TAM Awarded $1.25M for US-101 Part-Time Transit Lane Project
On February 22, MTC awarded TAM $1.25 million in funding for the US-101 Part-Time Transit Lane Project. This award would fund initial project development work as identified in TAM’s 2021 Feasibility Study. The Project would advance Transit Priority on US-101 in the southbound direction during the morning peak travel time that experiences significant recurring delay. The project would allow buses to operate on the outside shoulder when speeds on the highway drop below 35 mph and would provide substantial travel time and reliability benefits for transit in the corridor.
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Amendments to the Measure B Expenditure Plan Adopted
On Thursday, February 23, the TAM Board of Commissioners adopted the Amended Measure B Expenditure Plan. This adoption followed the 45-day public comment period. Measure B, the Marin County $10 Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) was approved by voters in 2010. The VRF currently generates approximately $2.3 million each year. TAM staff, in partnership with the Citizens' Oversight Committee, developed amendments to shift the criteria of the streets and roads funding toward bicycle, pedestrian and safety improvements. The adopted VRF Expenditure Plan includes three Elements: 1) enhance and maintain bicycle, pedestrian, and safety improvements on Local Networks 2) improve transit for seniors and persons with disabilities, and 3) reduce congestion and pollution.
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TAM's Semi-Annual Projects Update
Twice a year TAM provides detailed updates on all of the major TAM-funded projects. The latest project status and progress is available for the following projects:
- US-101 Marin-Sonoma Narrows (Overview and Segments B7 & B8)
- North-South Greenway Gap Closure Project (Northern and Southern Segments)
- Improve Bellam Off-Ramp from Northbound US-101
- US-101/580 Multi-Modal Access Improvements
- State Route 37
- Studies for 12 Highway 101 Interchanges and Approaching Roadways
- Marin County US-101 Part-Time Transit Lane Study
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State Route 37 Updates
Partnership Agreement Signed
A State Route 37 partnership agreement was recently signed to establish a set of commitments that will guide development and implementation of both the near-term and long-term SR-37 resiliency projects. The partnership agreement was signed by: the California State Transportation Agency, the California Natural Resources Agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 4, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission.
Sears Point to Mare Island Final Environmental Document Released
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has released the final environmental document for the State Route 37 (SR-37) Sears Point to Mare Island Project. The proposed section of SR-37 for improvement is a two-lane conventional highway (one lane in each direction) between SR-121 and the Mare Island Interchange. The project would implement a full-time, four-lane facility between SR-121 and Mare Island in Napa, Sonoma, and Solano Counties. The purpose of the project is to improve traffic flow and peak travel times and increase vehicle occupancy. You can view the Final Environmental Document and appendices here.
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Commute 37 Rideshare
TAM and our North Bay County Transportation Authority partners are promoting a new video ("Don't Commute Alone! Find Your Carpool Match on Commute37.com") developed as part of the Commute37 Pilot Program.
The Commute37 pilot program is a partnership of the Solano Transportation Authority, Napa Valley Transportation Authority, the Transportation Authority of Marin, and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, and is funded by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The program’s goal is to promote ridesharing in the multi-county SR 37 corridor.
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Tamalpais Overcrossing Project
Caltrans, in partnership with the Town of Corte Madera, is advancing a project to rebuild the Tamalpais Avenue interchange over Highway 101. In February, the TAM Board approved contributing $1.1 million to help close the funding gap of the estimated $44 million project. This funding comes from the Local Partnership Program - money available to TAM due to the County's voter-approved Measures A/AA and B and Marin County's "self-help" status that makes TAM eligible for this additional funding.
The Town of Corte Madera passed a resolution to support an alternative that is referred to as Design Option 4B. Design Option 4B proposes to remove the two existing pedestrian spiral walkway ramps and construct two new pedestrian ramps. ADA improvements also include bridge widening (for bicycle and pedestrian improvement access) and a new pedestrian/bike sidewalk at the southwest intersection on Tamalpais Drive to Casa Buena Drive. Full project details can be found at the Town of Corte Madera's website and the TAM staff report includes funding details. You can also view the Caltrans webpage for 360 Degree visual simulations of the project alternatives.
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Novato Boulevard Project Funding Moves Forward
At the February 23 Board of Commissioners meeting the Board approved the allocation of $250,000 in Measure AA (Transportation Sales Tax) funds to Novato to complete the Right-of-Way (ROW) phase for the Novato Boulevard Segment 1 Rehabilitation Project.
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The Novato Boulevard Segment 1 Rehabilitation Project is designed to provide operational, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements to Novato Boulevard between Diablo Avenue and Grant Avenue. Improvements include:
- two through-travel lanes (one in each direction) and a center-turn lane between Diablo Avenue and Boulevard Terrace
- three through-travel lanes (two westbound and one eastbound) and a center-turn lane between Boulevard Terrace and Grant Avenue
- new and reconstructed sidewalks/curbs/gutters
- new bicycle lanes
- reconstructed driveways
- landscaping and water quality enhancement areas
- new traffic signals
TAM previously allocated funds for the environmental and design phases of the project. Details on the Novato Boulevard Segment 1 Rehabilitation Project may be found here. TAM will provide project updates as they are available.
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Marin Transit Planning Service Changes
Marin Transit is considering changes to bus routes and schedules to better align service with current ridership demands and improve the effective use of resources. Most riders should still be able to make the trips they do today, but some riders will have to adjust which routes they take and/or what time they travel and/or transfer between routes to reach their destination. Routes affected include: 22, 23, 23X, 29, 35, 49, 71, 219, 251, 257, 645, & 651. Please review the proposed changes and provide input to help ensure that services meet the needs of our community. The Marin Transit Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on the proposed changes on March 6, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 330, San Rafael, CA. If approved, the changes would go into effect on June 11, 2023.
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Golden Gate Transit and Ferry Five-Year Fare Program
The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (District) has scheduled a series of virtual public meetings to receive comments on proposed five-year fare programs for Golden Gate Transit and Ferry. The proposed fare programs will help the District keep up with inflation and the rising costs of providing bus and ferry transit service. The programs include four options for modest fare increases that may be modified based on comments received at the public meetings. Each option currently includes a 50% discount on fares for youths, seniors, persons with disabilities, and low-income riders who participate in the Clipper Start program. Based on public comment, the District Board of Directors may consider adopting a proposed fare program at their March 24, 2023 meeting, with any new program beginning July 1, 2023. The last five-year fare program expired in July 2021 and no fare increases were made in 2022.
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Andrew Fremier Named New Executive Director for MTC and Top Exec of ABAG
Mr. Fremier, who has served since 2005 as an MTC Deputy Executive Director, succeeds Therese W. McMillan, who retired Feb. 1 after four years as Executive Director. Prior to joining MTC, Mr. Fremier served as the Chief Deputy District Director for Caltrans’ Oakland-based District 4. A licensed civil engineer, Mr. Fremier held a variety of positions during his 20 years at Caltrans, including leading the Toll Bridge and Highway construction program and developing the state Toll Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program. Read more.
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In March, TAM returns to in-person meetings. Board of Commissioners meetings will be held at the Marin County Civic Center, Room 330. The Executive Committee and Citizens' Oversight Committee meetings will be held at the TAM office, 900 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael.
3/13: Executive Committee
3/20: Citizens' Oversight Committee
3/23: Board of Commissioners
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