US 101/Hearn Avenue Regional Multimodal Interchange
For the latest news see Project Updates below -
Project Scope
The US 101 Hearn Avenue Regional Multi-modal Interchange Project will demolish and reconstruct the Hearn Avenue interchange overcrossing in the same location to increase vertical clearance over US Hwy101, widen the overcrossing to provide two vehicle lanes in each direction, a median, sidewalks, and two Class IV bike lanes extending to Corby and Santa Rosa Avenue. The project will also widen the southbound US 101 off-ramp with turning lanes at its intersection with Corby Avenue, add lanes at the intersections of Hearn Avenue/Corby Avenue and Hearn Avenue/Santa Rosa Avenue, and add pedestrian curb ramps and crosswalks that comply with the American Disability Act and incorporate protected intersection facilities for bike crossings and detection to reduce potential conflicts between bikes and vehicles.
The project is the final phase of the Hearn Avenue and Santa Rosa Avenue Complete Streets Project to provide roadway widening, pedestrian, and bicycle improvements intended to improve mobility in southern Santa Rosa.
Project Purpose
The project will relieve traffic congestion and improve regional traffic operations, including providing multimodal access and connectivity adjacent to the Highway 101 and Hearn Avenue intersection.
Current Conditions:
- Existing Hearn Avenue overcrossing is one lane in each direction with no shoulders
- Insufficient capacity for vehicles leads to queuing back onto the mainline southbound US 101 auxiliary lane during peak periods
- Congestion and lack of shoulders delays emergency response times
- No sidewalk on the north side and discontinuous sidewalk on the south side
- No bike facilities on Hearn Ave overcrossing
- Nonstandard vertical clearance over US 101
- Non-crashworthy bridge railings
Project Benefits:
- Improve local traffic circulation and regional traffic operations (resulting in improved first responder access and response time)
- Improve multimodal access, connectivity, and operations
- Improves access to essential goods, services and jobs
- Improves access to recreation
- Improves access to schools and adult educational and career development
- Improves access to public transit and transit travel times
- Improve overall safety of the facility
Project Updates
Nighttime Ramp and Lane Closures on Highway 101 in Santa Rosa For Hearn Avenue Overpass Replacement Project
Closures occur Tuesday, August 6 through Sunday, August 11, 2024
As part of the Highway 101/Hearn Avenue Overcrossing Replacement Project in Santa Rosa, Caltrans will close the on-ramp connecting Hearn/Yolanda Avenue to northbound Highway 101 and the off-ramp connecting southbound Highway 101 to Hearn Avenue.
The closures will occur at night to avoid impacting commute traffic and include closing one or two lanes (out of three lanes) on northbound and southbound Highway 101.
During the closures, workers will install a drainage system for the new Hearn Avenue overcrossing.
Closure Schedule:
Hearn/Yolanda Avenue on-ramp to northbound Hwy 101
Tuesday – Thursday, August 6-8; 10:00 PM – 5:00 AM
Friday - Saturday, August 9-10; 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM
Southbound Hwy 101 off-ramp to Hearn Avenue
Tuesday – Thursday, August 6 – 8; 9:00 PM - 5:00 AM
Friday – Saturday, August 9-10; 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Northbound and Southbound Hwy 101 between Yolanda and Hearn Avenue
Tuesday – Thursday, August 6 – 8; 9:00 PM - 6:00 AM
Friday – Saturday, August 9-10; 10:00 PM - 9:00 AM
Detours
During the closure, motorists who would ordinarily use the Hearn/Yolanda Avenue on-ramp will be detoured to the Baker Avenue on-ramp.
Motorists would typically take the southbound Highway 101 off-ramp to Hearn Avenue will be detoured to the Todd Road off-ramp.
Santa Rosa Avenue bike and pedestrian detour route.
Turn Pockets to Close at Hearn/Corby Ave. Intersection in San Rosa for Nine Months, Making Room to Widen Overcrossing
Closures begin in early hours on Wednesday, May 29, 2024
As part of the Hwy 101/Hearn Avenue Overcrossing Replacement Project in Santa Rosa, Caltrans will close the right-turn lane from westbound Hearn Avenue to northbound Corby Avenue, and the left turn pocket from southbound Corby to eastbound Hearn, before the start of the morning commute on Wednesday, May 29, 2022.
The turn pockets will be closed for nine months, providing space for Caltrans to build the northern section of the new Hearn Avenue Overcrossing.
During the closure, the single westbound lane on Hearn Avenue will serve vehicles turning right or left onto Corby and vehicles traveling straight on Hearn Avenue. Westbound motorists should allot more travel time during the closure, as capacity on Hearn Avenue will be reduced.
Also, Caltrans will close the left turn pocket on southbound Corby, making the single southbound lane serving traffic turning left or right onto Hearn or through traffic on Corby.
The Hearn Avenue Project is a partnership between Caltrans Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) and the City of Santa Rosa to upgrade the existing overcrossing that spans U.S. Highway 101 with a single eastbound and westbound lane and includes only a small sidewalk for pedestrians.
The new $43.7 million project will include two eastbound and westbound lanes and feature two sidewalks, two Class 4 bicycle lanes, and other elements designed to reduce congestion and better serve people who walk and bike in southern Santa Rosa.
This project is an example of Caltrans’ Complete Streets Program, which adds multimodal upgrades to new projects when feasible.
The project was first envisioned in the 1990s and became feasible in 2004 when Sonoma County passed Measure M, a quarter-cent sales tax to fund transportation upgrades. In 2020, voters approved an extension of Measure M.
The SCTA contributed $17.2 million through Measure M funds, and the City of Santa Rosa contributed $9.4 million.
The project also received $17 million in state funds, $8.6 million through the Senate Bill (SB) 1 LPP competitive program, $5 million through SB 1 Local Partnership Program (LPP), and $3.4 million from the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
When completed in late 2025, the Hearn Avenue Overcrossing will comply with new regulations to allow taller vehicles to pass beneath.
Groundbreaking
Click image below for video of project groundbreaking.
Project Contact
For more information, contact Caltrans Sonoma County Public Information Officer Jeffrey Weiss.