Caltrans plans closure for San Rafael traffic roundabout

Caltrans is preparing for a full closure of a busy San Rafael intersection as part of a roundabout project that is about a year behind schedule.

Initially described as a six-month construction job to be completed last year, the project next to Highway 101 is now expected to conclude in the fall.

Starting Thursday , the intersection of Civic Center Drive at Redwood Highway will be closed 24 hours a day through at least June, Caltrans said. The intersection is on the east side of Highway 101, where the northbound offramp intersects with Manuel T. Freitas Parkway.

“The project was originally scheduled to finish in 2025, however, a utility conflict is the primary factor contributing to delays in the timeline,” said Matt O’Donnell, a spokesperson for the state agency.

The utility relocation for the project is also the reason for the upcoming road closure, he said.

The closure involves relocating gas and electrical lines owned by Pacific Gas & Electric Co., as well as fiber optic cable that conflicts with the configuration of the new road, O’Donnell said. The utilities will be in the same area, but placed at a greater depth underground.

O’Donnell said the project team also adjusted the construction schedule to accommodate a city request to revise traffic control and closures during Fourth of July celebrations, including the Marin County Fair.

The project, originally planned to relocate an unsafe bus stop and make accessibility improvements for transit riders, now has the roundabout as the centerpiece feature. The northbound bus stop is dangerous because it requires transit riders to cross freeway-bound traffic.

Caltrans will relocate the bus stop to Redwood Highway, which runs parallel to the freeway. Buses exiting the freeway will go through the roundabout to reach the stop, then get right back onto the freeway after picking up passengers.

The project also includes a bidirectional path from Civic Center Drive to Redwood Highway. A retaining wall at the corner of Redwood Highway will be extended to accommodate it.

On the west side of the freeway, the southbound bus stop will remain between the southbound onramp and offramp. Stairs to Freitas Parkway will be removed, and an accessible path will be added. A refuge median will be added to the Freitas Parkway crosswalk.

All curbs and sidewalks in the project areas will be upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards.

Construction will be divided into seven phases. The bulk of the work will happen during phase 3 of the project, right after the utility relocation is completed.

During the full closure, detour routes will be in place to bypass the construction.

“The project improves safety by enhancing traffic operations,” O’Donnell said.

The project has a $8.4 million state grant. Construction alone is estimated at $7.5 million. The total investment, including engineering and right-of-way acquisition, is expected to be $11.5 million, O’Donnell said.

“The Freitas Parkway improvements are an important investment in safety and long-term mobility for Terra Linda and all of San Rafael,” Mayor Kate Colin said.

“This is a complicated and often confusing intersection, and the new roundabout will help vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians move through the area more smoothly and predictably,” Colin said. “While delays are never ideal, these infrastructure projects require coordination and careful execution. I appreciate the community’s patience as this work moves forward and am grateful to Caltrans for investing in improvements that will serve our residents for decades to come.”