San Rafael, CA – Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is Marin County’s most traveled corridor to and from West Marin, bearing both commuter traffic and visitors to numerous parks and beaches. Since 2013, Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) has completed four rehabilitation projects along 10 miles of the roadway from Platform Bridge Road to White’s Hill. The fifth and final section of the corridor will receive fresh pavement and improvements beginning in July.
A two-mile stretch of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, including this spot in front of Lagunitas Groceries & Deli, will be resurfaced this summer. This summer’s project will address a two-mile stretch of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard between Samuel P. Taylor State Park and Nicasio Valley Road. A wide range of improvements will be made at an estimated cost of $2.2 million. The project will be funded with $1.5 million from the County’s Road and Bridge Rehabilitation budget and $702,000 from the County’s Measure A sales tax allocation.
The corridor’s pavement, which is showing pervasive signs of deterioration, will be resurfaced. Minor drainage improvements, new traffic striping, updated guard rails and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists will be implemented. The roadway’s shoulders will be widened where possible to provide consistent shoulder widths for cyclists, and three existing crosswalks will be brought up to accessibility standards. Additionally, a new crossing will be created at Lagunitas School Road in San Geronimo to provide improved student access to the school campus.
On June 20, the Marin County Board of Supervisors awarded the construction contract to Ghilotti Brothers, Inc. of San Rafael. Work is expected to start in mid-July and be completed in October. During construction, travelers might experience some delays, such as single-lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic flow. All efforts will be made to minimize traffic disturbances.
“The rehabilitation of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, which began with the stretch through Samuel P. Taylor State Park, has been a long process,” said Marin County District 4 Supervisor Dennis Rodoni, who represents West Marin. “We are looking forward to this successful conclusion and expect the improvements to serve Marin well for many years.”