The reports from the LWVBA observer about the Resilient Highway SR37 project are posted here as they become available. Please not that they are posted in reverse chronological order, most recent first.
June 2021
June 2021, including meetings in April and May
I have attended 4 presentations on the Resiliency SR37 project over the last 3 months. Resilient SR37 sponsored 3 meetings and the 4th presentation was at the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) Commission meeting.
All meetings included a next step project update from Stephen Galvez from Cal Trans on the Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) study.
The April 15th and May 26 public meetings were community listening sessions to gather information to add to the Purpose and Need (P&N) statement.
July is a big month for the project. The P&N will be finalized, evaluation criteria will be refined and project alternatives will be developed. This would be a good opportunity for LWVBA to reach out to our 4 North Bay Local Leagues for input and consideration for an LWVBA statement to all Local Leagues or letter to project managers.
Over the last year, project managers have identified existing studies on commuter usages by Napa Valley Transit Agency, and Design Alternative Analysis (DAA) by MTC. 8 meetings have been conducted for the public and dedicated stakeholder working team.
Meeting Highlights:
April 15: Highway SR 37 Town Hall hosted by Mike McGuire
Local/Regional agencies, Senators McGuire and Dodd listened to concerns about the corridor and the project. Questions included bike and pedestrian walkways; equity issues surrounding a toll road; environmental concerns, and project timeline. Local politicos were also in attendance.
May 26: Planning & Environmental Linkage (PEL) Study meeting
- Remarks were made by Sen. Dodd, Therese McMillan, Dina El Tawansy
- Corridor information and the PEL was explained,
- An interactive mapping tool was demonstrated.The public is invited to create different scenarios: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/d4-37-corridor-projects Send your findings to Drew Nichols <drew.nichols [at] scta.ca.gov>
- Project timeline, railway pros and cons, traffic effects on the SR 29 and interim projects timelines were discussed.
- 139 attendees submitted 50 questions. Questions ranged from environmental impact, to public transit and train service options. The comments will be included in the purpose and need statement.
June 3: Policy Committee Meeting
- Meeting findings from the May 26 PEL were reported. – see above
- Next steps include continued public input through the website, phone survey; public meetings;
- June 11th will be the next meeting with the Resource Development Agencies (RAP) to refine the purpose and need statement and alternative plans.
- A second large public meeting will be towards the end of 2021 year
- The final PEL report will be complete in Sept. 2022.
- Caltrans presented an update on regular corridor maintenance or the SHOPP program. All project are in the scoping phase, planned completion by 2024/25.
- Marin: resurfacing existing pavement; replace/upgrade existing concrete barriers, guardrails and planting vegetation, and preservation of historic Petaluma River bridge.
- Marin/Sonoma: addressing reoccurring flooding with interim improvements until mid-century.
- Sonoma County: Reconstruct the junction at Sears Pt (SR37 & 101) by adding a roundabout, extending and widening the second lane at the railroad crossing. All projects will be combined to streamline the EIR process.
- Solano County: Provide on/off ramp updates, and bike and ped safety measures coming into Vallejo.
Agenda Packet and PPT
https://scta.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SR37-Policy-Committee-Agenda-Packet-06.03.2021.pdf
Other:
Resilient by Design is a collaboration that uses community-based solution to reimages the Bay Area wetlands to include the northern-most part of San Pablo Bay. Our mini League Day, (2017) speaker, Fraser Schilling is involved with the collaborative.
There is a great 6-minute video on the website (mid-page) http://www.resilientbayarea.org
The premise of the Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge (RbD) was both simple and audacious. As flood risks increase due to intensified severe storms and sea level rise, organizers asked the question - can the Bay Area come together to shift its course and build a more resilient region before a big disaster hits, and can we address other regional challenges along the way?
