San Rafael, CA – The finishing touches to landscaping have been completed on Civic Center Drive in San Rafael, marking the completion of the large-scale improvement project to the corridor. This is a major accomplishment for Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) and serendipitously concludes just in time for the 57th annual National Public Works Week, which runs May 21-27.
The Civic Center Drive Improvement Project, which includes a traffic roundabout, enhances safety and flow in the area just north of the Civic Center. The $6 million
Civic Center Drive Improvement Project, which began construction in July 2016, provides enhanced safety, multimodal connectivity and increased traffic flow from southeast of the Civic Center Drive and Peter Behr Drive intersection to north of the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) tracks at McInnis Parkway. The half mile corridor was redesigned, highlighted by a large, single-lane roundabout. The design maximizes seamless connectivity for all forms of motorized and nonmotorized transportation between the SMART station, Marin Center, the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Lagoon Park, the Civic Center and the potential site of a permanent farmers market.
The project incorporated a complete-streets approach, optimizing accessibility for all users, as well as focusing on sustainability by including technologies such as bio-retention areas for stormwater runoff. The project included aspects of the City of San Rafael’s promenade plan, utilizing separate bicycle and pedestrian paths to guide travelers safely between the Civic Center campus, Lagoon Park and the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
A project of this scope required multi-agency coordination, particularly between the County, the City of San Rafael and SMART, to execute the full vision. However, the project could not have succeeded without the patience and understanding of the residents and businesses located near the construction zone.
“We are very thankful to the community along the corridor who cooperated so well during the 10-month construction,” said Patrick Zuroske, DPW’s Capital Division Manager. “It’s energizing to see the public use and, hopefully, appreciate the product of all the hard work.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be on Tuesday, May 30, at 12:30 p.m. at the Civic Center Drive roundabout. Marin County District 1 Supervisor Damon Connolly and key project members will be in attendance.
The timing of this milestone project’s completion coincides with National Public Works Week. On May 16, the Marin County Board of Supervisors officially recognized DPW’s efforts and achievements with a formal resolution. The celebratory week of May 21-27, spearheaded by the American Public Works Association (APWA), is intended to increase public awareness and appreciation of the wide range of work that public works departments do for their communities. Marin County DPW has been a member of the APWA for 21 years.
“The work and passion that goes into every project here, no matter how big or small, is a commendable team effort that needs to be celebrated,” said Eric Steger, Assistant Director of DPW. “It is an honor that the Board of Supervisors is publically acknowledging National Public Works Week.”