City of Novato, CA
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Novato Blvd: 3-Lane Project (Click to view larger image)
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July 2024 Update: The City of Novato is eager to complete this highly anticipated project. As part of the very first phase of this project, PG&E will be undergrounding existing overhead electric wiring along portions of Novato Blvd. PG&E's portion of this project has been delayed due to high demands on PG&E staff and cost increases. At this time, the City and PG&E have charted a path forward and anticipate breaking ground later this year with a completion date for PG&E's work on this project in Summer 2025. We appreciate your patience as we work closely with PG&E during this phase of the project.
The Novato Boulevard Improvements Response to Comments document, responding to comments received on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Novato Boulevard Improvements Project is available for review. |
Project Overview
Novato Boulevard Improvements - Diablo to Grant (CIP 01-004)
Description
On June 12, 2018, Novato City Council approved a new 3-lane layout for the Novato Blvd. Improvements Project (CIP #01-004) between Diablo Ave. and Grant Ave. The conceptual design includes sidewalk and bicycle lanes in both directions, utility undergrounding, new traffic signals at Diablo Ave, Seventh St., and Grant Ave. among other improvements. The smaller project “footprint” should impacts to private properties, trees and creeks, but still improves traffic flow through the corridor during peak commute hours. The preliminary project cost is estimated between $10M-$15M with approximately $12M of Marin County Transportation Sales Tax Measure A funding programmed for construction in the year 2022-23.
The project includes improvements to Novato Boulevard between Grant Avenue and Diablo Avenue to provide two through travel lanes (one in each direction) and a center, two-way left-turn lane between Diablo Avenue and 7th Street-Tamalpais Avenue, a second northbound through-travel lane between Boulevard Terrace and 7th Street-Tamalpais Avenue, and three through-travel lanes (two northbound and one southbound) and a center, two-way left-turn lane between 7th Street-Tamalpais Avenue and Grant Avenue.
The project includes other improvements such as new and reconstructed sidewalks, new bike lanes, reconstructed driveways, landscaping and water quality enhancement areas. In addition to the proposed roadway improvements, the project would include upgrades to existing City utilities including storm drainage, signals and lighting. Acquisition of portions of land along Novato Boulevard would be necessary in order to construct the proposed project. Land acquisitions would be required on the frontage of five parcels, all of which would be between Cypress Avenue and Diablo Avenue.
The project will be completed after the completion of the PG&E Rule 20A project which will underground existing overhead electric wiring along portions of Novato Blvd. The Novato Blvd. improvements will be completed in conjunction with other public agency improvement projects, such as sanitary sewer and water lines.
The project Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was completed under the California Environmental Quality Act. As a part of this process, the EIR was uploaded to the California State Clearinghouse on October 5, 2021.
Location
Novato Boulevard between Diablo Avenue and Grant Avenue.
View project location on an interactive map >>
Benefit
Improvements are needed to enable the roadway and intersections to operate more efficiently and to enhance safety and usability for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.Schedule
The completion of project design and construction has been delayed due to the delay in the PG&E Rule 20A undergrounding project schedule. The PG&E project was delayed due to the high demands on PG&E staff resulting from several seasons of destructive wild fires and PG&Es ongoing efforts to improve and maintain fire safety. PG&E plans to being work on their project in early 2024. City staff is working closely with PG&E to coordinate the design of the two projects, and the City’s work will begin once PG&E work is completed. At this time, the completion date of the PG&E project is estimated to be Spring/Summer 2025.
Cost
The preliminary construction and right-of-way capital cost estimates range from $10-15 million for the three-lane project. There is approximately $12.5 million programmed for project capital expenditures.
Project Updates:
10/5/21: Draft EIR uploaded to the California State Clearinghouse website for review.
View Novato Boulevard Improvements Draft EIR
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, paper copies are available for review by pre-scheduled appointment only. If you’d like to make an appointment, or if you require additional assistance, please contact Elisa Sarlatte at esarlatte@novato.org.
6/12/18: City Council selected the three-lane layout as the preferred alternative and authorized staff to file a "Notice of Preparation" of Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act. City Council Presentation (June 12, 2018)
6/5/18: An update on the Novato Blvd Improvements Project will be given at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 12 at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Staff will be recommending that a new three-lane layout be selected as the preferred alternative for this project instead of the current five-lane layout. The three-lane layout includes one through-lane in each direction and a continuous center turn lane. The three-lane alternative would likely reduce costs and environmental impacts.
| Recommended 3-Lane Layout |
| Removes approximately 28 mature trees |
| Narrower “footprint” avoids Novato Creek |
| Acquires land from approximately 6 properties |
| No houses are demolished |
| Preliminary cost estimate: $10-15M |
Several public workshops and meetings regarding this project have been held over the past ten years. The three-lane layout was presented at the most recent public workshops in April 2018 and the overwhelming majority of workshop participants preferred the three-lane alternative.
Residents’ concerns regarding proposed turning restrictions at Los Alondras Court have been addressed in the recommended three-lane alternative. No restrictions are proposed for any side streets connecting to Novato Blvd.
Contact Information
Public Works Department
415.899.8246
pw@novato.org