Corte Madera approves $3M for Tamalpais Drive overpass upgrade

Corte Madera has committed $3 million to help shrink the funding gap for a Highway 101 overcrossing project that would include a multiuse path.

The pledge is the Town Council’s latest move to show Caltrans, which is the lead agency on the project, that it is all in on an estimated $28 million upgrade for the Tamalpais Drive overpass, officials said.

“This is putting our best foot forward to really prove to other stakeholders that we truly believe in this project,” Mayor Charles Lee said.

The Tamalpais Drive overpass is a 1950s-era bridge that falls under Caltrans’ jurisdiction. The east-west connection links the community to two shopping malls, schools and more.

More than 24,000 cars use the overpass daily, according to the town’s general plan. Talks on upgrading the crossing go back to 2002, according to the town.

This past summer, Caltrans came to the town with a $16 million budget and a plan to execute what is called project “alternative 2b.” It was one of six project alternatives studied in an environmental analysis, and it was the most affordable option that achieved the main objective of the project: to make pedestrian accessibility upgrades as well as seismic improvements.

While that plan does include a class II bike lane, which is a painted lane on the road, it does not offer a multiuse path that is separated from traffic.

The multiuse path has been a key feature desired by many residents for years. That led to the Town Council formally requesting that Caltrans delay the project so that they could work together to find funding for alternative 4b, the desired project, and also the most expensive option.

Caltrans agreed, and, with the town, applied for a $13.28 million federal Bridge Improvement Program grant. That application is pending.

“They’ve heard the community, they’ve heard our committees, and they’ve heard staff that this is the direction that we’d like to see that go,” Town Manager Adam Wolff said.

Caltrans is going to reapply in the 2023 grant cycle, but the agency requested that the council approve a commitment letter to be shipped off with its application, Wolff said.

On Tuesday, the council approved spending up to $2.5 million toward total project cost and up to $500,000 for supplemental amenities, such as landscaping, lighting and other aesthetic features.

The town will be drawing $600,000 from its unallocated funds in the fiscal year 2022-23 budget and $2.4 million from the town’s sales tax fund in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Caltrans said payments would need to be made by June 2024 for the project to stay on schedule.

With the town’s contribution, about $9 million remains unfunded.

Councilmember Fred Casissa asked what happens if the project is not awarded the grant funding.

Wolff said if the application is unsuccessful, staff and Caltrans would regroup and reengage with the community to find the next best alternative. The project would be pushed about a year.

“Caltrans has agreed to really move through this sequentially, and basically, let’s give the best effort to try get 4b,” Wolff said.

Warren Wells, policy and advocacy director of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, said the nonprofit backs the council’s decision.

“Alternative 4b represents the only crossing of U.S. 101 that’s useable by pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities,” Wells said. “We’ll continue to do whatever is in our power to support the construction of the safest possible overcrossing.”

Councilmember Pat Ravasio, who has been a longtime advocate for the multiuse path, said the project fulfills goals for climate, public safety, connectivity, town branding and more.

“Not only does it do all these things, but it invests in the most important revenue-generating source in this town, which is the activities that go on in our two shopping malls,” Ravasio said.

The council was supportive overall.

“I am happy to see that it appears that we’ve got it sort of working from a lot of different angels,” Councilmember Rosa Thomas said. “The public has been very clear about what they want, and so it’s great that we’re making the effort to move forward and see if we can make it happen.”