Transit Group Eyes Alternatives for Hwy. 101 Through Twin Cities Overhaul

The Transportation Authority of Marin this week continued its quest to ease the tension and controversy around the proposed overhaul of Hwy. 101 around Greenbrae and the Twin Cities, as an appointed working group of local officials listened to a series of alternative proposals from local residents. 

The working group, which includes Marin County Supervisor Katie Rice, TAM Chair and Tiburon Councilwoman Alice Fredericks, San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips, Larkspur Mayor Dan Hillmer, Corte Madera Mayor Diane Furst, Corte Madera Councilwoman Carla Condon, Larkspur Councilman Brad Marsh and San Anselmo Councilman Tom McInerney, listened to seven presentations. They ranged from a grand overhaul that directly connected Hwy. 101 to the San Rafael-Richmond Bridge to the addition of an exit loop to eastbound Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Here's a brief summary of the alternative plans proposed (for more info, see photos above and staff report):

• David Bracken, Corte Madera Town Manager/Engineer: Added lane from eastbound Sir Francis Drake (SFD) to southbound Hwy. 101 ramp; dedicated lane for SFD traffic to access Fifer/Lucky area; lengthens the merge between SFD traffic entering Hwy. 101 and the freeway traffic exiting the area.
• Dwayne Price: Creating a freeway under-crossing of Hwy. 101 at Fifer Avenue, improving bicycle and pedestrian access in the area.
• David Schonbrunn: Conduct trial closures of the Fifer Ave. or Madera Blvd. ramps. Multi-part plan to reduce Hwy. 101 northbound traffic by reducing on-ramp traffic at Tamalpais Drive.
• Robert Harrison: Use currently available funding to relieve Hwy. 101 and local street congestion; improve Hwy. 101 off-ramp at Lucky Dr./Fifer Avenue.
• Marin Deserves Better: Expanded southbound SFD on-ramp and creek crossing to separate lanes and eliminate weaving near Fifer; new northbound land-bridge linking Industrial Way on-ramp and Hwy. 101; new auxiliary lanes southbound and northbound between Corte Madera Creek and Tamalpais Drive to add capacity and relieve congestion; new bus stops at Greenbrae Interchange for better connectivity; new bicycle-pedestrian safety improvements throughout area.
• Scott Stokes: Turn Nellem Ave. into a southbound, one-way street; build buses-only off-ramps; create right-turn lane for eastbound Fifer to southbound Nellen; construct mini-transit center at corner of Fifer and Nellen avenues; widen off-ramp from southbound Hwy. 101 to eastbound SFD to two lanes; add second lane from SFD-Hwy. 101 southbound on-ramp to Fifer Ave. off-ramp.
• Thomas Jackovics: Connect Hwy. 101 directly to the San Rafael-Richmond Bridge; provide surface street cross of corte Madera Creek toward SFD eastbound.

The project has incited backlash from the outset, courting controversy when TAM was forced to revise its data on traffic collisions around the interchange, which Furst exposed as being flawed at a meeting in February.

In the aftermath of the data mishap, the Corte Madera Town Council approved a resolution that stated it does not consent to the closure of Nellen Avenue, a key component of what had been proposed. The language of the resolution suggested the Town Council would be open to exploring alternate project designs with Caltrans.

Whitney said the working group is designed to get a wide range of community input not just on the proposed project but on the larger problems it sought to address.

“This group has been put together to focus on a balanced solution for the area,” project manager Bill Whitney said. “We want all the voices to be heard and our intent is to come into this with a fresh start.  We have a lot of history here and we’re very open to new ideas.”

At its June 24 meeting, the working group plans to recommend projects for additional analysis. The group is set to meet twice a month through the end of July, at which time TAM officials hope to receive a set of recommendations on how best to proceed, Whitney said.