Third Street Improvement Project

About the Project

The City of San Rafael has begun the extensive 18-month Third Street Improvement Project to upgrade safety, infrastructure, and traffic needs of one of its most vital thoroughfares. Third Street is a critical component of San Rafael’s transportation network that serves tens of thousands of residents on a daily basis as they travel to work, school, recreation, and retail destinations. The City of San Rafael received an allocation from the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) through the Measure A program to rehabilitate Third Street in an effort to dramatically improve traffic flow and improve bicycle & pedestrian safety. The City also partnered with the San Rafael Sanitation District (SRSD) and Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) to address utility needs that will be required to support the San Rafael's infrastructure.

The City completed a feasibility study for the Third Street corridor and based on funding, the City split the Third Street Improvement Project into two parts:

The Third Street Rehabilitation project is funded through TAM Measure A/AA funds, state funded through Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program State Bill 1 (SB 1), and City funds. The limits of the intersection work for the Rehabilitation Project are from Brooks Street to just east of Fourth Street. In addition, the water and sewer replacement and the pavement rehabilitation are within the entire limits of both the projects (see "Project Limits" section below).

The Third Street Safety project is federally funded through Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), locally through Traffic mitigation and gas tax funds. The limits of the Safety Project are from Grand Avenue to Lindaro Street.

This work will improve a number of transportation needs that include a bicycle facility on Second Street, improved traffic lights, replacement of aging infrastructure, enhancement of pedestrian crossings, and pavement rehabilitation. While this work will be an inconvenience for the short term, this necessary rehabilitation will dramatically improve the quality of life for the community when completed.

Construction Impacts

During the 18-month rehabilitation project there will major impacts to some streets and businesses. The City asks that you are patient during this work and to know that your quality of life will be improved once the project is complete. These impacts will include:

Lane and street closures
Overnight street and truck noise
Traffic detours
Sidewalk closures
Daytime flag operators
Bike detours
Street and block access
Drive-way closures
Tree removal

Construction Schedule

Monday through Friday: 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

History

The City of San Rafael received an allocation from the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) through the Measure A program to rehabilitate Third Street. The City completed a feasibility study for the corridor and based on funding, the City split the Third Street Project into two projects:

The Third Street Rehabilitation projectis funded through TAM Measure A/AA funds and state funded through Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program State Bill 1 (SB 1). The limits of the intersection work for the Rehabilitation Project are from Lindaro Street to just east of the Fourth Street intersection. In addition, the water and sewer replacement and the pavement rehabilitation are within the entire limits of both the projects.
The Third Street Safety projectis federally funded through Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), locally through Traffic mitigation and gas tax funds. The limits of the Safety Project are from Grand Avenue to Lindaro Street.

Project Goals

The desperately needed work will not only improve the core utility infrastructure, it will also improve traffic, bicycle and pedestrian access. The project will:

Reduce traffic congestion throughout the downtown corridor
Improve safety for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians
Rehabilitate pavement, fix uneven sidewalks, and upgrade curb ramps for accessibility
Upgrade the traffic signal infrastructure
Replace major water lines for both Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) and the and San Rafael Sanitation District (SRSD)'s aging infrastructure

Budget

Planning/Design	$1,800,000 (Grant funded)
Construction	$20,000,000 (Total with other Agencies Portions of Project, $12,500,000 Grant Funded)

Timeline

Base Mapping & Preliminary Design	Winter 2020 – Summer 2020
Design and Environmental	Summer 2020 – Fall 2021
Construction Bidding & Award	Fall 2021 – Winter 2021
Construction	Winter 2021 – Fall 2023

Will existing parallel on-street parking along the south side of 2nd Street be affected and/or eliminated?

The city has worked with residents along Second Street and the bicycle community to revise the original concept plan to utilize the entire right-of-way and reduce widths to provide parking. There will still be a net loss of 1-4 stalls between West Street and Shaver Street.

Will the new bike facility extend to the West End?

The city has created an interim plan to extend the bicycle facility.

Will the left turn pocket on Third Street going onto Lindaro be removed?

No. The Safety Project will narrow vehicle lane widths on Third Street to maintain the existing left turn pocket from westbound Third Street onto southbound Lindaro Street, while still reducing the crossing distance for pedestrians.

What improvements will be done at the parking lot adjacent to Walgreens at Lindaro Street and Lootens Place?

The Safety Project will convert the driveway on Third Street to Exit Only southbound to help improve safety for pedestrians and remove the backup from cars turning right into a narrow driveway.

How will traffic be impacted during construction?

Construction hours and temporary lane closures times are still be accessed. However both day and night work are anticipated.

What will happen with street trees as part of the project?

See “Third Street Rehabilitation Information on Street Trees“

Will there be a change in the number of vehicles lanes?

For the majority of the project, no. However on Second Street between Hayes and Shaver Street there will be a minor change. Today 2^nd Street eastbound shifts from 2 lanes to 3 lanes at Hayes Street. The project will move this addition of a 3^rd lane one block to the east. Now 2^nd Street will gain a 3^rd lane at Shaver Street. See “Second Street Lane Adjustment”

Will sidewalks be replaced along the project limits?

Sidewalk replacement is limited to work around intersections and locations where elevations need to be modified to meet one of the project goals. In addition, the city has hired Precision Concrete Cutting has repaired tripping hazards where possible by using a cutting method to create ADA compliant slopes.

Why is the City installing a Class IV protected cycle track + sidewalk versus a Class I multi-use path all the way through?

The City has chosen to install a separate 5-6 foot wide sidewalk and 8 foot Class IV protected cycle track between Shaver Street and West Street in order to increase the useable area for the public. A Class I multi-use path along a roadway has larger buffer requirements. The City would have to install a larger retaining wall to just create the 10 foot minimum paved area. Within the same available space, the separate facilities provide a 14 to 15 foot useable paved surface for both modes (bicyclists and pedestrians), where the Class I multi-use would only provide 10 to 11.5 foot paved area. See “Class IV and Class I Comparison“

Third Street Improvement Project

Project Contact

Project updates

City of San Rafael Completes Major Third Street Improvement Project