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PRESS RELEASE. From San Mateo County Planning and Building on December 19th, 2024.
The County of San Mateo is pleased to share updates about the Moss Beach State Route 1 Congestion & Safety Improvements Project (also known as “Moss Beach Corridor Project”).
(Pages 16-18) 7.1 ~ No Build Alternative
7.2.1. ~ Build Alternative 1 – Roundabouts at Cypress and California Avenue and Signalat 16th Street; Option A – Raised Median
7.2.2 Build Alternative 1 – Roundabouts at Cypress and California Avenues and Signalat 16th Street; Option B – No Raised Median
7.2.3 Build Alternative 2 – Signalized Intersection (Single-Lane Cypress Avenue/
California Avenue/16th Street)
The County, San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA), and Caltrans completed the first phase of the Moss Beach Corridor Project, called “project initiation.” This results in a document, called the “Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS),” which is available on the project webpage under “Documents and Meeting Materials.” Comments received during outreach are included in Attachment S of the PSR-PDS.
The project was allocated funding through the San Mateo County Transportation Authority’s Highway Program 2023 Call for Projects for the next phase, called “Project Approval and Environmental Document (PAED).” During this phase, the project team will perform preliminary design work and analyze the potential impacts of the Moss Beach Corridor Project on the environment. These studies are required by state and federal laws under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Subjects such as water quality, plants and animals, transportation, and more will be evaluated.
The project team anticipates holding a public meeting in fall 2025. In the interim, we will continue to keep the website up to date and send out quarterly updates through this email list. We look forward to engaging with you as the Moss Beach Corridor Project progresses.
Please visit the project webpage for more information and to subscribe to this email list: https://www.smcgov.org/planning/moss-beach-sr-1
From the San Mateo County Planning and Building web page:
Subscribe for Email Updates (scroll to bottom)
Moss Beach State Route 1 Congestion & Safety Improvements Project
Update
The County of San Mateo, San Mateo County Transportation Authority, and Caltrans completed the project initiation phase of the Project, resulting in a signed Project Study Report-Project Development Support Report on February 28, 2024. The report is under the “Document and Meeting Materials” section of the webpage below. The second phase of the project, Environmental Studies and Project Approval, began in June 2024, with the hiring of a consultant team by the Transportation Authority. The team is currently engaging in data collection and analysis, surveying, and mapping.
Project Overview
The County of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA), in cooperation with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), are initiating a project along State Route 1 (SR-1) in Moss Beach.
The goal of this project is to improve traffic flow and safety within the project area, which includes three major intersections: SR-1/16th Street, SR-1/California Avenue, and SR-1/Cypress Avenue. Improvements for the intersections and surrounding project area may include roundabouts, signals, dedicated turn lanes, high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian walkways, bus stop enhancements, and bike lanes.
To stay aligned with the vision of Connect the Coastside, the project aims to meet the needs of drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders, while preserving the character of the coastal community of Moss Beach.
The first phase of this project is “Project Initiation,” which was completed on February 28, 2024. The current phase of this project is “Environmental Studies and Project Approval.” Both phases are described further below in the “Project Development Phases” section.
Background
For more than a decade, the County of San Mateo has engaged in transportation planning along State Route 1 (SR-1) to identify transportation improvements that meet the unique and complex needs of the County’s midcoast.
In 2009, the County began an intensive community-based planning process along Highway 1 with the Highway 1 Safety and Mobility Improvement Study. The study engaged citizens in developing short- and long-term transportation improvements to better serve pedestrians and people traveling by car and bike in Miramar, El Granada, and Princeton (Phase 1) and in Moss Beach and Montara (Phase 2). The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted Phase 1 and Phase 2 in 2009 and 2012, respectively.
In 2012, the County received $1.5 million in countywide transportation funds to design and permit these congestion-reducing and safety-enhancing projects. The Highway 1 Congestion and Safety Improvement Project Preliminary Planning Study was completed in 2015, which further defined potential improvements.
In 2021, the TA Board of Directors approved a grant (see Item 11b) to support Project Initiation for the Moss Beach SR-1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project.
In 2022, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted Connect the Coastside, a plan that’s development identified additional potential improvements in the Moss Beach area to better accommodate future transportation needs.
In 2023, the TA Board of Directors approved a grant (see Item 14b on the December 7, 2023 meeting) to support the Project Approval and Environmental Studies phase of the Moss Beach SR-1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project.
Project Development Phases
The plans referenced in the Background section above set the vision and need for improvements in Moss Beach. However, to create a “buildable” project and make changes to highways operated by Caltrans, agencies must follow four project development phases. These phases, described below, will be implemented during the Moss Beach project. For additional details, view the publication How Caltrans Builds Projects. The timeline below describes the earliest possible development of the project, assuming available funding.
1. Project Initiation (Complete)
Project Initiation is the first formal project phase required by Caltrans to move forward with the Moss Beach Highway 1 recommendations identified in Connect the Coastside. During this phase, the project team will establish the purpose and need for the project, study challenges within the project area, identify possible solutions, and estimate the resources needed to complete improvements. Findings from the study are summarized in a Project Initiation Document (PID) and submitted to Caltrans for consideration. A Caltrans’ approved PID is required for any major work on the State Highway System and allows the project to be eligible for additional funding.
The Project Initiation phase began in September 2022 and concluded in February 2024. This phase was funded by the County of San Mateo and with Measure W funds from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.
2. Environmental Studies and Project Approval (Current Phase)
The second step is for the project team to perform preliminary design work and conduct environmental studies to analyze the effect and impact of the project alternatives. These studies are required by state and federal laws under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Potential impacts on a range of subjects such as water quality, plants and animals, and transportation are evaluated during this phase.
The studies result in an Environmental Document (ED) which forms the basis for selecting the preferred alternative. The Draft ED is circulated for public comment, after which it is finalized and approved.
The Environmental Studies and Project Approval phase began in summer 2024 and is expected to conclude in 2026. This phase is funded by the County of San Mateo and with Measure W funds from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.
3. Project Design and Right-of-Way
The third step is for the project team to prepare the detailed project design on the approved alternative. This phase is called Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E). Project information is reviewed and updated, an alternative is selected, and design and engineering reports are generated. Plans for any structures are also prepared. During this phase, any necessary permits and approvals are also coordinated such as a coastal development permit.
Final right-of-way requirements are determined and procurement is initiated during PS&E. At the completion of the PS&E phase, a complete set of project plans are provided to allow a contractor to bid and build the project.
4. Construction
The construction phase of the project entails building the improvements as shown on the plans. The contractor’s work is overseen by construction inspectors and a Caltrans engineer. Care is taken to protect existing resources and minimize impacts during construction.
Project Timeline
Upcoming Events
Please check back for additional events and join our project mailing list below for additional updates.
Documents and Meeting Materials
Technical Documents:
- Project Study Report-Project Development Support, February 28, 2024
Engagement Documents:
- Moss Beach SR-1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project Factsheet, November 2022 – English | Spanish | Multilingual
- Presentation and Community Open House, September 19, 2023
- Presentation
- Open House Exhibit
- Self-Guided Tour Instructions – English | Spanish
- Project Overview Board – English | Spanish
- Existing Conditions Board – English | Spanish
- Project Build Alternative Exhibits: The exhibits below show conceptual designs for the Project area.
- Project Build Alternative Features Board – English | Spanish
- Traffic Simulations: The video linked below uses a software program called VISSIM to simulate how Highway 1 would operate for vehicles in the year 2050 without any project improvements and with each of the project build alternatives being considered. Please review the “Project Build Alternative Exhibits” and reference the “Traffic Simulations Handout” while viewing.
- Simulations Video
- Simulations Handout – English | Spanish
- Noticing Materials
- Midcoast Community Council Meeting, November 30, 2022 – Presentation
Related Studies, Plans, and Policies:
- Highway 1 Safety and Mobility Improvement Study – Phase 1, 2009
- Highway 1 Safety and Mobility Improvement Study – Phase 2, 2012
- Highway 1 Congestion and Safety Improvement Project Preliminary Planning Study, 2015
- Connect the Coastside, San Mateo County Midcoast Comprehensive Transportation Management Plan, 2022
- Local Coastal Program, 2012
Project Initiation Phase Transportation Authority Grant:
- San Mateo County Board of Supervisor’s Project Support, November 2021
- Presentation to Midcoast Community Council on Moss Beach Project, September 2021
- Midcoast Community Council Letter of Support for Moss Beach Project
- Transportation Authority Board of Directors approval, December 2021
Project Approval and Environmental Studies Phase Transportation Authority Grant:
- San Mateo County Board of Supervisor’s Project Support, October 17, 2023
- Midcoast Community Council Letter of Support, August 23, 2023
- Transportation Authority Board of Directors approval, December 7, 2023 (Item 14.b.)
Contact Us
Chanda Singh, Senior Transportation Planner, County of San Mateo
Lilliana Price, Project Manager, San Mateo County Transportation Authority
Project Study Report-Project Development Support, February 28th, 2024
Moss Beach SR-1 Corridor Study History on Midcoast Community Council web site
More on the Moss Beach Hwy 1 Corridor Study on Coastside Buzz
San Mateo County Applies for $4M for the Connect the Coastside’s Moss Beach SR-1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Project Environmental Documents;
Due to CTC/Caltrans 10-15 Year Construction Planning Delay for Traffic Mitigation, Montara GM Demands that San Mateo County Start a 2nd Process to Reduce Speed Limits as Low Cost Solution for Immediate Safety;
San Mateo County Meets with Coastside Fire Protection District to Accommodate Fire Engines for the Two New Moss Beach Corridor Roundabouts;
San Mateo County Transportation Authority’s Moss Beach State Route 1 Congestion & Safety Improvements Project Offers 3 Alternatives for Lights, Roundabouts and Medians;
Midcoast Community Council (MCC) Summer 2022 Newsletter Summarizes ALL Midcoast Transportation Projects Including Project Timelines;
CalTrans Presentation on Hwy 1 Multi-Asset Roadway Rehabilitation of Pavement, Guard Rails, Bus Stops, Drainage and Cameras;
Connect the Coastside Moves Forward as San Mateo County Supervisors Approve $100k to Prepare the Midcoastside Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan;
MCC Approves Letter to Apply for $100k Grant to Begin the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Planning Process Cooperating with City HMB;
Midcoast Community Council and Connect the Coastside Transportation Study Session;
Roundabouts? 16th, Cypress, California…..Moss Beach, Montara and HWY 92/35?;
Moss Beach SR-1 Congestion and Safety Improvements Study Funded by the County Transportation Authority with $1,145,000 in Measure W Funds; Study Starts Spring 2022;
Crosswalk History in Moss Beach, Montara and Mirada;
2024 Election
The 2024 Board of Supervisors, from left: Ray Mueller (D3), Noelia Corzo (D2), Warren Slocum (D4, BOS President), David J. Canepa (D5, BOS Vice President) and Dave Pine (D1, outgoing BOS President).
Author: Coastside Buzz
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