Work on 92/101 connector plan in San Mateo pushed to 2027

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. 

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.