News Release —
Board Slated to Hear Summary of Safety-Related Public Works Projects

UPDATE 12/16: The Board approved the Vision Zero Action Plan, Bay Trail Gap Closure, and the quick build projects.

Marin County, CA – Three significant public works projects tied to improving transportation safety will receive previews before the Marin County Board of Supervisors on December 16.

During the Board’s final meeting of the calendar year, staff from the County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will summarize efforts to support equitable, accessible, and safe mobility options for unincorporated Marin County residents and visitors. It’s an informational item for the Supervisors and the public; DPW does not require any Board actions on the three items.

Vision Zero Action Plan

By adopting the Local Road Safety Plan in 2024, Marin County has aligned itself with the international Vision Zero movement and committed to the ambitious transportation safety goal of eliminating injuries on County roadways through a data-driven approach and investment in safety-related infrastructure. The next step in this process is developing a more in-depth plan called a Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP). 

The VZAP will weigh and prioritize safety projects to respond efficiently and effectively to existing and newly identified roadway safety needs with an emphasis on vulnerable roadway users, fatal and serious injuries, and equity. A VZAP website will be launched in December that will enable residents to participate in a survey on safety concerns. The goal is to collect public input and share information, keeping the project transparent and responsive.

Bay Trail Gap Closure

Passed in 1987, California Senate Bill (SB) 100 mandated the creation of the San Francisco Bay Trail, a 500-mile, multi-use trail system encircling San Francisco and San Pablo bays. SB 100 also required transportation planning to facilitate connections between parks, transit, and environmentally sensitive areas. 

One of the priority gaps in the Bay Trail Network is along East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard between Larkspur and San Rafael, along the bay waterfront near San Quentin State Prison and close to the Larkspur Ferry and Larkspur Landing shopping area. Currently, bicyclists and pedestrians use the busy road’s shoulder to connect with existing Class 1 pathways at either end. 

Ideally, the planned East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard section of the Bay Trail will provide in the future a continuous, separated path between the Highway 580 flyover near Andersen Drive to the east and Remillard Park in the Larkspur Landing area to the west. 

A technical advisory committee has been launched for the project, and community input will be gathered through public meetings beginning in January 2026. DPW and stakeholder agencies are coordinating to ensure that this proposed project is feasible by engaging in design and environmental reviews to make the project “shovel ready” for funding opportunities. The project will also share information via a project webpage that will launch in January 2026. 

Quick Build Projects

The County recently applied for and was awarded $200,000 in funding from the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) for three quick build projects that were identified through a review of existing plans, requests, previous engagements, and ongoing efforts such as the Safe Routes to School program. 

Whereas most traditional infrastructure projects require extensive studies, environmental documents, and a lot of construction time, quick build projects are adjustable, traffic safety improvements that can be installed relatively quickly and inexpensively using readily available materials such as paint, traffic cones, barriers, and signage.    

In 2026, DPW plans to work on quick build projects at the following locations:

• East Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from the west gate of San Quentin to Remillard Park in Larkspur (safety improvements undertaken in parallel with the longer, aforementioned Bay Trail gap closure project);
• Intersection of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street in Marin City plus westbound Donahue Street at Termers Drive; and
• Manor Road from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Los Cerros Drive near Anthony G Bacich Elementary School in Kentfield. 

The quick build funding will become available in early 2026. Community engagement will inform the final design and implementation of these improvements.

Learn more about DPW projects on the County website.

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For disability accommodations, please phone (415) 473-6530 (voice), CA Relay 711, or e-mail Sahar Shirazi at least five business days in advance of the event. The County will do its best to fulfill requests received with less than five business days’ notice. Copies of documents are available in alternative formats, upon request.