Does starting this study commit the city to building the preferred alternative?
No. Such a decision would require a separate vote of the City Council.

Isn’t Bridgeway already safe?
Unfortunately, no. The Bridgeway waterfront is a documented “high collision network” segment according to Marin County’s 2024 Local Road Safety Plan.

This short, half-mile section of road has seen at least 18 people injured in traffic collisions since 2011. Two of those crashes resulted in serious injuries (i.e. meaning life-altering severity). Ten people were on bikes, three on foot, and five in cars. Injured bicyclists ranged from ages 19 to 71. Sadly, this segment of Bridgeway was also the site of a pedestrian fatality in 2007, when a local employee was killed when struck by a garbage truck.

How will loading be accommodated? Don’t we need the center turn lane for that?
Forcing delivery drivers to travel back and forth across uncontrolled traffic is dangerous and puts them at risk. As part of the plan, the consultant will develop a curbside operations plan that will recommend times of the day when loading can take place at the curb.

Will this affect emergency services?
As part of the planning process, the consultant will meet with police and fire departments. As it stands, the de facto use of the center turn lane presents a potential barrier to emergency access. A painted bike lane or one with permeable barriers would facilitate drivers pulling out of the way of emergency vehicles.

What is the cost to the city?
This version of the plan is intended to match the size of the grant received by the city, and is paid in full. If the city decides to implement the plan in the future, a $505k grant already awarded will help pay for that. If the city decides not to move forward with a plan, the liability of repaving Bridgeway will lie with Sausalito taxpayers rather than be subsidized by regional grant funding.

Is this project just for bikes?
This project considers the needs of all users. The project has the potential to improve the experience for drivers as well. Rather than be forced to wait behind slower-moving cyclists (particularly if the center turn lane is occupied), drivers and bicyclists would have their own lanes, and could proceed at their own pace. Furthermore, the project scope describes evaluating crossing improvements for pedestrians, as there are currently no marked crosswalks for a distance of 2,500 feet, or a 10-minute walk!

Why this section of Bridgeway? Isn’t the segment from Princess St to Napa St worse?
There is already an ongoing safety study for that segment underway, being carried out by the same consultant that is planned to conduct the 2nd St/Richardson St to Princess St.

Are bike lanes unsafe?
On street protected bike lanes provide space and physical barriers between vehicles and riders which will be part of the proposal. According to a US Federal Highway Administration study released in 2023, “Separated Bike Lanes show a clear trend that, with their implementation, a transportation agency can expect to see a reduction in bicycle crashes.” Parametrix engineers would know what is best for this area.

Isn’t it safer to cross the street with a center turn lane? No. Modern pedestrian crosswalks provide refuge islands in the middle of the roadway. The center turn lane does not provide such physical barriers. Instead, traffic in either direction may be driving in the center turn lane passing bicyclists or vehicles attempting to park. Parametrix engineers would know best how to provide a safe crosswalk.

Why does it cost so much to add bike lanes and crosswalks?
The majority of the project build cost is for repaving this section of road. The addition of bike lanes requires mostly paint with potentially some flexible bollards and signs which are relatively inexpensive. Crosswalks in this area will likely require Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs, such as at the intersection of Bridgeway and Napa) to help notify drivers of a pedestrian in the roadway which can increase costs, but less than the cost of repaving.

Will parking be removed?
Parametrix will provide those details in the options provided. Bike lanes most likely will not affect parking. Curbside delivery will require dedicated space and times for commercial deliveries. Crosswalks require “daylighting” so drivers can see a pedestrian about to cross the street. Right now, pedestrians stand between parked cars before crossing which decreases the chance of being seen by an oncoming vehicle. Designated short-term parking should also be considered, to aid with Uber Eats or other food pickup.

Is it against the law to cross the street now?
No, “unless a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision with a moving vehicle or other device moving exclusively by human power.” 21955 You are encouraged to use crosswalks.

Does this section of road really need to be repaved?
The 2023 Pavement Condition Index gave it a rating of Poor (39/100) which ranks it in the bottom 20% of Sausalito roads.

Where can a bicyclist park when eating lunch at Angelino’s or Sausalito Bakery Cafe?
The designated area for downtown bicycle parking, Tracy Way near the ferry landing, is 0.2 miles away. The Trident restaurant has private bike racks for their patrons only. There is no closer public bike parking and Sausalito’s ordinance 1222 prohibits parking elsewhere between 11:00 am - 7:00 pm daily.

Won’t removing the left turn lane at Princess cause more congestion?
Parametrix will determine the impact of removing the left turn lane as part of the study. From past observations, the volume of traffic turning left at Princess is relatively low. Also, the pedestrian crossing near the Ferry is already congested providing vehicle backups northbound and breaks in the southbound direction allowing vehicles to turn.

Why Parametrix? Has Sausalito worked with Parametrix before?
Parametrix acquired Parisi Consulting in March, 2023. Parisi Consulting has long been the transportation engineering consulting firm for Sausalito most recently providing services for Nevada Street improvements partially funded by a Safe Routes to Schools grant, and is currently the consultant for a safety study on Bridgeway between Johnson St and Napa St.

Did PBAC apply for a grant without authorization from the City Council?
No. Staff applied for all grants as directed by the City Council. In 2022, City Council unanimously voted to accept the ABAG $67,000 design grant on the consent calendar and again provided matching funds for staff to apply for grants like the awarded MTC/TAM OBAG $505,000 build grant.