Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – An exceptionally busy offramp from U.S. Highway 101 in San Rafael has been widened to improve vehicular flow off the highway and into the bustling Canal neighborhood.
On Wednesday morning, December 17, the County of Marin Department of Public Works completed the widening of the northbound U.S. 101 offramp to Bellam Boulevard and opened a new lane for vehicles making a right-turn onto Bellam.
With this major milestone achieved, construction activity will continue as crews complete the remaining elements of the overall project. These include the crosswalk across Bellam Boulevard at the bottom of the offramp, which will remain closed until the project is complete, as well as the connection with the adjacent intersection to the east at the northbound onramp. The project is expected to be fully completed within the next few months, weather permitting.
This project was sponsored by the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) with funding from the countywide voter-approved half-cent transportation sales tax. County Public Works provided construction management.
“Opening the new lane for the Bellam Boulevard offramp is a major milestone that will provide congestion relief and safety improvements to the corridor,” said Anne Richman, TAM Executive Director. “By reducing queuing on northbound U.S. 101 and improving turning movements, this project will provide lasting benefits for Marin County. We’re grateful to Caltrans, the City of San Rafael, and the County of Marin for their partnership in advancing this complex project, to the public for their patience and to Marin voters for their support of the local transportation sales tax.”
The new lane may result in changes to traffic patterns along Bellam and at nearby intersections. The County’s construction team is actively monitoring traffic conditions and coordinating closely with Caltrans and the City of San Rafael to address any impacts and make adjustments as needed.