After several years of planning, more funding for an infrastructure upgrade at the Highway 101 and Highway 84 interchange has been secured.
The intersection is heavily trafficked due to the nearby Port of Redwood City, which brings a high number of trucks and shipments traveling to and from the freight terminal. The ensuing congestion and safety concerns were the impetus for the project, which would increase the number of lanes on Woodside Road — three lanes in each direction, plus turn pockets — according to its website. It would also add more turn lanes at ramp intersections and at Blomquist Street, East Bayshore Road, Broadway and Bay Road.
During a Wednesday, June 26, meeting, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, a regional financing agency, approved about $28 million in funding for the effort — possibly increasing to $48 million in the future — getting the project one small step closer to the finish line, although it still faces a funding gap of at least $50 million.
The port mostly specializes in bulk cargo and construction materials, such as sand and cement, and it currently sees about 4 million metric tons in tonnage every year, including freight from both rail and shipping. That’s increased over the past several decades and even within the last few years, despite a recent slow-down in private sector construction.
“The interchange was built in the 1970s, and we didn’t have the freight operations that we do now, so this will be able to improve the safety of the intersection for everyone,” Kristine Zortman, executive director of the Port of Redwood City, said.
The area is also Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated, built to withstand a high-magnitude earthquake of up to 8.8. That means improving the efficiency of traffic flow is critical should a catastrophe occur, and it also signals to FEMA that the area is suitable for emergency needs and resource deployment, Zortman added.
“It gives FEMA another level of confidence that, by utilizing the port, the infrastructure is going to still be standing and be able to withstand an earthquake,” she said.
David Canepa, MTC commissioner and San Mateo County supervisor, said in a statement that he is glad the commission saw the importance of such upgrades.
“This is a shovel-ready project that will not only reduce congestion on Highway 101 but will also improve the operation of local streets, improve safety at train crossings and support the port’s continued growth,” he said.
Gina Papan, MTC commissioner and Millbrae councilmember, added she is “thrilled to be able to bring the project home.”
But expanding lanes presents other problems, most notably from an environmental lens. While the project would add more pedestrian and bicycle lanes, Mike Swire, member of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory Committee, said widening roads tends to backfire, as it “encourages more people to drive, increasing GHG emissions, childhood asthma and traffic violence in low income areas,” he said via email.
The total estimate for the project is approximately $300 million, according to the website.
Note to readers: The story was updated to indicate that the project still requires at least $50 million of funding.
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