This is the fourth phase of a project to improve traffic congestion on Highway 101 in San Mateo County. Traffic studies indicate that the highway is uniquely suited to auxiliary lanes. Auxiliary lanes provide a merging area for vehicles to enter and exit the freeway, allowing the traffic to move more efficiently which reduces congestion and improves safety.

The Highway 101 auxiliary lane project was identified as a congestion relief project in the original Measure A initiative. Plans call for the lanes eventually to extend from county line to county line for a total length of 26 miles.

In this phase, 4.5 miles of auxiliary lanes will be added from Millbrae Avenue in Millbrae to Third Avenue in San Mateo.

In addition to reducing congestion on the highway, the project also will improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians. The Peninsula Avenue overpass will be widened from two lanes to four lanes. The entrances and exits to northbound U.S. Highway 101 will be reconfigured. The sidewalks, which are now narrow and hazardous, will be widened, improving pedestrian access to the Coyote Point Recreational Area.

In addition, the Monte Diablo pedestrian overpass will be rebuilt and a new pedestrian overpass will be built just south of the Broadway Interchange.

The drainage system that runs under the freeway will be upgraded. All of the ramps will be improved and metering lights will be added. An extensive public outreach process has identified those areas that would benefit from sound walls.

Although the Peninsula Avenue overpass will be completely reconstructed, it will be done in stages so as to impact traffic as little as possible.

The contractors are DeSilva Gates Construction of Dublin and R&L Brosamer, Inc. of Walnut Creek.

The $150 million project is jointly funded by the Transportation Authority, which is contributing $80 million, and Caltrans. Caltrans is contributing $70 million.

The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2010.

05.13.2008 - crd