News Rice to Andersen Pathway Opens
Following years of persistent advocacy and collaboration with Marin agencies, Marin County Bicycle Coalition was delighted to take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 16 for the newest linkage in our North-South Greenway: a pathway from Rice Drive to Andersen Drive in San Rafael!
A large crowd of elected officials, agency staff, and MCBC supporters were on hand to christen the half-mile pathway, which opened to the public the same day.
“As of today, we are closer to being able to walk and ride, without the danger of cars and heavy industrial traffic, from downtown San Rafael to the Larkspur Ferry Terminal,” said Tarrell Kullaway, MCBC’s Executive Director.
The completion represents a major victory for MCBC that has been in the works for the last four years. The issue rose to prominence in 2015, when it became clear that SMART did not plan to build a pathway parallel to its Larkspur rail extension. In a last-ditch meeting brokered by US Congressman Jared Huffman, SMART, MCBC, and Transportation Alternatives for Marin signed a legal agreement in which SMART agreed to allow the pathway to be constructed within its right-of-way, if feasible.
The County of Marin quickly moved forward with a feasibility study that proved the pathway would fit within the right-of-way, and the City of San Rafael was tasked with securing funding, environmental clearance, permitting, and designs – all before SMART was too far along with construction of Larkspur rail extension.
“In today’s Marin, the needs of people on foot and bike must be considered a vital part of any transportation infrastructure project,” said Kullaway. “But It’s going to take all of us speaking up, reminding our representatives that we demand safe streets and pathways.”
“In a time when we’re striving to provide equitable mobility options, improve our communities’ happiness and health, and of course, fight the climate crisis, we need more projects like this one.”
acknowledgements
“I understand that getting to today’s ribbon cutting was far from easy. The completion of this section of pathway is a true testament to what we can accomplish when advocates, agencies, and elected officials work together,” said Kullaway. She went on thank several agencies, organizations, and individuals for their important contributions to this project:
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City of San Rafael
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County of Marin
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Transportation Authority of Marin
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Metropolitan Transportation Commission
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Jared Huffman, US Congressman
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Steve Kinsey, Former County Supervisor
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Mayor Gary Phillips & San Rafael’s City Councilmembers
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Patrick Seidler, Transportation Alternatives for Marin
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Jim Elias, Former MCBC Executive Director
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Alisha Oloughlin, Former MCBC Policy & Planning Director
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Eric Miller, Former MCBC Board Director
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Vince O’Brien, MCBC Supporter
NEXT UP: RICE DRIVE TO 2ND ST.
The project was endangered in 2018 amid concerns about rising cost estimates due in large part to poor soil conditions. As a result, the City of San Rafael had to split the project into two phases and prioritize the stretch between Rice Drive and Andersen Drive due to proximity to the rail line–and thus, SMART’s active construction site.
The northern half of the project, between Rice Drive and 2nd Street, will feature a similar design and run alongside the newly-reconstructed Francisco Boulevard West. MCBC and the City of San Rafael were successful in securing $1.2m from a state grant toward the project, but an additional $1-2m is needed. San Rafael hopes to begin construction sometime in 2020.
2ND TO ANDERSON PATHWAY TIMELINE
November 2015: SMART, MCBC, and Transportation Alternatives for Marin sign a legal agreement in response to dispute over pathway’s feasibility. In the agreement, SMART agrees to allow the pathway to be constructed within its right-of-way, if feasible, and $1m in funding is committed to the project by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
July 2016: County’s feasibility study finds that there is room for the pathway within and adjacent to SMART’s right-of-way.
September 2016: In response to MCBC’s push for additional funds, the TAM Board of Commissioners approves $250,000 for the project to help pay for environmental review and design.
March 2017: MCBC writes letter to San Rafael City Council asking for regular public updates addressing the extent to which the City of San Rafael, its consultants, and SMART are working together to ensure compatibility between rail, road, and pathway design and construction.
July 2017: SMART breaks ground on Larkspur rail extension.
December 2018: San Rafael City Council accepts the environmental document (Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration).
February 2018: $2.95m in Regional Measure 2 funding is transferred from the North-South Greenway Gap Closure Project Southern Segment–which is far from shovel-ready–in order to help fund the project; the City of San Rafael and County of Marin pledge to cover the estimated $490k funding shortfall.
March 2018: MCBC supports successful application for $250k from Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
April 2018: MCBC supports successful application for $1.2m from California Natural Resources Agency.
June 2018: 1) City of San Rafael elects to split the project into two phases–focusing first on the stretch between Rice and Andersen due to proximity to the rail line–to account for rising construction costs and funding shortfall. 2) SMART Board of Directors authorizes pathway to be built within SMART’s right-of-way and adds the pathway to the Larkspur rail extension construction package.
July 2019: Pathway opens between Rice Drive and Andersen Drive.
