The completion of the Oyster Point Interchange in 2005 was a milestone for the TA. Planning for the project dates back to the 1980s when South San Francisco began to see the need for improved access to the businesses east of Highway 101. The complex project was built in three phases.

Phase I of the project, which was begun in 1993 and completed in 1995, involved rebuilding the freeway interchange to alleviate traffic congestion. Work included:

• Construction of a new overpass on Highway 101
• Modification to the on- and off-ramps
• Addition of northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes on Highway 101 between East Grand Avenue and Sierra Point Boulevard
• Removal of an existing pedestrian overpass

Phase II involved building a flyover to improve traffic flow and was completed in 2004.

Phase III required replacing outdated scissor ramps with more efficient hook ramps. The new ramps provide a southbound off/on connection to Highway 101 from Bayshore Boulevard, which connects to Brisbane and South San Francisco. Extensive utility relocation required for this phase was the most time consuming and expensive portion of the project.

At a total cost of $87.5 million the Oyster Point Boulevard project, in its three-phases, is one of the Transportation Authority’s largest highway projects. However, this includes $35.5 million for grade separations, which is another project category. Measure A contributed $37.5 million with the remainder coming from the state and the city of South San Francisco.

05.13.2008 - crd