Construction is set to kick off for the Bellam Boulevard US-101 and I-580 ramps improvement project in San Rafael, slated for tomorrow. This long-awaited project, managed by the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), aims to tackle the persistent traffic snarls by adding an extra lane to the northbound US-101 off-ramp and a dedicated right turn lane on Bellam Boulevard, according to a report by Marin County Government. With a budget of $8.1 million, the upgrades are designed to smooth out traffic flows, especially during peak hours, and are expected to be wrapped up come winter.
Starting tomorrow, commuters should brace for some disruptions. Despite the K-rail barriers, which are expected to cause no lane reductions, traffic delays might still happen as work gets underway behind them. The transportation bodies are planning only nighttime closures for the ramps, giving the daytime traffic a pass. However, the first series of closures from tomorrow through Friday will lead to some detours, specifically between midnight and 5 AM.
The project is conducted on state highway property and is a collaborative effort between TAM, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the County of Marin Department of Public Works. Caltrans owns and operates the state highway property, while TAM has developed the funds and designs for the project. Furthermore, local commuters can look forward to better traffic management on Bellam Boulevard’s separation of left-turning from right-turning and straight across traffic onto the eastbound I-580 on-ramp.
