A highway project is being moved back to ensure the project has alternatives that don’t involve acquiring property from San Mateo residents or the city.
The project, which would add a connecting lane between State Route 92 and Highway 101, has been a discussion topic for years, with transit agencies such as the San Mateo County Transportation Authority stating it could reduce congestion and improve safety by using a new ramp connector to get from one freeway to another. The lane would be similar to the current Highway 101 express lanes, which employ a demand pricing model, though high-occupancy vehicles would be exempt or receive a discount.
The agency originally planned for the draft environmental report to be circulated some time this year but have since pushed that back to at least spring 2027.
Jessica Manzi, director of project delivery at the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, said there were a number of factors involved in the delay, one of which included ensuring that the project wouldn’t necessitate the acquisition of residents’ property via eminent domain.
“We wanted to confirm that the project wouldn’t be affecting any parks or homes next to the freeway,” Manzi said. “That was a major concern for residents, so we wanted to make sure we were doing our due diligence ... we did a lot more in this phase and a little earlier than we would have normally.”
The prospect of acquiring such property garnered pushback last year, as the project 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.
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Last April, the San Mateo City Council penned a letter to various agencies and representatives — including the San Mateo County Transportation Authority and Caltrans — asking them to “seriously reconsider” the currently proposed project, noting particular concern with eminent domain, equity impacts from toll lanes, environmental effects and the lack of communication with residents.
The TA has since verified that the current proposal options wouldn’t take any homes or parks, but could involve taking portions of city property.
“There is land behind the back fences of some houses and the existing soundwall that’s currently a storm drain ditch, and we do expect to need some of that space,” Manzi said.
Manzi said the delay is also a result of adding a third option to the proposal, an eastbound lane, which would not require any additional property. 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.
“We felt like it was a good idea to include [the eastbound lane option], and also the benefit of that alternative is that it doesn’t require additional right-of-way to build it,” she said.
The project is in the early stages, and funding for the design and construction phases have yet to be secured, Manzi said. Construction could start as early as 2030 if financial gaps are filled and technical studies are quickly approved.
The Grand Jury of Santa Clara and San Mateo County turned down the idea of a Dumbarton Railroad because it would mostly benefit residents from other counties. Basically this county would pay, Alameda and Contra Costa would benefit.
If they were right back then, then this project is even worse. It's more expensive, more destructive, and mainly benefits residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. And even worse, this is about getting rich drivers coming from these counties along 92 faster onto the HOT lanes along 101. We all pay so people with sports car have quicker access to Lexus Lanes.
This is a rich-people project to bring more noise and air pollution to the cities of San Mateo and Foster City. Jessica Manzi did not care much for residents in Equity Priority Areas while in Redwood City, she certainly doesn't care for them with this project. She is a car-people all the way.
That is why in end they will eminent domain parts of San Mateo County. Buyers be ware.
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The Grand Jury of Santa Clara and San Mateo County turned down the idea of a Dumbarton Railroad because it would mostly benefit residents from other counties. Basically this county would pay, Alameda and Contra Costa would benefit.
If they were right back then, then this project is even worse. It's more expensive, more destructive, and mainly benefits residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. And even worse, this is about getting rich drivers coming from these counties along 92 faster onto the HOT lanes along 101. We all pay so people with sports car have quicker access to Lexus Lanes.
This is a rich-people project to bring more noise and air pollution to the cities of San Mateo and Foster City. Jessica Manzi did not care much for residents in Equity Priority Areas while in Redwood City, she certainly doesn't care for them with this project. She is a car-people all the way.
That is why in end they will eminent domain parts of San Mateo County. Buyers be ware.
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Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.