San Mateo weighs in on 101/92 connector project: Controversial project won’t take homes but concerns remain over congestion claims

The prospect of acquiring such property garnered pushback to the project last year, as it originally involved acquiring more than 30 parcels of private property via eminent domain, which stipulates that owners may have to sell their land under certain circumstances, provided it will be used for public use.

Now, none of the options involve taking homes or parks, however, two of the options could involve taking portions of the existing utility easement — the area between property owner’s rear fences and the freeway sound wall — and portions of two residential yards along Norton Street, said Carolyn Mamaradlo, senior project engineer at the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, during the San Mateo City Council meeting May 4.

That’s part of the reason the completion of the current environmental and technical review phase has been delayed until 2027, as transit officials worked to develop another option that didn’t involve acquiring any new property.

According to current plans, the first alternative would add a direct connection from westbound State Route 92 to both directions of the Highway 101 express lanes, which could mitigate morning congestion; a reversible lane that could serve both morning and evening demands; or a connection from the Highway 101 express lanes to eastbound State Route 92 to alleviate evening traffic. The last option would not require any additional property acquisition.

Some transit advocates have pushed back on the project, claiming it could incentivize more vehicle travel, while the agency has also been analyzing the impacts of cut-through traffic by those who try to avoid the often-congested 101/92 interchange by driving on side streets.

San Mateo resident Kevin Simpson said during public comment that the best way to improve congestion in that area is “to put transit on 92 across the Bay, and we’re not doing anything about that.”

The plan could also include updates to the Hillsdale ramps connecting Highway 101, aimed at reducing collisions and reducing cut-through traffic on Hillsdale Boulevard.

“With the extended auxiliary lane, people have more time to merge and weave safety, reducing the likelihood of crashes on 101,” Mamaradlo said.

Councilmembers were relieved the updated design would not require acquisition of homes, though Councilmember Rob Newsom echoed community concerns about whether “there is any proof that this is actually alleviating congestion rather than a pay-to-play model to get to the front of the line.”

Full funding for the design and construction phases have yet to be secured. Construction could start as early as 2030 if financial gaps are filled and technical studies are quickly approved.