Traffic & Transit
Marin County Speeds Plan To Rehab Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
The Marin County Department of Public Works is accelerating plans to rehabilitate 2.2 miles of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Marin County Department of Public Works is accelerating plans to rehabilitate 2.2 miles of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard between U.S. Highway 101 and Ross' southern town limit.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday is expected to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder. The original cost estimate was $21.3 million, but the cost is now expected to be around $18 million due to the relatively low price of oil and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction and material industries over the past few months, according to the Department of Public Works.
The Transportation Authority of Marin allocated $14.5 million for the project from its Major Roads Project Fund comprised by revenue from the Measure A transportation sales tax that voters passed in 2004.
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The Department of Public Works started initial planning of the project in 2014. The project is expected to take 18 months, and the construction will take advantage of lighter than normal traffic conditions that have existed during the coronavirus pandemic.
The project was bid as nighttime work to minimize disruptions to peak traffic flow, but if light traffic permits there also will be daytime work to reduce nighttime noise in neighborhoods, the Department of Public Works said.
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The project involves paving, pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements, striping, intersection and signal improvements and new street lighting.
Work is expected to start in June with the replacement of the Marin Municipal Water District pipeline that was installed in 1920.
Updates on the project will be available at www.upgradethedrake.com. The county is holding a virtual open house on the project 5-6:30 p.m. May 26.
"We've understood from the start that conducting such a project on one of Marin's busiest roadways was going to disrupt the normal routine," Board of Supervisors President Katie Rice said.
"Patience will be required as we allow the crews to get this work done. We hope everybody keeps in mind how much better and safer this area will be once this project is completed," Rice said.
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