Bridgeway is not working for everyone

Our community has spoken out: Bridgeway is not working for everyone. Many consider it the most dangerous part of their travel across town by foot or by bicycle.

“As someone who has grown up in Sausalito using this section of road to bike to school every day (from as young as 5), and who now uses it very often for many trips by bike, I wholly support adding new bike lanes here. The existing “sharrow” conditions have put me and others in far too many dangerous situations and close calls, putting our life on the line.”

— Odin Palen, Sausalito Resident

“This reconfiguration is ten years, possibly longer, overdue. Towns throughout Marin are embracing alternative safe routes for non-motorized travel, and we’re way behind.”

— Gordon Wright, Sausalito Business Owner

“I have lived on the corner of Richardson and Bridgeway for 10 years now. I have witnessed numerous biking, pedestrian, and car accidents during this time and have voiced my opinion on several occasions about making this area safer for everyone. Yet NOTHING has happened.”

— Ali McGrath, Sausalito Resident

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Much has changed since the Bridgeway waterfront was designed in the 1960’s

Sausalito transportation dynamics have shifted and the field of transportation engineering have evolved immensely over the past ~60 years. It is due time for a fresh look. Fortunately, the City has received a $67,000 grant from the SF Bay Trail, enabling a transportation engineering firm to see what’s possible to improve safety and close a gap in the Bay Trail.

Sausalito Police Chief John Rohrbacher describes shifting traffic dynamics and emergency access considerations at the November 19, 2018 Sausalito Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting

Former local taxi driver and Transportation Authority of Marin Commissioner Kevin Carroll recounts his experiences as a delivery driver on Bridgeway at the July 18, 2023 Sausalito City Council meeting.

The process

Sausalito is embarking on a transparent public process to develop conceptual designs to improve Bridgeway, including robust input from residents, businesses, emergency responders, and other users

The project is currently in the conceptual design phase, which includes:

Review of Conditions with Police and Fire Departments
Review of Parking, Truck Delivery and Traffic Conditions
Development of Conceptual Alternatives
Development of Preliminary Curbside Operations Plan
Preparation of Recommended Concept Plan
Stakeholder Meetings and Outreach
Presentation to City Council

Project scope

The grant-funded project scope runs from 2nd and Richardson (in front of Golden Gate Market) to the middle of the Princess and Bridgeway intersection

Considerations

Emergency vehicles (particularly Police and Fire) need to be able to move through Bridgeway without getting stuck in traffic
Delivery vehicles need a safe place to temporarily stop within a reasonable distance of their delivery point. Delivery drivers should also be able to safely cross lanes of traffic, if required.
Pedestrians should be able to conveniently and safely cross Bridgeway, improving the status quo which has no marked crosswalks between Princess St and Main St.
Bicycle riders of all ability levels should be able to navigate Bridgeway in both directions without fear
Residents should be able to turn in and out of their driveways with minimal delay. Resident parking should remain with minimal impact or be improved to the extent possible
Item description
Curbside parking should retained and be made available to the extent practical for all types of users: residents, visitors, pick-up, delivery, etc.
The aesthetics of the roadways and its surroundings should complement the stunning seaside backdrop and not take away from the beautiful setting.