San Mateo may secure time-limited grant funding for projects that could ease congestion and improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure along parts of Hillsdale Boulevard and Saratoga Drive, among other initiatives.
The efforts are part of the broader 101 Corridor Connect project, which is meant to connect various local, state and federal agencies on projects along the highway within about a 1-mile radius. While focused in San Mateo County, the effort is part of a larger regional project, spearheaded by Caltrans, that would make improvements along Highway 101 from Santa Clara County up to San Francisco, which include safety and infrastructure improvements, ranging from protected bike lanes to bus shelter improvements and potentially even 101 express lane updates.
San Mateo has been weighing its list of improvement projects in and around Highway 101 for some time, including a proposed connector lane between State Route 92 and 101, which would add a new ramp to allow drivers to move between the two freeways using a demand-pricing model similar to the existing express lanes. The city is also working on the 19th Avenue/Fashion Island Boulevard project, which will upgrade bike lane infrastructure and make turn lane and signal improvements.
During a recent April meeting, the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission discussed a unique funding opportunity administered by the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. Using Measure A funds, the agency is providing grants to eligible projects throughout the Peninsula, up to $750,000 per project or up to $1 million for those crossing jurisdictional lines with no local match required.
"We have these great plans, we have these priority projects under the program, and it's not something that we want to be sitting on a shelf," Sue Ellen Atkinson, manager of Planning and Fund Management at the TA, said during the commission meeting.
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The Hillsdale Boulevard project is ranked as a top priority and prime grant recipient, as it's in the early stages. The grant would help fund a study on how to relieve congestion and make safety improvements on the corridor from Edison Street to the eastern limit of the city. The project also has the aim for the construction of a bike and pedestrian overcrossing of Highway 101.
"I think that's very meaningful. It's a huge signal to cities that they should coordinate," Commissioner Kimi Narita said of the multi-jurisdictional grant incentive, adding that she hopes San Mateo could partner with Foster City on the Hillsdale overcrossing.
“All of this bike and pedestrian infrastructure transcends cities,” Narita said.
An effort to upgrade bike lanes on Saratoga Drive — from South Delaware Street to Franklin Parkway — could also be one of the mini-grant recipients given its high priority ranking. While the funds wouldn't cover the entirety of the project, Atkinson said it's meant to provide financing for each project's early stages. Cities have until July to submit their grant applications.
The discussion also touched on potential short- and long-term improvements on Delaware Street, especially at an intersection on State Street where a family was recently struck by a car while crossing the street. City staff said they plan to install striping and flashing beacons on the east-west crossing. Long term, staff said they will install additional striping and higher-visibility crosswalk markings.
These types of grants are creating much strain on neighbors. The time clock mechanism does not allow for adequate input and feedback. Where is the money to fix the light at El Camino and 17th?
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(2) comments
These types of grants are creating much strain on neighbors. The time clock mechanism does not allow for adequate input and feedback. Where is the money to fix the light at El Camino and 17th?
Yes to more safety improvements in crossing 101. We have been waiting 20+ years for the Hillsdale Pedestrian/bike bridge.
No to more expensive highways that increase cars, pollution, and congestion.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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