Larkspur's Doherty Drive To Re-Open Friday

The biggest parade in the Bay Area this week might be to celebrate the Giants' World Series pennant, but there is another important celebration planned.

The City of Larkspur has scheduled a grand re-opening for Doherty Drive on Friday at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Twin Cities Police station. The celebration will be something of a victory for Hamid Shamsapour, Larkspur's outgoing Director of Public Works, who identified the rehabilitation of Doherty Drive as one of the city's major needs.

The re-opening comes a month ahead of schedule. Contractors were offered an incentive to beat their deadline and to finish ahead of the winter rains. The storm expected to hit Larkspur on Wednesday isn't likely to affect construction, according to Shamsapour.

That should come as a great relief to drivers who've had their commute disrupted for nearly two full months during the closure of one of the area's major traffic arteries. Doherty is one of the major connectors between downtown Larkspur and Highway 101. Tamalpais Drive, Magnolia Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard have absorbed the extra traffic flow as drivers look for alternative routes to and from Highway 101.

Backups on Magnolia Avenue during the evening commute were so extensive that the Tavern at Lark Creek hung out a sign inviting drivers to wait out the backup in the comfort of the restaurant's dining room.

Larkspur City Councilman Larry Chu reported Friday at a Larkspur Chamber of Commerce event that he had received "hundreds of e-mails" from Larkspur and Corte Madera residents in support of the Doherty Drive project. Drivers have, however, complained about the increased traffic on Sir Francis Drake both east and west bound.

The first phase of construction on Doherty Drive began in August. The second phase, which closed Doherty between Piper Park and Lucky Drive, started Sept. 4.

The project was initially delayed by several weeks so as not to disturb the endangered California Clapper Rail which was nesting in the marshes alongside the road.

The improvement project will repair the potholes in Doherty Drive and bolster and raise the level of the road bed "to minimize winter flooding and improve the street drainage system." The plan also calls for new pedestrian walkways. The Doherty Drive Bridge is expected to be replaced as part of a separate project in 2014.

Larkspur City and Redwood school officials hope students will continue to use the bicycle and walking paths around the area. School officials reported during construction a dramatic increase in the number of students using bicycles to get to campus.

"I'm hoping people will take this chance to make some life-long health changes," Shamsapour said. "This is a good opportunity for people to get out of their cars."

The next big project on Shamsapour's list is the renovation of the Alexander Street Bridge, due to start in February or March, according to Shamsapour.

Larkspur City officials expect construction on the Bon Air Bridge to begin in 2014.

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