agency, and will manage the grant. Larkspur has hired Alta Transportation Consulting, out of San Rafael, to lead the process.

The first meeting of the CMFCP Technical Advisory Committee took place on Tuesday, August 27 and was facilitated by Alta Consulting. Agencies at the meeting included: the City of Larkspur, the Town of Corte Madera, the County of Marin, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, Caltrans, the San Francisco Bay Trail Project, and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.

Prior to the award of the grant, Larkspur, Corte Madera, the County and the Bridge District all signed a Memorandum of Understanding stating their agencies commitment to the process of evaluating alternatives and selecting a preferred alternative. The process, which is expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year, will also include a public workshop which is expected to be scheduled in late October.

Once a preferred alternative is selected, there are two additional phases of study necessary before the project can go to construction. These phases include environmental review and 30% design of the project. Currently, the City of Larkspur has grants pending to fund phases 2 and 3 of the study for the Central Marin Ferry Connector Project.