Roundabout project at Manuel T. Freitas Parkway/US-101 interchange

Project Overview

Caltrans is scheduled to start construction on a roundabout project at the Manuel T. Freitas Parkway/US-101 interchange in San Rafael in spring of 2025. Crews will start pre-construction the week of April 21. Work is not expected to affect the ramps or lanes on US-101.

Caltrans is working to relocate the bus stop at the northbound Freitas Parkway off-ramp to make it safer and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible.

As a part of the project, Caltrans is proposing to improve the intersection of Freitas Parkway, Civic Center Drive, and Old Redwood Highway by installing a roundabout. This change will improve traffic flow and make this busy intersection/off-ramp safer for vehicles and pedestrians.

The project is being coordinated with Golden Gate Transit (GGT) and the City of San Rafael for bus stop relocation/ improvements in the City’s Right of Way.

The project’s scope includes the reconstruction of curb ramps and sidewalks; removes stairs and bus stop access across loop ramps; relocates northbound bus stop to Redwood Highway; and constructs a roundabout at the Redwood Highway/Civic Center Drive intersection.

Project Schedule

The project is scheduled to conclude in the winter of 2025.

The project will be worked on in seven stages and is expected to last about 5 ½ months.

STAGE 1: This stage is scheduled to take about two months and will start in May 2025. Retaining walls will be built, a median will be removed, and a sidewalk will be constructed on the eastside of the project. Detour: Pedestrians on Civic Center will be detoured via Marydale Road. The Northbound lanes are scheduled to be reduced from two to one lane from Civic Center to US-101.

STAGE 2: This stage is scheduled to take about two or three days. There will be private driveway paving on the eastside. Detour: Driveway closed access through Scettrini Drive. This construction work will be done during a weekend with both the Northbound and Southbound lanes will be reduced to one lane.

STAGE 3: This stage is scheduled to take about two months. The roundabout construction will begin on the eastside. There will be a new bus stop constructed as well as a northbound slip on-ramp. Detour: The US-101/Civic Center intersection will be closed. Adjacent local roads will be used as a detour.

STAGE 4: This stage is scheduled to take about three weeks. Crews will work on the median on the westside. Crews will work on the median, the southbound bike lane and the bus stop removal on the eastside. Detour: Eastbound Manuel Freitas Parkway traffic will be detoured to Lucas Valley Road.

STAGE 5: This stage is scheduled to take about two or three days. There will be curb ramp and sidewalk work and work on the Southbound loop on-ramp on the westside. Detours: The southbound loop on-ramp will be closed. Traffic will be detoured to a Southbound slip on-ramp.

STAGE 6: This stage is scheduled to take about a week. Curb ramps and sidewalks will be worked on along with traffic signals and the Southbound off-ramp on the west side. Detour: The Southbound off-ramp is scheduled to be closed at night. A detour to an adjacent road will be used.

STAGE 7: This stage is scheduled to take about two weeks. Final striping will occur on the westside. Grind and overlay, and final striping will occur on the eastside. There are no detours scheduled for this stage.

Roundabouts

The modern roundabout is an intersection with a circular configuration that safely and efficiently moves traffic. Major roundabout projects are being built in other North Bay counties like Sonoma and Napa in recent years.

Roundabouts feature channelized, curved approaches that reduce vehicle speed, entry yield control that gives right-of way to circulating traffic, and counterclockwise flow around a central island that minimizes conflict points.

The net result of lower speeds and reduced conflicts at roundabouts is an environment where collisions that cause injury or fatality are substantially reduced.
– Courtesy of the Federal Highway Administration

Project Contact

Matt O’Donnell
Marin County Public Information Officer
Email: matt.odonnell@dot.ca.gov